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Tag: Film

  • Netflix Acquires 3D Printing Documentary ‘Print The Legend’

    Netflix announced today that it has acquired 3D printing documentary Print the Legend, which won the Special Jury Recognition Award for Editing & Storytelling in the Documentary Feature Competition at SXSW this year.

    Netflix describes the film:

    The Netflix original documentary goes behind-the-scenes of the top American 3D printing brands as they fight for dominance in the rapidly developing, groundbreaking field of 3D printing….3D printing is changing the world – from printing human organs to guns, to dismantling the world’s industrial infrastructure by enabling home manufacturing. It’s “the next Industrial Revolution.” “Print the Legend” follows the people racing to bring 3D printing to your desktop and into your life. For the winners, there are fortunes – and history – to be made. “Print the Legend” is both a 3D Printing Documentary, capturing a tech in the midst of its “Macintosh Moment,” and, even more so, a compelling tale about what it takes to live the American Dream.

    …

    The film delves into the people behind the machines and asks tough questions about the industry’s creative drive to enable consumers to produce anything from trinkets to handguns, including being there with provocateur Cody Wilson as he uploads his printable-gun files to the internet, setting off a worldwide media firestorm. The film roots its core story in the rise and challenges of start-ups MakerBot and Formlabs as they vie to release consumer models and control the narrative of their market to compete with established industrial players Stratasys and 3D Systems.

    It was directed, shot, and edited by Luis Lopez & Clay Tweel and produced by Steven Klein. It was developed, produced, and financed by Chad Troutwine and Audax Films, led by Co-Producer Andrew Kortschak and Executive Producer Walter Kortschak. It was also produced by Dan O’Meara. Exhibit A Films, including producer Seth Gordon (who worked on Netflix’s Mitt) and Executive Producer Mary Rohlich “led the filmmaking team.”

    “It’s so rare for a film to capture history in the making, and Luis Lopez and Clay Tweel have done just that in their skillful presentation of the elation and betrayals experienced by young entrepreneurs detailing the groundbreaking technology of 3D printing,” said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentary and Comedy. “This is a compelling glimpse into a game changing technology as it nears an inflection point going from the fantasy world of a few obsessed visionaries to a must-have technology that may enter every home.”

    No release date was announced, but Netflix says it will premiere exclusively on its service in all of its territories this year

    Image via YouTube

  • Patrice Wymore, Widow of Errol Flynn, Dies at 87

    Patrice Wymore Flynn, widow of late silver screen idol Errol Flynn, has died of pulmonary disease at her estate in Portland, Jamaica, according to family spokesman Robb Callahan.

    Wymore Flynn was a film and television actress who once starred opposite Frank Sinatra in the original “Ocean’s Eleven,” but was best known as being the last wife of romantic swashbuckling matinee idol Errol Flynn, who died of alcohol-related complications in 1959 at the age of 50.

    Wymore Flynn launched her acting career on Broadway in the 1940’s, performing in musicals such as “Hold It!” and “All for Love.” She made her transition to Hollywood in 1950, and co-starred in “Rocky Mountain,” a western starring Errol, which brought the two together. At the time, Flynn was engaged to a Romanian princess, but had his housekeeper break it off, according to his 1959 autobiography, “My Wicked, Wicked Ways.”

    Here’s the trailer for “Rocky Mountain”:

    Flynn had written in his memoir, “Patrice typified everything that I was not, and I presumed that she knew what my life was, since my life had been an open newspaper. She could cook Indian curry, she could dance, she could sing, she was reserved, she had beauty, dignity … homebody qualities that go toward making a sensible and lasting marriage.”

    Wymore Flynn was born in Miltonvale, Kansas, on Dec. 17, 1926, and grew up in Salina, Kansas. She’d moved to New York in her teens, to work as a model. After Flynn’s death, she’d went on to act in various films and television shows, but eventually returned to the Jamaican cattle ranch she’d shared with her late husband. She was once voted as being the Jamaican cattle rancher of the year in the 1980’s.

    Wymore Flynn never remarried, and also defended her late husband’s wicked ways, saying that “He just lost his way.” Flynn was staying with his teenage girlfriend at the time of his death.

    Wymore Fynn is survived by her grandson, Luke Flynn.

    Image via YouTube

  • Cory Monteith: Final Role Is Dark And Intense

    With Tuesday night’s 100th episode of Glee, fans once again remembered their favorite – Cory Monteith.

    Monteith left this world too soon only eight months ago, and since then fans have only been able to remember the actor through special episodes of Glee, most notably the episode titled “The Quarterback.”

    Now fans of Monteith will get to see his final performance as drug addict Simon Weeks in McCanick.

    According to director Josh C. Waller, this role and the experience of portraying this character was “cathartic” for Monteith. “He didn’t say it was a cathartic experience, but you could sense it. In my mind, I was envisioning a teeny little drug guy, but Cory Monteith is this tall, strapping man. But when I met with him, he wanted to do it so badly…He was very vocal about his past, and said he wanted to tap into things from his youth that he hadn’t been able to use as an actor yet,” said Waller.

    In the film, Monteith’s drug-addicted Weeks is “a street hustler who is sent to prison for seven years on murder charges.” After Weeks is paroled, “the detective who put him behind bars goes on a mission to hunt him down.” David Morse plays Detective McCanick who is hellbent on finding Weeks.

    You can see a sneak peek of the film obtained by E! News in the video below.

    As sad as it is that we will never see Monteith act again, Waller believes people should see the movie because that is what Monteith deserves, “I want people to see the movie, because Cory deserves that. People would ultimately see that he had a lot more to offer artistically, and it’s a shame that this happened because now he can’t explore that.”

    Fans continue to miss Monteith.

    McCanick hits theaters this Friday, March 21.

    Image via YouTube.

  • Netflix Acquires Streaming Rights To Two Feature-Length Pilots

    Netflix has secured exclusive streaming rights to a couple of feature-length films from Fox Digital Studios, which are meant to serve as pilots for half-hour shows, reports Variety.

    One of these films, How to Be a Man, is already available, having debuted on Saturday. Here’s the description Netflix is displaying:

    Believing he’s dying, former comedian Mark hires a young cameraman to capture important life lessons for his unborn son on video.

    The film was directed by Chadd Harbold, and stars Vice co-founder Gavin McInnes. Harbold retweeted this on Sunday:

    The other film, ETXR, Variety describes as a drama about an “electronic-dance music DJ trying to communicate with aliens.” That one is supposed to debut on Netflix on March 31st.

    While Netflix reportedly has exclusive streaming rights for both films, they’re both to be available for purchase via other channels like Amazon, iTunes and Xbox. While both or either may become shows, Netflix won’t necessarily be their homes (though I wouldn’t rule it out).

    Netflix has acquired shows from Fox Digital Studios in the past, including Bad Samaritans and The Ropes.

    Image via Netflix

  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier Has Good Early Reviews

    Surprise, surprise! Marvel has made yet another fantastic superhero film in the form of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger. Critics have been raving about the latest installment in the Marvel movie-verse after getting a taste of the film in early showings. Disney allowed critics to take to Twitter and share their opinions on the film about three weeks before it is scheduled to release, and the results have been in their favor; the critics are loving this film.

    According to the information and trailers released to the public (one of which is shown below), the new film will feature Captain America (also known by his civilian name, Steve Rogers) as well as Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff) as they go on various missions and escapades for S.H.I.E.L.D. Chris Evans, the actor who portrays Steve, has revealed that his character will not just be grappling with old-friends-turned-enemies and baddies like those shown in the action-packed trailers, but with the “moral ambiguities of the modern age.”

    In an interview with Hero Complex, Chris was quoted as saying, “For Steve, it’s about what is right. He’s relatively acclimated to the modern day — it’s not tech shock anymore, he’s not just like, ‘What’s a cellphone?’ It’s more about, given his situation, given the company he works for, what are we doing that’s the right thing? How much privacy, civil liberties are we willing to compromise for security? It’s pretty crazy how relevant it is right now.”

    This take on Steve and the direction it takes the film has, apparently, been a huge hit with the critics who have gotten a sneak peek at the film. As mentioned above, they took to Twitter to express their thoughts, and an overwhelming majority expressed that the film was superb in one way or another.

    Those are just a few of the multitude of awesome snippets that can be found all over Twitter. Here’s to hoping that the film lives up to the hype and is just as successful with general audiences. It definitely sounds like a fantastic film that no one will want to miss! Be sure to mark your calendars for April 4th, when it releases to theaters.

    Image via YouTube.

  • ’12 Years A Slave’ Wins Best Picture At The Oscars

    The historical slavery drama 12 Years a Slave bagged the award for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. Just as noteworthy, British film director, Steve McQueen, made history as the first black director to win the Best Picture award since the Academy Awards’ inception.

    12 Years a Slave went against The Wolf of Wall Street, Philomena, Nebraska, Dallas Buyers Club, Captain Phillips,  Her, American Hustle, and its biggest contender Gravity.

    12 Years a Slave is based on the 1853 memoir with the same title. It focuses on the story of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor,) a New York-born man who was kidnapped by slave traders, sold into slavery, and worked in Louisiana for years under William Ford (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), the owner of a plantation.

    During his acceptance speech, McQueen dedicated the golden statue to the millions of people who are still enduring slavery in the world today saying, “Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live.”

    The movie took home two other awards – Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o who is a newcomer in the business. The Mexican-born actress who was raised in Kenya won the award a day after her 31st birthday. In her speech, she reminded everyone that dreams do come true, no matter where you are from.

    Other winners are Alfonso Cuarón as Best Director for Gravity, Matthew McConaughey as Best Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club,” Cate Blanchett as Best Actress for “Jasmine,” and Jared Leto as Best Supporting Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club.”

    Other highlights from the Academy Awards included musical performances from U2, Pharell Williams, Bette Midler, and Pink. The ceremony also had a tribute segment for famous personalities that the industry has lost in the past year including James Gondolfini, Harold Ramis, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

    Image via YouTube

  • Here’s What’s About To Hit Netflix (It Places The Lotion In The Basket)

    As you know, content comes and goes on Netflix. Each week, we’re bringing you a list of titles that you’ll be able to stream in the U.S. in the coming days.

    As reported earlier, Pokemon fans are about to get a lot of material on Netflix, but there are also some pretty classic movies coming including the original Night of the Living Dead, Capote (starring the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dirty Dancing and, of course The Silence of the Lambs.

    Available on 2/28:

    Inequality for All (2013)

    Discussing numerous issues in clear and accessible language, former U.S. labor secretary and current UC Berkeley professor Robert Reich makes a compelling case about the serious crisis the U.S. faces due to the widening economic gap.

    Available on 3/1:

    Pokémon the Movie:Black: Victini and Reshiram (2011)

    Sarah Natochenny, Eileen Stevens, Ikue Ohtani, Jason Griffith, Nana Mizuki, J. Michael Tatum

    When misguided wanderer Damon nabs the mythical Pokémon Victini to harness his power, Ash attempts to rescue Victini and save Eindoak Town. But first, Ash must pass a test that will earn him the help of the legendary Pokémon Reshiram.

    Pokémon the Movie: White: Victini and Zekrom (2011)

    Sarah Natochenny, Leah Clark, Jason Griffith, Khristine Hvam, Michele Knotz, Nana Mizuki, Lisa Ortiz

    In this alternate telling of Pokemon the Movie: Black: Victini and Reshiram, Ash uses the power of his ideals to awaken the legendary Pokemon Zekrom to help rescue the mythical Victini and save Eindoak Town from the misguided wanderer Damon.

    Pokémon: Black & White

    When Ash goes to the distant Unova region, he discovers Pokémon that he’s never seen before … and that he can’t wait to catch! He may have Pikachu at his side, but he’ll still need plenty of new Pokémon on his team to become a Pokémon Master.

    Pokémon: Indigo League

    On his quest to become a Pokemon training legend, Ash sets out on the road with his new pals: sassy Misty and Brock, an ambitious Pokemon breeder. While collecting badges from each gym they visit, Ash must also take on a fumbling band of villains.

    Brokedown Palace (1999)

    Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman, Jacqueline Kim, Lou Diamond Phillips, Daniel Lapaine

    Best friends Alice (Claire Danes) and Darlene (Kate Beckinsale) journey to Thailand to celebrate their high school graduation. But after falling in with a charming con artist (Daniel Lapaine), they’re busted at the Hong Kong airport for smuggling narcotics they didn’t know they were carrying. Their only hope: the dazzling skills of lawyer “Yankee” Hank Greene (Bill Pullman), whose connections might help them beat impossible odds.

    Capote (2005)

    Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Cooper, Bruce Greenwood

    The toast of New York City society after penning “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” flamboyant writer Truman Capote finds himself in a dance with the devil while researching the Clutter family murders for his masterwork, “In Cold Blood.”

    Dirty Dancing (1987)

    Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston, Jane Brucker, Kelly Bishop

    Expecting the usual tedium of summer in the mountains with her family, 17-year-old Frances is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional dancer — and falling in love with the resort’s free-spirited dance instructor.

    Flyboys (2006)

    James Franco, Martin Henderson, David Ellison, Jennifer Decker, Jean Reno, Tyler Labine, Abdul Salis

    Farm boy Blaine Rawlings and his fellow soldiers become the world’s first fighter pilots when they join the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of Americans who are volunteering for the French military at the dawn of World War I.

    How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)

    Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, Margo Stilley

    After his bent for muckraking nets him a job at a glossy Big Apple magazine, boorish British tabloid writer Sidney Young tries to curry favor with the synthetic glitterati he covers as well as with his imperious boss — with disastrous results.

    Kicking and Screaming (2005)

    When klutzy middle-aged family man Phil Weston takes a job coaching his 10-year-old son’s talented soccer team, he winds up going head-to-head with his overbearing and ultra-competitive father, Buck, who coaches an opposing team.

    Linsanity (2013)

    Director Evan Jackson Leong profiles his longtime friend, Jeremy Lin, in this engrossing examination of the star basketball player’s humble beginnings, college days at Harvard, religious beliefs and high-scoring 2012 season with the New York Knicks.

    Night of the Living Dead (1968)

    Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Adam Knox

    As dead bodies inexplicably return to life and feast on human flesh, young Barbara (Judith O’Dea) joins a group of survivors in a farmhouse hoping to protect themselves from the hordes of advancing zombies. But soon enough, only one person remains. Writer-director George A. Romero’s low-budget horror classic continues to inspire heebie-jeebies, in part because of the randomness of the zombies’ targets.

    Rake: Seasons 1-2 (Australian)

    Cleaver Greene is a brilliant attorney capable of working miracles for clients whose less-than-spotless reputations complicate their defense. While most judges detest him, Cleaver’s friends know him to be witty, passionate and stubbornly determined.

    Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

    Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Roger Rees, Amy Yasbeck, Mark Blankfield, Dave Chappelle, Isaac Hayes

    It’s the classic tale of Robin Hood … reenvisioned by comic master Mel Brooks. As evil Prince John (Richard Lewis) oppresses the people, Robin (Cary Elwes) steals from the tax collectors, triumphs in an archery contest, foils (literally!) the Sheriff of Nottingham (Roger Rees) and makes goo-goo eyes at Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck). The titular musical number, involving song, dance — and, yes, men in tights — is an undisputed highlight.

    Roman Holiday (1953)

    Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert, Hartley Power, Harcourt Williams, Margaret Rawlings

    Princess Ann leaves her guardians, and while in Rome, she’s taken under the wing of tabloid writer Joe and his photographer sidekick. She thinks the boys don’t know who she really is, but they’re onto her — and sense a sensational story.

    The Blair Witch Project (1999)

    Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael Williams

    Three student filmmakers march into the woods to make a documentary about the fabled Blair Witch, who’s credited with a string of murders dating back 200 years. But when the trio loses their way, they find themselves besieged by a malignant terror.

    The Ice Storm (1997)

    Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Henry Czerny, Christina Ricci, Elijah Wood

    Prep-schooler Paul Hood (Tobey Maguire) returns home for Thanksgiving weekend and finds his family about to implode. While his father (Kevin Kline) tries to douse his sorrows with booze and infidelity, Paul’s mother (Joan Allen) looks for answers in self-help books. The experimentation and liberalism that defined the 1970s lead to ruin as the family’s environs literally freeze over during a freak storm in this insightful drama helmed by Ang Lee.

    The Long, Hot Summer (1958)

    Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Orson Welles, Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury

    Director Martin Ritt combines two William Faulkner stories into a smoldering drama starring Paul Newman as Ben Quick, a wandering handyman who arrives in Frenchman’s Bend, Miss., where menacing rumors about his past begin to circulate.

    The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

    Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker

    In this adaptation of Thomas Harris’s novel, FBI trainee Clarice Starling ventures into a maximum-security asylum to pick the diseased brain of Hannibal Lecter, hoping the psychiatrist turned homicidal cannibal can help her catch a serial killer.

    The Station Agent (2003)

    Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Raven Goodwin, Paul Benjamin, Michelle Williams

    When his only friend dies, a man with dwarfism relocates to an abandoned train station in rural New Jersey, intent on living the life of a hermit. But his solitude is interrupted by his colorful neighbors.

    The United States of Leland (2003)

    Don Cheadle, Ryan Gosling, Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Kevin Spacey, Michelle Williams, Martin Donovan

    Teenager Leland Fitzgerald appears to have everything going for him, including a famous writer father. So, what drove him to kill? It’s up to a teacher who works with inmates to unearth the anger and fear lurking beneath Leland’s unruffled surface.

    Valkyrie (2008)

    Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann

    Wounded in Africa during World War II, a disillusioned Nazi colonel returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler.

    Vanilla Sky (2001)

    Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Tilda Swinton

    Freewheeling publishing heir David Aames has it all: wealth, good looks and a gorgeous socialite on his arm. But when his face is horribly disfigured in an auto accident, Aames loses everything … or does he?

    While You Were Sleeping (1995)

    Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, Glynis Johns, Micole Mercurio

    Sandra Bullock plays a transit worker who pulls a commuter off the tracks after he’s mugged. While he’s comatose, his family wrongly assumes she’s his fiancee and she doesn’t correct them … and then she falls for his brother.

    Available on 3/2:

    Sweetwater (2013)

    Ed Harris, January Jones, Jason Isaacs, Eduardo Noriega, Stephen Root, Jason Aldean, Vic Browder

    A pioneer woman is forced to fight for what’s hers when her husband disappears and a calculating preacher makes a play for her land. With support from an offbeat sheriff, she sets out on a path of vengeance.

    Available on 3/3:

    Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003)

    Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa PenaVega, Daryl Sabara, Ricardo Montalban, Holland Taylor
    In the continuing adventures of the two spy siblings, Carmen gets caught in a virtual reality game designed by the kids’ new nemesis, the Toymaker, and it’s up to Juni to save her by battling through the game’s levels.

    Available on 3/6:

    Uptown Girls (2003)

    Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Marley Shelton, Donald Faison, Jesse Spencer, Heather Locklear, Pell James

    Rich girl Molly Gunn has never had to work hard in her life — until her father dies and her inheritance vanishes into thin air. To pay the bills, she becomes a nanny but finds herself in over her head when she starts caring for a neglected child.

    Image via YouTube

  • David Fincher Reportedly In Talks To Direct Steve Jobs Movie [Updated]

    Update: The Hollywood Reporter now says Fincher is off the project.

    The writer/director team behind Mark Zuckerberg movie The Social Network might just be teaming up again for the next Steve Jobs movie.

    Writer Aaron Sorkin has been attached to the project for about two years, but now The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that director David Fincher is in talks to direct the film, which is based on the bestselling Walter Isaacson biography.

    Last month, we learned that Sorkin had turned in his script for the film to Sony.

    The last time Sorkin and Fincher collaborated on a film about a tech company founder, it resulted in three Oscars and five additional nominations. Since then, Sorkin and Fincher have both contributed to noteworthy TV shows – HBO’s The Newsroom and Netflix’s House of Cards respectively. Additionally, Sorkin wrote Moneyball, and Fincher directed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl, which is in post-production.

    Sorkin has indicated in the past that the structure of the Steve Jobs film would be divided up into three 30-minute scenes, each taking place backstage before one of Apple’s big product launches.

    Like the Steve Jobs film, The Social Network was based on a nonfiction book, but Zuckerberg called the film “‘fiction”.

    “I just think people have a lot of fiction,” he said. “But, you know, I mean, the real story of Facebook is just that we’ve worked so hard for all this time. I mean, the real story is actually probably pretty boring, right? I mean, we just sat at our computers for six years and coded.”

    Obviously Jobs won’t be able to defend himself for how he’s portrayed in the movie like Zuckerberg was, though Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has not been shy about expressing his opinion of the previously released Jobs film.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Here’s What’s About To Hit Netflix (Final Episodes Of ‘Breaking Bad’ And Some Other Stuff)

    As you know, content comes and goes on Netflix. Each week, we’re bringing you a list of titles that you’ll be able to stream in the U.S. in the coming days.

    As you may recall, Netflix announced the release date for the final episodes of Breaking Bad last month.

    The day is nigh.

    Oh yeah, and some other stuff is coming too.

    Available on 2/20:

    Dance Academy: Series 3

    Tara and her friends are now seniors at the academy, and the Company is watching as they compete to achieve their long-cherished dream. This year, the gang prepares to say goodbye to school and enter the world as young adults ready for anything.

    Bad Milo! (2013)

    Ken Marino, Gillian Jacobs, Mary Kay Place, Claudia Choi, Toby Huss, Patrick Warburton

    A young married man with a boss from hell and a difficult mother has so much stress that a horrible creature has grown inside his digestive tract — and pops out now and then to kill whoever’s causing him problems.

    Best Man Down (2013)

    Justin Long, Tyler Labine, Jess Weixler, Addison Timlin, Frances O’Connor, Shelley Long, Evan Jones

    After casting a raucous shadow over Scott and Kristin’s wedding, hard-partying best man Lumpy dies, derailing the couple’s honeymoon plans. But as they plan Lumpy’s funeral, the newlyweds uncover some surprising facts about their obnoxious friend.

    Wishmaster (1997)

    Tammy Lauren, Andrew Divoff, Robert Englund, Chris Lemmon, Wendy Benson-Landes, Tony Crane

    Accidentally released after being trapped inside a gemstone for centuries, a demonic entity sets out to grant three wishes to regain its human form. Though the genie makes dreams come true, it also wreaks havoc on those who succumb to its offer.

    Available on 2/21:

    Marriage Boot Camp: Bridezillas: Season 1

    Five outrageous Bridezillas and their husbands attend Marriage Boot Camp in a last ditch effort to save their failing marriages. Five outrageous Bridezillas and their husbands attend Marriage Boot Camp in a last ditch effort to save their failing marriages.

    A League of Ordinary Gentlemen (2004)

    Walter Ray Williams Jr., Wayne Webb, Pete Weber, Chris Barns

    Professional bowling goes from kitschy to cool in this riveting documentary, as a new breed of corporate league owners changes the game from low profile to high profits. This documentary takes you behind the scenes of professional bowling and features interviews with some of the sport’s best athletes: Pete Weber, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barns and Wayne Webb.

    Bigger, Stronger, Faster (2008)

    Filmmaker Chris Bell points the camera at his brothers and at himself — all of them users of steroids — for this thought-provoking examination of sports, competition and the unyielding pressure to succeed.

    Jesus Camp (2006)

    Operated by pastor Becky Fisher, the Kids On Fire School of Ministry aims to indoctrinate children into a Christian movement that blends political activism with religion. This documentary follows three kids at the controversial summer camp.

    Available on 2/24:

    Breaking Bad: Season 5 (The complete series will now be available!)

    Emmy winner Bryan Cranston stars as Walter White, a high school science teacher who learns that he has terminal lung cancer and teams with a former student to manufacture and sell high-quality crystal meth to secure his family’s future.

    The Returned: Season 1

    After returning to their homes in the Alps, several long-dead strangers find themselves unable to remember the details of their own demise. But the town undergoes significant change, too, as their loved ones adjust to the shock of having them back.

    Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013)

    Jurnee Smollett, Lance Gross, Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Williams, Robbie Jones, Renée Taylor, Ella Joyce

    Trouble arises when a marriage counselor’s public and private lives clash when she gets involved with one of her clients, despite being married herself. The initial thrill of the affair soon gives way to deep regret.

    Available on 2/25:

    Dead Before Dawn (2013)

    Devon Bostick, Martha MacIsaac, Christopher Lloyd, Brandon Jay McLaren, Brittany Allen, Kyle Schmid

    A horde of zombie demons, or zemons, is unleashed on the world after college kids unwittingly create an evil curse. This curse causes everyone whom they make eye contact with to turn into zemons. Now, they only have 24 hours to reverse the curse

    Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)

    Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche, Mona Walravens, Jérémie Laheurte

    Determined to fall in love, 15-year-old Adele is focused on boys. But it’s a blue-haired girl she meets on the street who really piques her interest. Soon, Adele is exploring her desire for girls as she negotiates her way to becoming a woman.

    The Wait (2013)

    Jena Malone, Chloë Sevigny, Luke Grimes, Devon Gearhart, Michael O’Keefe, Josh Hamilton

    Chloë Sevigny and Jena Malone play sisters struggling to cope with their mother’s recent death in this Pacific Northwest-set supernatural drama. When a psychic predicts that the dearly departed will rise again, the sibs put off Mom’s burial.

    Petunia (2013)

    Thora Birch, Brittany Snow, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Christine Lahti, Michael Urie, Tobias Segal

    Charlie Petunia hails from a family of neurotic New Yorkers and has sworn off sex. When he meets George, Charlie thinks he’s finally found a guy worth breaking that pledge — but their relationship hits a snag when Charlie learns George has a wife.

    Available on 2/26:

    Kickin’ It: Season 3

    Located in a strip mall, the Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy is in danger of closing — until Sensei Rudy recruits Jack, the only student who can restore glory to the dojo and vanquish their bitter rivals.

    Available on 2/26:

    Attila (2013)

    Chris Conrad, Poncho Hodges, Mikayla S. Campbell, Luke Barnett, Steve Hanks, Taryn Leggett

    When American soldiers inadvertently steal Attila the Hun’s secret riches, the wrath of the barbarian is awakened, and the mummified warrior will stop at nothing to get back what is his.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Son of God’ Movie Cuts Satan Following Obama Controversy

    Less than a year after The Bible miniseries aired on the History Channel, a film called Son of God that incorporates scenes from the series will open in theaters on February 28. One character that caused quite a bit of controversy in The Bible will be missing from Son of God, though: Satan.

    When Satan first appeared in The Bible miniseries last year, quite a few people were upset with the actor selected to portray the character because they believed he bore a striking resemblance to President Barack Obama. Moroccan actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni portrayed Satan in the series, and after he appeared on screen, it wasn’t long before the Obama-Satan comparisons began, with many people wondering whether the show’s producers were trying to make a political statement.

    Check out a comparison of Ouazanni as Satan and Obama below.

    Whatever controversy Son of God stirs up when it opens in theaters next week–it’s almost certain that someone will take issue with the film–it won’t have anything to do with Obama this time around. The Bible and Son of God co-producer Roma Downey (who you likely remember from her days on Touched By An Angel) has verified that Satan won’t appear in the film. “It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the devil is on the cutting-room floor. This is now a movie about Jesus, the son of God, and the devil gets no more screen time,” said Downey.

    While it might be strange to view a film about the son of God without seeing Satan, Downey felt it was necessary to ensure that people leave theaters talking about the right person–Jesus.

    “Someone made a comment that the actor who played the devil vaguely resembled our president, and suddenly the media went nuts,” Downey said. “The next day, when I was sure everyone would only be talking about Jesus, they were talking about Satan instead. For our movie, Son of God, I wanted all of the focus to be on Jesus. I want his name to be on the lips of everyone who sees this movie, so we cast Satan out.”

    In addition to Son of God, another Biblical film will hit theaters next month. Noah, starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, will open on March 28 and will bring the story of the flood to the big screen.

    Image via Twitter

  • Kristin Scott Thomas Has Decided To End Her Acting Career

    Bad news has arrived for fans of French film especially, and those who have come to love the work of Kristin Scott Thomas. She is one of the most talented actresses that has been seen in recent years, but has now decided to end her career.

    Kristin Scott Thomas is an actress who has been seen in a handful of American films, but she is primarily known for her work in French films.

    She recently announced that she will be quitting as an actress, although she does have a handful of films that are still scheduled to come out in the near future. She reached a point last year for the first time in her life where she felt that she could not go on any longer.

    In a recent interview with The Guardian, Kristin Scott Thomas said “I realized I’ve done the things I know how to do so many times in different languages, and I just suddenly thought, I can’t do it any more. I’m bored by it. So I’m stopping. The kinds of films that I do are usually quite rapidly put together, and it always seems to be a little bit of a shambles. I like filming, but what I don’t like is having to rearrange things and rewrite scenes. I just can’t be bothered.”

    The actress is a native of England, but after having spent the majority of her life living in Paris, she feels that she is more French than British. The multilingual actress has had success in both languages, and may be known best to American audiences for her roles in The Horse Whisperer and The English Patient. Her role in The English Patient also earned her an Academy Award nomination.

    She was recently seen playing Ryan Gosling’s mother in the intense and disturbing film Only God Forgives, which was released in the summer of 2013. Thomas has been seen in numerous films throughout her career, which began in 1984 with a miniseries called Mistral’s Daughter.

    In the past 30 years, she has made 65 films, touching on two languages, and a variety of subjects. While she has had a lengthy and successful career, she is only 53, and has plenty of time to return to film if she chooses to later on.

    After appearing in an average of more than two films per year throughout her career, Kristin Scott Thomas has considered herself a workaholic, and now jokes that she is a “recovering actress.”

    Her latest, The Invisible Woman, is coming to theaters soon, and she has two more films that are in post-production, with one in pre-production. Some of her notable French films include Tell No One, I’ve Loved You So Long, and Love Crime.

    In the latter part of her career, Kristin Scott Thomas has had bigger roles in small French films, while continuing her career in English films with smaller roles. She will be taking a break indefinitely, but perhaps fans can hold out some hope that she will return to the cinema eventually.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Quentin Tarantino And Prince Attack Linking

    It’s been an odd week in Internet news as both Quentin Tarantino and Prince looked to sue people for linking to things. The former is suing Gawker for posting links to his recently leaked film script hosted elsewhere, while the latter filed a suit against his own fans for sharing links to his material on blogs and Facebook.

    Are these legitimate cases? Share your thoughts in the comments.

    So how did it come to this?

    As you may have read last week, a first draft of what would have been Tarantino’s next film, The Hateful Eight, leaked after the writer/director shared it with six people, including actors Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern and Tim Roth. Quentin was so furious that he vowed not to make the movie, indicating he would move on to one of his other ideas, and perhaps have The Hateful Eight published.

    Naturally, knowing the script is out there, fans were/are hungry to read it. This is, after all, a Tarantino film, even if only on the page. And you know what that means to the blogger world. PAGEVIEWS!!!

    That’s where a site like Gawker (a master of pageviews) comes in. Gawker’s Defamer put out the article “Here Is the Leaked Quentin Tarantino Hateful Eight Script“. The article points to two destinations that host what it calls what “appears to be the script”. The links point to AnonFiles.com and Scribd. As of the time of this writing, the script is still up on AnonFiles, but has been removed from Scribd.

    AnonFiles says on its about page, “AnonFiles.com is NOT a replacement for MegaUpload. We do not allow illegal content to be uploaded.”

    Now Tarantino is suing Gawker, which didn’t actually host the script, but simply pointed to it via a couple simple web links, just as anyone else on the Internet could easily do with a simple href tag.

    The Hollywood Reporter obtained the complaint. It says:

    Gawker Media has made a business of predatory journalism, violating people’s rights to make a buck. This time they went too far. Rather than merely publishing a news story reporting that Plaintiff’s screenplay may have been circulating in Hollywood without his permission, Gawker Media crossed the journalistic line by promoting itself to the public as the first source to read the entire Screenplay illegally. Their headline boasts “Here Is the Leaked Quentin Tarantino Hateful Eight Script” – “Here,” not someplace else, but “Here” on the Gawker website. The article then contains multiple direct links for downloading the entire Screenplay through a conveniently anonymous URL by simply clicking button-links on the Gawker page, and brazenly encourages Gawker visitors to read the Screenplay illegally with the invitation to “Enjoy!” it. There was nothing newsworthy or journalistic about Gawker Media facilitating and encouraging the public’s violation of Plaintiff’s copyright in the Screenplay, and it’s conduct will not shield Gawker Media from liability for their unlawful activity.

    So, in other words, the problem as far as Tarantino and his lawyers are concerned, is not only that the article links to it (though that appears to be the main concern), but the way it was titled.

    I’m no lawyer, but at its most basic level, the Gawker title seems to be stating a fact: this is where you can find the script. “Here it is.” It’s not “Come read Tarantino’s leaked script illegally on our site.”

    The complaint says there’s “nothing newsworthy” about the article, but most Tarantino fans would probably argue against that. To the most die-hard fans, his latest would-be film being available to read online is about as newsworthy as it gets.

    It’s easy to see why Tarantino is upset about the whole ordeal, but this complaint seems misplaced.

    Tarantino reportedly told Deadline last week, “I am not talking out of both sides of my mouth, because I do like the fact that everyone eventually posts it, gets it and reviews it on the net. Frankly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I like the fact that people like my shit, and that they go out of their way to find it and read it. But I gave it to six motherfucking people! Starting this week, I’ll be setting meetings with publishers.”

    Gawker says it will fight the suit. The publication also makes the point that Tarantino himself actually made the the script news by speaking out about it to the press. Basically, of course people are going to be looking for it.

    “Defamer covers what people in Hollywood are talking about,” writes Gawker’s John Cook. “Thanks to Tarantino’s shrewd publicity strategy, the leak of The Hateful Eight—and the content of the script—had been widely dissected online and was a topic of heated conversation among Defamer readers. News of the fact that it existed on the internet advanced a story that Tarantino himself had launched, and our publication of the link was a routine and unremarkable component of our job: making people aware of news and information about which they are curious.”

    “No one at Gawker saw or had access to Tarantino’s script before AnonFiles posted it,” says Cook. “No one at Gawker transmitted it—or anything else, at all—to AnonFiles. No one at Gawker encouraged anyone to do so. No one at Gawker has any earthly idea how AnonFiles obtained a copy.”

    And then there’s Prince.

    The pop icon reportedly filed a suit in the Northern District of California against 22 people who found links to various concerts and posted them on Facebook and blogs for $1 million each. I wonder if this strategy is next on the Tarantino legal agenda.

    As TechDirt reminds us, Prince once said, “The internet’s completely over.”

    Internet law watcher Mike Masnick writes, “There was a time, not even that long ago, when it seemed like Prince might have been the first musician to actually ‘get’ the internet. He had done a few things that seemed really focused on embracing the internet, spreading his music more widely, and making revenue from alternate streams, such as concerts, sponsorships and fan clubs. But… it quickly became apparent that he was going in the other direction, and in an extreme manner — in part, because it seemed like for all of his ideas, he failed at following through on most of them.”

    Prince has a history of suing websites over using photos, so the latest move is not completely unexpected, even if a complete contradiction of how the Internet (which doesn’t appear to be “over” just yet) works.

    After news of the suit blew up, Prince actually dropped it, but didn’t exactly kill it. He let it go without prejudice. In other words, he can still refile it later.

    If Tarantino wins his legal battle, and/or if Prince refiles and wins his, what precedent does that set for future cases and the web at large? Do people have to worry about pointing their friends to links to content that they may not even know is illegal? Do either of them have a shot at winning? Some “experts” think Tarantino has a pretty good one.

    Interestingly enough, the Prince suit was filed in the very place where it was ruled that linking is not direct copyright infringement in the case of Perfect 10, Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc. It was found that including a link is not the same as hosting the material yourself. Maybe he’ll look to file elsewhere.

    Are either of these cases in the best interest of the Internet? Let us know what you think.

    Image via YouTube

  • Here’s What’s About To Hit Netflix

    As you know, content comes and goes on Netflix. Each week, we’re bringing you a list of titles that you’ll be able to stream in the U.S. in the coming days.

    We’re entering February, and you know what that means. House of Cards: Season 2 is just a couple weeks away. In the meantime, Netflix is adding a whole bunch of new titles, and in them, it just so happens that you’ll find Frank and Claire Underwood (in The Usual Suspects and Adore respectively). Along with other movies (like Airplane, The Naked Gun and Marathon Man), you’ll also find some more TV content like Bates Motel and Queer As Folk (the entire series).

    Here’s what’s about to hit Netflix (is it safe?).

    Available on 2/1:

    Airplane! (1980)

    Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Robert Stack

    In this classic, joke-a-second parody of disaster movies, traumatized former combat pilot Ted Striker, an airplane passenger, is forced to land the plane when food poisoning strikes the crew and there’s no one else on board who can do the job.

    Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)

    Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Lloyd Bridges, Chad Everett, Peter Graves

    In this sequel to the wildly popular farce Airplane!, pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) knows that the first commercial spaceflight to the moon is headed for disaster. Fighting his fears, he races to save the passengers and win back his ex-girlfriend (Julie Hagerty). Lloyd Bridges reprises his role as the chain-smoking, amphetamine-popping, glue-sniffing airport controller, while William Shatner, Raymond Burr and Sonny Bono are among those on board.

    Bates Motel: Season 1

    Everyone knows what happened in Psycho, but this chilling series takes viewers inside Norman Bates’ world before Marion Crane checked in. The story opens following Mr. Bates’ death, as Norman and his mother buy the motel that will bear their name.

    Failure to Launch (2006)

    Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper

    In a desperate attempt to push their thirtysomething son Tripp out of the nest, a frustrated mother and father hire a beautiful “relationship consultant” with a patented plan to move him out of the house.

    Flashdance (1983)

    Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson, Kyle T. Heffner

    Alex works as a welder by day and a stripper by night, but she dreams of training at the local conservatory and becoming a professional dancer. Meanwhile, she navigates a romance with her boss at the steelyard.

    Harold and Maude (1971)

    Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, Charles Tyner, Ellen Geer

    Hounded by his mother to get out and date, death-obsessed teen Harold would rather attend funerals. But when he meets the feisty Maude, a geriatric widow who’s high on life, they form a bond that turns into an unconventional romance.

    Heartbreakers (2001)

    Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Jason Lee, Gene Hackman, Zach Galifianakis

    In this stylish comedy, a mother-daughter con team makes money the old-fashioned way: They swindle it. After Mom seduces and weds a love-struck bachelor, she scams him for a big divorce settlement — with help from her daughter as “the other woman.”

    Leap of Faith (1992)

    Steve Martin, Debra Winger, Lolita Davidovich, Liam Neeson, Lukas Haas, Meat Loaf, Philip Seymour Hoffman

    The Rev. Jonas Nightingale uses his spiritual influence for financial gain, lining his pockets with the faith of generous believers he encounters as a traveling evangelist. When he gets stranded in a small town, Jonas falls for an affirmed skeptic.

    Marathon Man (1976)

    Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane, Fritz Weaver

    When his CIA agent brother (Roy Scheider) is killed, graduate student Babe Levy (Dustin Hoffman) finds himself trapped in a deadly game with a Nazi fugitive (Laurence Olivier), a sadist who uses dental instruments as tools of torture in this Oscar-nominated film based on William Goldman’s novel. As Levy turns from pacifist to street-smart cynic, director John Schlesinger’s thriller barrels toward its fever-pitched conclusion.

    Patriot Games (1992)

    Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin, Sean Bean, Thora Birch, James Fox, Samuel L. Jackson

    CIA desk jockey Jack Ryan plunges into the heart of international terrorism after spoiling an assassination attempt on a British royal family member. Ryan’s heroics earn him noble gratitude — and a death warrant from the Irish Republican Army.

    Queer as Folk: The Complete Series

    The lives and loves of five gay men living in Pittsburgh provide the drama in this American edition of the acclaimed British series. Amid the usual ups and downs of relationships, the friends grapple with everything from health issues to politics.

    Sunset Boulevard (1950)

    William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Fred Clark

    Running from debt collectors, screenwriter Joe Gillis stumbles upon the crumbling mansion of former silent-film star Norma Desmond. As he begins penning a comeback screenplay for her, their professional relationship evolves into something more.

    The Borgias: Seasons 1-3

    Oscar-winning director Neil Jordan helms this lavish period drama series about the notorious Borgia family, a clan headed by plotting patriarch Rodrigo, who will stop at nothing to become pope, and his beautiful but treacherous daughter, Lucrezia.

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

    Eli Wallach, Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffre, Luigi Pistilli, Mario Brega

    While the Civil War rages between the Union and the Confederacy, a quiet loner, a ruthless hit man and a Mexican bandit comb the American Southwest in search of a strongbox containing $200,000 in stolen gold.

    The Naked Gun (1988)

    Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalban, George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson

    While seeking his partner’s ruthless killer, incredibly thick police officer Frank Drebin finds an equally dim-witted love interest and stumbles upon on a sordid plot to off Queen Elizabeth.

    The Usual Suspects (1995)

    Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Benicio Del Toro

    When five unacquainted crooks are hauled into a police station to appear in a criminal lineup, they decide to pull off a heist together. The plan gets complicated, however, when they intermix with an underworld kingpin named Keyser Söze.

    Usual Suspects

    Available on 2/3:

    Adore (2013)

    Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn

    In this seaside drama adapted from a novella by Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing, two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s teenage sons must carry out their affairs in relative secrecy.

    The Fabulous Ice Age (2014)

    For decades, American touring ice shows dominated family entertainment with their dazzling production and variety acts. This documentary honors them through interviews and archival footage, and depicts one skater’s quest to keep this history alive.

    Available on 2/4:

    The History of the WWE (2013)

    This 50-year retrospective chronicles the evolution of the WWE from a small, regional promotion into a worldwide phenomenon. With new interviews from several key personalities past and present, get the inside story behind each WWE era.

    Available on 2/5:

    Brother Bear (2003)

    Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas

    In this animated tale, the brother of an Indian brave killed by a bear vows revenge but is transformed by the Great Spirits into the very thing he sought to slay. As he attempts to regain human form, he begins to see the world from a new viewpoint.

    Zombie Night (2013)

    Anthony Michael Hall, Daryl Hannah, Alan Ruck, Rachel G. Fox, Shirley Jones

    As night falls in a small California town, the dead rise from their graves and go looking to feast on the flesh of the living. Two families band together to face a long night of terror, fighting to survive until sunrise.

    Available on 2/6:

    30 for 30: The Price of Gold (2014)

    “The Price of Gold” takes a fresh look at the scandal surrounding figure skater Tonya Harding’s involvement with the attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan prior to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

    See more recently added titles here.

    Images via YouTube

  • Mark Wahlberg Will Host 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards

    While it is not the Academy Awards by any means, Mark Wahlberg, a big time film actor, has been chosen as the host for the 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards, which airs on Nickelodeon.

    The show is known for acknowledging works that deal with film and television that is aimed toward children. The award show is set to air in March, although the nominations will be announced at some point in February.

    Despite the fact that Mark Wahlberg has been seen in mostly action films throughout his career, and most recently the war film Lone Survivor, his personal life is much different. He has four kids with his wife Rhea Durham, and as a family man away from the screen, he will be right at home as a host of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

    Mark Wahlberg started his career as a rapper with the name Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch, and has since become a well-respected and Oscar nominated actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his roles in The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese and The Fighter, directed by David O. Russell.

    He has also starred in several other notable films including Ted, Boogie Nights, and The Other Guys. He is currently working on a new reality series that stars him and his brothers called The Wahlburgers.

    Russell Hicks, who is Nickelodeon’s President OF Content and Devleopment, said of Mark Wahlberg’s upcoming hosting gig that “We are thrilled to welcome a superstar like Mark Wahlberg as he takes the helm as our master of ceremonies at the biggest kid event of the year.”

    In addition to his acting career, Mark Wahlberg has served as a producer on two different hit HBO shows, Boarrdwalk Empire and Entourage. As the producer of Entourage, he is also back with the crew as they begin filming their upcoming Entourage film.

    The ceremony will be held at USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles, and will air live on March 29th.

    Before Mark Wahlberg, actors such as Will Smith and Ben Stiller have hosted the Kids’ Choice Awards, among others.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Alone Yet Not Alone’s Nomination For Best Song Oscar Has Been Rescinded

    In a bit of an odd move from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, a lesser known film, Alone Yet Not Alone, had its nomination in the Academy Award ceremony removed from the competition.

    In a puzzling decision that was decided on Tuesday evening, the song “Alone Yet Not Alone” taken from the film of the same name was axed from the list of Academy Award nominations for best original song at the upcoming ceremony for the Academy Awards.

    Revoking a nomination from the ceremony is extremely rare for the Academy, and although the removal of “Alone Yet Not Alone” for best original song could make room for a song such as “Please Mr. Kennedy” from Inside Llewyn Davis, which some may argue was snubbed from the nominations, no new nomination will be added to the category.

    The song “Along Yet Not Alone” is composed by Bruce Broughton, with lyrics by Dennis Spiegel. The reasoning behind the song’s omission from the award is the fact that Broughton, who is a former Governor of the Academy, had emailed members of the branch during the voting period in order to alert them of his submission to the Best Song category.

    Alone Yet Not Alone was released to a small amount of theaters, and shocked all of Hollywood when its song was nominated for the Oscar originally. The film tells the the film tells a true-life tale of two women abducted by Native Americans in the mid-18th century. In the film, Joni Eareckson Tada, an author, speaker and quadriplegic who needed her husband to press down on her diaphragm in order to sing.

    Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the current president of the Academy, talked about how his actions created an unfair advantage and said “No matter how well-intentioned the communication, using one’s position as a former governor and current executive committee member to personally promote one’s own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage.”

    Due to the fact that Alone Yet Not Alone was released to such a small amount of people, it seem that the composer felt that he need to give the song a little extra nudge, which was looked down upon by the members of the Academy.It was decided by members of the board that decided that Broughton’s actions violated the Academy’s regulations regarding promotion for Oscar voting.

    Following the removal of “Alone yet Not Alone”‘s nomination, the songs that remain in contention for the Oscar for best song are “Happy” from Despicable Me 2, “Let It Go” from Frozen, “The Moon Song” from Her, and “Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.

    Tune in on Sunday, March 2nd for the live telecast of the Academy awards at 8 p.m.

    Image via Youtube

  • Fifty Shades Of Grey: “Most Amazing Shock Ever”, Says Rita Ora

    “Fifty Shades of Grey” fans may still have to wait a bit with bated breath before their favorite piece of lusty literature finally hits the silver screen; but musical artist and actress Rita Ora certainly is tantalizing fans with her take on it already.

    “It’s gonna be the biggest and most amazing shock ever,” she shared with reporters on Saturday at the annual Roc Nation pre-Grammy brunch.

    Some might know Ora best for her music career. The 23 year old singer and girlfriend of DJ Calvin Harris, wouldn’t share too much about her upcoming album. She did, however, say: “It comes out in a few months,” and went on to add, “It’s been about a year and a half of kind of doing it undercover, but I can officially say it’s done. The album’s gonna be great.”

    While Rita’s first love may be music, Fifty Shades isn’t her first encounter with acting. For the sixth sequel of the high-octane Fast & Furious movie series, she took on a small non-speaking part when she was cast as a racer. Now, with respect to her upcoming role in the torrid drama, it seems like she’s taking the next step in her acting career.

    She admitted, “Oh, I was nervous because it was the first time I ever did a movie with words.”

    Cast to play the adopted sister of Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), Rita will star in the film alongside a list of names including Eloise Mumford, Victor Rasuk, Jennifer Ehle, Max Martini, Marcia Gay Harden, Luke Grimes, and Dakota Johnson who portrays Anastasia Steele. Of her first experience delivering lines in a feature film, she said, “It was so nice. The director Sam, she was incredible, so it was all love.”

    The aforementioned director of the highly anticipated Universal Pictures and Focus Features project is Sam Taylor-Wood. Sam (short for Samantha) is also an artist and has directed such films as Nowhere Boy. She was chosen to direct the adaptation of the erotic novel from a list that also included Angelina Jolie, Steven Soderbergh, Joe Wright, and Gus Van Sant.

    As for the release date, it seems like there’s just as much taunting as the characters impose upon one another in the book. Mr. Grey won’t be “ready to see us” in the theaters until Valentine’s Day – of next year.

    Will your “inner goddess” still be dancing by then?

    Image via Youtube

  • ‘Mitt’ To Hit Netflix Today

    ‘Mitt’ To Hit Netflix Today

    Mitt, the latest original documentary from Netflix is due to become available to subscribers today, though as of the time of this writing it’s not up just yet.

    The film, which premiered at Sundance (where Romney himself made a surprise appearance) follows the former presidential candidate on the campaign trail. Here’s the official description from the film’s landing page on Netflix:

    Whatever side you’re on, see another side.
    Following his bid to win the U.S. presidency, most Americans believed they knew Mitt Romney. With unprecedented access, this documentary tracks Romney from 2006 and his first effort to win the Republican nomination, through the 2012 elections, revealing the man behind the sound bites in an authentic view the public rarely glimpsed during the media frenzy of a national campaign.

    Earlier this week, Netflix released a couple clips if you want to check those out before watching the film.

    Mitt is rated TV-PG.

  • Romney Shows Up At Sundance Premiere For Netflix’s ‘Mitt’

    Mitt, the Netflix documentary following former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, premiered at Sundance over the weekend, and Romney himself made a surprise appearance.

    “The ending I probably won’t like, but nonetheless, I think it will be a good experience and probably give my family and others a chance to see what it’s like to run for president, which by the way is one of life’s most extraordinary experiences,” Romney told reporters ahead of the premiere.

    Of documentarian Greg Whitely, Romney said, “He said, you know, even if we never make a movie of this, it will be a wonderful journey to keep for your family of what your presidential campaign was like.”

    For MItt, Whitely followed Romney around for six years with exclusive access, and the results are what appear in the film. Whitely maintains that there is no political agenda, but rather that Mitt is meant to be an honest look at a presidential campaign.

    The film premieres on Netflix on Friday.

  • Vanessa Hudgens Tries To Be “As Ugly As Possible”

    Hollywood is buzzing over Vanessa Hudgens latest dramatic movie, Gimme Shelter, opening next weekend. The movie stars Hudgens as Apple, a pregnant 16-year-old who finds solace in a suburban shelter. The 24-year-old star recently discussed the role and the incredible transformation she took for this character – namely, a 15 pound weight gain and cutting off all her hair.

    “It was really fun. because its so rare that you get to do that,” she told E! News in an interview. “I put on 15 pounds, ate whatever I wanted. I’m not complaining. I cut off all my hair, which really set the tone. It was such a liberating thing.”

    After the haircut and the weight gain, Hudgens continued to make herself look “as ugly as possible,” by changing her mannerisms, posture, and tone. “I wanted [Apple] to be strong and tough but broken,” she says.

    After shooting the film,Vanessa admits that shedding herself of the intense character change – including the weight – proved difficult. “After we were done, I didn’t know how to act anymore, because I was so used to playing Apple. It took a lot of work. It was good because it made me that much stronger and I have to give myself a pat on the back for going that deep.”

    The scariest part of filming though? Giving birth on camera, a first for the actress. “I’ve never shot a birthing scene and I ended up popping blood vessels in my face,” she confesses. “Probably the most physical and emotionally draining scene was my birthing scene.”

    You can check out the trailer for the movie below, and see it in theaters starting January 24th. The film also stars Rosario Dawson as her drug-addict mother and Brendan Frasier as her rich but absent father.

    Image via News Distribution Network

  • Director Of Netflix’s ‘Mitt’ Amazed At How ‘Cheap’ Romney Is

    While The Square is getting a lot of publicity this week for its Oscar nomination, another Netflix original documentary will debut next week on the 24th.

    Mitt follows the six years that filmmaker Greg Whitely had exclusive access to former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Here’s the trailer Netflix put out last month:

    Reuters has put out an interview with Whitely who talked a bit about the film. He told the news agency that he was surprised that somebody as rich as Romney “would be that cheap,” recalling when the candidate expressed his shock at the price of a glass of milk at a hotel. “He was constantly agonizing over how much for a (campaign advertising) spot,” Whitely’s quoted as saying. “He would look at the hotel bill and just go crazy, and say, ‘I’ll just go buy my own milk at the grocery store at a third of the cost.’”

    He went on to say of the Romney family, “They’re clean-cut people who are polite and gracious, but I think it’s impossible to go through that without developing a degree of cynicism. I think it’s a tribute to them that they remained pretty bright-eyed.”

    The film will premiere at Sundance, and Whitely hopes the Netflix release will be able to “piggy-back on all the great PR and buzz and momentum” from that, though Netflix tends to generate PR and buzz pretty well on its own.

    The filmmaker maintains that the movie does not employ a political agenda, but rather is simply about a family and the father of the family running for president. Viewers will certainly make up their own minds about that. Either way, Netflix will likely generate plenty of interest in this one.

    Image via YouTube

  • Rosamund Pike Plays Dead in Magazine Cover with Ben Affleck

    On the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly, a spooky shot of a man embracing the lifeless body of a female corpse in a morgue is the last thing anybody would want to see on a magazine cover.

    However, that’s exactly what film director David Fincher of “Gone Girl” was going for when he photographed Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.

    In the upcoming film, the duo portrays a married couple, Nick and Amy Dunne, who are former magazine writers going through the usual tribulations of a relationship.

    Following the layoff of Nick, the two move from New York to Missouri where everything goes down hill from there. Amy goes missing on the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary resulting in Nick becoming the main suspect in her disappearance or possible murder.

    The high-angle shot, however, shows a wide-eyed Pike lying down pale and emotionless while Affleck cuddles along side her as he caresses her face.(image)

    Entertainment Weekly’s studio were more than happy to move out of the way and let Fincher capture a moment they refer to as an “unsettling portrait of love gone demented.”

    Based on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 thriller novel, the author is a former Entertainment Weekly writer herself and was present throughout the photo-shoot.

    Anticipated reviews predict slight changes will be made in the movie plot in contrast to the novel, being that Flincher and Flynn both modified the story to make it fit on the big screen.

    “There was something thrilling about taking this piece of work that I’d spent about two years painstakingly putting together with all its eight million LEGO pieces and take a hammer to it and bash it apart and reassemble it into a movie,” Flynn told Entertainment Weekly.

    The film is set to premier in theatres Oct. 3 of this year. It will also feature stars like Emily Ratajkowski, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry.

    Here’s a report done by Hollyscoop TV about the magazine cover:

    Images via Youtube