The raw intensity of this woman competing at the European Women’s Arm-Wrestling Championship in Lithuania must be seen to be believed. The look in her eyes is that of a true competitor. You can FEEL the fire. And then you hear her start screaming, and it gets a little terrifying. She goes BALLISTIC, shaking and convulsing as if she were Lindsay Lohan OD’ing or a Vampire Diaries character being possessed by some supernatural force. The best part? Girl doesn’t even win! Check it out: Screaming Arm Wrestling Woman
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
Demi Lovato is a busy young woman. She is set to release a new album. She will judge The X Factor this fall. She considers herself a role model for troubled teenagers. But the singer found time to talk with both MTV and Jimmy Fallon this week, first detailing her friendship with Selena Gomez in a chat with the former. “We’ve been through a lot together,” she said. “We’ve had periods of times when we grew apart, and we just didn’t really talk.” “But now we’re in a place where we realize that life is so short, and that when you have people in your life that love you so much, then you should just always be around them… she has a great soul, she’s talented, she’s beautiful and she will always be really, really close to my heart.” What about her new warrior tattoo ? And Simon Cowell? Does she really get along with him? Watch Demi discuss those topics and more in the following interview: Demi Lovato on Late Night
When Christina Aguilera returns to The Voice in Season 5, fans will see quite the transformation. She’s been shedding pounds and flaunting it on Facebook. Not that we’re complaining: After embracing her curvier figure, which we loved, in recent years, the 32-year-old singer has been slimming down of late, as the above image shows. Wow. Well done, girl. The star shared the photo while filming a music video with Alejandro Fernandez. One can only hope the finished product includes shots like this one. In other weight loss news … Mo’nique lost 80 pounds . 80!
As previously announced, The CW unveiled its 2013-2014 schedule this morning. Included on it, of course, are returning favorites such as Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries . But also new dramas titled The Tomorrow People , Reign , The 100 , Star-Crossed and The Originals . What can you expect from the fresh fare? It’s too early to know for certain. But the network released a minute-long Sizzle Reel today at its Upfront Presentation and its feature some footage from both old and new programs. Watch now for your first look ahead! The CW Preview Reel: We Want More!
Justin Bieber may be facing prosecution for an alleged battery incident in February, and the European leg of “Believe” may have hit a few speed bumps, but the singer is still looking ahead to the future. And that future will apparently include even more tour dates! The 19-year-old superstar Tweeted Thursday that his team has “confirmed more tour dates around the world,” adding: “#BELIEVEtour is coming. Get ready.” Bieber also said he enjoyed an “amazing” show in South Africa last night, concluding with support for the first black president of that nation: “Nelson Mandela is the MAN! #BELIEVE”” Unlike his take on Anne Frank , however, Justin didn’t go as far as to state that Mandela was a fan of his . But, come on, who isn’t it?!?
In the wake of Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev ‘s apparent breakup, one cryptic Tweet from the former has Vampire Diaries fans all … well, atwitter. The couple had been together for three years. Shortly after the news of their split broke, Ian posted a quote from deceased playwright Lillian Hellman: “A thought for today: ‘People change and forget to tell each other.'” Is that a thinly-veiled shot at Nina? A commentary on relationships in general? Just a cool quote he came across and likes that has no bearing on this? We don’t know, and likely never will. Yet it’s hard not to speculate. The single star, 34, has not commented on the split, going on to say that he is off to meetings in Brussels, Belgium, for his Ian Somerhalder Foundation. Dobrev, 24, is gearing up to film the Fox movie Let’s Be Cops , which also stars New Girl ‘s Jake Johnson and Happy Endings ‘ Damon Wayans Jr. In the last month, Dobrev has been spending time with another newly-single beauty, Julianne Hough, at the MET Gala and on the beach in Miami. The Vampire Diaries is all new tonight on the CW, where you’ll get to see their on-screen chemistry through at least 2014. It got the green light for a 5th season!
Christina Aguilera is coming out with a new album, going on a new tour… and getting herself a new man? According to the new issue of Star , the singer – currently taking a break from The Voice – is nearly done with her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, Matthew Rutler. “Their relationship is convenient. It was always casual, very on and off, and not something Christina saw a future in,” an insider tells the tabloid. So, where will Aguilera goes when she breaks it off with this relative no-name? “She’s wasting no time setting her sights on a number of eligible bachelors,” claims the source, adding that Aguilera “wants an A-list boyfriend to complement her newfound confidence.” With a hot music career, “all that’s missing is a hot, headline-stealing man on her arm,” concludes the mole, saying Xtine even have two names picked out: “Colin Farrell and Jared Leto.” Someone should tell her that Justin Bieber is single. Now there’s a relationship that would make headlines!
Wednesday, April 10 was National Siblings Day, but even though it’s April 11, we’d be remiss if we didn’t give props to the celebrity brothers and sisters out there. Star sibs are everywhere, sharing love like the rest of us (only with better genes). This year marks the 14th annual occurrence of National Siblings Day, which isn’t as big as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Heck, we didn’t know it existed. Well, it’s time that changed, don’t you think? Agreed, THGers. Go ahead and give your sibling(s) a call in honor of this national day of familial love. Then browse through a little gallery of celebrity siblings we put together. Who’s your favorite? Who’d we miss? See/comment below!
The Vampire Diaries’ has cast its latest bad guy, the immortal and mysterious Silas. Actor Scott Parks has been cast in the role, which will be pivotal this spring. It was unclear, given the events of the past few episodes – warning, Vampire Diaries spoilers ahead! – if the ancient witch would ever reveal his true self. Silas can take on any form, an ability he’s already put to good use and surely will again as the CW series’ fourth season gears up for its finale May 16. With the casting of Parks, however, we now know he will be seen in his original body at least once, though it’s not clear when or for how long. That’s The Vampire Diaries for you! Always keeping you on your toes … and providing gratuitous shots of Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev making out.
