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Showing posts from May, 2013

Win 'The Purge' Prize Pack

    If, on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In an America wracked with crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity--including murder--becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's twelve hours when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this particular night in 2022, plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin’s (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear his family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without tu

Hit Me With Your Best Shot #31

The game where I throw out one of cinema's more obscure quotes and you try to guess it. Readers are currently 22 for 30. Let's see if you can name the film this quote is from: "It's so damn hot... milk was a bad choice."

How Iron Man 3 Should Have Ended

The aside with Superman and Batman alone makes this a worthwhile viewing. Just watch.

'Pacific Rim' Monsters Get Spotlight in Empire

  Courtesy of Empire , there are new images of one of the monsters featured in Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim . Along with images of the beast is a quote from Del Toro explaining how each monster creates a unique battle in the film: "The first fight is very operatic, theatrical: Wagnerian. It happens in the middle of an iceberg-strewn sea, in the middle of a storm, with huge waves crashing on the Jaeger and Kaiju. We worked really hard at making water a character in this movie, frequently referring to Hokusai or the Fuji wave, and trying to make the water enhanced and add to the drama. This fight tries to quote the majesty of a painting by Goya called the Colossus.” Not that I was worried about repetition, but I'm glad Del Toro thought to make each battle different visually, it should make for a blast in IMAX.

Review: Mud

A little over two years ago, Matthew McConaughey came out in The Lincoln Lawyer and started the road to repairing his reputation as an actor. He followed up that good word with other critically appreciated performances in Killer Joe , Bernie and Magic Mike . The man known for being shirtless in romantic comedies has reinvented himself as a leading man with a knack for good material again. When it was announced that he would lead Jeff Nichol's follow-up project to Take Shelter , Mud became a must see picture of 2013. Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) don't have much to look forward to in DeWitt, Arkansas, life on the river is dying and they are at the age where girls aren't interested in them. A boat in a tree poses new opportunities, though, something they can lay claim to. The only problem is someone is living in it. He goes by Mud (McConaughey) and, at the moment, he's living on nothing but beanie weenies. His possessions are few: one gun

Join PopCircle Now

In beta testing, right now, is a new site where you can share all of your favorite movies, televisions shows, books and music with your friends and discover things you haven't seen yet. That site is PopCircle. What sets PopCircle apart from other entertainment sites — like Letterbox and Get Glue — is that while many sites give you recommendations based on complete strangers, PopCircle allows you to get recommendations from friends, families and experts you choose, people that you listen to when they talk about entertainment. The reason Ebert and Siskel became so popular was that they understood very well that idea of how valuable a recommendation is. Have a favorite critic who shares your taste on film? Add him/her to your movies circle. Find music fans who share your love of Beck? Add them. Better yet, if you don't share their tastes on everything, you can create separate circles for each medium. PopCircle allows you to walk out of the theatre (let's sa

'Ain't Them Bodies Saints' Trailer

A love story of two outlaws desperately trying to reunite, Ain't Them Bodies Saints chronicles Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck), his wife Ruth (Rooney Mara) and the sheriff that comes between them.

Gender Inequality and 'Star Trek Into Darkness'

J.J Abrams has gotten himself in a bit of hot water as of late, the director received criticism for a scene of Alice Eve in her underwear for, what most argued, absolutely no reason. Appearing on Conan last night to defend himself, Abrams argues that there was such reason for Eve to be stripping during the scene: her stripping during her defusal of a weapon was meant to "provide a break in the middle of all this action and adventure,”* he said, and to "reinforce the idea of Captain Kirk as a ladies’ man"* (if anyone ever needed reminding that Kirk is a ladies' man, than they weren't watching the movie). Abrams later contended that Chris Pine appears in a state of undress as well, but given that this appearance is post-love scene, that makes sense. If that line of reasoning didn't appeal to critics, then he played a deleted scene of Benedict Cumberbatch showering. While placing that scene in the film may have eased some qualms that Eve was objectifie

Clip from 'All Is Lost'

It has been a while since Robert Redford has appeared in a work of significance and J.C. Chandor's All Is Lost appears to be that film. The film is without dialogue in large stretches, but Redford's performance has garnered a great deal of good word at Cannes. All Is Lost arrives in theatres Oct 25th!

The World's End US Trailer

The Blood and Cornetto Trilogy end this August and Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost seemed to have saved the best for last. We waited five years since Hot Fuzz and it will be a blast to watch the three riff on another genre flick. The World's End careens into theatres with a fiery explosion on August 23rd!

Second 'Wolverine' Trailer

X-Men Origins: Wolverine may have soured many fans on the character, but with FOX's handling of both this and X-Men: First Class, it seems safe to say that they want to do right by Wolverine this time around. The Wolverine hits theaters on July 26.

Review: Star Trek Into Darkness

As Star Trek Into Darkness opens, we are thrown into a Starfleet operation where James Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) are actively disregarding the Prime Directive. The mission is ultimately a success, but there are consequences waiting for Kirk when he gets home. Captain Pike is livid, flying by the seat of your pants works when you're just some local farmboy, but Kirk is responsible for the lives of hundreds of officers and he can't be left in the captain's seat in good conscience. There is plenty of reason to question the fearless leader of the Enterprise. Kirk has the requisite swagger, but there is always a glimmer behind his eyes that suggests he still doesn't know what he should do. Any chance for character growth in a summer blockbuster is appreciated, but it is handled in a devil-may-care fashion by the writers and, frankly, Kirk's perpetual combat with maturity should be resolved by now. The time for Kirk to reflect on hi

First Still from 'Knight of Cups'

Two years really makes a difference, doesn't it? Prior to The Tree of Life 's release, Terrence Malick was notorious for his long delays between pictures. Something must have awoken something inside the auteur because he has released To the Wonder and has two more films waiting in post-production. Quite the change of pace for a man who had only directed three pictures over 30 years.

Review: The Great Gatsby

Self-made men like Jay Gatsby have been a fascination of American culture for decades, men like Howard Hughes and Don Draper, men that create veiled versions of themselves available for public consumption. These men raise the ideal of the American dream for all to see. Too often that ideal is so golden that few inspect further to see the pyrite underneath. During parties Gatsby has a story for every occasion, a drink to offer in both hands and an practiced "old sport" for each party goer. Of the two Gatsbys we see (one private and one public), the private moments captured by Luhrmann offer a stoic man, one with green-tinted regret leering at him in the distance. The house across the water. Two people live at the residence: Tom Buchanan (gleeful villain, Joel Edgerton), but more importantly to Gatsby, Tom's wife, Daisy (Carey Mulligan). We are kept at a distance from these characters, the audience views them through the eyes of newcomer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguir

Hit Me With Your Best Shot #28

The game where I throw out one of cinema's more obscure quotes and you try to guess it. Readers are currently 20 for 27. Let's see if you can name the film this quote is from: "You killed him? No, I shot him. Bullets and the fall killed him."

Fox Releases Logo and Synopsis for 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'

Badass Digest broke the new logo and synopsis of the Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequel. Production started a few days ago and with any luck the project will capitalize on the intriguing premise set below: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes stars Gary Oldman, Judy Greer, Keri Russell, Jason Clarke and Andy Serkis as Caesar. Cloverfield director Matt Reeves takes over the reins from Rupert Wyatt.

'Gravity' Poster and Trailer Released

Courtesy of @WBPictures , this is the first look at Gravity before the release of the trailer of Thursday. Updated: the trailer is below. Astronauts attempt to return to earth after debris crashes into their space shuttle, leaving them drifting alone in space.  Gravity opens in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D on October 18.

New 'Man of Steel' and 'The World's End' Posters

Two more posters for some of the summer's most anticipated films. One for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel and the other for Edgar Wright's The World's End . The banner for Man of Steel doesn't reveal much, it's just stylish, but the new poster for World's End reveals a look at the villains previously unseen in any promotional materials. The glowing eyes don't give away enough to say definitively, but could it be aliens? (Courtesy: IMPAwards.com)

Review: Iron Man 3

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is in the middle of a panic of sorts. He is suffering what most would call a crisis of confidence. The Avengers  left Stark with a distinct impression that there are, in fact, things he cannot control. The suit won't always be around and Tony has loved ones who are exposed. With Rhodes (Don Cheadle) piloting around the world as Iron Patriot, and Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow, getting her best part yet in the series) running Star Industries, Tony is firmly set in his R&D lab trying to figure out how to keep them all safe. In the isolation of his fortress, the global reign of terror brought about by The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) is off Tony's radar, panic attacks and insomnia are more present worries. The slightest mention of New York City is enough to send him searching madly for his iron cocoon. Tony being Tony, trouble doesn't stay in his rear-view for long. He finds himself in the middle of a press conference where he gives the world his ad

Hit Me With Your Best Shot #27

The game where I throw out one of cinema's more obscure quotes and you try to guess it. Readers are currently 19 for 26. Let's see if you can name the film this quote is from: "Alva, there is no one else in this entire office that I could possibly ask to share such a horrible job. You're the lowest on the totem pole here, Alva. The lowest. Do you realize that? Every other secretary here has been here longer than you, Alva. Every one. And even if there was someone here who was here even one day longer than you, I still wouldn't ask that person to partake in such a miserable job as long as you were around.

2013 Summer Preview

School will be out soon, the heat is coming and what better way to pass the time in a cool movie theatre? We all know about the big franchise releases this summer: Iron Man 3 , Star Trek Into Darkness , Fast and Furious 6 ,  Man of Steel ,  The Hangover Part III , but what about some of the lesser-known pictures coming out during the warmest season? Here is your itinerary for what to watch this summer: Iron Man 3  (May 3rd) Following the events of The Avengers , Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) may believe he faced his largest challenge ever, but The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) threatens to tear Tony's world apart. With his back against the wall, Tony may have to protect his loved ones without his iron suited alter-ego. Star Trek Into Darkness (May 16th) Maybe the most anticipated sequel of the year finds Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and crew facing their most destructive threat yet in the form of Benedict Cumberbatch. J.J. Abram's is playing things