Category Archives: Entertainment

Mike Myers is back for ‘Austin Powers 4’

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Yeah, baby. According to HitFix, it’s official: Mike Myers is returning to the big screen as raunchy British secret agent Austin Powers. Since Goldmember in 2002, Myers hasn’t had much luck in finding another role that suits him so well. Besides various Shrek sequels and the bomb that was The Love Guru Myers hasn’t struck a chord at the box office. (Though he role as General Fenech in Inglorious Basterds is commendable.) Personally I’ve been waiting for this announcement for quite some time. Shortly after Goldmember came out there were whispers that Myers was dreaming up a Dr. Evil spin-off movie that would transpose the story’s perspective to that of Austin Powers’ twin brother and his maniacal Mini-Me. Quickly the whispers faded into history and nothing was born out of them. Until now, that is. Besides confirming that Myers is “signed, sealed, [and] delivered” for a fourth installment, HitFix has no other details surrounding the project. We can surmise, however, that Jay Roach will return to direct and Michael McCullers will help Myers pen the script since these people have occupied those positions for all three previous movies. As time progresses I’m sure more details will begin to crop up.

It’s been nine years since the last Austin Powers movie released. And so the question is, does Austin Powers still have his mojo? As of right now “Austin Powers 4” is the #2 trending topic worldwide; people are talking about it. I know this might be a bit premature to say but I don’t care: He’s back, baby, yeah!

[Via HitFix]

Coldplay reveals new album title, artwork and release date

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Finally! I was getting tired of referring to Coldplay’s upcoming fifth studio album as the “Coldplay concept album.” Today the soothing rock band announced via their website that the album is complete and it’s called Mylo Xyloto (pronounced MY-lo Zy-loto). When it releases October 24, it will be made available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. The band has also put together a “special limited edition Pop-Up Album version” that will include  a 12″ x 12″ hardback book containing graffiti pop-up art designed by David A. Carter, vinyl, CD and exclusive content including photographs, excerpts from the studio diary and the band’s personal notebooks. A must-have for hardcore fans, you see. The album artwork (left) and the reversible cover art (right) lie above. Markus Dravs, Daniel Green, and Rik Simpson helped produce the album, and longtime collaborator Brian Eno provided “enoxification and additional composition.”

Though there’s still a little over two months left of anticipation, you can calm your nerves by listening to “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” and a live rendition of “Charlie Brown,” two tracks confirmed to be on the album. Also, Coldplay promises that “Paradise,” the next single off the album, is coming September 12.

Music video: Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis” (‘Watch the Throne’ out now!)

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Today Jay-Z and Kanye West (aka The Throne) dropped the music video for Watch the Throne‘s first official single “Otis.” In the Spike Jonze-directed clip the dynamic duo strip down a gorgeous Maybach and ride around in it like they haven’t got a care in the world. And that’s what make this video so great: the guys are having so much fun and the pyro-infused atmosphere is infectious. You can’t help by smile and bang your head to the Otis Redding-sampled beat all the way through. Add some hot models, fireworks, a giant American flag, and ‘Ye’s buddy comedian Aziz Ansari to the mix and you’ve got yourself a care-free joyride that’s truly a blast to watch.

In related Throne news, the highly anticipated album is out! On Monday, August 8 Watch the Throne released digitally exclusively on iTunes. Today the physical version dropped in stores; the standard version can be found in most retail stores that sell CDs, but the deluxe version is exclusively sold at Best Buy through August 22. In a press release the deluxe packaing is detailed:

The DELUXE packaging for “WATCH THE THRONE” is high-end art created by acclaimed designer Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy. The softpack, when opened up, turns into a cross-like shape printed on gold mylar with Tisci’s patterns embossed throughout. The package also includes an 18-panel poster that features Tisci’s artwork as well as lyrics to the entire album. The CD is a special edition black colored disc which is not standard with normal packaging.  In tune with his codes for Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci created an artwork that channels most of his aesthetics: symmetry, lightness, darkness, sharpness and 3D.

MTV reports that Jay and ‘Ye have opened a pop-up store in Manhattan to sell copies of the album today (August 12) through Sunday. The storefront is wrapped in the Riccardo Tisci-designed gold album art and inside you’ll find the Maybach used in the “Otis” music video; you’ll also hear the video since it’s played on a loop. The location is SoHo at 201 Mulberry Street and Jay-Z is expected to make an appearance there tonight. So there’s that.

Want to sample the album before you buy? Spotify’s got it streaming.

Trailer: A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas

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After trekking to White Castle and busting out of Guantanamo Bay, Harold & Kumar are ready to take on the holiday season in A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas. And they’re going to do it in style: the third flick in the stoner franchise is 3D. Here’s the setup:

After years of growing apart, Harold Lee and Kumar Patel have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrives at Kumar’s door on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold’s house ends with the “high grade” contents — and Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree — going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree takes them through party heaven — and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high.

David Krumholtz and Eddie Kaye Thomas reprise their roles as Goldstein and Rosenberg, and of course Neil Patrick Harris is back playing an outlandish version of himself. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, directors and writers of the first two movies, penned the script and Todd Strauss Schulson was brought on to direct.

The trailer hints at so much we can look forward to: Harold wields a shotgun and shoots Santa out of the sky; NPH makes it into heaven and greets Jesus with this line: “you’re one of those”; he also gets a musical number; the stoners take a trip in claymation form; the fact that the movie is in 3D is acknowledged head-on by MADtv alum Bobby Lee; and hot women. Plus there’s bound to be a smorgasbord of memorable cameos; according to IMDb you can expect Danny Trejo, Thomas Lennon, Patton Oswalt, and Elias Koteas to show up at some point. Maria (Paula Garcés), Harold’s love interest from White Castle, is also expected to make a return.

Thankfully you won’t have to wait much longer; A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas hits theatres November 4.

FOX prez Kevin Reilly on the future of ‘Fringe’, ‘House’, ‘Breaking In’, ‘Glee’, ‘Touch’

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This month at the Television Critics Association press tour, FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly shared his thoughts on some of the network’s most popular shows.

Fortunately Reilly is an outspoken fan of the genre series Fringe. Thanks to his support and fan encouragement, he made the final decision to renew the show for another season. At the TCAs he shared his outlook for the upcoming season: “I don’t expect Fringe to grow. It’s a pretty complex show. If Fringe can do exactly what Fringe did last year, we’re going to be very happy. They’re right in the pocket creatively once again.” He understands going into season 4 that the ratings probably won’t grow past the stabilization that took place last year when the show moved Friday nights. As long as the cult following remains true to the series, I trust that Reilly will let Fringe run its course until the creators decide it’s time to end the story on their terms. He describes Fringe as “a creative show that deserve[s] to be on the air.”

Many expect that the upcoming season of House will be its last. Reilly commented on the speculation: “I can’t confirm that it’s the last season [though] we’ve talked pretty publicly about the potential for that. I’ve spoken to [the producers] and they want to go out strong, so we’re going to revisit that later in the fall.” In a recent interview with TVLine, House creator David Shore admitted that he’s not approaching this season as if it’s the last. He said, “Fox wants another season. I think enough of our fans want another season. [Universal Media Studios] wants another season. It may well be [the final season]. And we will know earlier rather then later because I want to do [the ending] right.” Reilly mentioned that if FOX were to drop the show before Shore has properly concluded the series, Universal Media Studios (the production house behind the show) might opt to shop it to other networks. But don’t bet on that happening. Either FOX will say they’re willing to renew the show later this fall, or they’ll advise Shore to start wrapping things up and mark season eight as the last.

After cancelling the breakout comedy Breaking In last season, FOX quickly extended the cast options so that if they were to figure out a way to bring it back from the dead in a timely manner the cast (consisting of Christian Slater, Brett Harrison and Odette Annable) would remain attached to the program. Reilly confirms that Breaking In will be a contender for the network’s two-hour midseason comedy block. It will battle returning series Raising Hope and newcomers I Hate My Teenage Daughter, New Girl, Little In Common, and Family Album for a spot. “We will revisit what makes that two-hour block later in the fall and make a decision [on Breaking In],” said Reilly.

Reilly also took time to comment on the recent Glee controversy involving graduating stars Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith. “I think it has taken on a little more heat and momentum than it in fact is. This show is a big management undertaking. There are many successful shows on the air that have genuine controversy and fighting. That has really not been the case. It is a good group of people with [different] personalities.” He confirmed that Rachel, Kurt, and Finn will be graduating at the end of the season 3 and that a spinoff series starring these characters might be developed. “We collectively decided to revisit [the spinoff] in the back half of the [season] when it should be visited. It got out [in the media early] and then got a little bit crazy.” These comments support what Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy told Deadline this month. Reilly also visited the rumored fractured relationship between Murphy and other co-creator Brad Falchuk. “Those guys get along really well. Brad is the most even-keeled, mild-mannered guy in the world. And Ryan is who he is. And that’s why we love him. He is a creative force… When that spinoff came around, I think his wheels started turning… and this got out. And I think the second it did, I think all of us were really surprised at how it took on a life of its own. This is something that was probably a two-day issue, that somehow it has taken on a bigger life.” Reilly went on to describe how the upcoming season will be “focused” and “back to basics.” He maintained, “There aren’t going to be any big guest stars, there aren’t going to be any tribute [episodes]. We’re focused on our core characters and relationships. [There will be] an incredibly clean arc. There will be a graduation at the end [of the season]. We know the three characters who will be graduating. How that’s going to play out I’m not going to say. There are some surprises; it’s not going to be predictable.”

Last, Reilly also made sure to share his excitement over the Tim Kring (Heroes) pilot starring Kiefer Sutherland (24) called Touch. He describes the pilot as “extraordinary” and says Sutherland’s role is “a new character but it does have some dose of Jack Bauer in it.” The show has yet to be scheduled and Reilly held that he “can’t confirm [the series order] yet, but [they’re] staffed on Touch and they’re writing scripts now.” He added, “Look, to be honest with you, if the pilot was lousy, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But I think the pilot is potentially great.” In case you forget, the show will focus on a father (Sutherland) who discovers that his autistic, mute son (David Mazouz) can predict events before they happen. Danny Glover costars as “a professor and expert on children who possess special gifts,” reports TVLine. Lookout for Touch to premiere in midseason.

[Via Deadline; TVLine 1, 2, 3]

Drew Barrymore directs Best Coast music video starring Chloë Moretz

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Actress Drew Barrymore was tapped to direct this short film music video for Best Coast and it would be just plain wrong for you not to watch it. First of all, it stars the young but extremely talented actress Chloë Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick Ass). Second it features a bevy of other young, rising stars like Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Donald Glover (Community), Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly), and who could forget Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development‘s Maeby Fünke). And third, it tells an emotional, stylistically gritty, and heartbreaking tale of warring gangs in the mean streets of LA. It’s described as “a timeless convergence of inspiration from West Side Story, Romeo & Juliet, and Style Wars.”

In an interview with Pitchfork, Barrymore talked about the visual inspirations behind the clip. “One thing that got me started on it was the jean jacket. It’s an item that could make you believe you’re in the 50s or punk-rock 70s or grunge 90s. I was really focused on timelessness, and I think music is very timeless; Best Coast has elements of a girl group from the 50s or a rock band from the 70s, and they’ve got this modern, west coast beach-y sound that ties it all together and doesn’t make it feel anachronistic or retro. I always like worlds where you could be in several different time periods. I tried to pull a lot of images from, like,The Outsiders— jean jackets galore, best film ever, and totally stands up today. That was made in the 80s to be emblematic of the 50s, it’s a perfect example of transcending eras.”

Somehow, someway Barrymore was able to pack the story she wanted to tell in the four minute video embedded above. But she couldn’t leave it at that. After watching the widespread music video above, jump after the break to find the nearly 11 minute long “extended version” that plays out even more like a short film. Continue reading Drew Barrymore directs Best Coast music video starring Chloë Moretz →

Coldplay performs new song “Charlie Brown” at UCLA concert

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Coldplay set up shop at UCLA last week and performed a myriad of their hit songs including “Fix You” and “Viva La Vida”, plus a tribute to Amy Winehouse. Among the 90-minute set were also a couple of new tracks from their upcoming fifth studio album: the previously released single “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” and a brand new one, “Charlie Brown.” The new track is a sweeping, atmospheric anthem that only Coldplay could do right. Watch the live performance above, and pop after the break for a bonus video. Continue reading Coldplay performs new song “Charlie Brown” at UCLA concert →

Single: Drake – “Headlines”

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Drake drops his latest single off his upcoming sophomore album Take Care and raps, “I had someone tell me I fell off, ooh I needed that/ And they want to see me pick back up, well where’d I leave it at?” Upon first listen it may not sound like a solid lead single, but it definitely gives the vibe Drake wants to give off with the album. “The whole process has been about slowing life down andreally pinpointing emotions,” he told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. Listen to the cut in the YouTube embed above; download it for keep at iTunes.

[Via RapUp]

Trailer: In Time

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In the late 21st century TIME has replaced MONEY as the unit of currency. At 25 years old, aging stops and each person is given one more year to live. Unless you replenish your clock…you die.

Intrigued, are you? Read on for the synopsis:

When Will Salas is falsely accused of murder, he must figure out a way to bring down a system where time is money — literally — enabling the wealthy to live forever while the poor, like Will, have to beg, borrow, and steal enough minutes to make it through another day.

Pop star-turned-actor Justin Timberlake stars in this must-see sci-fi action thriller along with Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer (White Collar), Olivia Wilde, and Cillian Murphy. Andrew Niccol (Gattaca) directs. Watch an extended look at the film after the break.

In Time (originally titled I’m.mortal) hits theatres October 28, 2011. Continue reading Trailer: In Time →

First look: Nolan’s Selina Kyle revealed

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Here’s your first look at Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises. It serves as the second official sneak peek into the third and final act of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy; in the first Tom Hardy was transformed into the muscular Bane. Selina is obviously super sexy with her red lipstick, and she’s also amped for action on the Batpod and sporting futuristic-looking goggles with shining blue LED lights.

What’s most interesting to note, however, is not what you see in this picture but rather the title of it. At the official Dark Knight Rises website, the image is stored as “selina_kyle.jpg.” For those of you who follow the DC comic, Selina becomes the villainous Catwoman. Since the script is being kept under heavy wraps, no one knows how the story of Catwoman will be told in the film. However, one can make an educated guess based on the evidence provided thus far. Since the image here is labeled Selina Kyle, Hathaway will likely be introduced at this earlier stage in her life and over the course of the movie we will follow the events that lead to her becoming The Cat. Much like what Nolan did in The Dark Knight for the character Two-Face; in that movie we witnessed everything that led up to Harvey Dent’s decent to criminality.

Anyway this is all speculation. For now, eye the first look above, and then head over to the official movie site to download a larger, high-res version.

The Dark Knight Rises July 20, 2012.

First look: Henry Cavill is Superman

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Warner Bros. posted this first image of British actor Henry Cavill as Zack Snyder’s Superman. Right off the bat you can tell it’s a Snyder (300) creation: this bank vault scene is gritty, dark, and highly stylized and the Man of Steel in the middle of it all meets our gaze with a look of, well, pure coolness. Cavill’s muscles protrude out of the blue suit, the “S” is prominent, and the classic slicked back hair would fare well against Mad Men‘s Jon Hamm’s retro look. Jump after the break for a closer view.

The Superman reboot Man of Steel is now in production with a cast consisting of Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, and Julia Ormond. Christopher Nolan  and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight) are producing and writing, respectively. Release is June 14, 2013; yup, it got pushed back from a holiday 2012 release. Continue reading First look: Henry Cavill is Superman →

SNL update: All cast members returning, Alec Baldwin to host season 37 premiere

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At the Television Critics Association press tour Lorne Michaels announced that all of his Saturday Night Live cast from last season will be returning this September. Last year newcomer Jenny Slate was dropped and Taran Killam, Paul Brittain, Vanessa Bayer, and Jay Pharoah joined the funny crew led by current movie stars Kristin Wiig and Jason Sudeikis. Though it hasn’t been made official yet, we can expect the 2010 newbies to remain as featured players and 2009 entrant Nasim Pedrad to fold into the main cast. Though Killam, Brittain, and Pharoah didn’t receive much screen time last season, I’m glad the NBC honcho is giving this bunch another chance to shine in Studio 8H. During their roles sprinkled throughout the season they proved to have potential and I can’t wait to see the new material they tackle this year. Auditions to fill up more featured players spots are happening this month.

In related SNL news, NBC announced that 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin will host the season 37 premiere. This marks the record-breaking 16th time he’s hosted the long-running show. Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) will play host in episode 2.

Saturday Night Live returns September 24 on NBC.

Update: Radiohead and Lady Antebellum have been penned in as the first two musical guests of the season.

[Via HuffingtonPost; EW 1, 2]