I’m fairly certain three-time Olympian Ryan Lochte’s future won’t be in hosting a talk show or providing commentary during swimming meets. The winner of five medals during the 2012 London Olympics has been making the interview rounds following the completion of the swimming portion of the Games, and he’s great to look at, talented in the pool, but he might want to stay away from talking too much in front of cameras.
Everything that’s been put out on video with Lochte recently just hasn’t indicated the 28 year old swimmer is ready to move on to acting. However, in his interview with Matt Lauer on Today he indicates he’s considering spending time in the spotlight on a reality TV show.
“Hopefully…we’ll see what happens. I’m definitely looking towards Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor, so we’ll see what happens,” said Lochte. “I definitely want to move to LA. That’s been a big goal of mine – getting into fashion. Because, you know what? That is my passion.”
And in case you missed it on Funny or Die, Lochte’s “Peeing in the Poo” video is embedded above.
Robert Ludlam wrote three books about Jason Bourne: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum. After his passing in 2001, Eric Van Lustbader took up the series and has since written seven (yes, SEVEN) additions to the Bourne canon. A quick comparison between the synopsis for number four, The Bourne Legacy, and the film sharing that title sees drastic differences: most importantly that the book is still about Jason Bourne.
After director Paul Greengrass left the film project, Matt Damon packed up as well; leaving a large, tax-sheltered hole where Universal was hoping big piles of cash would be dumped. A logical plan was then put in place, bumping one of the co-writers of the previous three films’ screenplays into the director’s chair. Thankfully, with that person being Tony Gilroy, it’s not a cop-out (he previously directed Michael Clayton). His intimate knowledge of the film series seemed like a perfect match and he once again co-wrote the screenplay. Problem is, this was no longer The Bourne Legacy as a new character had to be brought in (Jeremy Renner‘s Aaron Cross). Instead, what we have is a film I prefer to call ReBourne.
More than an easy quip, that moniker would be far more helpful for fans of the franchise when trying to temper their expectations. Now, I’m not saying this was a bad movie; it’s actually quite good. They wove the timeline of the last films in with this one, making it feel like an organic extension of what we’ve been told up to this point.
Renner is a wonderful addition to the world Matt Damon introduced audiences to and Rachel Weisz makes for a tremendously romantic and intellectual match (how she manages to make me believe she’s in love with each and every actor she works with is astounding). The story unfolds in an engaging manner, the action is decent, and the new version of Moby’s Extreme Ways introduced at the end of the third film is back again as the end credits get rolling (some version of the song has been there for each previous film).
However, problems arose when I stopped to gather my thoughts and put the events of the film into a larger context. What follows after this paragraph isn’t quite spoiler material in terms of specific plot elements but might lay out more than you want to know ahead of time. If all you’re interested in is whether or not you should see the movie, the short answer is ‘yes,’ assuming you liked the other three. I have no idea why you’d be interested in seeing it if you didn’t.
That out of the way, I’d really like to know why, aside from financial gain, Tony Gilroy bothered to make the movie at all. Due to the need to introduce a new character, this is essentially an origin film. That makes sense. But aside from the differences in how much Aaron Cross knows about the super secret program he’s involved with and a lack of amnesia, nearly every beat of the movie is a distorted mirror of The Bourne Identity.
We have a non-spy female love interest who initially is a means to an end but becomes much more than that. The CIA wants nothing more than to mitigate any possible blowback that might occur if the public finds out about their shady projects that don’t officially exist. The chase spans across country borders, and you had better believe there’s another specially trained assassin tasked with finding our hero and making him dead.
I’m almost more upset about this film than the completely unnecessary foreign film remakes for audiences unwilling to read subtitles that continue to make my blood boil. At least those are known quantities. This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, purporting to propel the franchise in a new direction but ultimately leaving us at the same point the first film did. If they follow through with the trajectory of The Bourne Supremacy, Rachel Weisz may not want to plan to be a part of this franchise after the next movie.
And make no mistake, there will be more. It’s highly doubtful audiences will resist the urge to see what is one of the surer bets of the summer, there are six more novels already in publication to draw ideas from (or two movies if they keep up with these shenanigans), and what studio doesn’t want to make money? While I will continue to be interested in future installments, I can only hope that the story will veer from it’s previous path and not just because at some point there will be an offer Damon (and possibly Greengrass) can’t refuse.
The end goal is so obviously a team-up of these two very capable killing machines with hearts of gold. After all, if The Avengers taught Hollywood anything, it’s that building anticipation for some grand collaboration will probably net you even bigger piles of cash to stick in even bigger, tax-sheltered holes. And that’s the true goal of movie-making these days, isn’t it?
GRADE: B-
The Bourne Legacy hits theaters on August 10, 2012 and is rated PG-13 for violence and action sequences.
The Closer’s G.W. Bailey and James Duff accept a certificate of the most contributions to a greeting card from Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric. - Photo Courtesy of TNTOne final episode and then The Closer will be gone. The series finale airs on Sunday, August 13, 2012 at 9pm (followed by the series premiere of Major Crimes), and in support and appreciation of the show, fans have been signing a “Thank-Yew” card online. In fact, so many fans – over 17,000 – have signed the card that it’s now the new Guinness World Record holder for the “most contributions ever on a greeting card.”
The card has been available online since February, with The Closer fans adding personal messages about what the show has meant to them the past six months. TNT even set up a huge 10-foot version of the card during a special fan screening of The Closer in Hollywood.
With three days left until the final episode, it’s not too late to add your signature and message to the card. Add your message at http://Thankyew.com
As the upcoming Presidential election draws nearer, it only seems right that a comedy take advantage of the subject material. Enter Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as opposing North Carolina congressional candidates in The Campaign.
Directed by Jay Roach, who helmed both the Meet the Parents and Austin Powers trilogies, the movie is both farce and satire. Ferrell plays a four-term incumbent Democrat modeled seemingly after politicians like Bill Clinton and Gary Hart but with the similar brash cluelessness the former SNL alum used to play George W. Bush. Galifianakis once again steps into the shoes of a rather odd individual, a man running on the Republican ticket thanks to the deep pockets of greedy benefactors (Dan Aykroyd & John Lithgow) but at heart a very simple man with ideals as pure as his behavior is strange.
The comedy naturally derives from watching these polar opposites attempt to win over voters either through shameless pandering or vicious mud-slinging. A talented supporting cast, including Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Bryan Cox, and Karen Maruyama, make sure any moments not dominated by the two leads round out this exaggerated examination of the American political system.
To no surprise, the comedy is a mix of satiric observations, awkward personalities, and vulgar/over-the-top setups; and if one were looking for a simplistic cinematic comparison, this is Talladega Nights trading in Nascar for the House of Representatives. Weaving between the types of comedy keeps the film from feeling monotonous, as does the brisk runtime of 85 minutes (including a joke or two in the credits just to warn those of you who bolt for the exit door when the text starts to roll across the screen).
One’s enjoyment of the picture squarely falls on the appeal of its leading men. Neither is exploring new territory, and it’s purely personal taste if one will be satisfied that each delivers exactly the type of performance and character that would be expected of them. Anyone suffering from comedy fatigue in the case of either actor won’t find anything fresh to rekindle that initial spark that brought each to the forefront of mainstream comedy success.
That being said, the similarities to real-life election practices and corruption rampant in American politics still rings through the humor on display. Only time will tell if it has the ability to get better upon subsequent viewings like others from its stars (Anchorman, The Hangover). Assuming you still look forward to films from Ferrell and Galifianakis, The Campaign will fill the comedy void amongst wide releases of late. If either, or both, of the actors have worn out their welcome, seek movie entertainment elsewhere.
GRADE: C
The Campaign hits theaters on August 10, 2012 and is rated R for crude sexual content, language and brief nudity.
Ai Weiwei in a scene from Alison Klayman’s AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY. Photo Courtesy of Never Sorry LLC. A Sundance Selects release.
It seems appropriate that as the 2012 Olympics come to a close, the documentary Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry continues to find limited release in the states. If that comment doesn’t make any sense, it’s probably because you’re like me and had forgotten/never knew that Ai Weiwei was the artist who designed the Beijing National Stadium commonly referred to as the Bird’s Nest which figured so prominently into the 2008 Olympics.
Weiwei is a very respected figure in the art world, and unsurprisingly even more so in China amongst the populace who share his beliefs that the voice of the people should be heard; without fear of reprisal from a government that routinely detains, beats, and ‘disappears’ those who challenge the system. His art often speaks to creating a more open society with greater levels of transparency and equality.
Now, as someone who very rarely uses the Twitter account they started on a lark years ago, I had no idea how prominent a figure Weiwei was in the world of social media. Of course, that wasn’t where he began to speak out against China’s intolerance for social unrest, but after they shut down his blog, Weiwei found that Twitter was a way around the national firewall and has since used it to great effect.
This trend of using social media to effect change socially and politically isn’t quite a new thing but has been gaining more legitimacy in the last few years; one needs only look at recent uprisings in the Middle East and how Facebook helped organizers in their endeavors to see the results.
Sure, the documentary is 95% focused on Weiwei; how he became so prominent worldwide for his efforts, and spotlighting the series of events that took place following the Beijing Olympics and the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake which would lead to his own detainment by the Chinese government. However, as well plotted out as all of those segments are, it’s the larger message regarding how social media has changed the paradigm of how we all communicate with one another that makes this documentary so fascinating to watch.
This isn’t a brand new insight, but with the speed of technology and access to news increasing each and every day, the role of social media to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard is only now beginning to be taken seriously. As fewer and fewer corporations control the flow of information, it has become even more important for so-called average citizens to speak out when something isn’t being said and to allow for more than the two or three major headlines it seems can be handled at any one time by the big outlets.
Taking all of that into perspective elevates the importance of Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry. It’s a fairly standard bio-pic, albeit about a rather fascinating individual who has not only great artistic talent but also shows great courage to rise up in a society that has so often only told its people to stay down. Adding the extra layers of technology’s role in an ever-shrinking global community puts the film over the top and makes it one of the best documentaries of 2012.
GRADE: B+
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry hits theaters on August 10, 2012 and is rated R for some language.
Not to be outdone by the US Olympic Swim Team, the US Women’s Soccer Team dances and lip-syncs to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” in this upbeat music video. The team wound up winning the gold medal on August 9th at the 2012 London Olympic Games after defeating Japan. USA midfielder Carli Lloyd scored both of Team USA’s goals, which was good enough to beat Japan’s single goal in a hard-fought game at Wembley Stadium.
Shot in July, the team shows off their impressive dance moves in the video, but is it better than the swim team’s “Call Me Maybe?” You be the judge.
Official Synopsis: When long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice but, with the help of his new benefactors’ support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family’s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about.
As Election Day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other, in this mud-slinging, back-stabbing, home-wrecking comedy from Meet the Parents director Jay Roach that takes today’s political circus to its logical next level. Because even when you think campaign ethics have hit rock bottom, there’s room to dig a whole lot deeper.
[tabs style=”default” title=”‘The Campaign’ Resources”] [tab title=”Cast”]
Will Ferrell – ‘Cam Brady’
Zach Galifianakis – ‘Marty Huggins’
Jason Sudeikis – ‘Mitch’
Katherine LaNasa – ‘Rose Brady’
Dylan McDermott – ‘Tim Wattley’
John Lithgow – ‘Glenn Motch’
Dan Aykroyd – ‘Wade Motch’
Brian Cox – ‘Raymond Huggins’
[/tab]
[tab title=”Trailer and Clips”]Click to View the Campaign AdsClick to View the Trailer[/tab] [tab title=”Photos”]Click to View the Photos[/tab] [/tabs]
Jason Mraz’ “Tour is a Four Letter Word” kicked off today in New Orleans at the Lakefront Arena, but the tour isn’t all that’s been keeping Mraz busy. He’s also doing a series of appearances on TV and he launched a Twitter contest inviting his followers to help come up with a concept for the official music video for “The Woman I Love.” Mraz asked fans to submit their ideas for the video in 140 characters or less, with the best ideas then used in the video. And those who are selected will have their Twitter addresses listed at the end of the “The Woman I Love” video. (He hasn’t announced the winners yet.)
Among his appearances will be a performance during the “Toyota Concert Series” on NBC’s Today on Friday, August 31st, followed by a Late Night with Jimmy Fallon appearance.
Christina Perri will be accompanying Mraz on the tour, which will be earth-friendly and as green as possible. Teaming up with the non-profit Reverb, Mraz will be encouraging his fans to work toward a more sustainable future.
Jason Mraz Tour is a Four Letter Word
North America 2012
AUGUST
9 New Orleans, LA Lakefront Arena
11 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
12 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
14 Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
15 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
17 Orange Beach, AL Amphitheater At The Wharf
18 Atlanta, GA Aarons Amphitheatre Lakewood
19 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
21 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
22 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
24 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
25 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
26 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
28 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
29 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
31 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
SEPTEMBER
1 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach
2 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
5 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
7 Boston, MA Comcast Center
8 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
9 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
11 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
12 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
14 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
15 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
16 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
21 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
22 Seattle, WA Gorge Amphitheatre
24 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
25 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
28 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
29 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Pavilion
OCTOBER
2 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center
4 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre
5 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
7 Las Vegas, NV Red Rock Casino
Friends star Matthew Perry leads the cast of NBC’s new half-hour comedy Go On. The new comedy will be joining NBC’s primetime lineup on September 11, 2012.
Matthew Perry plays Ryan, John Cho is Steven, Laura Benanti is Lauren, and Julie White is Anne. Tyler James Williams stars as Owen, Suzy Nakamura is Yolanda, and Brett Gelman is Mr K.
The Synopsis: Matthew Perry stars as Ryan King, a recent widower and sports talk radio host ready to get back to work after the loss of his wife. Ryan’s alpha-male boss, Steven (Cho), has a different plan in store for Ryan, making him attend grief counseling before returning to the air.
A reluctant Ryan finds himself in a support group for “life change” where he meets an oddball cast of characters, all with their own backstories filled with varying degrees of loss. On his very first visit, Ryan convinces the group to deviate from their normal session and starts a tournament-style competition (March Sadness!) to find out whose story is the worst. Ryan’s total lack of interest in “the healing process” proves distracting, and he soon butts heads with the by-the-books group leader, Lauren. Back at work, Ryan is confronted with the fact that he hasn’t really processed his grief and realizes Lauren and the other members of the group might be key in helping him move on.
Is it possible Dexter will wind up on his own table? The slice across his face and the tagline seem to indicate Dexter (Michael C Hall) could become a victim rather than a dispenser of justice. Things are going to get very interesting in the seventh season of Dexter as everything about his relationship with his sister, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter), will most likely change.
Dexter season seven debuts on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 9pm.
Not to be outdone by the US Olympic Swim Team, the US Women’s Soccer Team dances and lip-syncs to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” in this upbeat music video. The team wound up winning the gold medal on August 9th at the 2012 London Olympic Games after defeating Japan. USA midfielder Carli Lloyd scored both of Team USA’s goals, which was good enough to beat Japan’s single goal in a hard-fought game at Wembley Stadium.
Is it possible Dexter will wind up on his own table? The slice across his face and the tagline seem to indicate Dexter (Michael C Hall) could become a victim rather than a dispenser of justice. Things are going to get very interesting in the seventh season of 
