Latest Movie News From Moviefone |
- '22 Jump Street' Review: 22 Things to Know About the Hilarious Sequel
- Our Exclusive 'Dolphin Tale 2' Trailer Will Warm Your Heart, Brighten Your Day (VIDEO)
- Shonda Rhimes Would Love Bill Clinton To Guest Star on 'Scandal'
- 'The Walking Dead' Has Plans For Season 12
- The 'Home' Trailer Features One Adorably Awkward Alien (VIDEO)
- Sarah Paulson Tweets Freaky First Look at 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' Character (PHOTO)
- Mia Wasikowska, Four Movies in One Year: Young Hollywood's Rising Star
- Simon Pegg Rumored to Be Playing 'Secret Role' in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'
- Chelsea Handler Is Over Talking About Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian
- Fox Cancels 'I Wanna Marry 'Harry''
- 'True Detective' Creator 'Can't Imagine' Doing More Than Three Seasons
- 'The Interview' Trailer: James Franco & Seth Rogen Are Horrible Assassins (VIDEO)
- Weekend Movies & TV: '22 Jump Street,' 'How to Train Your Dragon 2,' 'Game of Thrones,' & More (VIDEO)
- Harrison Ford Rushed to Hospital From 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Set
- Ruby Dee Dead: Oscar-Nominated Actress and Activist Dies at 91
- Netflix To Reboot 'The Magic School Bus'
- 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' Review: 10 Things to Know About the Family-Friendly Sequel
- Bill Murray Crashed a Couple's Engagement Photos And It Was Awesome
- TV #TBT: 'Pretty Little Liars' Before They Were Stars
- 'The Double' Review: What, Exactly Is This Movie About?
- Family Movie Mistakes: 31 Blunders From Family-Friendly Flicks (PHOTOS)
- Jesse Eisenberg, Director Richard Ayoade Talk 'The Double'
- 'How to Train Your Dragon' Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Kid-Friendly Franchise
- Honey Boo Boo's Cheerleading Skills and Wax On Wax Off Lead the Late Night Roundup (VIDEO)
| '22 Jump Street' Review: 22 Things to Know About the Hilarious Sequel Posted:  As an irreverent reboot of a beloved (but outdated) TV show, nobody could've expected the first "21 Jump Street" to be anywhere near as good as it turned out to be. (Especially not if you'd seen "Starsky & Hutch.") But after opening to surprisingly strong reviews and passing the $200 million mark at the box office, pretty much everyone could've expected there was going to be a sequel. Moving their headquarters across the street, the meta follow-up "22 Jump Street" makes good on the joke at the end of the first film about sending Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's Schmidt and Jenko off to college, even if it means taking on a case that's "exactly the same," according to more than one superior. But that wouldn't make for a very good or funny sequel if that was true, and "22 Jump Street" ends up being both. So, to ensure you're properly prepared for what to expect the second time around, here's 22 more things to know about Hill and Tatum's latest undercover adventure. 1. The beginning of the movie just doesn't work -- and that's on purpose. 2. Everyone keeps bringing up how this case (and by extension, movie) is "the exact same thing as last time." They turn out to be mostly right, but wrong in a few key ways, which helps "22 Jump Street" avoid the "Hangover II" effect. 3. That said, some of the "major" changes include a new designer drug with a dumb acronym (and another hallucination sequence), and instead of ending with a big chase at prom, the sequel ends with a big chase at Spring Break. So yeah, it's still kind of exactly like last time. 4. Despite Hill and Tatum only being two years older in real life, there's approximately 75 percent more jokes about how old they look in the movie. 5. There's a lot more screen time for Ice Cube this time. That's a very good thing. 6. Ice Cube destroys the better part of a buffet table. See above. 7. Channing Tatum's Jenko apparently became a parkour expert somewhere between "21" and "22 Jump Street." 8. Jenko may not be great at improv, but Channing Tatum definitely is. 9. Jonah Hill is a two-time Academy Award nominee, which is worth remembering when his face is being attacked by an angry octopus and/or angry drug dealers. 10. The bad guys aren't quite as good this time around. 11. The scene-stealing frat boy Zook is played by Kurt Russell's son. 12. The scene-stealing Mercedes is played by former "SNL" writer Jillian Bell. She's not related to anyone famous, but every bit as good. Expect to see a whole lot more of her. And Russell's son, too. 13. The central theme in "22 Jump Street" is about Schmidt and Jenko realizing they work better when they're together. Not coincidentally, the movie does too. 14. Yes, that was pretty much the same theme as in the last one. 15. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's return is every bit as integral to the sequel's success as Hill and Tatum's. 16. Just like Schmidt and Jenko, Lord and Miller have way more money to throw around this time, and it shows in the action set pieces. 17. The movie makes so many meta jokes about the characters doing the same thing, only with a bigger budget, at times "22 Jump Street" threatens to go from self-aware to self-conscious. So long, fourth wall! 18. "22 Jump Street" still ultimately works because there was clearly a lot of thought put into layering the cliché drug plot with clever jokes and smart pay-offs. Again, just like in the first movie. 19. Instead of a meet-cute, there's a "meat-cute." OK, so maybe not all the meta jokes work. 20. The end credits might be the best part of the movie. More surprisingly, that's not a dig at the rest of the movie. 21. In spite of all the reasons it seemingly shouldn't be, "22 Jump Street" might be the best comedy of the summer. Again, that's not a dig. 22. I'd still probably watch "23 Jump Street." "22 Jump Street" opens in theatres on June 13.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Our Exclusive 'Dolphin Tale 2' Trailer Will Warm Your Heart, Brighten Your Day (VIDEO) Posted: In the main trailer for "Dolphin Tale 2" -- debuting exclusively on Moviefone -- all seems well with Winter, the dolphin rescued and given a new tail in the 2011 original flick.  But soon, the porpoise starts acting odd, and it's discovered that she needs another female dolphin to live with -- or else she risks being taken away from her home. Not content to lose Winter, the film's young protagonists spring into action to find her a companion, and stumble upon another rescue dolphin, a small female they nickname Hope. Their problems aren't completely solved, though, as Hope needs plenty of rehabilitation herself before she can be paired with Winter. Will the young dolphin be ready before the threat to take Winter away becomes a reality? Though we've got a sneaking suspicion that everything works out alright in the end for Winter and Hope, this sequel seems like a natural follow-up to its predecessor, filled with heartwarming moments and family-friendly comedy that's destined to appeal to moviegoers of all ages. "Dolphin Tale 2," starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr., and surfer Bethany Hamilton, hits theaters in September 12. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Shonda Rhimes Would Love Bill Clinton To Guest Star on 'Scandal' Posted:  Former president Bill Clinton has experience with real-life scandal, and Shonda Rhimes reveals he would be her dream guest star for "Scandal" on the small screen. Speaking with E! during the Women In Film's Crystal + Lucy Awards on Wednesday night, Rhimes said that while she wasn't particularly interested in stunt-casting on her political fixer show, she'd make an exception for Clinton. "That's not really our thing, but I will say, 'Bill Clinton, if you're out there, we would love to have you. ... We would always love to have you,'" Rhimes told E! The showrunner added that part of the reason why she didn't want any real-life politicians on the show was because she didn't think they'd jibe well with "Scandal"'s subversive tone. "There are always interesting politicians out there who would be interesting [to have on the show], but our show is a very heightened, very dark view of Washington," Rhimes said. "I don't think really Bill Clinton or any of those people belong in our Washington." [via: E!] Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Chris Pizzello This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'The Walking Dead' Has Plans For Season 12 Posted:  Scott M. Gimple, showrunner for "The Walking Dead," made headlines earlier this year when he declared that the hit AMC series could run for 10 seasons or more. Now, it turns out that Gimple's boast wasn't just empty talk. "Walking Dead" producer David Alpert echoed Gimple's statements during an appearance at the Produced By conference this week when he discussed the advantages to working on a series based on preexisting material -- in "Dead"'s case, a long-running series of comic books. While Gimple had spoken in vague terms about the potential for the zombie apocalypse series to continue for many more years, eventually turning over into a whole new cast, Alpert said that "Dead"'s producers had a clear vision for just how they would get there. "I happen to love working from source material, specifically because we have a pretty good idea of what season 10 is gonna be," Aplert said. "We know where Season 11 and 12...we have benchmarks and milestones for those seasons if we're lucky enough to get there." That's great news for diehard "Dead" fans, and no doubt music to AMC's ears, since the network has enjoyed record-breaking success with the high-rated series. While we wait for Season 12, the fifth season of "The Walking Dead" is set to premiere on October 12th. [via: IndieWire, h/t Cinema Blend] Photo courtesy of Gene Page/AMC This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The 'Home' Trailer Features One Adorably Awkward Alien (VIDEO) Posted:  "Home" is a true fish out of water story, if you sub in an alien and an alternate universe for the fish and the water.The animated flick follows a banished alien named Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons), part of an alien race hiding on Earth from their mortal enemies and looking to make a new life on the planet. Unfortunately, Oh has accidentally tipped off his enemies to the aliens' location, and now, Earth is in danger. He teams up with a resourceful girl named Tip (voiced by Rihanna) to try to save the day, though her exasperation with his alien powers coupled with his misunderstanding of the workings of the planet make for some high-stakes hijinks. There are also plenty of good gags involving Oh's reaction to everyday Earth events (he thinks Tip's purring cat is about to explode, and at one point exclaims while dancing, "My hands are in the air like I just don't care!"), and lots of fantastical set pieces that show off some eye-popping animation. The concept is quirky and seems promising, and with filmmakers who've worked on flicks like "Shrek," "Over the Hedge," and "The Croods" involved, it seems talent is on its side, too. The voice cast also includes Steve Martin, who plays the leader of Oh's race -- yet another point in the film's favor. "Home" hits theaters in 2015. [via: First Showing] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Sarah Paulson Tweets Freaky First Look at 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' Character (PHOTO) Posted:  Actress Sarah Paulson will be pulling double duty this season on "American Horror Story: Freak Show," as the star has revealed with a first look at her character(s). Paulson tweeted out a photo Thursday of her in costume on the show, and fans may have had to do a double take before realizing that no, their eyes weren't fooling them: Paulson will have two heads on "Freak Show." "So excited to be playing Bette AND Dot this season," Paulson wrote. "Two heads are better than one!"We're impressed that "AHS" is tackling such a visually complicated character, though the effects-heavy series is certainly used to high-tech trickery (and series vet Paulson has already been through the character wringer throughout multiple seasons on the show). It should be exciting to see how Bette and Dot interact with others, but especially with each other. The ambitious anthology show is back for its fourth outing when "American Horror Story: Freak Show" debuts on FX sometime in October. [via: Sarah Paulson, h/t TheWrap] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mia Wasikowska, Four Movies in One Year: Young Hollywood's Rising Star Posted:  Given how brutal Hollywood is in its treatment of young actors, it's a testament to Mia Wasikowska's fortitude and skill that she continues to find new and interesting roles for herself. Since her 2006 debut with a small role in the Cannes/TIFF Aussie film "Suburban Mayhem," and her mainstream success as Alice in Tim Burton's 2010 reimagining of "Alice In Wonderland," this 24-year-old star has sought out increasingly unique and diverse roles. In 2013 alone, she appeared in four compelling films (including the Hitchcockian "Stoker") and directed a segment of the anthology film "The Turning." Three of those films that played festivals late last year are only seeing their theatrical release now. First was Jim Jarmusch's unique take on the vampire ethos in "Only Lovers Left Alive," where Mia plays Ava, a force of nature that brings life and energy to the laconic film. In "Tracks," the actress takes the lead, driving camels across the Australian desert with a lovestruck Adam Driver in tow. Finally, there's Richard Ayoade's "The Double," with Ms. W. Hannah the focus of much of the film's narrative. Moviefone sat down with Wasikowska during last year's Toronto Film Festival, where all three of these films were playing to enthusiastic audiences. On "Tracks" Moviefone Canada: Did you know the story of Robyn Davidson before reading the script? Mia Wasikowska: I was aware of it, but I hadn't read [about] it. I got sent the script and mentioned it to my parents and they were like, "Oh my god, you have to do it, it's such a great story!" How did you prepare for schlepping in the desert for weeks at a time? I spent a couple of days before we started filming with our camel wrangler and with Robyn, learning to be around them and how to handle them. That was absolutely great! In the film you draw a strong connection to the Aboriginal community in Australia. It's a tragedy what happened with the indigenous people in Australia and they still bear the scars of their horrific past, but they're wonderful people. With Roly (Mintuma), or Mr. Eddie, I've never really had that [deep connection]. It's part of what's charming about films, that you end up having relationships with people that you never would have thought you'd have. Is there something not on camera that you take away from the experience? Yeah, there's the scene where he gives me a rock. Because he didn't speak English, we had a translator there for him, and the translator was telling me that on the way to shoot the film, just before they were leaving Alice Springs, he was stopping all of the time trying to find a rock to give to me. It was very sweet. Any camel trouble? I hear they're real bastards. You don't want to come across a wild camel, but the camels we were working with, which were all trained or domesticated, they were wonderful. Surprisingly, the dogs were harder to work with just because of their nature of wanting to go to their owner. There were so many takes where it was perfect but the dogs ran off at the end, so it just becomes very technical. Viggo Mortensen always adopts his animals after he does big projects. Did you keep any of the camels? No, unfortunately, they couldn't fit into my apartment. On "Only Lovers Left Alive" Were you keen to work with Jarmusch before this project came up? I was really keen to work with him! I was sent the script three years ago and I've been attached to it for a really long time. It just finally came together. I wanted to see what he would do with a genre that was so distinct, and how we would put his spin on it. It was great to work with him. What was it like shooting in Detroit? The thing about Detroit is that it's so relatable, but then you remember that there's no one in those buildings. If you look out there [in Toronto] now, it's exactly the same, but if no one was in those buildings or some of the windows were smashed in. It's this huge city which should have so many people in there but it doesn't. I'd never even seen a city like that in my life. I don't think there's a city anywhere in the world abandoned like that. On "The Double" What drew you to this strange and wonderful story? I really liked the general theme and the idea of that kind of identity confusion. It's about perception and how we're perceived and how we perceive ourselves, how that has repercussions for our surroundings. I liked this paranoid feel to it where because everybody in the movie is seen through [the Double's] eyes. They're all utterly crazy, but because they're all crazy together he's the crazy one. And they're all completely normal because they're crazy together. Was there anything that you drew particularly from working with Jesse Eisenberg? I thought it was amazing how throughout the film there was never any confusion as to who was who at what time. That was really great. What was it like being on that crazy set? It's so wonderful. There was no real indication of what it would be from the script. Well, there was a bit of an indication that we were in some kind of world, but we never knew what country we were in or what they even did at that office, which I loved. You just know that they're pushing a lot of buttons and photocopying things and putting stuff out and adding stuff up, but you don't really know what they're doing. I loved that and I loved that Richard always saw it as how people in their 20s imagined the future or how they imagined the '80s to be, and it's this old-fashioned modern world. The way that Richard observes those things that aren't written in the script. All of these little details I thought were really brilliant. What about working on three different projects with three very different directors? I always think, oh, I've done this a bunch of times, I know what this is like and then I turn up on each new film and I realize that you learn all over again. What I'm finding is that there's never this formula that equals good performance. It's the same thing on a film where you have a really awful time where you don't get along with someone, it can turn out really great and you have a fantastic time, sometimes it'll be terrible. There's no way to know what you're in for. "The Double" opens in theatres on June 13.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Simon Pegg Rumored to Be Playing 'Secret Role' in 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Posted:  J.J. Abrams may be reuniting with one of his "Star Trek" leads if a new rumor about "Star Wars: Episode VII" is to be believed.IGN Middle East reports that Simon Pegg, who portrayed Scotty in Abrams's "Trek" films, is "playing a secret role" in "Episode VII," and was on the film's Abu Dhabi set to shoot some scenes. Naturally, no other information -- including who Pegg's character might be, or how long the actor was on set -- was available. So what do we make of this rumor? It's hard to say. After all, IGN admits that Pegg himself quashed similar rumors before, pointing to a statement the actor made to The Independent late last year. "I don't think it would be appropriate for me to be in it, to be honest," Pegg told the paper at the time. "I think J.J. should cast new faces with no stunt casting." But then again, Pegg is an avowed "Star Wars" fan, and his relationship with Abrams would make it easy for him to make a quick appearance in the film without drawing too much notice. Maybe this mystery role is just a small cameo, or perhaps even a background or heavily disguised character? It seems audiences will just have to wait until Pegg or Abrams addresses the issue. That, or feverishly scan the crowd scenes for Pegg's mug once "Episode VII" debuts. "Star Wars: Episode VII" hits theaters on December 18, 2015. [via IGN Middle East, h/t First Showing] Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Chelsea Handler Is Over Talking About Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian Posted:  In typical Chelsea Handler fashion, the talk show host didn't mince words when discussing why she decided to walk away from her successful E! late night show, "Chelsea Lately" -- and it involves being sick of covering Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian. Handler, who announced earlier this year that she was stepping down from "Lately" when her contract expired at the end of 2014, told MailOnline that after seven years on E!, she was tired of the celebrity news circuit. "To be quite honest I don't really care about Justin Bieber and I don't want to talk about him anymore," Handler told the site. "In order to make that happen I had to just stop doing my show. Straight away." Part of the problem for Handler, the host explained, was that she was on the same network as "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and other celeb reality shows, and as such had to cover them extensively. The stars of those series were frequently guests on "Chelsea Lately," and Khloe Kardashian even subbed for Handler earlier this year. Such associations and interactions were ultimately too much for the host. "You end up getting so into the mix that it changes the topics of the day," Handler explained. "You can sit around and complain about all that s**t and the Kardashians all day but if you're participating in it then what can you do? It really didn't feel great doing the show and the only way to sort things out was to extricate myself from the entire situation." Now, Handler says she wants to focus on more serious journalism in the future, and start a different kind of show where she "talk[s] to people who are going to educate" her. "Politicians, medical professionals, and people with real human interest stories. I want to talk to people who have changed the course of the world," she said. "Inventors, invaders and people who have been doing exciting stuff." "Chelsea Lately" airs its final episode on E! on August 26the. Handler is rumored to have a deal with Netflix in the works, though she declined to talk about her specific future plans with MailOnline, saying that an official announcement was forthcoming. [via: MailOnline, h/t Uproxx] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Fox Cancels 'I Wanna Marry 'Harry'' Posted:  Guess not many people wanted to watch "Harry," either: Fox has pulled reality show "I Wanna Marry 'Harry'" from its schedule. The dating show, which pitting unsuspecting American gals against each other in their quest to win over a man posing as Britain's Prince Harry, pulled in paltry ratings, which flatlined over the past two weeks. "Harry" scored just a 0.4 ratings share in that timeframe, putting it on Fox's chopping block. But for the few fans of the so-bad-it's-almost-sorta-good series eager to see how the show wraps up, Fox is putting "Harry" out to pasture online, where the show's remaining episodes will be burned off. According to Deadline, "All unaired episode of 'I Wanna Marry "Harry"' will be made available on Fox.com, Fox On Demand, FOX NOW and Hulu, starting [Friday] afternoon." Fox also cancelled improv comedy series "Riot," which scored the same dismal 0.4 ratings as "Harry." No word yet on whether remaining installments of that show will also find their way online, since the series was not owned by Fox. [via: Deadline] Photo courtesy of Valerie Macon/Getty Images This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'True Detective' Creator 'Can't Imagine' Doing More Than Three Seasons Posted:  "True Detective" fans may not want to get too used to seeing the HBO drama on their screens: The show's creator says he only wants to make three seasons of the drama. Speaking to reporters at the Banff World Media Festival this week, Nic Pizzolatto discussed the popularity of "True Detective" and the intense media scrutiny it's garnered. The series is meant to be an anthology of close-ended stories, one per season, and Pizzolatto said that those parameters are a bit daunting. "Every season, I'm essentially creating a brand new TV show," the showrunner said. "It can't have any growing pains like a regular first season. If it works it has to work right out of the box. That's incredibly exhausting. I mean, the job is exhausting to begin with, but it's doubly exhausting and I'm writing every episode. I can't imagine I would do this more than three years. I mean, I'd like to have a regular TV show. We'll have some fixed sets, regular actors and I could bring in people to help and I don' t have to be there every second. It'd be great." That's probably a bit of a bummer for viewers who were hooked by season one, which starred Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, and generated tons of buzz on social media. Though Pizzolatto said that it was precisely that buzz -- which included what he dubbed audacious rumors and theories that have swirled around the series since its debut -- that put him off from such attention. "Literally, not a single rumor about casting that has been printed anywhere has any truth to it whatsoever," Pizzolatto said. "I mean that literally. I've seen entertainment reporters say 'My sources say....' There are no sources. There's me and two other guys and they don't even know what I'm doing. ... I've talked to one person about it, possibly, and that has been it. We haven't cast anybody. I have a secret list and that's it." [via: Calgary Herald, h/t Vulture] Image courtesy of Getty This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'The Interview' Trailer: James Franco & Seth Rogen Are Horrible Assassins (VIDEO) Posted:  The plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un involves booze, dancing, and a cute puppy in "The Interview," the latest big-screen pairing of Seth Rogen and James Franco.In the first teaser trailer for the high-concept comedy, Rogen and Franco play a producer and host, respectively, of a celebrity tabloid TV show that is beloved by the North Korean dictator. The duo score an interview with Kim, but are intercepted by the CIA before they take off for Pyongyang, and recruited to kill off the leader instead. If the idea of Rogen and Franco becoming trained assassins sounds ridiculous, it looks pretty ridiculous, too, though that's no doubt part of "The Interview"'s charm. When a member of the CIA brass, played by Lizzy Caplan, tries to explain to the men that Kim has his people so brainwashed that they believe when he claims that he doesn't urinate or defecate, Rogen and Franco begin arguing about the veracity of that statement. As with any Rogen-Franco pairing, there's also a healthy dose of bromance, including one surprisingly touching moment where they whisper that they love each other. Such sentiment seems to be balanced in equal measure by pratfalls and plenty of violence, another trademark of these two. "The Interview" opens on October 10. [via: Vanity Fair] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: This weekend, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back on the force and headed to college in "22 Jump Street," Hiccup and Toothless battle to protect the peace in "How to Train Your Dragon 2," the inaugural season of "True Detective," starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, is out on DVD, and the drama-filled "Game of Thrones" Season 4 finale premieres on HBO this Sunday.  Also in theaters this weekend:
Also on TV this weekend:
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| Harrison Ford Rushed to Hospital From 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Set Posted:  Filming on "Star Wars: Episode VII" was delayed Thursday when star Harrison Ford was rushed to the hospital with an ankle injury.Disney issued a statement about the incident, though it did not say what the injury was or clarify its severity. "Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII," Disney's statement said. "He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates." Further information, including how long it's expected to take Ford to recover, and how the injury occurred, was not available. TheWrap reports that Disney has taken out an insurance policy for Ford, who at 71 is one of the older actors on the "Episode VII" set. He's reprising his role of Han Solo, which he originated in the first "Star Wars" trilogy, beginning with 1977's "A New Hope." Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are just a few of the stars returning for the first installment in what's set to be a new "Wars" trilogy. Here's to a speedy recovery for the actor. "Star Wars: Episode VII" hits theaters on December 18, 2015. [via: TheWrap] Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Ruby Dee Dead: Oscar-Nominated Actress and Activist Dies at 91 Posted:  Oscar-nominated actress and longtime activist Ruby Dee has died. She was 91.Dee was a fixture of stage and screen throughout her decades-long career, including her iconic work as Ruth Younger in the 1959 Broadway play "A Raisin in the Sun," in which she starred opposite Sidney Poitier. She later reprised her role for the 1961 film adaptation, which earned her a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her one and only Oscar nomination came late in her career, when she received a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her work in 2007's "American Gangster" at age 83. Dee was nominated for multiple Emmy awards, taking home a statuette in 1991; shared a Grammy with her late husband and fellow actor, Ossie Davis; and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2000. But her offscreen work in the civil rights movement also earned her attention and admiration. A friend of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, Dee and Davis served as masters of ceremony for King's 1963 March on Washington. They remained dedicated activists for the remainder of their lives. Dee's daughter, Nora Davis Day, told the Associated Press that Dee died on Wednesday at her home in New Rochelle, New York, of natural causes. Dee was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Day said. [via: Associated Press] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Netflix To Reboot 'The Magic School Bus' Posted:  Following in the footsteps of the recently rebooted "Reading Rainbow," "The Magic School Bus" is the latest beloved children's TV show to get a makeover. Netflix has acquired the rights to "The Magic School Bus 360°, a computer-animated show in the vein of the '90s original, which followed quirky teacher Ms. Frizzle, who took her students on fantastical journeys -- including through the human body and into space -- using the titular vehicle. The new "School Bus" is set to feature a modernized version of Ms. Frizzle, as well as updated technology, "such as robots or a smart suit worn by the character Carlos that determines his body's vital signs instantly," according to the New York Times. The 26-episode series is Netflix's first foray into original programming of its recently acquired Scholastic Media properties, which also include "Clifford the Big Red Dog" and "Goosebumps." Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said "School Bus" is the streaming service's top-rated educational show, and the series "teaches science in a way that transcends generations." That teaching aspect is what made a "School Bus" update so appealing, said Scholastic Media present Deborah Forte, who told the Times that the series's adventures allow for "the process of learning science through collaboration and experimentation and discovery, through active learning," something vital to today's children. "The Magic School Bus 360°" will debut on Netflix sometime in 2016. Our wishes have been answered! "The Magic School Bus" was on our list of kids shows we would like to see revived. Check out more children's programs we want to see back to TV here: [via: The New York Times] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' Review: 10 Things to Know About the Family-Friendly Sequel Posted:  This weekend, a pair of sequels face off: it's the high concept buffoonery of the very funny "22 Jump Street" versus the more family-friendly antics of "How to Train Your Dragon 2," which is what we're here to talk about today. The movie is a sequel to DreamWorks Animation's 2010 breakthrough "How to Train Your Dragon," a movie that introduced us to a world where Vikings (led by Gerard Butler's Stoick) face off against fearsome dragons on a regular basis. That is, of course, until young Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) befriends a sleek Night Fury (which he charmingly dubs Toothless), and ends up challenging the preconceived notion of these creatures, forever.The sequel actually picks up so many years later, with Hiccup now a young man and the Vikings' colony full of lovable dragons (they've shifted away from warmongering and are now all cuddly). He's taken to charting as much of the world as he can, riding on the back of Toothless to far away lands and encountering all sorts of new creatures. But one day he gets more than he bargained for when he comes in contact with his long lost mother (Cate Blanchett), who oversees a dragon sanctuary, far from the reach of a loathsome dragon hunter (Djimon Hounsou). But how does the movie stack up to the original? Or should it just be skipped altogether? Read on to find out. 1. It's Just as Good as the First One The first film is near the very top of the DreamWorks Animation crop, a movie full of warmth and heart and stunning set pieces. It was co-written and co-directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, who made "Lilo & Stitch" at Disney and are just the best guys around. This time around, DeBlois has assumed the writer/director duties, and the movie really feels like the work of one filmmaker. This was clearly not cobbled together by a committee in some smoky Hollywood conference room. This is the real deal. And it's just as moving and weird and wonderful as the first film. In fact, it makes you realize how badly these characters and worlds were missed. 2. Cate Blanchett Is Totally Amazing, Even in Animated Form Cate Blanchett is obviously a goddess. She just won a much-deserved Oscar for her performance in "Blue Jasmine" and she can do pretty much everything -- including, it turns out, being the voice in an animated feature. (Trivia alert: Blanchett was originally supposed to be the voice of Mrs. Fox in "Fantastic Mr. Fox" but was replaced by Meryl Streep at some point during the production.) Turns out, she is absolutely amazing in this too and brings a real sense of understanding and psychological damage to a woman that abandoned her infant child to instead protect dragons. Very "Gorillas in the Mist." Hopefully, she'll stick with the franchise. 3. Toothless is the Cutest Toothless really is a wonderful dragon design, as huggable as Smaug is scary. (Chris Sanders designed Toothless, and the spirit of those original designs is very much present here.) It's so rare that you get to see an original dragon design, but it's even rarer to see a dragon design come back for a movie with the same design, and love it even more. But that's the case here. Toothless is one of the classic movie dragons; there's no two ways about it. 4. This Is the Family Movie Parents Have Been Waiting For There seems to be kind of a drought when it comes to family movies this summer, especially with Pixar taking a year off and the "Muppets" movie having already opened this spring. But you should know that "How to Train Your Dragon 2" is spectacular, no matter what age you are, and even if your kids force you back to the theater to see it a second or third time, it will be worth it. It's that good. 5. Roger Deakins's Presence Can Be Felt For the first film, the filmmakers utilized Roger Deakins, the 11-time Academy Award nominated cinematographer perhaps best known for his collaborations with the Coen Brothers. Deakins came back as a visual consultant for the second film, and once again you can see his fingerprints all over this thing. So many of the sequences are lit, exclusively, by candlelight or this cool thing where the dragons open their mouths and just let their fiery breath illuminate a room. It's totally stunning and starkly different from most animated films, which are brightly lit without actually ever justifying where the light source is coming from. Thank you, Roger Deakins, for helping make animated movies even more beautiful. 6. It's Darker and Sadder Than You'd Think DeBlois said that one of the big movies he took inspiration from was "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," the second (and best) film in the original "Star Wars" trilogy that was notable for its gloomy pallor and downbeat ending. While there isn't some shocking revelation to make "How to Train Your Dragon 2" end on a cliffhanger, it still is very dark and sad in some unexpected, shockingly mature ways. This movie takes its toll and when there are battles, not everyone gets out alive. 7. The 3D Is Jaw-Dropping When the first movie opened, it was at the beginning of the 3D resurgence and it was pretty stunning what DreamWorks Animation was able to come up with, particularly when it came to the sensation of flight. This has all been upped for the sequel -- there are tons of flying sequences, but there are also sequences set on giant Viking ships, massive battle sequences with hundreds of digital warriors, and more dragons than you can shake a ten foot pole at. It's pretty spectacular, and best viewed in 3D. Totally amazing. 8. One of the Vikings Is Gay We won't spoil it, but it's not as splashy a moment as some are making it out to be. Also, it's not the first animated character to come out in recent years -- Casey Affleck's teenage jock character in "ParaNorman" was gay, and even mentions his boyfriend. 9. The TV Show Doesn't Matter In the four years since the first film, a cottage industry of "Dragons"-related material has sprung up, among them: a series of short films, a half hour cartoon on Cartoon Network, and video games. Thankfully, none of this matters when it comes to the proper story. These tangential elements might amp up your enjoyment of the new film, but you certainly don't have to engage with that stuff to get a kick out of "How to Train Your Dragon 2." 10. Yes, There Will Be a Third One This is just to assure people that there will be a third film, to wrap up the trilogy, and it won't be in four years, either. There's a Summer 2016 date already penciled in for "How to Train Your Dragon 3." Which means they are probably hard at work on it (DeBlois returns as writer/director) and we think we know what the next one will be about: finding Toothless a mate. Awwwww! It can get cuter! Article photo courtesy DreamWorks Animation This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Bill Murray Crashed a Couple's Engagement Photos And It Was Awesome Posted:
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| TV #TBT: 'Pretty Little Liars' Before They Were Stars Posted:  It's been a big week for ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars." The show's highly-anticipated fifth season premiered on Tuesday, and that same day it was renewed for sixth and seventh seasons. Squeal! What better time than now to view some clips of the "Pretty Little" actresses before they hit it big? Some of the ladies have been acting since they were little kids and have quite the resumes under their belts. Ashley Benson performed in over a dozen projects before she landed her role as Hanna Marin, and Lucy Hale appeared in shows like "The O.C." and "The Bionic Woman" prior to being a "Liar." Here's Ashley Benson on "7th Heaven" in 2005: Catch little Lucy Hale on an episode of "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" from the same year: Did you know Troian Bellisario (Spencer) worked with the Olsen twins? She appeared in the 1998 classic "Billboard Dad": Shay Mitchell (Emily) got her big acting break in "PLL" in 2010. That same year, she guest starred on "Rookie Blue": Happy #TBT! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'The Double' Review: What, Exactly Is This Movie About? Posted: What the hell does "Gilliamesque" mean? Terry Gilliam established with a number of movies (including the much-lauded "Time Bandits," "Brazil," and "12 Monkeys") a particular style of film, one that mixes time periods with quirky retro props and a darkly comedic ethos. At their best, films of this type create an incredibly rich world, one that feels lived-in and inviting while at the same time appearing oblique. So who's this Ayoade fellow, then? Ayoade, like Gilliam, got his big break in U.K. television, appearing on shows like "The IT crowd" and "The Mighty Boosh." "The Double" follows Ayoade's 2010 fim "Submarine," a dramedy about a distraught boy and his ailing girlfriend. "Submarine" showed remarkable delicacy from the director, and found the perfect tone between pathos and silly elements. The love story at the heart of "The Double" is no less complicated, but it has the added component of Dostoyevksy's existential angst. While the original book was about the horrors of bureaucracy and an overt psychic breakdown, in Ayoade's hands there's an added element of surrealism and wittiness. Like with Gilliam, even the most bleak moments serve two purposes: to provide wry, dry moments of humour as well as add more deeply introspective and philosophical aspects to the storyline. This has that Jesse Eisenberg guy again from "Social Network," huh? Yup, actually you get two of him. Sure, this trick of the sulky vs. the swaggering is an old one, but Eisenberg does a remarkable job with the shifting tone of the film. Like another underappreciated movie that takes this doubling to heart (Michael Cera in "Youth in Revolt"), Eisenberg is playing the role and playing against our expectations of him as a performer. Who else is in this? Mia Wasikowska plays Hannah, a provocatively plain girl who helps guard the preposterously inefficient copier machine, and she's the object of affection for both sides of the Eisenberg coin. Wallace Shawn, best known from "The Princess Bride," here plays the Jonathan Pryce-from-"Brazil" character, the clueless boss shuffling along. Noah Taylor and Yasmin Paige (the lead in "Submarine"), are part of the ensemble, along with other fine actors such as Sally Hawkins. What's it all about then? Well, part of the fun in this film (like most) is letting the story unfold without knowing too much about it. That said, the hook's there in the title -- the awkward, milquetoast Simon can't even get out of an elevator without running into trouble. He looks out his apartment window and spies on Hannah, that lovely girl from the photocopy room that he can't seem to shake. While surreptitiously spying, he sees a man jump from the building ... and then things begin to get even weirder. Sounds a bit much, no? Yeah, the story is mixed up, but it's to Ayoade's credit once again that he pulls off this mix of the strange and off-putting with the surreal and compelling. One major aspect is that the film is never obtuse for the sake of some notion of "sophistication." The storyline may be odd, the philosophical implications deep, but it never feels ponderous. This is a smart and sophisticated film to be sure, and its craft has much to applaud, but it's the way that the film is never burdened with an overabundance of dreariness or ennui that helps make it the success that it is. "The Double" won't be laugh-out-loud funny for most audiences (the bubble of a festival crowd notwithstanding), but it really is richly humorous, a bleak comedy twinned with the sombre implications of the tragic storyline. More than a simple and predictable conceit, "The Double" manages to be inventive with this classic storyline, its witty elements buttressing the deep ideas that the film explores without feeling gratuitous. So while this quirky, engaging film may not be for everyone, for those willing to take a chance on something unique and different, and for fans of cinema, it's both challenging and rewarding. "The Double" is well worth seeking out. "The Double" opens in theatres on June 13.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Family Movie Mistakes: 31 Blunders From Family-Friendly Flicks (PHOTOS) Posted:  Family-friendly movies are designed to entertain the entire gang, from your great-grandmother down to your goofy toddler -- but good, family fun doesn't guarantee a free pass when it comes to movie mistakes. From classics like "Back to the Future," to your favorite animated flicks like "Beauty and the Beast," here are 31 of the most notable "oops" moments from family films. Per usual, all photos are courtesy of MovieMistakes.com. Article photo courtesy of Everett This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Jesse Eisenberg, Director Richard Ayoade Talk 'The Double' Posted: His latest film, "The Double," takes a Dostoyevsky novella and turns it on its head, creating a quirky, cerebral-yet-darkly funny take on the drudgery of work and the promise of love. Star Jesse Eisenberg is perfectly cast as both sides of the doppelgänger, carefully fine-tuning his performance to create two unique characters who share more than just the same face. Moviefone spoke to the director and star during TIFF, discussing everything from the source material to the challenge of playing two very dichotomous characters. Moviefone Canada: Were you sitting around and thinking, hey, that Dostoevsky guy was pretty funny? Richard Ayoade: It was [co-writer] Avi Korine's idea to adapt the book. He's a big Dostoevsky fan and initially he thought it would be a really good part for an actor, something with that premise. It's Dostoevsky's second [work] and isn't pleased with it either, which is a good tagline for the poster: "Even Dostoevsky didn't like this, and he wrote it!" What seemed funny to me about the idea is that someone has the person who looks exactly like them and [almost] no one notices, but even when people do notice, it doesn't bother them. It felt like a Monty Python premise -- a very ridiculous situation to be in. There's yet to be a Dostoevsky-based sitcom, but it's probably down to rights issues. As a performer, you're constantly watching yourself onscreen and seeing the other person onscreen, doing the double performance. How much of a challenge is it? Jesse Eisenberg: Technically, the way we would do it is we would shoot one side of it and then I'd have to watch the tape back so I could understand how to interact with the first character. That's just generally not something I like to do. I don't like to watch the dailies because it can be distracting, but this is kind of necessary. Ultimately, it was a really fun thing to do because you can take your own pace. It's the kind of thing, when you're working with an actor who's not incredible, you wish they would do things a little differently so you could do what you want to have done. When you're working with an actor that's amazing, it transcends the need or desire to change what they're doing because they're giving you something amazing and you can react to it. But with this, I can set my own pace, I can do something with one character to highlight something in the other character. It gave me a lot of leeway in that way, so I guess it wasn't that difficult. Did you take home some of the characteristics of your character that day? Were you confident on days when playing that side, slightly neurotic on the other days? JE: Yes, it just ends up infiltrating the feelings you have about yourself. With the more character confident character, James, I felt better about those scenes, just because while you're acting it you feel good about yourself. I think every actor does that, even if they're not immersing themselves in it, you're feeling the emotional experience of the character you're spending 12 hours a day with. In terms of switching back and forth, it was a lot of fun. It kept it fresh, you don't run the risk of becoming boring or stale. The way movies are shot is so laboured that by the end of the day you're doing the same scene over and over again, and it's boring. But this didn't have that kind of experience. RA: And also, you're never not in it. You couldn't be in something more, apart from when you remake the "Nutty Professor." It doesn't just take twice as long, it takes 3 times as long because you have to choose and watch it back... JE: But you develop a momentum. The exhausting thing for an actor is sitting in the trailer for the whole day waiting to go on set. You become tired, bored and by the time you get there, what you do is less good by virtue of waiting so long to do it. This was not the case here, we built up a momentum and just carried on like a creative experience that feels uninterrupted. The film seems both out of place and time. RA: There was a decision early on that you wouldn't see sky, so it's all either inside or it's night, which is a slightly unreal experience. There's one half daylight/dusk thing but basically no daylight, so it was all meant to be in a kind of dreamy feel. What I find frustrating is when people ask, "Who am I meant to relate to in this film?," as though it's supposed to be an arcade game where you're at the centre. The movie is meant for you to see how you would react as this character, and if the character doesn't react as you would react, there's something wrong with it, and it needs to be fixed. Part of the charm of the film is leaving some of the storyline up to the audience's interpretation. RA: It's almost the opposite aim of Oliver Stone, where he has one specific thing he wants you to feel and believes that his films are better with the commentary, and you wouldn't want anyone to have one specific interpretation. It's like medicine, one specific result. Any time you tell a story you hope people don't interrupt you and go OK, so what did the table look like that you just mentioned? People don't want that kind of specificity generally, it's simply a function of how well cinema does realism, but there's nothing more phony than realism, in a way. Like Terry Gilliam's fascination with the '50s, there seems to be a lot of 1980s-style promise in the film. RA: It seems like the '80s was the last time anyone had any hope that things were getting better. And it was a funny time when everyone thought computers were going to be great, and everyone was going to be able to do what they wanted and no one was going to have to do any work anymore. There was real confidence that, in retrospect, is funny. It was quite '50s in a way, all very boxy and macho and powerful. What films did you watch in prep for this role? JE: Richard sent me Buster Keaton. Did you watch stuff like "Dead Ringers"? RA: I spoke to [David] Cronenberg about motion control. JE: [I watched] "A Man Escaped." Every time I watched a movie, I just wrote to Richard and asked why. RA: You just weren't listening appropriately. I found that weird after I sent you "Porky's" though. It was on point. Is that part of both of your processes? To see other works while you're on a particular project? JE: In acting, it's hard to take inspiration from others because you're limited to yourself. You can't try to copy someone else, it's just bizarre. When I watched the stuff he sent me, I didn't know what to take from it. I can't act in that way. I've had this conversation with so many people who talk about Marlon Brando as a significant inspiration, and I just don't understand. I guess maybe some actors allow for some things to change their perception of what acting can be, but in terms of taking direct inspiration, it just seems impossible. It seems like you're asking me to do something inauthentic. "The Double" opens in theatres on June 13.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'How to Train Your Dragon' Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Kid-Friendly Franchise Posted:  This week, "How to Train Your Dragon 2" swoops into theaters and, trust us, it's a treat (our review will be running later this week). It's the tale of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a young dragon rider who was introduced in the first film, this time dealing with the reemergence of his long lost mother (played by Cate Blanchett) and the threat of an evil maniac back by a fearsome dragon army (Djimon Hounsou). This one is deeper, darker, and more emotionally intense. It's also a whole lot of fun.And it made us think about some of the things that you might not know about Hiccup and co., which has already risen to the crop to become one of DreamWorks Animation's most beloved franchises. Read on to find out things that you probably don't know about the imaginary world of Vikings and dragons! Photos courtesy Fox/DreamWorks Animation This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Honey Boo Boo's Cheerleading Skills and Wax On Wax Off Lead the Late Night Roundup (VIDEO) Posted:  The always-charming Alana "Honey Boo Boo" and her Mama June came by "The Tonight Show" last night and Honey Boo Boo was urged to show off her new cheerleading skills. Naturally, Jimmy Fallon joined in for the fun. Aren't they cute together? Jimmy also played one of everyone's favorite "Tonight Show" trivia games: Wax On Wax Off. Watch as one lucky audience gets his chest hair ripped off for your viewing pleasure! OK, it's kind of hilarious. On "Late Show With David Letterman," a classic Dave segment occurred: The top 10 list. This time, it was Top Miss USA Pageant Mistakes, brought to you buy Miss USA herself, Nia Sanchez: And, of course, Christopher Walken was his most Christopher Walken-y self when he told Dave this Marlon Brando anecdote: The adorable Jenny Slate stopped by "ChelseaLately" and told an, er, interesting story about getting high before flying and then catching "Space Jam" as her in-flight entertainment. Let's just say she was distracted by Michael Jordan's package... Over on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," John Oliver expressed his love for the World Cup. He didn't have the kindest words about the American team, though... Come on, John! And "Orange Is the New Black" star Natasha Lyonne revealed that passionate fans of her show have made some very odd requests via social media: This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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