The first character poster from Man of Steel has arrived, starring Russell Crowe as Jor-El ! Check it out: Henry Cavill stars as Superman in the franchise reboot, which acts as an origin story. The young Clark Kent, alienated by his powers, makes a decision to become a hero when a threat from his home planet attacks Earth. Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Meloni also star. Zack Snyder directs the film, with a script by David S. Goyer. Man of Steel will premiere June 14.
I am not a Star Trek fan. I know as much about Star Trek as you learn by just being a human on Earth. I know the names of most of the Enterprise Crew… Oh! I know the “Enterprise.” I know what a Vulcan is. And a Klingon. And Warp Speed. And we’re starting to reach the extent of my knowledge here… I saw Star Trek Into Darkness . And I felt like a kid who just transferred to a new school and picked the only table of friends who’ve known each other since birth to sit down with during lunch. They’re all talking about “Randy’s Mom’s hilarious pancake that one time,” and I come from a place that called pancakes ‘flap jacks’ so I’m all confused. The film was big. It was explodey. It was a boring, boring, boring Summer Action Flick. It didn’t look all that spectacular. And the lens flares! My God the lens flares! Star Trek Into Darkness consisted of two main elements: 1) Giant set pieces (meaning fights, explosions, general 10-minute action scenes that don’t advance the plot more than an inch) 2) The winkiest, noddiest, most alienating inside jokes I’ve ever seen in a major blockbuster. The whole thing felt like a Star Trek nerd going “Ehhh? Ehhhh? See what I did there? Remember that? From the other thing?” I can’t say exactly what “the other thing” was (except in one or two very obvious instances), since I haven’t seen any of the other things. For all the inessential dialogue and exhausting fight scenes, the entire plot, “twists” and all, is contained in a speech that lasts about 2 minutes. And it’s very difficult to follow. This leaves the audience with almost nothing to latch onto except the familiarity of the numerous references and callbacks to other movies and episodes in the franchise. But then, why see the film? Why not just catch up on the franchise? Star Trek Into Darkness plays like Battleship , if you were also watching some old Star Trek episodes on your iPhone in the movie theater at the same time. If you’re a giant Star Trek fan, you may enjoy that, but I’m curious why. After terrorist attacks in London and San Francisco, the Enterprise Crew embarks on a diplomatically inadvisable manhunt on an alien planet; a plot lifted directly, almost farcically, from the mission to kill Osama Bin Laden. Apart from the terrorists revealed (I guess?) motivations, there is not much more of a story. Beyond the nearly non-existent plot, the completely unsurprising plot twists, and the resolution that’s so quick you’re not sure if it actually happened or if the third act is yet to come, Star Trek featured some distracting scientific flaws. I’m not scientists, but can objects in space go from still to “barreling towards Earth?” There seems to be some lack-of-gravity in the way. On the same token, if a space ship jostles around, can its crew really start falling through the hallways? Surely any kind of simulated gravity would be pulling the crew down toward the floor and not in some cardinal direction (considering they’re in space and there are no directions). How about, if a hole is blown into the wall of anything in space? Can you just hold your breath, hold onto something, and survive? Or would your insides explode out of your ears? It seems pointless to set a film in space if you take advantage of the cool zero-G aspects of space exactly none times. And beyond that, you actually ignore zero-G and pretend there’s gravity, atmosphere, and oxygen. The performances were all decent, with just enough camp to make it feel authentically Star Trek . Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, and Jon Cho felt like a family on screen, which definitely made the viewing experience more tolerable, especially with such an emphasis on how “your crew is your family” in the script. Benedict Cumberbatch was excellent in his cold, unfeeling evilness. Newcomers Alice Eve and Peter Weller turned in fine performances, if a little flat given their characters’ enormous stakes in the plot. Ultimately, Star Trek Into Darkness is a throw-away Summer film with a lot of recycled material. The film’s case is not helped by the fact that it’s only the second major blockbuster to come out this year, after the absolutely phenomenal Iron Man 3 (you can read about the differences between the two films in our Iron Man 3 review ). See it, or don’t. You probably will. Just don’t blame me if you come out of the theater confused, disappointed, and maybe a little tired. RATING: 2/5
It’s a new era for Star Wars , with J.J. Abrams taking the helm as Disney is now in charge of Lucasfilm. But while many hope that Abrams will inject something new into the franchise, the director still wants to maintain a connection to the other six films. That’s why, at a press conference in Germany today, Abrams said that he wants original composer John Williams to score Star Wars Episode VII . The director stated, “For Star Wars , it’s very early days, but I believe that, going forward, John Williams will be doing that film, because he was there long before I was.” Michael Arndt is currently writing the new movie’s script, which is thought to take place some 20-30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi . It is believed that Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill will reprise their roles from the first trilogy, though not much else is known about the plot or casting. Star Wars Episode VII has a release date set for Summer 2015.
Justin Bieber’s freeloading friend King Kevi is not hooking up with Selena Gomez, despite rumors that he’s tapping JB’s ex – rumors HE is behind. King Kevi, a leech who lives in Justin’s house and throws ragers with plenty of girls, weed and beer, has become semi-famous by association this year. One can understand, then, why photos of him leaving Selena Gomez’s San Fernando Valley estate over the weekend would spread like wildfire online: Media Takeout reported that he was inside her house and “hung out” with Selena, who has reportedly been tormenting Justin with mixed messages . Not the case. But HE STAGED THE PICS to make it look like it. Surveillance footage taken Saturday shows Kevi posing in front of Selena’s house while paparazzi spotted him and camera flashes went off. The images made for juicy gossip, but there were two issues: After the photographers left, so did he Selena wasn’t even home at the time Basically, this lowlife fronted like he was moving in on Bieber’s girl, when in reality he never made it past the gate. What are good friends for, right? Between Kevi and Lil Twist , JB may want to clean house. Guy’s entourage is almost worse than Lindsay Lohan’s at this point, which says something. At least his fake Twitter followers don’t pull this crap. Seriously Justin. Time to decide who’s really a friend and who’s just taking advantage of you.
Up until now, we haven’t known a whole lot about the plot of The Hangover Part III except that the Wolfpack returns to Vegas. The latest trailer, however, is by far the most plot-heavy look at the final installment of the comedy franchise. So if you like to know what a film is about before hitting the theater, watch below: The Hangover Part III Trailer So in addition to seeing Melissa McCarthy for the first time (woohoo!), what have we gathered about the plot? Well first, the gang isn’t returning to Vegas of their own volition, because that would be ridiculous. In fact, they should probably all just lock themselves in a small room. They’re actually taking Zach Galifianakis’ character Alan to rehab, when they’re intercepted by a John Goodman, who forces them to help him locate Chow (Ken Jeong). Enter Las Vegas. Looks like The Hangover Part III could actually be a decent cap to the franchise. What do you think? Catch the comedy in theaters May 24.
The highlight of the G.I. Premiere was not the wonderment that comes from trying to understand how they can milk this franchise again. It wasn’t from the fact that I just used the word wonderment, it wasn’t the fact that Bruce Willis got another gig despite being old and tired as fuck, or that The Rock still exists…. it was the fake tits that grace the chest of Adrianne Palicki, a bitch I’ve never heard of, but I’m now officially the president of her fan club, since no one else has signed up fro the job, or for her fan club, cuz she barely exists….but her titties do…. TO SEE THE REST OF THE PICS FROM THE PREMIERE FOLLOW THIS LINK
We’re just three hours away from Super Bowl 2013 (or Super Bowl XLVII to be more accurate), and the NFL title game does not lack for storylines. A replacement quarterback who became a star. A sibling rivalry among coaches. The grandest of exits for one of the NFL’s greatest players. Oh, and even a little deer-antler spray for good measure. There’s also a chance for history. A win over Ray Lewis and Baltimore Ravens gives the San Francisco 49ers six titles, tying Pittsburgh’s record. Unlike the Steelers, the Niners have never lost the Super Bowl. Neither have the Ravens, who won their only previous appearance 12 years ago. San Francisco hasn’t won since 1995, when star QB Colin Kaepernick was seven years old. Can he write a new chapter for the franchise tonight? The 49ers are four-point favorites, but that means little to the Ravens, who made it here by shocking Denver and New England on the road. You tell us: Who will win Super Bowl XLVII? The 49ers The Ravens View Poll »
In five decades, James Bond has racked up many feats from babes to bombs, but one figure 007 hasn’t charmed is Oscar, though that will begin to change this year. 007 will receive a full tribute at the 85th Academy Awards . [Related: Steven Spielberg Hoped To Direct James Bond – But Got A ‘No’ ] Oscar organizers will fete the franchise in celebration of its 50th anniversary during the telecast on Sunday February 24th. The original secret British operative was played by Sean Connery, starting with Dr. No in 1962. Connery stayed on for five Bond films when the mantle was handed off for one film to George Lazenby for 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Service before returning to Connery for 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever , Since then Roger Moore took on the role for seven installments, followed by Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig is 007’s latest manifestation with three features under his belt, including the franchise’s latest and most successful film yet, Skyfall , which became the 14th film to hit the $1 billion mark in its worldwide theatrical run. Despite not being a big seducer of Oscar, Bond has scored some wins over the decades, including seven nominations and two wins. Goldfinger (1964) won a Best Effects, Sound Effects Academy Award and 1965’s Thunderball took another for Best Effects, Special Visual Effects. Noted Oscar telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron: “We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday. Starting with Dr. No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon.”
Ewan McGregor is a veteran of three Star Wars manifestations and has indicated he’d go for a fourth round should he be asked by the franchise’s new owners. McGregor played a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace , Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and he said he’d be up for a return to the galaxy far, far away once more. “I guess, yeah, of course,” said McGregor to Digital Spy about a potential return. “If they need me, yeah, I’d be happy [to go back].” Speaking with Moviefone earlier this year, McGregor said that his experience was a good one and that Star Wars had gained him some young fans. “It was great to be involved in – to be in that franchise and that legend of Star Wars is really satisfying. It’s nice. Children speak to me about it – before then there hadn’t been many films that I made that children would have watched. I’ve always been very happy about it.” Disney bought Lucasfilm in October for $4.05 billion in a surprising high-profile purchase and is planning to make Episodes VII, VIII and IX as a result. [ Sources: Huffington Post , Digital Spy ]
Hebert and Rosenbaum are the second couple in the franchise#39;s 24 seasons to make it from their show finale to the altar, following in the footsteps of Bachelorette Trista Rehn, who married Vail, Colo., firefighter Ryan Sutter in 2003. It’s official: Bachelorette star Ashley Hebert and her fiancé J.P. Rosenbaum tied the knot Saturday afternoon in Pasadena, Calif. Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Bachelor and Bachelorette alumni like Ali Fedotowsky, Emily Maynard, and Jason and Molly
