Thursday, October 25, 2012
Taylor Swift: I Don't Know Much About Love
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Fun. Take to New York City in New Video 'Carry On'
P. Diddy Involved in a Car Accident
'Parnormal Activity 4′ Review: The Horror Franchise Finally Loses Its Way
All of the disappointments of Paranormal Activity 4 boil down to one thing: This is a franchise that's forgotten what made it so special in the first place. The original Paranormal Activity was terrifying not because it had expensive special effects or excessive amounts of gore, but because director Oren Peli expertly stretched the tension to the point where the softest creak of a door hinge could make us jump. 2 and 3 dialed the scares up a notch and expanded on the mythology, but that delicious suspense at the core remained the same.
In contrast, I don't think I've ever been as relaxed during a horror movie as I was during Paranormal Activity 4. The scares are theoretically bigger and badder this time around, but sloppy storytelling from directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman undermines any impact they might've had. After three great installments, the little low-budget horror series that could has finally lost its way.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, the plot: Paranormal Activity 4 picks up a few years after the original Paranormal Activity left off, shifting the focus from haunted sisters Katie (Katie Featherston) and Kristi (Sprague Grayden) to a suburban family in Nevada. When a neighbor falls ill, the family agrees to take in her weirdo son (Brady Allen) for a few days while she recovers in the hospital. It's not long before teen daughter Alex (Kathryn Newton) notices that strange things seem to happen around this kid, and she enlists the help of her boyfriend and frequent iChat partner Ben (Matt Shively) to get to the bottom of it.
To be sure, Paranormal Activity 4 isn't actually painful to sit through. Though it feels longer than its 88 minutes, it never drags long enough to inspire true boredom. Scenes involving the green, glowing motion sensors of an Xbox Kinect are impressively eerie the first time around, though the effect loses its impact by the end. And there are some genuinely funny moments sprinkled throughout, thanks mostly to the comfortable, flirtatious chemistry between Netwon and Shively.
If Paranormal Activity 4 maintains some semblance of tension in the first act, it's mainly because of the edginess left over from the first three films. Since all of them spooked me, I waited on edge the edge of my seat for this one to do the same. By about twenty minutes in, however, it was clear I was dealing with a different beast. Part of the problem is simply that, being the fourth installment of a franchise, much of the mystique is gone. We know that the nice, clean-cut family will ignore the unexplained bumps and mysterious shadows until it's too late, and that we'll get to see their grisly ends through found footage.
But the real issue is Paranormal Activity 4's storytelling, which is downright insulting in its laziness. Robbie's otherworldly creepiness is telegraphed from the moment he appears, and from there events proceed exactly as you think they would with nary a twist to be found. Yet, all the while, none of the characters seem properly terrified. The urgent fear that made the earlier films so enjoyably unbearable has been replaced by a vague concern. Even Alex, the only person in the household who realizes that something is seriously off, can't be bothered to fix her cameras when they stop working.
And speaking of those cameras: A frequent complaint of the found-footage subgenre is that too many of them rely on characters continuing to shoot long after any right-thinking person would've put the goddamn camera down. Paranormal Activity 4 makes an attempt to explain part of the footage: Some of it comes from recording software that Alex and Ben install on all the computers after the weirdness starts, and other scenes are pulled from saved video chats between the teenagers. But Alex also carries around a camera with her at all times for no apparent reason, whether she's talking to her mom on the kitchen table, walking into the garage, or climbing a ladder.
To make matters worse, she continues this obsessive documentation while entering into situations that, again, any half-conscious human would go to great lengths to avoid. One key scene sees her trying to escape a dangerous situation that she willingly walked into, and never once thinking to put down her iPhone — or indeed, even use her iPhone-wielding arm — during the ordeal. Most horror films, and indeed most films, require some suspension of dis
Friday, October 19, 2012
Sequel Bits: First Look at Amber Heard in 'Machete Kills,' Plus More 'Alex Cross,' Trouble on 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' and 'Pirates 5,' 'Sex and the City 3′
The image you see above is the first look at Amber Heard as she appears in the Robert Rodriguez film Machete Kills. The movie is, as you likely know, the sequel to 2009′s Machete, which was itself an expansion of the very entertaining "fake" trailer that appeared in the Rodriguez/Tarantino effort Grindhouse.
After the break, we've got more info on Machete Kills, as well as:
- Tyler Perry will get another film as Alex Cross,
- Warner Bros. sends a new corporate overseer down to keep tabs on Mad Max: Fury Road,
- Keith Richards is ready for Pirates of the Caribbean 5,
- and, in news that totally fits with everything mentioned above, Cynthia Nixon doesn't want to do more Sex and the City.
The photo above comes along with the news that Machete Kills has been picked up for distribution by Open Road for release in 2013.
In this chapter, Machete is "recruited by the president of the United States for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man: He must take down a madman revolutionary and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war and anarchy across the planet." The film also features Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Demian Bichir, Alexa Vega, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding Jr., William Sadler, Marko Zaror and Mel Gibson. [THR]
Alex Cross is getting savaged in reviews, but James Patterson's long-running character has quite a fan base, and so does Tyler Perry, the actor who plays him in this incarnation. And so Perry and Patteron are already in talks with financier QED to turn the novel Double Cross into another "Perry as Cross" movie.
Whether current director Rob Cohen will return isn't yet reported, so there's room to surmise that Perry might end up directing the second film as well as starring in it. What a strange world. Double Cross, for what its worth, has a plot that goes like this:
Just when Alex thought his life was calming down into a routine of patients and therapy sessions, he finds himself back in the game–this time to catch a criminal mastermind like no other. A spate of elaborate murders in Washington D.C. have the whole East Coast on edge. They are like nothing Alex Cross and his new girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, have ever seen. With each murder, the case becomes increasingly complex. There's only one thing Alex knows: the killer adores an audience. As victims are made into gruesome spectacles citywide, inducing a media hysteria, it becomes clear to Alex that the man he's after is a genius of terror–and he's after fame. The killer has the whole city by its strings–and he'll stop at nothing to become the most terrifying star that Washington D.C. has ever seen.
[Deadline]
It's difficult to tell just how much of an issue this next news bit really represents. Production on George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road has reportedly gone over budget and fallen as much as five days behind schedule.Warner Bros. chief Jeff Robinov headed down to Namibia to check things out, and ended up sending experienced producer Denise DiNovi to hang out on set as a studio overseer. The idea is generally to keep tabs on things and make sure the production gets back on track and stays there.
The return of Mad Max has already faced a series of delays, so this is just one more thing to add to the list of things small and large that have plagued the production. But films fall behind schedule on a fairly regular basis, and the idea of a studio sending someone down to make sure the ship sails straight isn't unusual at all. (There's a reason the "bond company stooge" was such a good joke in The Life Aquatic — that guy is a semi-regular on set.) Furthermore, making an action-heavy film like those in the Mad Max series isn't the sort of thing that is always going to go like clockwork.
So, while this is attention-getting stuff, is it really that big a deal? Hard to say right now, but there's a good chance it isn't. We'll know when the film hits; if Fury Road works, everyone involved will shrug and say the trials and tribulations were all worth it. [THR]
In the video below, Keith Richards discusses a wide range of topics that have to do with his career as the least-likely Ro
Disney Announces First Latina Princess, But Declines to Actually Acknowledge Her Race Within the Movie
The best-known Disney princesses are a fairly Caucasian lot, but the studio has made a concentrated effort to ramp up the diversity in recent years. The '90s saw the addition of the Middle Eastern Jasmine, the Asian Mulan and the Native American Pocahontas, and The Princess and the Frog's Tiana became the first African American Disney princess in 2009.
Now the Mouse House is adding a Latina royal named Sofia to their binder slate as well. The catch: No one can actually tell she's Latina. More after the jump.
Sofia, who was first announced last year, will make her debut November 18 on a Disney Jr. TV movie titled Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess. Sofia is remarkable in more than one way — she's also one of the youngest Disney princesses, in contrast to the grown-up Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, et al. But her race was thrust into the spotlight when a journalist remarked during a recent press event that Sofia's mother Miranda had darker skin than most of the other characters.
"She is Latina," executive producer Jamie Mitchell confirmed in response. To be more specific, Sofia is half-Enchancian and half-Galdizian. Yes, those are made-up fairy tale lands that have nothing whatsoever to do with Latin countries in the real world. The character, who will be voiced by Modern Family's Ariel Winter, becomes a royal after Miranda marries the king.
What those supposedly Latin roots actually mean for Sofia, however, is less clear. It's impossible to guess Sofia's unusual (in the world of Disney) heritage by looking at her pale skin, reddish-brown hair, and blue eyes. True, plenty of Latino people have fair coloring, up to and including the blond-haired, blue-eyed Cameron Diaz. But the studio has no plans to mention Sofia's race at all in the TV movie, either.
"We never actually call it out," said Joe D'Ambrosia, VP of original programming for Disney Junior. "When we go into schools [to talk to young students about the show], what I find fascinating is that every girl thinks that they're Sofia." All of which means it will be literally impossible to tell that Sofia is anything other than Caucasian unless you're reading posts like these — which her 2- to 7-year-old target demographic probably is not. So what, then, is the point?
I'll give Disney a tiny crumb of credit for at least creating a Latina character, which is more than many shows and movies are willing to do. However, by declining to acknowledge her ethnicity within the show, Disney's trying to have its cake and eat it too. D'Ambrosia's comment is telling because it suggests he's worried that making Sofia more openly Latina might scare away mainstream (i.e., white) audiences, that every little girl wouldn't see herself in Sofia if they knew her secret background. And that's exactly the kind of bullshit logic that accounts for Hollywood's embarrassing lack of diversity.
The thinking within the industry seems to be that everyone can identify with a white person, but that only non-white audiences can respond to a non-white character. (And don't even get me started on gender, class, and sexual orientation.) This is, of course, ridiculous. Movies regularly ask us to identify with mutants, robots, aliens, animals, and inanimate objects; a person of a different race is hardly a stretch.
But by consistently pushing Caucasian characters forward while relegating non-Caucasian ones to the sidelines, the industry collectively sends a message about what kind of people and experiences are valued. As one of the biggest brand names in the kiddie sphere, Disney has a real opportunity here to reassure Latina Disney fans that they matter just as much as their white schoolmates. In refusing to address Sofia's race in any meaningful way, they're dropping the ball.
Watch the trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments.
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Thursday, October 18, 2012
The iam8bit Gallery Opens Two Pop Culture Art Exhibits Oct 26: Evanimal and Senor Chips
The world-famous iam8bit Gallery in Los Angeles, California is opening not one, but two incredibly cool pop-culture art exhibits next week, and /Film is proud to exclusively debut some of the art.
"Fast Cards, Rugged Men and Bad Broads" is a solo show by noted illustrator and artist Evanimal (real name Evan Yarbrough) whose works in this exhibit transfer his unique, almost graffiti-like visual style to wood, with subjects ranging from Pulp Fiction to Jaws, James Bond and more.
The second exhibit features the incredibly distinct and unique work of Senor Chips, in a collection called "Hecho en el Norte." Chips has taken familiar pop culture icons (such as Tron, Nightmare on Elm Street, Beetlejuice, and Big) and re-imagined them in "Day of the Dead" dioramas.
Both exhibits open simultaneously at 7 p.m. October 26 at the iam8bit Gallery in Los Angeles and remain on display though November 11. After the jump, find out all the particulars and check out several images from each show.
Here's several images by Evanimal and Senor Chips; the styles are pretty distinct so I think you'll be able to tell which is which. The final two photos are the official flyers with all the info.
Again, both opening receptions are from 7-11 p.m. October 26 at the iam8bit Gallery, 2147 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA.Click here for their regular business hours.
I have to say, while Evanimal's style is more in my general wheelhouse, Senor Chips' juxtaposition of film with such a funny medium really strikes a chord. For example, in my life I could fathom seeing a beautifully rendered piece of art depicting Mia Wallace overdosing, but never the FAO Schwartz piano scene from Big as a Mexican diorama. It's simply awesome. And the best part is, both exhibits are at the same place so you can check them both out.
For more information on Evanimal's show, visit the Event Page on Facebook. Here's the Facebook Event Page for Senor Chips' show.
- Cool Stuff: 'Notebook Nerd,' Ballpoint Pen Artwork By Jim Rugg
- Cool Stuff: iam8bit Gallery Show 'Licorice Flix' Recreates Movie Images With Candy
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Miley Cyrus Gets Her Pants Scared Off By Halloween Ghost
Miley Cyrus got a good scare on Tuesday when she and a friend were confronted by a spooky Halloween spirit. The Hannah Montana star appears to be wearing no pants with her baggy sweatshirt in the ...
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Chloe Moretz To Front UNICEF Trick-Or-Treat Campaign
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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to Host Golden Globes Together in 2013
While the Academy has selected Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane to host its ceremony come February 2013, the HFPS is doubling down with not one but two funny ladies for the Golden Globes. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have just been chosen to anchor this year's awards, which will take place in January. The famous friends have collaborated frequently over the course of their careers, most notably as castmates on Saturday Night Live and in the films Mean Girls and Baby Mama. More after the jump.
The Globes are coming off of a three-year run with Ricky Gervais as the master of ceremonies, during which the comedian was alternately criticized for being too harsh or for not being harsh enough. It's tough to imagine what he could've done to get people excited for a fourth go-round on the podium, so Poehler and Fey seem like a welcome change of pace.
Neither woman has hosted before, though both have appeared as presenters on other awards shows such as the Emmys. The pair have a strong chemistry that should be familiar to anyone who's seen their stint as co-anchors of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, and both have devoted followings within the coveted young adult demo.
The pick works out beautifully for Globes channel NBC's marketing team as well. Both women are prominent on the network's Thursday night comedy lineup — Fey leads 30 Rock, while Poehler stars in Parks & Recreation. NBC's president of alternative and late night Paul Telegdy expressed his satisfaction with the choice:
Having both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on board to host this year's festivities is a major coup. Tina and Amy have a proven chemistry and comedic timing from their many years together on SNL to their successful co-starring roles in Baby Mama.
Of course, we've all seen great comedians fall flat as awards hosts in the past, so there's no guarantee that the combination of Poehler and Fey will pay off. But I'd happily watch these women talk about anything at all, so the HFPS can count on my tuning in when the awards air January 13.
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