In case you missed the announcement back in early December, Coldplay will be heading out in April for an extended world tour. We posted their schedule then, but because it’s been updated (just today another date at the Hollywood Bowl was added to the list) so much since that initial announcement, we thought we’d post it again.
Coldplay 2012 Tour Dates:
Apr 17 Rexall Place Edmonton, Canada
Apr 18 Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Canada
Apr 20 Rogers Arena Vancouver, Canada
Apr 24 Rose Garden Arena Portland, OR
Apr 25 KeyArena Seattle, WA
Apr 27 HP Pavilion At San Jose San Jose, CA
Apr 28 HP Pavilion At San Jose San Jose, CA
May 01 Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, CA
May 02 Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, CA
May 04 Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, CA
May 18 Dragon Stadium Porto, Portugal
May 20 Estadio Vicente Calderón Madrid, Spain
May 22 Stade Charles Ehrmann Nice, France
May 24 Stadio Olimpico di Torino Turin To, Italy
May 26 Letzigrund Stadion Zurich, Switzerland
May 29 Ricoh Arena Coventry, United Kingdom
Jun 01 Emirates Stadium London, United Kingdom
Jun 02 Emirates Stadium London, United Kingdom
Jun 04 Emirates Stadium London, United Kingdom
Jun 07 Stadium Of Light Sunderland, United Kingdom
Jun 09 Etihad Stadium Manchester, United Kingdom
Jun 10 Manchester Etihad Stadium Manchester, United Kingdom
Jun 22 American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
Jun 23 American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
Jun 25 Toyota Center Houston, TX
Jun 28 St Pete Times Forum Tampa, FL
Jun 29 AmericanAirlines Arena Miami, FL
Jul 02 Philips Arena Atlanta, GA
Jul 05 Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
Jul 08 Verizon Center Washington, DC
Jul 09 Verizon Center Washington, DC
Jul 23 Air Canada Centre Toronto, Canada
Jul 26 Bell Centre Montreal, Canada
Jul 29 TD Garden Boston, MA
Jul 30 TD Garden Boston, MA
Aug 03 IZOD Center East Rutherford, NJ
Aug 04 IZOD Center East Rutherford, NJ
Aug 07 United Center Chicago, IL
Aug 11 Xcel Energy Center St Paul, MN
Aug 28 Parken Indre Østerbro, Denmark
Aug 30 Stockholm Stadion Stockholm, Sweden
Sep 02 Stade de France Paris, France
Sep 04 RheinEnergie-Stadion Cologne, Germany
Sep 06 Malieveld Den Haag, Netherlands
Sep 12 Olympiastadion München Munich, Germany
Sep 14 Red Bull Arena Leipzig, Germany
Sep 16 Synot Tip Aréna Praha, Czech Republic
Sep 19 Stadion Narodowy Warsaw, Poland
Sep 22 AWD Arena Hanover (Calenberger Neustadt), Germany
At the begininng of each episode of TNT's exciting new reality series 'The Great Escape,' three two-person teams are blindfolded and led to the start of the competition. - Photo by TNT
TNT’s branching out into the reality TV world with its first series of that genre, The Great Escape. Ron Howard and Brian Grazer serve as executive producers on the reality competition series which will premiere on the network this summer.
Rich Eisen hosts the 10 episode series which drops teams of ordinary people into their own action/adventure movie. Per the network: “Each week, three pairs of players will compete for a cash prize by escaping from such locations as a seven-story castle, a deserted island, a sinking ship or a maximum security prison. Players must use their wits, skills and whatever tools they can find to overcome obstacles, evade pursuers and make their way to freedom.”
“The Great Escape is a fast-paced series with all the heart-pounding excitement and nail-biting suspense of a summer popcorn movie,” stated Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) announcing the show. “This is exactly the kind of fun, smart, unscripted competition show we’ve been looking for to complement TNT’s entertaining lineup of scripted dramas.”
Michael Cassidy Danny Masterson, James Lesure and Adam Busch star in TBS's all-new sitcom 'Men at Work' - Photo Courtesy of TBS
The buddy comedy Men at Work has been given the greenlight by TBS, with the network ordering up 10 episodes of the series starring Danny Masterson (That ‘70s Show, Yes Man), James Lesure (Las Vegas), Michael Cassidy (The O.C.) and Adam Busch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The multi-camera series is set to debut this summer.
Men at Work was created by Breckin Meyer, the writer of the pilot. Mark Cendrowski (The Big Bang Theory) directed the first episode.
“Men at Work is an extremely funny adult comedy that mines humor from the unique, occasionally wrong ways men behave and interact as they face the challenges of life in the 21st century,” stated Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. “We’re thrilled to have these guys in our corner.”
The Plot:
Men at Work follows the misadventures of four buddies who work together at a magazine. Masterson plays the recently dumped Milo, whose friends are determined to help him get back in the game. Lesure is Gibbs, a photographer and successful ladies man. Cassidy plays Tyler, a features writer who brings a dose of style and sophistication to the group. And Busch is Neal, a somewhat nebbish reporter and the only one in the group with a steady girlfriend. Together, the four serve as each other’s wingmen as they help each other navigate work, friendship and women.
Anchor Bay Films has acquired the North American rights to The Victim, a suspense thriller written by, directed by, and starring Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens). Biehn makes his directorial debut with the film which features Jennifer Blanc, Ryan Honey , Denny Kirkwood, Tanya Newbould and Danielle Harris.
“This is a great grindhouse film and audiences won’t be disappointed,” said Kevin Kasha, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Anchor Bay Films.
“From the first day of shooting, I had hoped that Anchor Bay would be interested in The Victim. I’m very happy they will be working with us to distribute it,” added Michael Biehn. “I loved making such a down and dirty film – true grindhouse.”
The Plot:
Good time girls Annie (Jennifer Blanc) and Mary (Danielle Harris) find themselves in a life and death situation. Annie’s life is put in jeopardy when she is witness to a violent act at the hands of two Sheriff’s Deputies. Fleeing from attackers (Ryan Honey, Denny Kirkwood), she stumbles across Kyle (Michael Biehn), a recluse living in the middle of the woods. The ruggedly handsome loner stays far from civilization – that is – until a single knock on his door throws his solitary life into chaos. Two worlds collide in this psychological thriller that will make you question your trust in mankind. Who is the victim?
ATO Pictures has set a February 17, 2012 release date for the comedy Thin Ice starring Greg Kinnear, Billy Crudup, and Alan Arkin, and in anticipation of the upcoming release, they’ve just unveiled the new official trailer and poster for the dark comedy directed by Jill Sprecher.
Take a look and see what you think:
The Plot:
Mickey Prohaska (Greg Kinnear) is a small-time insurance agent looking for a way to jump-start his business, reunite with his estranged wife (Lea Thompson) and escape the frigid Wisconsin weather. This self-proclaimed master of spin believes that salesmanship is about selling a story — all he needs is a sucker willing to buy it. He hits pay dirt with a lonely retired farmer (Alan Arkin) who is sitting on something much bigger than an insurance commission. But Mickey’s attempt to con the old man spins out of control when a nosy, unstable locksmith (Billy Crudup) with a volatile temper dramatically ups the stakes, trapping him in a madcap spiral of danger, deceit and double-crossing. Blending dark comedy and delirious Midwestern noir, THIN ICE reaches a breaking point that no one — least of all Mickey Prohaska — could ever see coming.
Indie rockers Asleep are set to drop their new album Unpleasant Companion on February 7, 2012, and in advance of its release they’ve unleashed the single “Hip to Deaf” exclusively on GuitarWorld.com. Per the press release, Unpleasant Companion was recorded over four days to “capture a live dynamic onto 16-track 2-inch analog tape.”
“The album’s central theme explores how we manage to stay so addictively connected yet simplistically separated from one another through the same digital loops in the current fabric of the information age,” states Asleep.
Consisting of Todd Kaden (vocals/guitar), Jon Dean (guitar), Cory Snyder (bass/vocals), and Shawn Logan (drums/percussion), Asleep is a rock band with an experimental focus. They write pop songs that reflect a rusty optimism prevalent throughout their northeast Ohio surroundings. Their two previous releases, All These Things We’ll Never Need recorded by Bill Korecky (Mushroomhead) and Between, Above, and Below produced by Mike Watts (As Tall As Lions, The Dear Hunter), received great reviews selling over 10,000 physical copies.
Asleep has performed at SXSW 2010 & 2011, opened for Deftones, as well as sharing the stage with The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth and Kings of Leon at Blossom Music Center and Tower City Amphitheater in Cleveland, OH. Having toured the midwest, northeast and south various times, performing well over 300 shows since late 2006, Asleep is ready to take the world by storm with Unpleasant Companion.
As we recover from the holidays, begin a brand new year and say goodbye to 2011, it’s time to look back at what many critics would call a lackluster year. Still, there were a few films that didn’t just make the grade – “worthy of the price of admission” – but actually entertained and had the audience mesmerized in their seats. The following is a list of the Top 10 films that delivered the cinema magic that moviegoers are seeking when the lights go down, and the film lights up the screen.
10) The Artist – Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and James Cromwell
This film with its simple story of a silent movie star who refuses to adapt and try to become involved with sound pictures takes the audience back to a time when melodrama, overacting, and the audience having to read a few lines of dialogue to follow the plot was necessary to enjoy the movie-going experience.
Beautifully filmed with wonderful cinematography, perfect costumes and a great musical score, The Artist captures a lost era and brings back to the big screen the magic of silent films.
9) Beginners – Starring: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Melanie Laurent
“Sex, life, feeling, nature, magic, love.” So says Ewan McGregor in perhaps what could be his best performance as a man completely thrown for a loop when his father, now well into his 70s, finally comes out of the closet and tells him that he’s gay. The romance between McGregor as a man still struggling with what true love really is and Laurent as a woman who’s ready for a real and true relationship is at the heart and core of the film, and not one scene between the two of them ever feels false.
Christopher Plummer deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance as a man discovering and enjoying a whole new life while still dealing with the guilt he feels for the lies, deceit, and hurt he’s caused both McGregor’s character and his deceased mother.
8) Winnie the Pooh – Starring: Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, and John Cleese
“I can tell you’re going to be awfully feisty today,” says Winnie the Pooh in the animated film which brought back to the big screen all the classic, beloved characters of the Hundred Acre Wood in a few adventures that the entire family could and would enjoy. These wonderful characters remind the audience of the importance of friendship, selflessness, loyalty and play, and the innocence of childhood.
7) The Guard – Starring: Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle
Two unlikely partners are forced to work together in order to bring down drug dealers and solve a murder in this hilarious dark comedy that’s highlighted by two stand-out performances from Gleeson and Cheadle. The wonderful crisp dialogue and few surprises in the script make this film hands-down the best comedy of the year.
6) The Debt – Starring: Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Chastain
A suspenseful, shocking film with a fantastic cast, gripping drama, and tense action. The Debt is one of the best spy thrillers to come to the big screen in years.
5) Midnight in Paris – Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen
Woody Allen’s latest film is a love letter to Paris and an age gone by, with a stand-out performance by Owen Wilson. The strong performances by Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, and Corey Stoll make Wilson’s midnight walks in Paris even more magical. This movie is a truly charming and romantic delight.
4) Happy Feet Two – Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink and Hank Azaria
One of the few animated films this past year to use 3D to truly enhance the adventure on screen, Happy Feet Two is a cute, fun, toe-tapping good time for kids of all ages. And it does something extremely rare for a sequel…it matches the original film.
3) Super 8 – Starring: Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney
J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg join forces to bring this tale of young love, mystery, coming-of-age, and adventure to the big screen. The cast of young actors is fantastic, highlighted by Elle Fanning and newcomer Joel Courtney as the leads of this suspenseful, heartfelt film. It’s ET meets The Goonies meets Stand by Me. The movie brilliantly captures the era of the 1970s and how kids behaved and interacted in those days.
2) We Bought a Zoo – Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, and Thomas Hayden Church
“What’s so complicated about this place? ROAR! It’s a Zoo.” Sweet, charming, and endearing, We Bought a Zoo is an inspirational film that’s a cut above the rest for two reasons: Matt Damon’s stand-out performance as a newly widowed dad who’s determined to give his kids a new start and see them have a chance of being truly happy again, and Cameron Crowe’s strong direction. Add in Thomas Hayden Church’s scene-stealing scenes as the loyal but concerned brother and you have a family film that will have the audience laughing and smiling long after the credits roll.
“Harry Potter. The boy who lived. Come to die.” After 10 years of potions, spells, wand fights, and mysteries, it all comes to a breathtaking end in this, the final installment of the boy wizard tale, now a young man facing off against the Dark Lord himself – Lord Voldemort. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson deliver the most touching and heartfelt scenes as both Harry and Hermione realize in order to have a chance to defeat He Who Must Not Be Named, Harry may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The scene near the end of the film on the staircase when Emma as Hermione says through her tears, ”I’ll go with you,” is sure to bring a lump into the throats of the audience.
Compelling, magical, moving, and suspenseful, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is quite simply the perfect farewell to these characters and their magical world. It accomplishes something extremely rare for a film series…it delivers everything any fan of the saga could want or hope for, and lives up to both the critics and fans expectations.
Unlike Scott Pilgrim’s guesses, when talking about writer/director Dee Rees’ film Pariah, the L word is actually a reference to lesbians.
Starring Adepero Oduye as Alike, the movie deals with the struggle she has in admitting her sexuality to parents who don’t want to hear the truth and find homosexuality to be against their beliefs – religiously and culturally. Alike also has to find the strength within to accept herself in spite of what other people do and say about it. An aspiring writer, she finds solace in expressing her emotions via poetry, which of course is informed by her experiences with first love, friends, and family.
Oduye is heart-breaking in the role, making Alike’s journey feel intimate and sincere. No matter your sexuality, the journey from adolescence into adulthood is fraught with situations and instances that magnify one’s insecurities and force conflict; the person you’ll be is shaped in that process. Wanting to be accepted is natural; understanding that accepting yourself is the only necessary step is hard.
All of this is there in Oduye’s performance, and Rees’ script, both of which exhibit the kind of vulnerability few films managed to do each year. The supporting cast also does their part, filling the film with characters that seem ripped out of real life and are free of the artifice so often injected into mainstream cinema. Sure, everyone is a recognizable archetype, and for all intents and purposes, this isn’t breaking new ground. But that doesn’t lessen the impact of Alike’s story, and this film speaks to the notion that the people who truly love and understand you will do so unconditionally, even if it takes some time.
And don’t get caught up in some of the comparisons to Precious circulating in the ether. While both films deal with black women in New York looking for acceptance, the similarities end there. It’s like comparing Woody Allen to Martin Scorsese. Both often deal with white men in New York, but I doubt anyone confuses the pair’s canon. All that I take out of such talk is that there aren’t enough movies being released nationally that deal with black culture in such a frank manner. (So get on it distributors.)
Pariah is an honest portrait of a subject matter just beginning to be discussed openly. It’s a part of the cinematic movement to let voices be heard that have been silent too long. While not everyone will resonate emotionally or culturally with the characters, what’s important is that it finds those out there who need to see that being true to one’s self is the only way to find true happiness.
It’s sappy to say such a thing but seeing a story like this reminds those of us not pressured by others’ expectations that not everyone is so lucky. This isn’t a perfect movie in terms of filmmaking and technical elements, but what’s most important is that it has heart and a real story to convey … something too many other films fail to understand.
GRADE: B+
Pariah is rated R for sexual content and language.
Elizabeth Olsen – hot off her breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed drama Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene – stars in the horror movie, Silent House. The film, a remake of La Casa Munda, is directed by Chris Kentis and Laura Lau and is set for a March 9, 2012 theatrical release by Open Road Films.
The Plot:
Elizabeth Olsen plays a young woman whose panic grows into terror as she finds herself sealed inside her family’s crumbling lake house. With no electricity and no contact to the outside world, events throughout the house become increasingly frightening and bloody.
Jason Derulo’s been forced to cancel his upcoming tour dates after fracturing his neck while rehearsing in Florida. On his Facebook page, Derulo posted this message along with the above photo:
“I fractured my neck doing tumbling & acrobatics 4 tour! Always tryin 2 push boundaries 4 YOU! Like my new chain? ;)”
The Hollywood Reporter says he suffered an “acute fracture to his vertebra.” He’s been released from the hospital in Pembroke Pines but won’t be able to handle the physical demands of a tour while recovering. His Future History World Tour was set to launch on February 23rd in Glasgow.
Derulo sent this message out to his fans: “To all my fans who planned to come to the Future History World tour, the pain of letting you down cuts me way deeper than this injury I’ve sustained. My fans mean everything to me, so I’m praying for a speedy recovery in order to perform for you in the near future.”
Anchor Bay Films has acquired the North American rights to The Victim, a suspense thriller written by, directed by, and starring Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens). Biehn makes his directorial debut with the film which features Jennifer Blanc, Ryan Honey , Denny Kirkwood, Tanya Newbould and Danielle Harris. 
Indie rockers 
