Tag Archives: review

REVIEW: The Coen Brothers Pull Off an Almost-Great True Grit

People who love Charles Portis’ 1967 novel True Grit — and you will know them when you meet them, even if they do not wear an eyepatch and do not forego the modern convenience known as the contraction — love it with a fierceness that shouldn’t be crossed. Joel and Ethan Coen must have known what they were getting themselves into when they set out to adapt it. If they’d failed to capture the tone and flavor of the book, or messed with too many of its roughhewn details, the mark of shame upon them would be too great to bear.

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REVIEW: The Coen Brothers Pull Off an Almost-Great True Grit

REVIEW: Sofia Coppola Brings a Delicate Touch, and Sure-Handed Precision, to Somewhere

Some of those who have already written about Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere have categorized it, in a kind of lazy shorthand, as a movie about the “emptiness of celebrity.” But Somewhere is really a Western — a Western without cactuses or rocks or horses, but one that, even so, takes place under a special kind of sunlight found only in L.A., in an environment that’s wild and ruthless under its veneer of civilization. The character of the land means everything in Somewhere : Wide boulevards lined with palm trees make for an illusory endless frontier; giant billboards advertise nothing in particular — they’re big because they can be. This is a place where you can lose your way without even taking a wrong turn, and sure enough, the hero of this particular story is a man who has temporarily lost himself. Still, the city’s beauty — either sitting in plain sight under the sizzling noon sun or semi-hidden in the dusk — is peculiar and specific and alluring. L.A. — and the idea of Hollywood, if not the actual neighborhood — is heartless and fabulous. It’s a place to really be a man — or not.

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REVIEW: Sofia Coppola Brings a Delicate Touch, and Sure-Handed Precision, to Somewhere

REVIEW: Sylvain Chomet Conjures a Toon-Deaf Illusionist

The big drag about modern animation is the perception — which seems to be growing more prevalent rather than less — that it’s somehow better when it’s “good for you.” In the old days, anvils were dropped remorselessly on coyote heads and Popeye, under his breath, swore like a sailor (natch). Now we have Wall-E blinking out sad, cautionary tales about the horrors of environmental waste (or of simply getting too fat to leave your armchair), or wildly scripted tales, like those of Hayao Miyazaki, that follow the kind of noodly dream logic you might see in experimental film — this is serious stuff, with heavy-duty art-gallery weight. Much of modern animation is technically very beautiful. But what if the story being told leaves you wanting? To say you don’t like these so-called serious, not-just-for-kids animated movies has become something of a cutural offense, apparent proof of your coldness as a human being.

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REVIEW: Sylvain Chomet Conjures a Toon-Deaf Illusionist

REVIEW: Sylvain Chomet Conjures a Toon-Deaf Illusionist

The big drag about modern animation is the perception — which seems to be growing more prevalent rather than less — that it’s somehow better when it’s “good for you.” In the old days, anvils were dropped remorselessly on coyote heads and Popeye, under his breath, swore like a sailor (natch). Now we have Wall-E blinking out sad, cautionary tales about the horrors of environmental waste (or of simply getting too fat to leave your armchair), or wildly scripted tales, like those of Hayao Miyazaki, that follow the kind of noodly dream logic you might see in experimental film — this is serious stuff, with heavy-duty art-gallery weight. Much of modern animation is technically very beautiful. But what if the story being told leaves you wanting? To say you don’t like these so-called serious, not-just-for-kids animated movies has become something of a cutural offense, apparent proof of your coldness as a human being.

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REVIEW: Sylvain Chomet Conjures a Toon-Deaf Illusionist

Enrique Iglesias Says ‘Tonight’ Isn’t About Shock Factor

Online sneak peeks tease Ludacris-starring video: ‘It’s a little out there.’ By Jocelyn Vena Enrique Iglesias (file) Photo: Kevin Winter/ AMA2010/ Getty Images Enrique Iglesias is following up his 2010 hit “I Like It” with another sexy dance track, “Tonight.” While this song’s a bit more forward than his previous one — boasting the lyric, “Tonight, I’m f—ing you” — it is just as party-ready. And though the song may leave some listeners blushing, Iglesias says he wasn’t trying to shock anyone. “I was asked by a bunch of journalists, ‘Was it a shock factor that you wanted to create?’ And I honestly told them, it truly wasn’t about that,” he explained to MTV News. “I love the song. I loved the melody. I loved the beat. I thought it was unique. Look, how many adults go out at night or go to the club and that goes through their head, but they would never have the guts to say it?” Regarding the song being a bit sexier than fans may be used to hearing from the singer, he laughed, replying, “I’m a little more religious, right?” Iglesias joked that he got Ludacris on the track to displace some of the blame he might get from the song’s raunchy content. “I loved his work. I think he’s one of those artists that every single feature I’ve heard of his, it’s always a perfect 10. He’s always dead on,” Iglesias explained. “I played it for him, and I wanted to see what his reaction would be like, so when I played it for him he immediately called me back and was like, ‘Man, I’m on this.’ This is exactly what he said: ‘This is my kind of sh–.’ ” The guys will be teasing the “Tonight” video , set to debut in early 2011, with online sneak peeks. The video was shot over four days in Cabo, Mexico and Los Angeles. Iglesias explains that it’s going to be “a little more cinematic, a little more of a long story. You get a little bit of acting on Luda’s part. I was a little afraid: It’s a tough song. What type of video do you make? What do you do?” So what did they do? “It’s stylized, and it’s not so ‘in your face,’ ” he explained. “I don’t know how to explain it. When I saw the video, it didn’t feel offensive. Although I saw the video and it’s a little out there, but I loved it. It’s almost like the guys’ fantasy. That’s what we wanted to create.” Luda is the only one doing the acting in the video, and Iglesias, who will be kicking off his 2011 live shows February 5 at Madison Square Garden, has a very good reason for that. “I was there when he was shooting, but in this video, it wasn’t about us being together in the video. I wanted to separate his part,” he said. “But it was great, and I think he’s one of those guys — he’s so charismatic. I wanted to get a little bit of his acting skills in there because he’s a great actor. I’m trying to be as laid-back as possible.” Are you a fan of “Tonight’? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Artists Enrique Iglesias Ludacris

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Enrique Iglesias Says ‘Tonight’ Isn’t About Shock Factor

REVIEW: Meet Little Fockers, the Threequel from Hell

I’m not saying the legacy of Meet the Parents deserved the protection of cinematic landmark status. But it does seem like a shame that what was there to protect has been ground into an unrecognizable pulp and reshaped into a grotesque of its former self. Who knows what kind of reputation the 2000 hit might have developed had well enough been left alone: A clever, well-cast execution of an old setup, it might have stood as a charming keeper, an example of that rare comedy that records a couple of memorable notes on the social anxieties of its time.

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REVIEW: Meet Little Fockers, the Threequel from Hell

BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song ‘Don’t Turn Out The Lights’

Brian Littrell and AJ McLean preview track on Backstreet Boys cruise. By Jocelyn Vena The New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images NKOTBSB fans have a lot to look forward to in 2011. The guys have announced they’ll be hitting the road for a tour , and now comes a little preview of a song the groups recorded together. On Monday (December 20), Perez Hilton posted a video of the Backstreet Boys debuting “Don’t Turn Out the Lights” for fans during their cruise earlier this month. “A song by NKOTBSB,” AJ McLean told the room of screaming fans, with Brian Littrell by his side. “I’m gonna tell you guys, ‘Don’t turn out the lights now.’ Press play.” The up-tempo jam features vocals from McLean, Littrell and Jordan Knight about still being in love with someone. The guys sing, “I know we haven’t been getting along/ I don’t want to say goodbye/ Memories come flooding back/ I love you like that/ We can get it back again/ Don’t turn out the lights now.” After cutting off the song early, McLean explained, “We can’t play the whole thing, just ’cause with the tour coming up. It’s a sample.” Despite pressure from both McLean and Littrell, their lawyer refused to let them play the sample again. An official release date or other information about the track was not available. Back in November, all nine members of NKOTBSB teased a possible collaboration of new material, and not just mash-ups , in an interview they gave shortly after . “It’s tough getting these guys in the studio, these young cats,” Joey McIntyre shared . ” Well, it’s honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions.” Do you like what you’ve heard of “Don’t Turn Out the Lights”? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Artists Backstreet Boys New Kids on the Block

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BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song ‘Don’t Turn Out The Lights’

BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song ‘Don’t Turn Out The Lights’

Brian Littrell and AJ McLean preview track on Backstreet Boys cruise. By Jocelyn Vena The New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images NKOTBSB fans have a lot to look forward to in 2011. The guys have announced they’ll be hitting the road for a tour , and now comes a little preview of a song the groups recorded together. On Monday (December 20), Perez Hilton posted a video of the Backstreet Boys debuting “Don’t Turn Out the Lights” for fans during their cruise earlier this month. “A song by NKOTBSB,” AJ McLean told the room of screaming fans, with Brian Littrell by his side. “I’m gonna tell you guys, ‘Don’t turn out the lights now.’ Press play.” The up-tempo jam features vocals from McLean, Littrell and Jordan Knight about still being in love with someone. The guys sing, “I know we haven’t been getting along/ I don’t want to say goodbye/ Memories come flooding back/ I love you like that/ We can get it back again/ Don’t turn out the lights now.” After cutting off the song early, McLean explained, “We can’t play the whole thing, just ’cause with the tour coming up. It’s a sample.” Despite pressure from both McLean and Littrell, their lawyer refused to let them play the sample again. An official release date or other information about the track was not available. Back in November, all nine members of NKOTBSB teased a possible collaboration of new material, and not just mash-ups , in an interview they gave shortly after . “It’s tough getting these guys in the studio, these young cats,” Joey McIntyre shared . ” Well, it’s honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions.” Do you like what you’ve heard of “Don’t Turn Out the Lights”? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Artists Backstreet Boys New Kids on the Block

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BSB Debut NKOTBSB Song ‘Don’t Turn Out The Lights’

Catch Mr. Skin on Howard 101 tonight at 6:45 EST

Don’t get caught with your pants down! Mr. Skin’s Nude Year in Review: Hollywood’s Hottest Sex Scandals and Celebrity Skin of 2010 has been moved from 7pm to 6:45 pm tonight on Howard 101, right before the Paul McCartney concert. So before you here “Band on the Run” get your gland on the run wit hMr. Skin’s top 10 nude scenes of 2010 (watch the playlist here ). It’s time to “Let It Be” naked with a bevy of bare babes from skin-genues like Look ‘s Sharon Hinnendael to jaw-dropping nude debut’s like Jessica Alba riveting rear revelation. There will also be countdowns, news, skin-surprises, and Mr. Skin himself be taking your calls on the topic of 2010’s very breast naked starlets.

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Catch Mr. Skin on Howard 101 tonight at 6:45 EST

Catch Mr. Skin on Howard 101 tonight at 6:45 EST

Don’t get caught with your pants down! Mr. Skin’s Nude Year in Review: Hollywood’s Hottest Sex Scandals and Celebrity Skin of 2010 has been moved from 7pm to 6:45 pm tonight on Howard 101, right before the Paul McCartney concert. So before you here “Band on the Run” get your gland on the run wit hMr. Skin’s top 10 nude scenes of 2010 (watch the playlist here ). It’s time to “Let It Be” naked with a bevy of bare babes from skin-genues like Look ‘s Sharon Hinnendael to jaw-dropping nude debut’s like Jessica Alba riveting rear revelation. There will also be countdowns, news, skin-surprises, and Mr. Skin himself be taking your calls on the topic of 2010’s very breast naked starlets.

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Catch Mr. Skin on Howard 101 tonight at 6:45 EST