Disney heads to Mars for the sci-fi adventure film John Carter based on the classic novel A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The film stars Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins, and in the trailer we see a glimpse of the action they undertake in this much-anticipated 2012 release.
The story: John Carter is a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). John Carter is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins).
In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.
Cobra Starship’s new album Night Shades is set for release on August 30, 2011. The group’s first single, “You Make Me Feel…,” has already entered the top 30 at CHR/Top 40 radio outlets. “You Make Me Feel” also debuted at #1 on New Zealand’s single charts, according to Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen.
Fans can now join in on the excitement at the Cobra Starship Photobooth where users can turn on their webcams to find out their true “feelings” just like in the “You Make Me Feel…” video. Cobra Starship is encouraging their fans to post their best photobooth shots on the band’s official Facebook wall — an array of prizes, including signed photos, merchandise, and phone calls from the band members themselves, will be awarded to the favorite entries.
One randomly selected user will receive the actual smashed sunglasses worn by frontman Gabe Saporta in the “You Make Me Feel…” video and featured on the cover of Night Shades.
In addition, fans can pre-order Night Shades in a variety of packages beginning July 20th. The premium bundle, limited to 300 only, will include the album, a t-shirt, as well as a hoodie and sunglasses available exclusively to this package. All pre-orders will receive an instant download of Cobra Starship’s new single, “You Make Me Feel… (Feat. Sabi).”
The first 500 fans pre-ordering Night Shades will receive an autographed copy of one of the Cobra Starship band members’ photos featured in the “You Make Me Feel…” video, with five randomly selected orders receiving the complete set of all five band members’ photos.
The album – the band’s fourth, and first since 2009’s top 5 breakthrough, Hot Mess – sees the dance-punk superstars teaming up with a wide range of collaborators, including Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic, Beyoncé, Adele), Stargate (Katy Perry, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez), Jump Into The Gospel, and The Plasticines.
Cobra Starship will celebrate the release of Night Shades as one of the headline acts appearing at Fueled By Ramen’s upcoming 15th-anniversary concert series at New York’s Terminal 5. Cobra Starship will top the bill on the final night of the event, slated for September 9th.
Since emerging in 2006 with their acclaimed debut album, While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets, Cobra Starship has earned both critical applause and a fervent fan following for their eclectic blend of pop hooks, punk energy, and dancefloor creativity. The New York-based band’s third album, Hot Mess, entered the Billboard 200 at #4 upon its August 2009 release, marking their highest chart ranking to date. Among the album’s many highlights is the Top 5 CHR/Pop hit, “Good Girls Go Bad (Feat. Leighton Meester),” which is currently nearing double platinum certification by the RIAA for sales in excess of 2 million.
Cobra Starship has toured nearly non-stop since their arrival. In addition to countless headline dates, the band has shared multi-artist bills with such like-minded outfits as 3OH!3, headlined Vans Warped Tour, and lit up festival stages all over the world. The band has also made a wide range of high-profile TV appearances, including ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and innumerable MTV events and programs.
Night Shades Track List
1. You Belong To Me
2. You Make Me Feel . . . (Feat. Sabi)
3. #1Nite (Feat. Ryan Tedder)
4. Fool Like Me (Feat. The Plasticines)
5. Anything For Love
6. Middle Finger
7. Don’t Blame The World, It’s The DJ’s Fault
8. Fucked In Love
9. Disaster Boy
10. Schwick (Feat. Jump Into The Gospel)
John Barrowman, Mekhi Phifer, and Eve Myles in ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’
John Barrowman, Eve Myles, and Mekhi Phifer lead the cast of Torchwood: Miracle Day premiering on July 8, 2011 on Starz.
John Barrowman stars as Captain Jack Harkness, Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper, Mekhi Phifer as Rex Matheson, Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond, and Bill Pullman as Oswald Danes. Kai Owen plays Rhys Williams, Lauren Ambrose is Jilly Kitzinger, and Arlene Tur is Dr Vera Juarez.
The Synopsis: One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next, people keep aging — they get hurt and sick — but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight.
With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four months’ time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?” he’s drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.
Paramount Pictures and Martin Scorsese are hoping that by the time Thanksgiving 2011 rolls around audiences won’t be completely over and done with 3D. Scorsese tackles his first film in that format with the family adventure Hugo, based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Starring Jude Law, Chloe Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Asa Butterfield as Hugo, the 3D tale hits theaters on November 23, 2011.
The Plot: Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resourceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand spawns a prequel starring Dustin Clare as Gannicus. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will premiere on Starz on January 21, 2011.
The action thriller also stars John Hannah as Batiatus, Manu Bennett as Crixus, Peter Mensah as Oenomaus, Lucy Lawless as Lucretia, and Nick Tarabay as Ashur. Lesley-Ann Brandt plays Naevia and Antonio Te Maioha is Barca.
Official Synopsis: The House of Batiatus is on the rise, basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus, whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. These are the times a young Batiatus has been waiting for. Poised to overthrow his father and take control; he’ll freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand. And he’ll have his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the brazen talents of her seductive friend Gaia when it counts.
Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power, and bleed Capua dry.
Warner Bros Pictures has released the first trailer for Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion, and it’s pretty freaky. Soderbergh, with the help of a big-name cast including Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet, explores what would happen if a lethal airborne virus was unleashed on the population.
Take a look at the first trailer to see who/what’s to blame for the spread of the virus:
The Plot:
Contagion follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.
After reports surfaced that she’d backed out of her date to attend the Marine Corps Ball in November with Sgt. Scott Moore, Mila Kunis took a lot of heat over canceling out. But apparently, those reports that she was going to be too busy working on films in November to accompany Sgt. Moore to the Ball were false.
Mila Kunis took the opportunity to clear up the issue during a press conference in support of Friends with Benefits. Asked about the date, Kunis told reporters not to believe Billy Bush and that he made up the story.
Filming has begun on the film version of Steve Harvey’s bestselling book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. The comedy – with a shortened title of Think Like a Man – is directed by Fantastic Four helmer Tim Story and was adapted for the screen by Keith Merryman and David A Newman.
The large cast of Think Like a Man includes Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrance J, Romany Malco, Gary Owen, and Gabrielle Union. Lala Vazquez and Arielle Kebbel take on supporting roles.
In the film, four interconnected and diverse friends have their love lives shaken up after the women they are pursuing buy Steve Harvey’s book and start taking his advice to heart. When the band of brothers find out that they have been betrayed by one of their own, they conspire to use the book’s teachings to turn the tables.
Will Packer (Stomp The Yard, Obsessed, Takers) will produce via his Rainforest Films banner. “Steve Harvey has established himself as one of the funniest and most insightful voices in America. That coupled with an incredible cast makes this an exciting venture,” says Packer.
Steve Harvey, Rushion McDonald, and Rob Hardy will executive produce. Think Like a Man is scheduled for release on April 6, 2012.
This Star Trek did what Batman Begins managed to do for me back in 2005. Prior to that origin story, I had no clue as to what the fuss was all about. Why were people still interested in a guy who dressed up like a bat and fought clowns to keep Gotham safe from crime? I didn’t get it, and Batman didn’t appeal to me in the least. But Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale taught me everything I, as a non-comic book person, needed to know about the Caped Crusader and made a Batman fan out of me.
The same now goes for this Star Trek.
I remember watching exactly one Star Trek movie prior to this – the one with the whale – but nothing about any of the other films interested me in the slightest bit. I did catch reruns of the original series as a kid every now and then, but never considered myself a Star Trek ‘fan’ of any sort. But now, thanks to screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, director JJ Abrams, and an incredibly talented cast of actors, I really understand and appreciate what it is about Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the USS Enterprise crew that gets people all worked up.
Star Trek takes audiences on the adventure of a lifetime, and I’d gladly sit through this revamped, reinvigorated, re-energized origin tale over and over again – something I don’t say about even the very best summer blockbusters. Being a Trekkie seems sort of cool after watching 2009’s version of Star Trek, something I would never in my wildest dreams have anticipated ever thinking prior to this Star Trek film.
The Story:
Kurtzman and Orci serve up an origin story crammed with details yet fast-paced and flowing. The story they’ve fashioned takes place in an alternate universe and so not every bit of Star Trek mythology plays out as anticipated; there are twists and turns here that Trekkies and Trekkers won’t expect (including a surprisingly touching love story). It’s a smart – and brave – move on Kurtzman and Orci’s part as they’ve managed to tell a story that doesn’t put off newbies or Star Trek veterans by placing it in this other reality.
Every main character from the Star Trek franchise is given his or – in the case of the lone female, Uhura (Zoe Saldana) – her time to shine as they’re introduced and given their assignments onboard the USS Enterprise as it leaves on its maiden voyage.
We learn Kirk’s a rebel who signs up for Starfleet after being goaded into it by Captain Pike. Spock (Zachary Quinto) is an instructor at Starfleet only because he opted not to follow in the footsteps of his forefathers. Bones (Karl Urban), a doctor who doesn’t like to fly, immediately finds a kindred spirit in Kirk (Chris Pine), and the two quickly develop a close friendship that actually is the catalyst to Kirk serving aboard the USS Enterprise. Scotty (Simon Pegg) doesn’t enter the picture until later on, but when it’s his time to join the USS Enterprise crew he does so with a bang. And in this reality, Uhura is an intelligent and feisty woman who doesn’t take any crap from anyone, including Kirk.
This new group, fresh out of the Starfleet Academy, is immediately thrust into the heat of battle when Nero (Eric Bana) – a visitor from the future – seeks revenge for a horrific act that hasn’t yet occurred. Kirk, proving he’s born to be the man in charge, takes the lead after Captain Pike is kidnapped, butting heads with Spock (his nemesis from the academy) as the crew of the USS Enterprises has the fate of Earth resting in their hands. Fortunately, in a splendid twist that makes total sense, another visitor from the future is willing to share information crucial to their success.
The Cast:
Chris Pine – brilliant. Zachary Quinto – brilliant. Eric Bana – brilliant. You get the picture? JJ Abrams did a simply amazing job of matching actors to roles, and not once does any performance feel like – and here’s where it could have gone desperately, disastrously wrong – a copycat of the original. These are fresh, original takes on the characters yet at the same time, you know exactly who these people are. How did they pull that off? It’s an unbelievable accomplishment I can’t even begin to describe. Adjectives fail me.
The Bottom Line:
This bold adventure is sure to win over a whole new generation of fans. There’s something for everyone in this Star Trek. I know I was totally enthralled and completely entertained throughout the film. The special effects were first-rate, the cinematography was stunning, the production design was unparalleled, and under Abrams’ direction, every aspect of this Star Trek felt vibrant and fresh, and engaging. And on that subject, Star Trek deserves to be seen in all its big screen glory so don’t wait for the DVD/Blu-ray release.
Star Trek is the perfect summer movie. There’s not a thing about this film I’d change, a scene I’d cut, or dialogue I’d in any way alter. It’s got the action, the heart, the thrills, and the humor needed to provide the perfect escape experience audiences are looking for now more than ever.
Star Trek is an incredibly impressive, exceptionally entertaining film. And best of all, it doesn’t matter if you know absolutely nothing about the series or films. Don’t be put off by the fact it’s a Star Trek movie and don’t dismiss it because you’re afraid you’ll be lost and confused by the plot. No prior knowledge is needed to become immersed in this high-flying, sci-fi extravaganza.
This origin story works on so many different levels, I can’t wait to see what Abrams and crew have up their sleeves for the next Star Trek adventure.
116 Months. 10 Years. 1 Decade. I’ll spare you the potentially terrible math regarding days, hours, minutes, etc. and just get on with it: It’s so bittersweet to say goodbye to Harry Potter.
Film audiences flocked to see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001 and now, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 brings J.K. Rowling’s saga of a boy wizard’s remarkably dramatic maturation process to an end.
At this point, the only people who aren’t familiar with the series are those too young to understand the intricacies behind their uncle saying he’s “got your nose.” And strictly speaking, writing a film review about the last chapter in a franchise that’s spanned so many chapters and quite literally allowed millions of kids to “grow up with” Harry, Ron, and Hermione, doesn’t make a lot of sense. No sane individual would start watching the series at the eighth film and anyone who’s followed the books, the movies, or both, probably pre-ordered their tickets online weeks ago.
For those wondering if the last film lives up to expectations, the short answer is yes. Both parts of The Deathly Hallows were shot concurrently, with the same director, producers, cinematographer, composer, etc., etc. More to the point, director David Yates has been calling action since the 5th film, The Order of the Phoenix, so the tone and fundamental look of the last few films has matched up spectacularly.
For those who felt that the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 dragged on a bit too much (although I’m told that’s a product of being relatively faithful to the book), you shouldn’t have that problem here. After a particularly beautiful and melancholy rendition of the Harry Potter theme by composer Alexandre Desplat opens the proceedings, the last installment hits the ground running, and the only stopping points are to give brief bits of exposition or to allow key moments to sink in.
All of the actors are once again up to snuff and it’s truly remarkable to look back on the path the cast has undergone over the last decade. As is customary, I got together with a few friends and re-watched the entire franchise prior to seeing the latest (and in this case, the last) in the series. Seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint mature and grow from wee children into full-fledged adults is a special and rare privilege for filmgoers. This kind of stability in a film franchise isn’t common and, despite any rumors or allegations, everyone (from the lead actors on down through the supporting cast who also are blessed/cursed to see themselves go through puberty on-screen) made a wonderful account of themselves.
Most of the technical elements providing the backbone for the film are once again handled beautifully. The special effects, costuming, and production design are all astounding. And Desplat’s contribution to the final two films’ scores added subtlety when it was needed and complemented all of the big action scenes just as ably.
I’m still not a huge fan of cinematographer Eduardo Serra’s work on both parts of the Deathly Hallows, however. While much of both films takes place in dark environments, it still felt like there could have been better use of shadow and more definition to the darkness to separate out the characters from their surroundings. In short, things were often too dark and for much of Part 2 especially, all handled within a very limited color palette.
Some may try to blame the 3D for dampening the color scheme, as Warner Bros. elected to release the final chapter in the third dimension (with visions of dollar signs in their eyes no doubt). However, in flipping the tinted lenses off and on throughout, there was of course some loss of color but nothing that drastically altered the presentation – thanks to such dark and flat choices to begin with.
And for those of you wondering whether or not you should avoid Hollywood’s latest fad, the good news is that there are some scenes that work well even though they were converted into the third dimension and not originally shot using 3D cameras. However, there aren’t enough moments that make shelling out those extra bucks necessary. The technology didn’t get in the way this time, but you can live without it … unless, as you can see from the picture I so poorly took below, you must have these snazzy 3D glasses made especially for the film (that don’t fit too comfortably over glasses if you’re visually challenged like myself):
The bottom line still comes down to this, are you a fan of the Harry Potter series? If so, then I have no idea why you’re reading this but I thank you for doing so. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 closes the book, so to speak, on a rich and engaging franchise that has continued to impress as it evolved. If it weren’t for some almost laughable attempts at aging characters via hairstyles, a touch of make-up, and frumpy clothing, there wouldn’t be much to nitpick about.
For anyone who never got into the franchise or gave up after the first two films (which were squarely aimed at the demographic of the actors themselves although there was more for fantasy fans to grab onto), I’d say that you ought to give the first three a shot. At that point, cinematically, you’ll know if this is a journey you want to take or if things are distinctly not your cup of tea.
And so, it is with both joy and sadness that I say goodbye to the franchise. They’ll live on in my Blu-ray collection, but there’s still something so wonderful about seeing them on the big screen. At least now I can open up the books and see what led to the films. After a self-imposed ban on reading Rowling’s novels, in order to concentrate on how the films delivered rather than worrying about dropped sub-plots and the like, I have thousands of pages to keep the memories of these characters going strong in my head. “Chapter One: The Boy Who Lived” …
GRADE: A
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 hits theaters on July 15, 2011 and is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
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