Movie Release :

Monday, June 6, 2016

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Second Life: Old Kids' Shows That Are Making a Comeback

Posted:

Powerpuff GirlsLove them or hate them, reboots are here to stay -- until they get remade once again. And while some franchises are better left alone (cough, cough, "Fuller House"), others are even stronger the second time around, especially when you're not old enough to remember the original. Here's a look at the best and worst kids' shows making comebacks faster than you can say "cannibalizing my childhood."

'The Powerpuff Girls' (1998 - 2005)

Way back in 1998, Cartoon Network did something amazing and produced a cartoon that was equal parts "Spider-Man," "My Little Pony," and Ms. Magazine: "The Powerpuff Girls." Audiences eager to see that girls could kick butt too responded strongly, keeping the show on the air for seven years. The carefully crafted blend of silliness, standard villain plots, and adorable sisters charmed kids all over the world, spawning merchandise, cosplay, and even a full-length feature film. So naturally, a reboot was inevitable, and the all-new "Powerpuff Girls" debuted in early 2016. The reboot retained the original male voice actors ... while replacing the voices of the girls themselves -- which, predictably, didn't go over well with fans, or even the show's original creator, Craig McCracken. The new version, while maintaining the loud, bright ethos, has been largely criticized for taking away what was so special about the original -- the idea that three little girls could protect the world and still be cute as buttons. But kids will definitely have fun with Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup, who are still just as powerful, if not empowering.

'Voltron' (1984 - 1985)

In 1984, producers eager to bring anime to American children saw their opportunity with "Voltron." Building on the success of "The Transformers," "Voltron" showcased a ragtag group of teenagers who piloted robot lions that could combine into Voltron himself -- a giant robot wielding an epic sword. The serial nature of the show's storytelling made sure kids watched each day as Voltron protected the planet. Oddly, the show retooled itself later that same year, abandoning the popular robot lions and replacing them with ... SUVs. The new version was not a hit with kids, and the planned third version of the series was abandoned, possibly because Voltron was, instead of lions or SUVs ... now smaller robots that turned into a bigger robot.

By 2016, the franchise had seemingly learned its lesson. It's playing it safe with a new version, complete with robot lions, called "Voltron: Legendary Defender." The 13-episode series lands in June 2016; a teaser trailer launched earlier in the year, signaling a return to the show's wonderfully cheesy roots.

'Inspector Gadget' (1983 - 1986)

Another show being brought back without its original pro-female message, "Inspector Gadget" was revived for an exclusive season on Netflix in 2015. The original, starring the inimitable Don Adams as a half-cyborg crime-fighting detective -- who's also kind of an idiot -- was a spiritual successor to "Get Smart," in which Adams played Maxwell Smart, a crime-fighting super spy ... who was kind of an idiot. The joke that drove the original Inspector Gadget was that it was actually Gadget's daughter, Penny, and their oddly anthropomorphic dog Brain, who always managed to save the day without Gadget being aware of their help. While -- surprise, surprise -- Inspector Gadget inevitably got the credit for Penny's work in saving the world from the evil Dr. Claw, the show was the perfect escapism for kids wanting to see children outsmart their parents.

The 2015 reboot somewhat reinterprets the series -- Gadget is still the bumbling fool complete with an arsenal of robotic weapons, but Penny and Brain are now officially part of the Gadget team, and Penny now can only save the day with help from a new character, Dr. Claw's son, Talon. By now, fans of the original are used to the franchise being reimagined without its heart and soul (both the 1999 movie and its 2003 direct-to-video sequel barely featured Penny or Brain), but hopefully the 2015 reboot will have fans chanting, "Go, go, Gadget renewal!"

'Danger Mouse' (1981 - 1992)

Itself a spoof of the classic 1960s spy show "Secret Agent Man," the original 1981 "Danger Mouse" was a BBC cartoon that focused on a James Bond-ish spy, minus the scantily clad Bond girls, constantly on missions to save the world from nefarious animals set on global domination. But at its heart, "Danger Mouse" was an action comedy: Danger Mouse himself, while fearless, was more bravado than smarts, and it was his surprisingly able hamster assistant, Penfold, keeping him on track. Best of all, "Danger" Mouse was full of hilarious characters, both good and evil -- and fan-favorite Count Duckula even got his own spinoff series.

In 2015, producers brought back the rodent spy for an unprecedented 52 episodes with the all-new "Danger Mouse," which stayed true to the fast-paced, witty, death-defying ethos of the original.

'Thunderbirds' (1965 - 1966)

In 1965, children's television executives took a huge risk and broadcast "Thunderbirds," a show about a crew of brothers -- portrayed by marionettes -- piloting rescue vehicles in 2066. A predecessor to children's military cartoons like "G.I. Joe," "Thunderbirds" was filled with pilots who were ready for action and a surprising amount of emotion from characters with frozen facial expressions. After its cancellation in 1966, "Thunderbirds" maintained a cult following, eventually even coming back into the spotlight when the feature-film spoof "Team America: World Police," from the warped minds behind "South Park," delivered a modern parable in an all-puppet spoof of "Thunderbirds."

In 2015, the series was rebooted as "Thunderbirds Are Go," with a combination of digital animation and scale models -- creating a new style that maintained the stiff visuals of the original while abandoning the campy flavor the puppets brought. The positive response from kids prompted producers to immediately renew the show for a second and third season, proving children are ready for new Thunderbirds, no strings attached.

Sources

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Top Movies That Totally Flopped at the Box Office

Posted:

The Wizard of OzAh, youth. The days when you reveled in your dorm room and feasted on delicacies like hair dryer-warmed pizza or ramen gently braised over a light bulb. Your bank account might've been empty, but you still managed to feed your soul with the deepest of lessons: Money isn't everything.

And you weren't alone when enlightenment struck. Since Hollywood's golden age, plenty of movies that had hard-knock openings later blossomed into beloved cinematic staples or legit cult classics. Here are just a few, in all their flop-to-favorite glory.

'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)

Unthinkable as it seems, "It's a Wonderful Life" was not having a very wonderful life at all in 1946. Though award season was kind to the movie, audiences just weren't feeling its darker themes, and RKO Pictures wasn't feeling the money -- "Life" lost about $525,000 at the box office.

Ultimately, this James Stewart-flavored slice of Americana owes its iconic status to two big "Fs": flukes and forgetfulness. In 1974, National Telefilm Associates straight-up forgot to renew the movie's copyright, which landed the film in the public domain and opened the floodgates for just about any cheapskate distributor or network to air the flick or release it on home video without paying royalties. After a while, you couldn't sled down a hill during the holiday season without bumping in to George Bailey. As Frank Capra himself told The Chicago Tribune in 1985, "It's the damnedest thing ..."

'The Big Lebowski' (1998)

The box office slaughter: In 1998, "The Big Lebowski" was basically a gutterball when it debuted with a $5.5 million opening on a $15 million budget. Outlets like Variety called it "hollow and without resonance."

The cult-tastic happy ending: Every college sophomore you've ever known can quote every single line of dialogue from this movie. Oh, and the movie has its own religion -- yes, ordained Dudeist priests are legally allowed to preside over wedding ceremonies in the United States.

It. Has. Its. Own. Religion.

The Dude doesn't just abide; the Dude wins.

'Blade Runner' (1982)

Are opening-weekend losses to the tune of $6.5 million worth being listed on the National Film Registry? That's the question "Blade Runner" has to ask itself when it wakes up every morning. Nowadays, movie buffs and midnight theaters worship at the altar of the seminal sci-fi's impeccable production design, heady narrative, and deeply influential neo-noir tone. But in the summer of 1982, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" ate Ridley Scott's synth-infused, neon-soaked lunch. Somewhere, Harrison Ford wiped away his tears with $1,000 bills.

'Fight Club' (1999)

Apparently, audiences in 1999 took the whole "You do not talk about Fight Club" thing a little too seriously -- the theatrical silence was deafening as David Fincher's brutal, anti-consumerism satire bled out $26 million at the box office.

But if the box-office numbers are a schlubby, IKEA-obsessed Jack, the home video market turned out to be the movie's uber-sexy Tyler Durden when Fox raked in more than $100 million in video sales. Like the man said, "You are not your job. You are not your khakis. You are not your box office receipts."

Something like that, anyway.

'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

"Waterworld." "Green Lantern." "The Wizard of Oz." "John Carter."

"One of these things is not like the other/One of these things just doesn't belong," you sing to your computer screen as everybody looks at you like you're a weirdo. But you'd be oh-so-strangely wrong -- all of these things are the same.

Just like its mega-flop friends, "Wizard" was a mega-budget fantasy -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's highest budgeted film ever, in 1939 -- with through-the-roof expectations from its studio. And just like the much more recent "Green Lantern" and "John Carter," those factors got stirred into a cocktail of immense disappointment as MGM saw $1.1 million dollars -- the equivalent of almost $19 million in 2016 -- blow down the Yellow Brick Road.

The difference is, no one's going to buy commemorative "Waterworld" porcelain plates with Kevin Costner's mug on them in 70 years. But your aunt already has eight of them emblazoned with Judy Garland -- they just go so well with the Toto Christmas ornament and the Tin Man throw blanket and the Wicked Witch of the West tote bag.

Sources

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Chewbacca Mom Meets Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew, Joy Ensues

Posted:

chewbacca, mom, actor, candace payne, peter mayhewCandace Payne, a.k.a. Chewbacca Mom, continues to spread happiness across the internet, and her latest bit of publicity should keep both her fans and "Star Wars" fans alike smiling for some time.

Payne appeared at Fan Expo Dallas (formerly known as Dallas Comic Con) this past weekend as a panelist, where she held a meet and greet with fans. If that wasn't surreal enough for the mom from Grand Prairie, Texas, she got to meet lots of other famous faces attending the con, too, including George Takei, Stan Lee, and Peter Mayhew -- none other than the actor behind the "Star Wars" wookiee himself.

The joyful moment was shared on social media, depicting Payne and Mayhew embracing and sharing a laugh together. Payne and her family posed for additional photos with the actor, and she even scored Mayhew's autograph -- which the actor scrawled right on the mask that made her famous. It was "so incredibly awesome," according to Payne.
"It kind of hasn't processed or registered yet," Payne added in an interview local news station CW 33 about her meeting with Mayhew. "I feel like I've been saying that for two weeks. I need to process this."

Here's to many more grin-inducing moments in Payne's future.

[via: Peter Mayhew, Peter Mayhew, Candace Payne, CW 33]

Photo credit: Peter Mayhew/Twitter

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Maisie Williams Calls Out Tabloid for Focusing on Her Dress Instead of Charity

Posted:

maisie williams, game of thrones, dress, headline, charity"Game of Thrones" star Maisie Williams helped raise money for a British children's charity this weekend, but you'd never know it based on one tabloid's report, which chose to focus almost exclusively on Williams's outfit rather than the event. Now, the actress has offered her own alternative headline to the story, returning attention to where it belongs: the charity itself.

It all started when Williams saw The Daily Mail's story about her attendance of a masquerade ball in support of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, or NSPCC, a UK-based charity that works to stop child abuse. But instead of that good cause, it was what Williams was wearing that caught The Daily Mail's eye, with the site publishing the odd headline, "Unveiled: Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams goes braless in sheer lace dress and quirky headpiece at charity masquerade ball." The accompanying story went on to note, "In a daring move, the English actress appeared to go braless under the ensemble, flashing her bare legs in the transparent dress."

Needless to say, Williams wasn't pleased, and took to Twitter to rewrite the story's headline. "Alternative," Williams captioned a screenshot of the Daily Mail post. "Game of Thrones actor, Maisie Williams, helps raise thousands at a Summer Masquerade Ball for @NSPCC."
The Mail hasn't responded to Williams's post -- or altered its headline -- though a timestamp on the story shows it has since been updated. (Also no word on the decision to focus on Williams's "braless" dress, which doesn't appear at all risque, based on photos from the event.) The NSPCC did respond, however, and thanked the actress on Twitter for her continued support.

[via: The Daily Mail, Maisie Williams]

Photo credit: Maisie Williams/Instagram

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Top Movies That Launched Actors' Careers

Posted:

sandra bullock in speedIt's the role all actors dream of -- the one that puts them on the map. Breakout movie moments are born from a combination of factors, including raw talent, the movie's reception, and a little bit of showbiz luck. When the elements are all there and the sun is shining just right, an actor can go from "Hey, didn't I see her in ...?" to household-name status in no time.

These performances are examples of movies that hit the "launch" button on an actor's career. A couple of these performers may have had credits stretching back years before that defining role, but this was the one that made the entire industry and the movie-going public sit up and take notice. Read on to remember when six of the most bankable actors saw their careers take off.

Tom Cruise in 'Risky Business' (1983)

There's a reason every Halloween party ever brings out one or more revelers in tighty-whities, a button-down shirt, and black Ray-Bans. "Risky Business" remains iconic more than three decades later. Tom Cruise was just 21 when he hit the big-time playing entrepreneurial Chicago teenager Joel Goodsen. The sexy dramedy established the persona that continued for much of the actor's early career: mischievous, charming, and out to have a good time.

John Boyega in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015)

There aren't many roles an actor can be offered that come with a guarantee of super-stardom. Star Wars movies create the exception to the rule. British actor John Boyega won the role of Finn, the defecting Stormtrooper with a heart of gold in the franchise reboot, "The Force Awakens." He instantly became a hero to every kid (little and big) who ever sat in the front seat of a parked car and played "Millennium Falcon."

Jodie Foster in 'Taxi Driver' (1976)

At 14, future Oscar winner Jodie Foster took on the role of Iris, an underage sex worker and object of the troubled Travis Bickle's fixation in Martin Scorcese's classic noir "Taxi Driver." With her beguiling combination of maturity and vulnerability, Foster's performance earned her a spot in the hall of fame of gritty '70s movie-making and jump-started a long and prestigious career both in front of and behind the camera.

Sandra Bullock in 'Speed' (1994)

For better or for worse, the "America's Sweetheart" designation fell on the shoulders of Sandra Bullock after one master class in defensive driving in "Speed." As civilian Annie Porter, she helped SWAT officer Jack Traven navigate a speeding city bus through the streets of Los Angeles. Annie's world-weary wise-cracking is the perfect complement to the characteristically understated delivery of co-star Keanu Reeves. And the joyride presented a strong enough case for reigning '90s sweetheart Julia Roberts to share custody of her crown.

Edward Norton in 'Primal Fear' (1996)

Edward Norton's overwhelmed altar boy accused of the murder of a priest in "Primal Fear" seems like a perfectly respectable role ... until his other side comes out. At 27, Norton earned his first Oscar nomination for unsettling audiences with the dual personality of Aaron Stampler. It's the kind of showy part that lets an actor's training and natural skill really shine through, and that shocker of an ending kept audiences talking about the film long after the credits rolled.

Viola Davis in 'Doubt' (2008)

Now earning accolades for teaching a group of coeds "How to Get Away with Murder," Viola Davis only appears in the tense drama "Doubt" for a few minutes. But what a few minutes it is. As the mother of a child who may be receiving undue attention from a priest, Davis makes the most of her single scene. The Academy Awards recognized her unflinching performance with a nomination, and experienced actor Davis earned the name recognition necessary to send her to the front of the class.

Sources

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Superman Is Coming to 'Supergirl' Season 2 (But It Won't Be Henry Cavill)

Posted:

"Supergirl" is becoming even more super in season two: Superman himself is set to appear on the show's sophomore season.

The show, which follows the exploits of the titular heroine and her alter ego, Kara Danvers (both played by Melissa Benoist), will be moving from CBS to The CW this fall, and the show is making sure that loyal viewers follow by also finally introducing the Man of Steel in the flesh. Though Supergirl's more famous cousin has been alluded to (and appeared in quick flashes) on the show's first season, he'll now have a proper role on the series, in what is set to be a two-episode arc.

According to Deadline, the plan is to introduce Superman (and Clark Kent) during the first two episodes of season two. While it's currently unclear if the character will appear again after that, the trade notes that it's likely, since his mythology is so closely tied to Kara's (and Superman is such an established household name).

Of course, DC fans who've been watching Henry Cavill's exploits as the Man of Steel on the big screen shouldn't get their hopes up about the Brit appearing on the CW show: "Supergirl" is actively looking for a different actor to cast. That follows the same pattern as fellow DC property -- and CW series -- "The Flash," which features two different actors portraying the hero on TV (Grant Gustin) and in film (Ezra Miller).

Season two of "Supergirl" makes its CW debut this fall on Mondays at 8 p.m.

[via: Deadline]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Hayley Atwell: Captain America's New Girlfriend 'Crosses an Incestuous Boundary'

Posted:

Hayley Atwell has strong feelings about Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) hooking up with Peggy Carter's great-niece Sharon (Emily VanCamp) in "Captain America: Civil War." Atwell shared her comments with smiles and her usual cheeky humor, but she seems pretty sure Peggy would not approve of Cap's new love interest.

"Well, first of all she'd be turning over in her grave," Atwell said, via IGN, during Dallas Comic Con Fan Expo "She'd be like 'no.' And she'd inject herself with the blue serum and become a super villain. She'd break out of her coffin and ground [Sharon]. She'd ground her. Then she'd kick Steve's ass as well."

Tell us how you really feel!

"I just feel that, you know - I wouldn't want to date my great-aunt's guy," she continued. "It just feels like it crosses an incestuous boundary. And Peggy just died. That's even more disrespectful, right? It's like, 'don't touch that."' You can't tap that!"
You can't tap that, Cap! On top of that, Atwell said Peggy would want what's best for Sharon, and with the controversial new Hydra-supporting arc for Cap in the comics, Atwell isn't sure Steve is even good enough for Sharon. "So on all levels, it's just a big fat no."

Sharon and Cap have a smooch in "Civil War" and are a couple in the Marvel comics, but Atwell isn't the only one not quite buying their relationship on screen. That led some fans to push for Cap to have a boyfriend (preferably Bucky) in the next films.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Best Series to Watch After a Breakup

Posted:

new girl castThere's no getting around it: Breakups are rough. But before you crawl into a cave and declare you'll never love again, check out these TV shows that demonstrate exactly how to, and how not to, deal with the loss of love before you rejoin the world. Your next partner will thank you.

'Man Seeking Woman' (2015 - )

Based on Simon Rich's novel "The Last Girlfriend on Earth," "Man Seeking Woman" is an absurd and terrifically filthy comedy about a man surviving a devastating breakup. Each episode takes one particular reality of single life to a wickedly funny extreme. In the pilot, Josh (Jay Baruchel) must deal with the fact that his ex-girlfriend has found a new boyfriend immediately -- and while everyone around him is encouraging Josh to be the better man and embrace her new beau, he's the only one concerned that the new boyfriend is literally Adolf Hitler (expertly played by Bill Hader). Each episode goes further than the last, casually dipping into the surreal to make points about the misery of post-breakup life -- which, naturally, leaves single members of the audience relieved, because Josh stands as a chilling reminder that it could always be worse.

'Bored to Death' (2009 - 2011)

"Bored to Death," a three-season comedy from HBO, features Jason Schwartzman as struggling writer Jonathan Ames, who decides to become a private detective when the love of his life moves out. Along with his mentor, George (Ted Danson), and best friend, Ray (Zach Galifianakis), Jonathan quickly ends up sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, ending up in ridiculous, and often dangerous, situations. The show sits comfortably between slapstick and film noir; mysterious conversations in the shadows are often followed by pratfalls or messy complications. And while "Bored to Death" is binge-worthy on the strength of its cast alone, it carries an important message for the brokenhearted: Spend some time grieving before you make any life-changing decisions ... or career changes that might get you killed.

'Baskets' (2016 - )

The brainchild of comedian-turned-auteur Louis C.K., "Baskets" follows Chip Baskets (Zach Galifianakis), an American kicked out of a French clown school and abandoned by his wife. Chip's complete lack of self-awareness drives the comedy as he struggles to have his craft taken seriously in his new job as a rodeo clown -- while the narrative tone, which borrows heavily from French cinema, makes him a charming guy you want to root for. "Baskets" serves as a striking reminder that we should rely on our friends and loved ones after a breakup, a point driven home by the pitch-perfect performance of Louie Anderson as Chip's mother. Think of "Baskets" as a spiritual successor to "Louie," and a post-breakup narrative that shows that getting over a breakup doesn't have to mean immediately finding someone new.

'New Girl' (2011 - )

A love letter to hipsters nationwide, "New Girl" follows the painfully adorable Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) after she confronts her cheating boyfriend and is forced to move in with three well meaning but dimwitted roommates in a Los Angeles loft. While Deschanel's wooden performance isn't always the greatest, the ensemble cast's perfect comedic timing make "New Girl" a classic. And as Jessica puts her life back together, she's forced to realize her own strength, which creates a solid umbrella over the show's "Deschanel as comedic straight man to three wacky guys" motif. Life after a breakup means meeting a new version of yourself -- and "New Girl" shows just how much fun that can be.

'The Good Wife' (2009 - 2016)

"The Good Wife" is the story of Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), wife to Governor Peter Florrick (Chris Noth), a politician recently disgraced -- and imprisoned -- by the scandal of his corruption and numerous affairs. While on the outside, the show may appear to be a political and legal drama on par with "House of Cards," "The Good Wife" is far more character-driven than plot-driven. It provides keen insights into how the strong female lawyer is forced to deal with her marriage falling apart in the public eye. Each week, the writers gracefully created a case-of-the-week framework while following the emotional healing of Alicia herself. The ensemble cast -- which includes heavy-hitters like Michael J. Fox, Christine Baranski, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan -- walks the tightrope of caring for Alicia while creating chaos in her life. Through it all, Alicia stands as a beacon for those going through tough breakups, both in how she keeps her composure, and how she learns to be vulnerable again.

Sources

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Elizabeth Banks Explains Why She Quit as Director of 'Pitch Perfect 3'

Posted:

8th Annual Produced By Conference presented by Producers Guild of America - Day 1Wow, "Pitch Perfect 3" is really struggling to hit the right notes. The release date has moved around from August 2017 to July 2017 to, at this point, December 22, 2017 -- and that latest change prompted PP2 director Elizabeth Banks to leave her job as director of PP3.

Banks explained her decision over the weekend at the Producers Guild's Produced By conference.

"My parental responsibilities are the reason why," she said, via Variety. "The new schedule butts up against my parental responsibilities in a way I'm not really comfortable with." Variety noted that Banks and her husband Max Handelman remain as producers in the franchise, and Banks will still reprise her rose as competition commentator Gail. Stars Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Brittany Snow are also returning for the third movie in the surprise hit franchise.

So PP3 now needs a new director, and it sounds like it still needs a solid plot, too; as Banks added at one point, "This third one is hard to figure out what the story is." That's not terribly encouraging, but they do have a bit more time to perfect the script till it's suitably aca-amazing.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Chris Evans Smashes 'Panic Attack' Rumor, Reacts to Brie Larson as Captain Marvel

Posted:

Britain Captain America Civil War PremiereThe next Marvel villain should just be Internet Rumors, with Captain America scrolling through Twitter to fight back against all the untrue stories that pop out of nowhere and spread like a game of Telephone.

(Cap) was recently at Wizard World in Philadelphia -- along with "Captain America: Civil War" co-stars (Sam/Falcon) and (Bucky/Winter Soldier) -- and it sounds like he had a good time, despite the rumor that an overzealous fan gave him an anxiety attack.

During one portion of the Wizard World panel, Evans addressed the report that Brie Larson may play Captain Marvel. "I just heard about that," hesaid. "I really hope that happens. I love Brie Larson. We did a movie together back in '09, we did 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'. I cannot say enough about Brie Larson. I think she is phenomenal, and I really hope that happens." Anthony Mackie joked that they should twist it around and cast a dude as Captain Marvel. (The audience booed, and Mackie mocked surprise.)

Watch that clip here:

That was fine and dandy. Then Sunday night, for whatever reason, someone tweeted a report that there was a crazy fan who tried to kiss Chris Evans and, when he denied her, she got mad and that led him to have a panic attack. That story started to spread, with details being added along the way -- like Evans having to leave the photo op event for 40 minutes, and wanting to cancel everything because he has anxiety issues -- even though no one could back it up with any evidence.

The rumor found its way to Chris Evans, who addressed it head on:


Glad to hear it's false. Although it's also a good reminder that fans should give their favorites plenty of space at these events, and don't pull a Norman Reedus fan move like licking or biting.

[via: EW, GossipCop]

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

J.K. Rowling Posts Video Asking 'Cursed Child' Audience Not to Share Spoilers

Posted:

Britain Scotland CelebritiesNo snitches allowed, except for the Quidditch kind!

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is opening previews this week in London, with the story set 19 years after the main plot of J.K. Rowling's seventh and final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Pottermore recently shared three sets of photos to showcase the actors in character, and a script book with the entire story will be available July 31, which is the shared birthday of author Rowling and The Boy Who Lived.

But there's a long time between now and July 31, and not all Harry Potter fans will be fortunate enough to see the London play. Some of us may want to know every little detail ASAP while others will want to keep the mystery alive so they experience it fresh in the theater or on the page in the script book.

To that end, J.K. Rowling just shared her own little 30-second PSA asking the lucky fans who do get to see the play to keep their traps shut and not pull a Rita Skeeter across the Internet.

Here are Rowling's tweets on the subject:


It's a good thing they are making that script book available July 31 or the Internet might riot. Then again, Rowling herself has a history of extra Potter details, beyond the books, the play, and the upcoming "Fantastic Beasts" movie. Maybe she had to pin that #KeeptheSecrets tweet as a reminder to herself.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

What's New on TV, Netflix, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: June 6-12

Posted:

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's new on Netflix and TV, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Zootopia"
Those sloths at the DMV could learn from Disney's super-fast home release of "Zootopia." The instant classic blockbuster came out in theaters in early March, and it's already arriving on Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD, and On-Demand on June 7. The Blu-ray and Digital releases come with a magical amount of bonus features, including "Zoology: The Roundtables," with Ginnifer Goodwin (who voices rabbit officer Judy Hopps) leading an in-depth look at the movie's characters, animation, environments, and more. Other extras include "The Origin of an Animal Tale," "Research: A True-Life Adventure," "Z.P.D. Forensic Files," "Scoretopia," a look at deleted characters, a bunch of deleted and alternate scenes (including an alternate opening), and Shakira's "Try Everything" music video. The DVD just has "Scoretopia," the featurette on the making of the musical score, plus the "Try Everything" music video. The Digital HD release comes with its own exclusive "International Character Reel," showing the variances in news reporters in Zootopia around the world.

Watch this exclusive behind-the-scenes clip from the "Roundtables" featurette, showing voice actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman (Nick Wilde) in the recording booth, plus interviews with the animators:

"Hail, Caesar!"
The Coen Brothers are back, this time with a fun, frothy little number about Golden Age Hollywood tomfoolery. Josh Brolin plays the lead role of Hollywood exec/problem solver Eddie Mannix, with backup from all-stars George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson, and new Han Solo Alden Ehrenreich. The DVD and Blu-ray, out June 7, come with several making-of featurettes with the cast and crew.

Check out this exclusive behind-the-scenes clip with Channing Tatum talking about his character, Burt Gurney:

"Jarhead 3: The Siege"
A Marine on his first assignment gets caught up in a global crisis in "Jarhead 3: The Siege," which is out on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD, and also Netflix on June 7. Original "Jarhead" star Dennis Haysbert returns to co-star with Charlie Weber and Scott Adkins. The Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and Digital releases include an unrated version of the movie, plus a making-of featurette.

Check out this exclusive clip from the movie:

"Anomalisa"
This latest bit of artistry from the brilliant mind of Charlie Kaufman ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Being John Malkovich") has its Blu-ray release June 7. The Blu-ray Combo Pack with Digital HD includes an in-depth look at the filmmaking process with writer/co-director Charlie Kaufman and co-director Duke Johnson; details on the groundbreaking techniques used to create one of the most intricate and intimate scenes in the film; and an exploration of sound design and its role in the film's emotional impact.


New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only

"Midnight Special"
Michael Shannon re-teams with his amazing "Take Shelter" writer/director, Jeff Nichols, for this compelling sci-fi thriller co-starring Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, and Sam Shepard. Own it on Digital HD June 7 before it's out on Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand June 21. The story follows a father, Roy (Michael Shannon), who goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), who has mysterious powers that even Roy can't comprehend. The Blu-ray and DVD both come with six special features.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2"
Opa! The whole Portokalos family is back in this sequel to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Watch Toula (Nia Vardalos), Ian (John Corbett), and their lovingly smothered teen daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris) on Digital HD June 7, before the Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand release June 21. The Blu-ray and DVD will include a gag reel and two fun making-of featurettes.

"Casual" Season 2 (Hulu)
Bachelor Alex (Tommy Dewey) finds himself living with his newly divorced sister Laura (Michaela Watkins), and her teen daughter Laura (Tara Lynne Barr) in this sweet, funny, original Hulu comedy series. Watch the dysfunction continue when Season 2 begins on Tuesday, June 7.


TV Worth Watching

"UnReal" Season 2 (Monday on Lifetime at 10 p.m.)
If you like "The Bachelor," you'll like "UnReal." And if you love to hate all things Bachelor Nation, then you will LOVE "UnReal." Quinn (Constance Zimmer) and Rachel (Shiri Appleby) -- who have been compared to the female "Breaking Bad" team -- return in the second season of this edgy, addictive, acclaimed drama. In the June 6 premiere, aptly titled "War," Quinn promotes Rachel to produce Season 14 of "Everlasting," and Rachel sets out to change history by casting the first African-American suitor. However, newly empowered men's rights activist Chet arrives on set to reclaim control of the show.

Check out the Season 2 trailer:

"Ride with Norman Reedus" (Sunday on AMC at 10 p.m.)
Fans won't get to see Daryl Dixon back until October, but AMC is keeping Norman Reedus on screens in this six-episode series, following the actor as he rides to new cities and hangs out with fellow motorcycle aficionados.

"The Americans" Season 4 (Wednesday on FX at 10 p.m.)
Is this the best drama on television? Give it some thought, you have a few days before the Season 4 finale, "Persona Non Grata," which airs June 8. Here's the synopsis for Episode 13: " The explosive season finale of 'The Americans' finds Philip and Elizabeth in a high-stakes race against the FBI to recover a hazardous package. Will they get there in time? And will Paige follow her parents into the family business?" The show will be back for a 13-episode Season 5 and a 10-episode Season 6, which will mark The End.

"Tony Awards" (Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m.)
Watch "Hamilton" take it all, including possibly the props and light fixtures, when the Tonys air June 12. James Corden is host, so don't expect anything controversial. Unless "Hamilton" loses major awards. That would be controversial.


New on Netflix

"Scandal" Season 5
Need to stream all 21 episodes of "Scandal" Season 5? It's handled, as of June 11. The most recent season ran from September 2015 to just last month, with the May 12 finale, and now you can binge it all, Netflix-style. The Season 6 premiere was pushed back from this fall to midseason 2016-2017, so you have plenty of time to catch up.

"LEGO Friends: The Power of Friendship" Season 2
"Voltron: Legendary Defender" Season 1
These two Netflix Original series are premiering June 10. Honestly, the rest of the week isn't looking that exciting, but you check out the full June lineup and judge for yourself. A ton of stuff came out back on June 1, and you probably haven't streamed it all yet, so go for it!

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

'Game of Thrones' Writer Explains Why 'The Broken Man' Needed a Cold Open

Posted:

Surprise! Every week, we expect "Game of Thrones" to start with 1) clips from previous episodes to tease what's ahead, and 2) the map intro with the theme song and credits. But that was not the case for Season 6, Episode 7, "The Broken Man." Instead, GoT delayed the map intro and went straight into a scene with complete strangers ... until one of them was revealed to be Sandor "The Hound" Clegane (Rory McCann).

Bryan Cogman, who wrote "The Broken Man," recently teased that there was a week of shooting for this episode that was his favorite week in six seasons on the show. He confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that it was the sequence with The Hound and Brother Ray (Ian McShane):

"It was my favorite week on Game of Thrones because it's a beautiful little three-act play. Very much on purpose it tonally doesn't really feel like Game of Thrones until the end when everyone gets slaughtered. Ian McShane is a New Age ex-warrior with a painful history of violence, and he's found his own flock trying to rebuild their lives. He sees Sandor as a candidate. He recognizes in Sandor a bit of himself. The Hound, apart from being grateful, starts to open up to him. He's the first and only friend he's ever friend in his life. And that was an interesting relationship to explore. The scenes have a light touch and gentleness and humanity and humor that you don't find on the show – then the raiders ride in. The Hound is few miles away chopping wood and they come back and slaughter everybody, pushing him back into the cycle of violence."

Cogman also explained why they decided to to break with tradition and use a cold open:

"We figured it would make his reveal more impactful if the audience hadn't seen [McCann's] name in the opening credits first."


True. It would've been even more impactful if McShane hadn't spoiled his role in advance, to the point where many fans knew exactly what he'd be doing when he returned, and that he'd only be there for one episode. But, anyway, cold opens are refreshing for GoT and we wouldn't say no to more of them, whether for similar reasons or just to keep us on our toes.


Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dominic Purcell Updates Fans After Scary Injury on 'Prison Break' Set

Posted:

Look at this BAMF. You can tell Dominic Purcell got beat up pretty bad in an injury on the set of FOX's "Prison Break" revival, but his Instagram shows a guy in great spirits, joking around and thanking supporters, like "close friend and brother" Wentworth Miller.

According to Collider, Purcell (who plays Lincoln Scofield to Miller's Michael Scofield) had a head injury and a broken nose when a heavy set piece fell and hit him while they were filming in Morocco.

Production hasn't stopped, but Purcell is taking a break and will shoot his scenes when he returns. Here's FOX's statement:

"Our friend and colleague Dominic Purcell was injured earlier this week during the filming of our event series 'Prison Break,' and was flown to a medical facility where he received treatment. We are happy to report that he is in great spirits and is expected to make a full recovery. He wanted us to express his appreciation to the fans around the world who have expressed their concern and support, and to reassure them that he will be back at work very soon."


Purcell has spent the past few days updating fans on his condition, and his Instagram is filled with some interesting "Prison Break" notes, so read the captions carefully:

Can't describe my deep love and gratitude to my close friend and brother @wentworthmilleractorwriter his concern for my health was his first priority. Went is holding up the fort in my absence his leadership and care is inspirational. He's taken control taken it upon himself to push the production and lead by example. A true leader a true gentleman and the most fearless person I have ever met. Thanks bro. Love ya. See u in Van where we r going to crush and produce one of the most entertaining anticipated shows on the planet. Could not do this without you. Love ya. Dom. .... Ps. No more talk no more selfies of my condition. It's done it's over. I'm making a full recovery. Thanks for everyone's concern. It's time to get back to work. This chapter is closed.

A photo posted by Dominicpurcell (@dominicpurcell) on

Over it. Need to get home to my kids.

A video posted by Dominicpurcell (@dominicpurcell) on


Based on that, it sounds like he is indeed "lucky to be alive" now, so no wonder he's staying positive and grateful (although anxious to get home). He's tired of being told to get well soon, but ... heal fast, man!

The FOX event series will premiere Thursday in midseason.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

'City Slickers': 10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About the Hit Comedy

Posted:

It's hard to imagine being nostalgic for a midlife crisis. Nonetheless, it's been 25 years since Billy Crystal conceived of, produced, and starred in the funniest midlife-crisis movie ever. A quarter-century after the release of "City Slickers" (on June 7, 1991), fans remember it fondly for its story of three tenderfoot cowpokes out of their depth, for Jack Palance's wonderfully hard-bitten trail boss, and for generating one of the most memorable moments in Oscar history.

In honor of the film's 25th anniversary, we've rounded up these little-known "City Slickers" facts.

1. Crystal came up with the idea for the movie while watching a TV show about middle-aged men going on life-changing fantasy vacations. He borrowed the plot from John Wayne's "The Cowboys," reimagined it as a comedy, and hired screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel to craft it into a screenplay. The two writers were too lazy to visit an actual dude ranch to do the research; they wrote the script first, then phoned a dude ranch owner to check on their story's plausibility.
2. When Crystal was a kid, his dad ran a popular Manhattan record store and knew a lot of jazz musicians, and seven-year-old Crystal had no less than Billie Holiday for a babysitter. He sat on her lap when he went to see his first movie, the classic 1953 Western "Shane." Crystal never forgot Jack Palance's Oscar-nominated performance as the heavy, which is why Palance was Crystal's first choice to play Curly in "City Slickers."

3. Initially, Palance was unavailable, so Crystal sent the script to Charles Bronson. Far from being flattered, the veteran movie tough-guy was insulted. Bronson cussed out Crystal, complaining of the proposed role, "I'm dead on page 64!" Fortunately, Palance's schedule cleared up.
4. Rick Moranis was initially supposed to play Daniel Stern's part, but he had to drop out because of his wife's cancer diagnosis.

5. Yes, that's a 10-year-old Jake Gyllenhaal making his film debut as Crystal's son. "He was always performing," Crystal recalled of the boy's on-set behavior. "He would sing from 'South Pacific,' and we'd all go, 'He's gay, he's going to be gay.'"
6. Crystal's softball team pal and "When Harry Met Sally" co-star Bruno Kirby rounded out the cast, even though he was allergic to horses and had to get an allergy shot every day on the set.

7. Crystal's "best day of my life" story actually happened to him. He really did go to Yankee Stadium with his dad, and he even got Mickey Mantle to autograph his program. The birthday call from his mom (voiced by Jayne Meadows) was also an annual ritual for Crystal, and the story Meadows tells of the events surrounding her son's birth is really the story of Crystal's entry into the world.
8. "City Slickers" cost a reported $27 million to make. It earned $124 million in North America and a total of $179 million worldwide.

9. The film was credited with spurring an increase in cattle ranch vacations. Among those influenced was co-star Daniel Stern himself, who bought himself a cattle ranch.
10. When his "City Slickers" performance won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor -- 38 years after his previous nomination, for "Shane" -- Palance famously wowed the Academy Awards audience and host Crystal with a celebratory round of one-armed push-ups. Turns out the 73-year-old was re-enacting the display he'd given to the film's insurers to prove he was fit enough to play Curly.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

'Game of Thrones' Recap: Siege the Day, Hound the Dead, 'The Broken Man'

Posted:

What is dead may never quite die the first time on "Game of Thrones."

If ever an episode needed an extra 10 minutes, it's "Game of Thrones" Season 6, Episode 7, "The Broken Man." The June 5 episode was only 51 minutes, the shortest episode of Season 6 since the 50-minute premiere, just starting the Riverrun siege storyline, stabbing Arya Stark, and introducing (then immediately eliminating) an awesome new character.

The good news is that the next three episodes are much longer, including a super-sized finale. But the bad news is the season is already wrapping up right when it's just starting to pick up.

"Deadwood" alum Ian McShane returned to HBO for the one-off episode he spoiled himself as bringing back Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound. His peace-loving septon character, Brother Ray, was like a cross between Septon Meribald and the Elder Brother of the book. In "A Storm of Swords," Septon Meribald gave a great speech about broken men, but this week the direct "broken" man reference was from Yara Greyjoy to her brother Theon.

Still, the episode message boiled down to the same thing for everyone -- this is no time to hide and hope for the best, there are wars to be won and everyone needs to grab an axe and get in the fight.

Check out this behind-the-scenes video with McShane and Rory McCann talking about the Hound's big return:

There were a few twists from the books this week, including a decent (if truncated) match for Jaime Lannister's Riverrun siege speech with Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully. Since the synopsis included "The North is reminded" there was thought that maybe we'd get some version of Wyman Manderly's The North Remembers speech to Ser Davos, but instead we got Davos making a recruitment pitch to that badass mini queen Lyanna Mormont, but still not getting Team Stark enough warriors to battle Ramsay Bolton. But Sansa Stark has a plan, and we have to see what happens with her letters.


Speaking of Starks, Arya got herself stabbed by that smug brat The Waif, and we have to see how she can get out of Braavos alive. There's a ship that should be leaving at dawn, but that doesn't change the fact that she is possibly bleeding to death. What is dead may never die, but what is alive may definitely die. Good luck, Arya.

We only have three episodes left this year, and next season only has seven episodes total. So basically this will be the finale point next year. How depressing is that?


Read on for a recap of Episode 7:

COLD OPEN
No map intro! There's a cold open this week with builders, led by Ian McShane's septon character. Here he is for the one-off role he teased, to bring back a beloved character everyone thought was dead. We first see the man's legs, then the camera pans up to show The Hound. Alive and just plain fine!

THE MAP
After that, we get the map in King's Landing, Winterfell, The Wall, Braavos, Meereen.


THE HOUND
Ian McShane's character (Elder Brother/Septon Meribald?) asks how many men it took to take down Sandor Clegane. It was a woman. McShane laughs, but he wouldn't if he saw Brienne. This is quite an expansion of the book, to actually have a scene showing The Hound fully alive. What kept The Hound going? "Hate." McShane's Brother Ray wears a star and they talk about gods. Whoever is God has a plan for Sandor Clegane.

Later in the episode, we see Brother Ray giving a speech, talking about past deeds and his shame. He can't bring back the dead, but he can start bringing good into the world. "It's never too late to come back." On that note, three riders approach. They are not friendly, and they remind the group the night is dark and full of terrors. Hmmm. (The Brotherhood?) The Hound didn't appreciate the septon saying "Seven save you, friends" to guys who were clear threats to the group. But Brother Ray says violence is a disease, you don't cure a disease by spreading it to more people. The Hound says you don't cure it by dying either.

Later, we see The Hound return to the campsite and see everyone slaughtered -- women, children, everyone. They were peaceful people in a violent land. Brother Ray was hanged. No more bringing good into the world, but at least he tried. The Hound grabs his axe and prepares for ... what -- revenge? He has to kill his brother at some point. #CleganeBowl.


KING'S LANDING
Margaery tries to impress the High Sparrow with her quick knowledge of the Seven-Pointed Star. But it sounds like he's not quite sure yet whether he can trust her or if she's putting on an act. They have an awkward conversation about Margaery not entering Tommen's bed. She said she has no desire for him (can't blame her, he's a weak child) but the High Sparrow barfs up the mansplain that sex doesn't need desire on the woman's part, her job is to produce an heir. The Faith needs an heir to maintain their hold. Margaery doesn't really want that. The High Sparrow also adds a threat to Lady Olenna. We next see the Queen of Thorns mocking Septa Unella (does it move or talk?) who is basically a spy for the High Sparrow. Margaery says Loras has to confess and renounce his title, then he can be free. Would she say all of this if Unella wasn't there to spy? Margaery tells Olenna she should leave, her place is at home. Ah. She does give her a warning/rose sign of loyalty, while telling her to find comfort and prayer in good works. "The Mother watches over us all." Yeah, a real mofo. Margaery knows what she's doing, she's not a real convert. She remains the most savvy person in King's Landing.

Olenna and Cersei have a little chat, where Olenna blames Cersei for bringing the Faith there and Cersei agrees it was her fault. She lives with it every day ... then says they need to work together to fight the Faith. The Queen of Thorns wonders if Cersei is the worst person she's ever met. Don't forget Joff! And you haven't met Ramsay. Cersei refuses to leave her son behind, but Olenna makes the good point that she doesn't have a lot of options. "You've lost, Cersei. It's the only joy I can find in all this misery." Yikes. So much for being on the same side in this fight.


TEAM STARK WARS
We first head with Jon and company for a recruitment meeting with the free folk. Jon says, if they lose the battle with the North, the Boltons and such will come north for the free folk. We need to beat them if you're going to survive. Tormund steps up to speak for Jon. "He died for us." He's their Jesus -- there are so many gods on this show, they might as well start worshiping Jon. Wun-Wun stands for Jon, just saying, "Snow," which sounds like a good endorsement.

Later, the tour continues with a visit to young Lady Lyanna Mormont on Bear Island. LOVE this girl immediately, she's a sass machine. Like Arya. She wrote that letter saying House Mormont knows no king other than the King in the North whose name is Stark. So they want her allegiance. But, she says, Jon is a Snow and Sansa is a Bolton or a Lannister. Rickon is a Stark, though... Lyanna smacks them down saying she's responsible for the people of Bear Island so why should she sacrifice them for this cause? Jon and Sansa seem stumped, so Davos steps up and argues for them, relating to her as someone who wasn't expecting to be in this position either. Davos says this isn't their war, it's our war. Davos brings up Lord Commander Mormont, who picked Jon as his successor, because he knew the real war is between the living and the dead, "and make no mistake my lady, the dead are coming." He makes a good pitch that they have to fight and need to do it together. Lady Mormont waves off her maester and makes her own decision. House Mormont will stand with House Stark. However, they only have 62 fighters. Haha. "We are not a large house, but we're a proud one." And each one is worth 10 mainlanders.
Next, they visit Robett Glover, who tells them no. He wants to know who else is fighting with them and so far they only have the Mormonts and the wildlings. That just sealed the no for Glover. He hates wildlings, too. Sansa reminds Glover his house is pledged to the Starks, but he gets in her face and asks where was King Robb when the Ironborn attacked Deepwood Motte and brutalized them? Robb was taking up with a foreign whore and getting others killed. Now House Stark is dead. This tour is dead, too. It is not going well.

Later, they tally up the army they have, which is mostly wildlings and not much else. But Jon says they have to march on Winterfell now. Sansa wonders why Ser Davos is Jon's most trusted adviser based on getting 62 men from a 10-year-old and working for Stannis. Sansa says they need more men, but Jon says they have no time. They must fight with the army they have. Sansa sees a raven and starts writing letters, sealing them with the Stark name. That's right -- when in doubt, send a raven. Gently remind the North of their duty, and what's at stake.


RIVERRUN SIEGE
Siege time! Jaime leads the Lannister army across the gorgeous Riverlands to Riverrun. Bronn is by his side again, and they banter like old times. (Bronn is still best with Tyrion, though. We are all best with Tyrion.) Hopefully this trip goes better than the one to Dorne. The Freys threaten to hang poor Edmure Tully, who has a rope around his neck. They are trying to draw out Brynden Tully, aka the Blackfish, so he'll yield the castle. Edmure is probably ready to die at this point. Black Walder holds the knife to Edmure's throat and reminds the Blackfish he was the one who killed Catelyn Stark at the Red Wedding. As you recall:
But the Blackfish calls his bluff, and tells him to just go ahead and slit Edmure's throat. Jaime tries to take over and restore order to the siege since the Frey's, as usual, are screwing everything up.

Jaime goes to the drawbridge to meet with the Blackfish face to face. Not to be shallow, but Jaime looks damn good this week. Blackfish is a handsome man, too; do you think Richard Gere is ripping his agent a new one for not getting him this part? Jaime and Blackfish give a strong version of their debate speeches from the book. The war is not over to the Blackfish. They have enough provisions for two years. Does the Kingslayer? It's a great verbal smackdown and the win clearly goes to House Tully. For now.

IRON ISLANDS
Theon and Yara are hanging out in Volantis, with Yara making out with a topless woman. (She's straight in the book, but not on TV because straight male showrunners want more naked women and lesbian action?) Yara and Theon know as long as they are alive they are threats to Euron. She makes Theon drink. She's tired of watching him cower like a beat dog. She needs the real Theon, not Reek the pretender. He escaped. He is never going back. They'll get revenge, not justice. She says if he's so broken he's not coming back, just cut your wrists right now. But she needs him. She wants to sail to Meereen and make a pact with the dragon queen, and take back the Iron Islands. Is he really with her? He is. So Theon is the broken man in this episode, and we don't get the "broken men" speech from Septon Meribald in the book.

ARYA IN BRAAVOS
We see Arya approach a Westerosi guy to buy passage home. They leave it two days. She wants a cabin, and to leave at dawn. She's a damn good negotiator, but uh oh. The Waif approaches in a mask, calls Arya "sweet girl" and stabs her. NOOOOOOO. So much for not making her suffer. But Arya is alive, if in terrible pain and bleeding, and falls into the water, then swims to land. She walks the streets, covering the wound in her stomach. Everyone could be The Waif.


NEXT WEEK
Episode 8, "No One" airs Sunday, June 12. Cersei chooses violence and Brienne faces off against Jaime.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

7 Reasons Why 'TMNT2' Stumbled at the Box Office

Posted:

TMNT2Welcome to the first really bad weekend of the summer. Even though this weekend saw three new wide-releases, it's still the lowest-grossing weekend of Summer 2016 so far.

The new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows," debuted at No. 1 with an estimated $35.3 million, but that's just over half of the $65.6 million debut that the previous "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" enjoyed two summers ago. Romance "Me Before You" did half as well as "Out of the Shadows," opening in third place with an estimated $18.3 million -- besting Warner Bros.' expectations. And Andy Samberg's boy-band mockumentary, "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping," underperformed with an estimated $4.6 million -- landing in eighth place. Woof.

Meanwhile, the modest sales of "Out of the Shadows" were enough to displace last week's winner, "X-Men: Apocalypse," which fell 66 percent in its second weekend to No. 2 with an estimated $22.3 million. Last week's big box office disappointment, "Alice Through the Looking Glass," also fell more than 60 percent, landing in fourth place with an estimated $10.7 million.

C'mon, Hollywood, this is supposed to be the most lucrative season of the year, full of record-setting debuts of superhero sagas and family-friendly cartoons. What happened? What lessons can studio programmers learn from this weekend's lackluster box office? Well, here are seven of them.

1. Sequel-itis
Remember, "TMNT" started out in the 1980s as a comic book parodying the "X-Men" franchise. It must be galling both to the publishers at Marvel and to the executives at Fox that their teenage mutants are playing second fiddle this weekend to the jokey, pizza-chomping, sewer-dwelling versions of their carefully cultivated intellectual property. Give credit, at least, to Paramount for recognizing that "X-Men: Apocalypse" was puny enough to be dethroned after just one week by a more kid-friendly team of comic-book heroes.

2. In the Summer, Reviews Don't Matter...
Audiences know what they want from their summer escapism, critics be damned. "Popstar" had the best reviews among the new films, with a 78 percent "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes. "TMNT" had the weakest, just 37 percent. But the young male audience that "Popstar" targeted doesn't care about reviews, and neither do the kids that "TMNT" sought. People were already predisposed to see (or avoid) both movies, and reviews weren't going to sway them.

Same with "Me Before You," which had middling reviews (55 percent fresh) from critics who complained about the movie's heartstring-yanking manipulativeness. Of course, that's precisely the romantic movie's biggest selling point. Feature, not bug.

3. ...And Neither Does Star Power
Of course, the. stars of "TMNT" are all computer-generated, but the filmmakers have chosen to surround them with actors familiar from roles in grown-ups-only movies, like Laura Linney and Tyler Perry, for no apparent reason other than to make adults who've been dragged to the movie by their kids recognize them on screen and think, "Wha...?" (Surely they're not there to boost box office.) Oh, and "Arrow" star Stephen Amell joins the franchise as fan favorite Casey Jones, as if there's much overlap between his dark, adult comic-book series on the CW and the "TMNT" kids.

Meanwhile, Emilia Clarke and the fourth male lead from the "Hunger Games" movies are the stars of "Me Before You." Clarke has a fan base, though it's far from clear that anyone who loves to see her in a platinum wig and riding a dragon on "Game of Thrones" wants to see her playing an adorable Manic Pixie Dream Girl in a contemporary romance.

Andy Samberg, at least, is working within his usual wheelhouse as the star of musical spoof "Popstar," and he and the other Lonely Island guys have been promoting the heck out of it on TV appearances and on social media. Nonetheless, the former "Saturday Night Live" mainstay and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star has never proved that his TV following will follow him to the big screen.

4. There's an Audience Starved for Romance
"Me Before You" was expected to bring in only about $12 to $14 million, so its estimated $18.3 million take is a pleasant surprise. Chalk it up to smart counter-programming against the family-oriented and male-oriented movies otherwise dominating the multiplex.

Indie romances "Love & Friendship" and "The Lobster" also added hundreds of theaters each this weekend and are reaping the benefits, with "Love" earning an additional estimated $2.2 million and "Lobster" clawing another estimated $1.6 million. As "Apocalypse" plummets," "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" runs out of gas, and "Popstar" fails to get off the ground, it might be time for the studios to stop saturating the market with movies made for young men and start thinking about young women.

5. Might Be Time for More Originality at the Multiplex
In this weekend's top 10, "Popstar" and "The Nice Guys" are the only two films not based on a pre-existing property. How's that working out for them? It's not so much that audiences only want to see sequels and reboots; rather, it's that sequels and reboots seem to have crowded everything else out of the marketplace, at least throughout the summer. It seems that the ho-hum response to "TMNT 2" might be evidence of "sequel fatigue" among moviegoers, which could spell trouble for Hollywood this summer as sequels are what studios use to line their coffers during the season.

While the aforementioned originals have proven to be misfires, audiences will still flock to original ideas -- as long as they are executed in ways that make it worth our hard-earned box office dollars.

6. There's Only So Many Family Movie Dollars Out There
This might seem counterintuitive, especially now that school's out. But "TMNT" might have done better if it weren't competing against "Alice Through the Looking Glass," "The Angry Birds Movie," "The Jungle Book," and even "Zootopia" (still in 400 theaters after 14 weeks).

7. The Math on Sequels Doesn't Always Add Up
The last "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," which relaunched the franchise in 2014, cost about $125 million to make and earned nearly $500 million worldwide. Given that, for blockbusters like these, marketing costs about as much as production, and that the studio keeps only about half of the worldwide ticket receipts, the 2014 "TMNT" just about broke even.

Nonetheless, that was apparently good enough to justify a sequel, so now we have the $135 million "Out of the Shadows," which will have to gross $540 million worldwide to break even. So far, it has taken in an estimated $69.3 million around the globe. Not a good sign.

Who knows, maybe Turtle fans are willing to shell out another $470 million for this one, but because family dollars are finite, the new Turtle tale is likely to sink in a couple weeks when "Finding Dory" swims into the multiplex. There may have been a sweet victory in beating "X-Men: Apocalypse" in early June, but at least if "Out of the Shadows" had come out in August, like its predecessor, it could have had the multiplex all to itself for a whole month.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...