Trailer - Jonah Hex

A badass Brolin, Will Arnett, and music by Mastodon!

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Love is a Bet

What are your favorite "it was a just a bet" movies? You know, the stories where someone gets paid (or bribed) to date another character and it's a big secret but they end up falling in love with the person. She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You rank at the top of my list. They're fun movies and who can forget Heath Ledger's adorable rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" in the bleachers.

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Los Angeles Brazilian Film Fest

Last night marked the start of the 3rd Annunal Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival. Camilla Belle (When A Stranger Calls) was in attendance for the opening film Adrift, in which she stars. The Los Angeles Brazilian Film Fest runs April 27th - May 2nd.

Adrift (A Deriva) is a 1980s set drama about a teenage girl undergoing her sexual awakening when she learns about her father's infidelities.

For a list of films playing at the fest visit www.labrff.com

[Photo Credit: Wilki W.K Tom]

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Beastly (New Trailer)

I'm not expecting brilliance but I'm curious to see what new elements they bring to the classic tale of man/monster meets woman. This one is set in high school and stars Vanessa Hudgens, who was recently named "female rising star" at the Showest Awards. The supporting cast includes Neil Patrick Harris so you can look forward to some scene-stealing comedic moments.

In theaters July 30th.

Official Site: www.beastlythemovie.com

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Notable New Releases

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
A visual masterpiece and one of Terry Gilliam's better films. It's got some great performances, especially Tom Waits as the devil!

Extras include:

• Terry Gilliam Film Introduction
• Commentary
• Behind the Mirror
• The Imaginarium of Terry Gilliam
• Building the Monastery
• The Drunk' Multi-Angle Progression Sequence
• Heath Ledger and Friends
• Heath Ledger Wardrobe Test with optional video commentary from director Terry Gilliam
• Interview With Heath Ledger
• Doctor Parnassus Around the World
• Cast & Crew Presentation On Stage
• The Artwork of Doctor Parnassus
• Deleted Scene with optional Terry Gilliam commentary

Ride with the Devil (Criterion Collection)
I haven't seen Ang Lee's civil war drama but I look forward to checking out this disc, which features his director's cut.

Extras include:

• Two audio commentaries, one featuring Lee and producer-screenwriter James Schamus, and one featuring DP Frederick Elmes, sound designer Drew Kunin, and production designer Mark Friedberg
• New video interview with star Jeffrey Wright
• PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by critic Godfrey Cheshire and Edward E. Leslie, author of The Devil Knows How to Ride: The True Story of William Clarke Quantrill and His Confederate Raiders

District 13: Ultimatum
Sequel to the awesome 2004 parkour (free-running) movie.

Extras include:

• Making Of
• Production Diary segments
• Music video
• Deleted/Extended Scenes

[READ MORE...]

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Easy A (teaser trailer)

Emma Stone plays a nerdy girl. That's enough to hook me. She did a great job in The House Bunny and this teaser trailer already offers some good laughs.

A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.

In theaters September 17th.

[H/T Issa Rae]

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TCM Classic Film Fest: Metropolis + Some Like It Hot

The TCM Classic Film Fest is a great place for movie buffs to enjoy watching some of their favorites in a packed theater. Tonight marks the closing ceremonies for the festival including showings of Metropolis at Grauman's Chinese Theatre (7pm) and Some Like it Hot at the Egyptian Theatre (7:15pm).

Metropolis will include a live orchestra accompanying the film and Some Like It Hot includes a discussion with star Tony Curtis.

For ticket info visit www.tcm.com/festival

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TV Tonight - SNL

A new episode of Saturday Night Live airs tonight at 11:30/10:30c on NBC. Gabourey Sidibe hosts with musical guest MGMT!

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The Losers

Three reasons to see The Losers this weekend...

1. Zoe Saldana kicks butt.

2. Idris Elba can kill you with his stares.

3. Columbus Short is funny and cool.

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TCM Classic Film Fest: Breathless

Don't miss the opportunity to see Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave classic Breathless on the big screen. The showing will include an appearance from star Jean-Paul Belmondo at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. 8pm.

For ticket info visit www.tcm.com/festival

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Mother and Child

Mother and Child is a heartfelt story about longing for someone who's been missing from your life. Rodrigo Garcia has beautifully crafted a film that blends emotional truths with an amazing ensemble cast and a pitch-perfect music score. Naomi Watts, Annette Bening and Kerry Washington offer solid performances as their stories anchor the film with equally important supporting roles by Samuel L. Jackson and Jimmy Smits. Other noteworthy appearances include Amy Brenneman, Tatyana Ali and Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected) proving that the cast is just as strong from the bottom up. Mother and Child is one of the standout movies of the year (so far).

Official Website: www.sonyclassics.com/motherandchild

In theaters May 7th (limited).

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LA Comedy Shorts Film Fest [PHOTOS]

Photos from the 2nd Annual LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival held in downtown Los Angeles. Lots of funny movies, cool after parties (J Lounge, Lucky Strike, Elevate Lounge & Kyoto Gardens) and all around pleasant vibe for indie filmmakers. Make sure to check out this fest next year!

[click on photos to enlarge]

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[Photo Credit: Wilki W.K.Tom]

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EVENT: Popcorn Mafia's 80s Movie Review Madness

If you're in the Los Angeles area and you're into 80s movies then check out Popcorn Mafia's 100th Show Celebration with special guest Diablo Cody. Expect fun commentary, prizes and other cool stuff. 8pm at the New Beverly Cinema.

Official Site: www.popcornmafia.com

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in Black & White: Anna Karina

Anna Karina was a major part of the French New Wave. She rose to stardom as Jean-Luc Godard's golden girl and if you've haven't seen her in Une Femme Est Une Femme (A Woman is a Woman) then head to Netflix and watch it instantly. Had Nylon magazine been around she would have definitely been on the cover. New Wave chic.

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled The Last Recruit, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Alliances are forged and broken as the Locke and Jack camps merge. It was written by Paul Zbyszewski/Graham Roland and directed by Steve Semel. Love the fact that the promo uses the Willy Wonka song from the tunnel sequence! Creepy!

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Notable New Releases

Crazy Heart
It's a lot like The Wrestler, but with country music. Very simple and very effective. Jeff Bridges' performance as washed out country singer Bad Blake is magnificent. He completely inhabits the role and does all his own singing and playing. Maggie Gyllenhaal is just as great, playing opposite him as struggling single mother Jean. The music is of course amazing and the final song (which we see Blake writing throughout the film) will break you.

Extras include:

• Deleted Scenes
• Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Robert Duvall interviews (BD exclusive)

The Lovely Bones
Missed this one and it got terrible reviews, but i'm willing to give Peter Jackson a chance and it has a really extensive making of doc.

Extras include:

• Introduction by Peter Jackson
• Filming 'The Lovely Bones' - a three hour documentary that chronicles the making of the film (BD exclusive)

The Young Victoria
Nothing new but a solid period romance. Emily Blunt does great work here.

Extras include:

• Deleted Scenes
• Making of The Young Victoria
• The Real Queen Victoria
• The Coronation
• The Wedding
• Lavish History: A Look at the Costumes and Locations

[READ MORE...]

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Rashida Jones and Chris Messina in Monogamy

IndieWire has the first clip of Rashida Jones and Chris Messina in their upcoming film Monogamy. The preview includes a scene of them chatting over a questionable photo. I've mentioned my excitement for this film here and here and if you've followed this blog long enough then you know that Jones has her own category.

Watch the preview of Monogamy HERE.

If you're in NYC then you can catch its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this month.

"Thirtysomethings Theo and Nat are engaged to be married. They live what seems to be on all counts a comfortable life of love, music, and laughter in their cozy Brooklyn apartment. When he is called out on a job to snap pics of an exhibitionist mystery woman, a simple gig develops into a voyeuristic obsession that forces Theo to confront uncomfortable truths about himself and his impending marriage." 

Official Facebook: Monogamy

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Paper Man

An indie comedy that chronicles the unlikely friendship between failed author Richard Dunne (Jeff Daniels) and a Long Island teen (Emma Stone) who befriends him, all under the disapproving eye of his long-suffering wife (Lisa Kudrow) and his imaginary Superhero friend (Ryan Reynolds). Looks good and it's funny to see Reynolds parodying the whole hero genre he's become a part of.

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The Kids Are All Right

No not The Who. Indie writer/director Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon, High Art) has a new film about two children (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson) who seek out their biological father (Mark Ruffalo) and introduce him into the family life that their two mothers (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) have built for them. The great cast makes me really want to see this. Also good music choices in the trailer.

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Criterion Collection Announces July Titles

The Red Shoes
On July 20th, the studio will release Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's classic The Red Shoes (1948) on DVD/Blu-ray with a new, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition).

Extras include:

• Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie, featuring interviews with stars Marius Goring and Moira Shearer, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, composer Brian Easdale, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese
• Introductory restoration demonstration with Scorsese
• Profile of 'The Red Shoes' (2000), a 25-minute documentary
• Video interview with Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, Michael Powell's widow
• Gallery from Scorsese's collection of The Red Shoes memorabilia
• The 'Red Shoes' Sketches, an animated film made from Hein Heckroth's painted storyboards
• Readings by actor Jeremy Irons of excerpts from Powell and Pressburger's novelization of The Red Shoes and the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale
• Theatrical trailer
• A booklet featuring an essay by Ian Christie

Black Narcissus
On July 20th, they will also release Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's Black Narcissus (1947) on DVD/Blu-ray with a new, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition).

Extras include:

• Video introduction by French filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier
• Audio commentary featuring the late director Michael Powell and filmmaker Martin Scorsese
• The Audacious Adventurer, a 2006 video piece in which Tavernier discusses Black Narcissus and Powell
• Profile of 'Black Narcissus' (2000), a 25-minute documentary
• Painting with Light, a twenty-seven-minute documentary about Jack Cardiff's Oscar-winning cinematography on Black Narcissus
• Original theatrical trailer
• A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Kent Jones

[READ MORE...]

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Poster - Nowhere Boy

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LA Comedy Shorts Film Fest

Laughter is good...

The LA Comedy Shorts Film Fest kicked off its second year. The opening night featured shorts starring Dax Shepard, Will Ferrell, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Michaela Watkins, Weird Al and many more! The fest runs April 15 -18th at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles. So there's still time to grab tickets to the films, celebrity beer pong and closing night events.

Official Site: www.lacomedyshorts.com

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Spring Breakdown

Spring Breakdown is a buddy comedy starring Amy Poehler, Parker Posey and Rachel Dratch about three best friends who get a chance to re-live their college dream of  being "cool". Since there aren't many roles where female leads get to be geeky, goofy and needlessly silly in a Judd Apatow kind of way this movie works. Or at least, fills a need. If you go in with the expectation of getting some laughs, you'll be pleased. But I genuinely enjoyed this film. Poehler and her gang have nice comedic timing and the story includes Jane Lynch (Glee) as a gun-toting Republican senator.

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Photos from The 2010 Streamy Awards

As promised here are some photos from the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards. Congrats to all the winners! For a list of nominees and winners visit www.streamys.org

 [Photo credit Wilki Tom] 

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Poster - MacGruber

[click for bigger version]

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled Everybody Loves Hugo, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Hurley agonizes over what the group should do next, and Locke is curious about the new arrival to his camp. It was written by Edward Kitsis/Adam Horowitz and directed by Dan Attias. Hurley episodes are always good and Harold Perrineau returns as Michael!

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Notable New Releases

Pirate Radio
I've been waiting to see this British 60's comedy originally titled The Boat That Rocked. It's got a great ensemble cast (including Roy from The IT Crowd!) and great music.

Extras include:

• Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes

The Slammin' Salmon
Came and went pretty fast, but love the Broken Lizard guys so it's a rental at least.

Extras include:

• Commentaries
• Hellish Kitchen: Art Imitates Restaurant Life

A Nightmare on Elm Street Blu-ray
My favorite horror franchise. The original is a classic and I can't wait to see Nancy's dreams in HD.

Extras include:

• Commentaries
• Focus Points
• Pop-Up Trivia Track
• Behind the Story
• Focus Points
• 'Never Sleep Again' documentary
• The House That Freddy Built
• Night Terrors
• Alternate Endings

[READ MORE...] 

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3 Reasons Why The CW Should Renew Life Unexpected

The season finale for Life Unexpected hit the spot. Let's hope The CW gives it a second go. Here are three reasons why it should return for a sophomore season...

1. Feel-good moments - No other TV show pulls on my heart strings like Life Unexpected. The story about an orphan teen getting a chance at a real family is an emotional gold mine.   

2. Love triangle - Ryan is like the nicest guy ever. And Baze has the whole charming wannabe (reformed) man-child vibe going on. Two handsome options for Cate to chose, but who will she end up with? This storyline keeps things interesting.

3. Shiri Appleby - As a long time Roswell fan I've missed Shiri's sentimental intros about hot alien guys. In this case she banters with her adorable co-host and rants about her annoyingly cute old high school crush. Win.

[Photo Credit © 2010 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.]

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Zoe Saldana on Nylon Mag

Zoe Saldana is having an explosive couple of years with her career. She played Lt. Uhura in the new Star Trek and the blue warrior princess, Neytiri, in Avatar.  She has four movies on her slate for 2010 (The Losers, Death At A Funeral, Takers and Burning Palms) and she just got back from Wondercon indulging her geek fans with juicy tidbits from her upcoming action flick The Losers. And now she's on the cover of Nylon magazine proclaiming: "I love sex and rock 'n roll. You have no idea."  Can Saldana get any cooler?

You can check out snippets from Nylon's cover story here and watch their video shoot:

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The 2010 Streamy Awards

Lots of cool nerds, techies and actors showed up at the 2nd Annual Streamy Awards in Los Angeles. I'll post loads of photos later. But here's a quick video of Zadi Diaz from EpicFu.com who won an award for best host.

And here's the queen of the web, Felicia Day, after her win for best actress in a comedy (The Guild).

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Wondercon 2010

DAY 1

First I went to The Book of Eli: From Script to Screen panel with screenwriter Gary Whitta. He talked about his writing process and the development of the film. Really informative stuff. He also mentioned he's writing Warcraft and Akira! Next is the The Art of The Princess and the Frog panel with directors Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), art director Ian Gooding, supervising animator Eric Goldberg, and effects supervisor Marlon West. They show a lot of development photos including their trip to New Orleans. Cool artwork and pencil tests. Being in the same room as those guys was crazy. Legends of animation. Then it's time for the famous Kevin Smith Q&A. He brings down the house. So hilarious.

DAY 2

Start things off with a hand-drawn animation demo with animator Eric Goldberg. He explains his latest character, Louis the alligator from The Princess and the Frog, showing us how to came up with the design and how he animated certain scenes. He then came up with a new character based off audience suggestions, Whose Line Is It Anyways style. He's that good.

Off to the ballroom for the Walt Disney Pictures presentation. First producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Mike Newell, Jake Gyllenhaal, and game creator Jordan Mechner talk about Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Clips looks like fun. Time rewind stuff looks cool.

[READ MORE...]

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Splinterheads

You can add Thomas Middleditch to your list of awkwardly cute leading men. In Splinterheads he plays a guy looking for purpose and love (as most man-child characters do). In comes Rachael Taylor (the Austrailian computer nerd from Transformers) who plays a lady working at a traveling carnival. She has a crappy boyfriend, a crappy job but to keep her sanity goes geocaching. What is geocaching? It's kind of like a hipster scavenger hunt played with a bunch of random people across the country. The movie makes it look cool. Overall, Splinterheads is light-hearted comedy with a fun supporting cast, two likable leads and some delightful quirky moments. 

Now available on Netflix.

Official Site: www.splinterheadsthemovie.com

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Apricot

Apricot is a gorgeously crafted short film about the beauty of young love. The cinematography is lush, the narrative simple and the mood radiates a delectable amount of nostalgia. Ben Briand is the indie filmmaker behind this little feat, I'm not familiar with his work but now he's officially on my radar. Watch the short and share your thoughts...

Official Site: www.benbriand.com

[H/T Charise]

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Poster - Best Worst Movie

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled Happily Ever After, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Desmond wakes up to discover he's back on the island. It was written by showrunners Carlton Cuse/Damon Lindelof and directed by Jack Bender. I always love Desmond episodes because they lean toward heavy sci-fi. Also Faraday returns!

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Notable New Releases

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Can't wait to check out Herzog's insane semi-remake, which got great reviews.

Extras include:

• Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
• Digital Photo Book

The Collector
Indie horror film that garnered strong buzz. I'm curious to see it.

Extras include:

• Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Music Video

Party Down: Season One
This is a great show from Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas. It's got a great cast of improvisers who play wannabe stars working for a catering company. It's like a funnier, more realistic version of Entourage.

Extras include:

• Commentaries
• Featurettes
• Gag Reel

[READ MORE...]

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Micmacs

The director of Amélie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet) brings us a new offbeat tale with Micmacs. It's the story of a guy who's had misfortune with weapons in the most quirky ways. Later on he teams up with a group of misfits to seek revenge on the companies who manufactured the products. I'm not sure what his "revenge" entails but the journey looks extremely funny...

In theaters May 28th (NYC & LA).

Official Site: www.sonyclassics.com/micmacs

[H/T Sergio]

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