Category Archives: Entertainment

Glee’s panel at Comic Con will not include Shue, Finn, Rachel & Quinn

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With Comic Con just around the corner, Gleeks (or ultimate fans of the show Glee) are getting hyped for the Glee panel.  Typically Comic Con TV show panels include the show’s biggest stars.  For example, at last year’s Glee panel Matthew Morrison, Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, and Dianna Agron took the stage to interact with fans.  This year, however, none of those actors will be present.  Why?  Well it’s because FOX wants to give the rest of the cast time to shine in the spotlight amongst the show’s most rabid fans.  Twentieth Century Fox Television rep: “Last year, we brought down Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, and Dianna Agron.  Because we have such a large cast and we can’t bring everyone every year, this year we decided to bring down some of the cast who didn’t get to go last summer.  So this year, Chris Colfer [Curt], Amber Riley [Mercedes], Jenna Ushkowitz [Tina], Kevin McHale [Artie], Mark Salling [Puck], Heather Morris [Brittany], and Naya Rivera [Santana] will get to experience the convention, as well as co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk.”  And Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) is a no show (again) due to a scheduling conflict.  Bummer.  But it’ll be a blast to see Heather Morris live in person–she’s got great delivery (who could forget the “Dolphins are just gay sharks” line?).  With the promise of never-before-seen clips, I’m sure this year’s Glee panel will be just as memorable as the last.

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Hulu Plus brings TV & movie content to Apple devices, Xbox 360, PS3, TVs & Blu-ray players

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The rumor mill just couldn’t handle it anymore so Hulu decided to make things official: Hulu is expanding its video streaming services to an electronic device near you.  The new subscription-based service does not replace Hulu.com, mind you; it gives TV addicts the option to pay $10/month to access full libraries of TV shows on their computers and many other devices.  So you know how many of your favorite TV shows you watch on Hulu.com are limited to streaming only five episodes at a time?  Hulu Plus subscribers will gain access to every episode of every season “for almost all of the current broadcast shows” Hulu offers.  In addition to having access to modern hit shows like House and Modern Family, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to watch  “back seasons or full runs” of some classic TV shows.  These include The X-Files, Arrested Development, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Hulu calls it “a treasure chest in the cloud for TV lovers.”  I concur.  And here’s the kicker: all native HD content will stream in 720p high definition.

If you’re a Hulu Price subscriber you can take all your Hulu content into your living room and on the go.  I’ll list out the devices.  Samsung Internet-connected and Samsung App-enabled TVs & Blu-ray players (available today); Sony & VIZIO Internet-connected TVs & Blu-ray players (support coming Fall 2010); Microsoft Xbox 360 (coming early 2011); Sony PlayStation 3 (coming soon).  Got an Apple device?  There’s a Hulu Plus app available in the App Store; it runs on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch 3G (all running iOS4), and iPad.  And it will stream content over 3G and WiFi.  Score!  You can download the app today for free and watch some free content to test it out for yourself.  It’s pretty incredible, the ability to watch all your favorite (network) TV shows in HD away from the computer.  Sure you have to cough up $10 a month but if you’re a TV junkie like me, a price like that might just have you consider cutting the cable cord and opting for Hulu all the way.  Unless, of course, True Blood and Mad Men mean too much to you.  Decisions, decisions..

Currently Hulu is handing out invitations for Hulu Plus.  If you want to be considered for the first wave of subscribers, click here.  Hulu says, “We’ll be sending out as many invitations as we can each week, and as soon as we’re ready, we’ll remove the need for an invitation and start bringing in new subscribers without delay.”  Look after the break for an informative video about Hulu Plus.

[Via HuluBlog] Continue reading Hulu Plus brings TV & movie content to Apple devices, Xbox 360, PS3, TVs & Blu-ray players →

The Cleveland Show gets picked up for a third season

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Well would you look at that?  Following in Glee‘s footsteps, FOX has decided to green light a third season for its hit animated program The Cleveland Show.  Yes, there’s a solid reason why the Family Guy spin-off got renewed for a third season so early in the game: it was the highest rated new scripted half-hour program among the 18-34 demographic.  Voice of Cleveland Brown/co-creator/executive producer Mike Henry on the early pickup: “Thanks to FOX for their continued support.  I’m thrilled to keep my multiracial existence going for another season.”  Renewal news comes as a big relief for Henry and co. since the turnaround time for animation creation is very time intensive.  Henry: “It’s about a ten month process from start to finish.  But we don’t really try to be too topical and…I think it works to our advantage because hopefully in five years the episodes will still be as funny as they are now.”

Season 3 is so far out.  Want some details about what’s planned for season 2?  Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West (to reprise “Kenny West”), Tony Hawk, Carl Reiner, and the cast members of Glee are planned to lend their voices to the series; a Family Guy crossover episode is planned that’ll land Peter, Joe and Quagmire in LOCALE; and in the finale episode the Browns will journey to Comic Con.  Says Henry: “[In the finale] the whole family goes to Comic-Con for summer vacation.  Co-creator Rich Appel: “I think it’s safe to say that the nerds on our staff will not disappoint the nerds in our viewing public.”  The Cleveland Show is here to stay, folks.

[Via IGN, here & here]

Short film: Mortal Kombat (A MUST WATCH)

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On Tuesday this viral video hit the ‘Net and quickly garnered critical acclaim.  After watching this extremely well produced short film based on the classic video game Mortal Kombat people everywhere began to speculate.  Was this a teaser trailer for a reboot of 1995’s Mortal Kombat film or was it just a fan-made work of art?  Shortly after its arrival it was discovered that the seven-and-a-half minute short was directed by Kevin Tancharoen (director of 2009’s Fame) and it was produced in an attempt to pitch Tancharoen’s vision for a reimagined Mortal Kombat movie to Warner Brothers (as confirmed by actress Jeri Ryan’s Twitter feed).  Mortal Kombat: Rebirth was Tancharoen’s way of saying, “Hey WB, check out this video, see what I can do, and let’s talk about making a new Mortal Kombat flick.”

This mini-movie is nothing short of fantastic.  Though it takes place in the MK universe, the characters’ origins are based in reality.  Instead of attributing their abilities to the supernatural, each villain transforms into their malaligned selves due to psychotic breaks or hereditary disease.  These characters have mental and physical “issues” and they know martial arts.  That’s Tancharoen’s spin on the MK universe.  And obviously he retains the overall plot which revolves around the tournament.  From the intense fight sequence to the stunning camera shots and visuals, Tancharoen’s short deserves WB approval.  As Jackson Briggs was trying to convince Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion to enter the tournament to kill Baraka, Reptile, and the other villains I was instantly imagining and anticipating how the story would continue.  And then I remembered I was only watching a short clip on YouTube.  I have no doubt this masterpiece of a short will lead to a feature-length MK movie sometime in the near future.

MK: Rebirth stars Michael Jai White as Jackson Briggs, Matt Mullins as Johnny Cage, Ian Anthony Dale as Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion, Richard Dorton as Reptile, Lateef Crowder as Alan Zane/Baraka, and Jeri Ryan as Sonya Blade.  The fight sequence was choreographed by Larnell Stovall. Continue reading Short film: Mortal Kombat (A MUST WATCH) →

Music video: Lady Gaga – “Alejandro”

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Gaga’s latest music video (or should I say short film) comes in at just under nine minutes.  It features a number of men with bowl-cuts and a half naked Lady Gaga for nearly the entire video.  Though there’s some story being told here, I really have no clue as to what’s going on.  At one point Gaga goes Madonna donning black slacks and a machine-gun bra.  I find this single to be one of her weaker hits to make it mainstream, and yet I still have the song stuck in my head after watching this.  So, uh, go on and watch it for yourself and see if you can make sense of it all.  Good luck.  Look after the break for a bonus video! Continue reading Music video: Lady Gaga — “Alejandro” →

Kanye West prepared for a comeback with BET Awards performance

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 Ever since his grave mistake of interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Music Awards and apologizing to her and his fans on The Jay Leno Show, Kanye hid from the public spotlight.  After locking himself up in the studio to work on his upcoming album (check out the phenomenal first single here), ‘Ye is ready to perform on a stage in front of a large audience for the first time in a long time.  It’s been confirmed that he will perform at the BET Awards on June 27.  Kanye West is finally ready to show his face to the world again.  Question is–is the world ready for Mr. West?

[Via EW-MusicMix]

Les Grossman film is a-go

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Those of us who watched this year’s MTV Movie Awards were treated to a surprise appearence by none other than Les Grossman, the raunchy foul-mouthed producer from 2008’s Tropic Thunder.  Played to perfection by Tom Cruise, Grossman started the awards show off with one of his infamous rants and later interuppted a comedy sketch when he came on stage with Jennifer Lopez for a dance number.  Anyway, it appears as if the stint was done to reintroduce the audience to the character of Les Grossman and build hype for an entire movie based on him.  Cruise will star and produce in the upcoming Grossman flick.  He’s partnered with Tropic Thunder co-star and director Ben Stiller and producer Stuart Cornfeld of Red Hours Films to make this movie happen.  Michael Bacall (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) has been selected to write the screenplay.  Take a look at these choice quotes from the unorthodox press release that comes from Paramount:

Tom Cruise, along with Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld of Red Hour Films will produce and have secured the life rights to Grossman.

Grossman, best known as a mega producer, has most recently mentored talents such as Rob Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

Said Ben Stiller: “Les Grossman’s life story is an inspiring tale of the classic human struggle to achieve greatness against all odds. He has assured me he plans to quote, ‘F**king  kill the sh*t out of this movie and make Citizen f**king Kane look like a piece of crap home movie by the time we are done.’ I am honored to be working with him.”

When asked what the screenplay was about Grossman responded: “To quote my great friend Kirk Lazarus, ‘I don’t read the script, the script reads me.””

Adam Goodman, Paramount Film Group President said, “Everything I learned in this business, I’ve learned from Les. I started out as his assistant, and from the first day he threw his desk at me when I got his lunch order wrong, I have loved him like a father.

Yeah, this is really happening.  Look after the break for the full PR.

[Via Deadline] Continue reading Les Grossman film is a-go →

FlashForward fans plan local “blackouts” in attempt to revive the series

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FlashForward fans never say die!  In a last resort effort to save the show from the dark and gloomy death by cancellation it received back in mid-May, FlashForward fans around the world are rallying together to show their support for the short-lived sci-fi drama.  The fight to encourage ABC to bring back the show began when fans mailed over 20,000 friendship bracelets to ABC head Steve McPherson.  (The bracelet was a significant item on the show; it was given to protagonist Mark Benford by his daughter Charlie…but if you’re reading this you know that already.)  Also since April, fans have been signing online petitions and mailing handwritten letters to ABC studios to “save FlashFoward” from its (no longer pending, really) demise.  All of these efforts to force ABC to open their hearts to fans and bring the show back culminate in what is about to happen later today: a staged “global blackout” in front of ABC studios.

On June 10, 2010 (that’s today people!) FlashForward super fans around the world will congregate in front of their local ABC affiliates and lay (as unconscious as possible) on the ground for two minutes and seventeen seconds at a designated time.  A majority of the meetups will last about two hours; for the rest of the time fans will carry signs, wear FlashForward t-shirts, and raise awareness about the cause to bystanders.  The following US cities will take part in the blackout today: Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Seattle, and Chicago.  North Carolina also has groups at the ready.  And this will truly be a “global” blackout; fans from Toronto, Canada, London, England, Hanover, Germany, Endinburgh, Scottland, Italy, Brazil and many others are also anticipating blackout day.  More details are available at www.preventtheblackout.com, a neat fan-made site that collates contact and RSVP information for the day’s events.

If you’re a fan of the show and happen to live near a participating location, go out and support FlashForward!  Though all signs point to this show being a goner (the show has been cancelled and both Joseph Fiennes (Benford) and Christine Woods (Janis Hawk) have been cast to new series), there’s no reason not to give the show a glimmer of hope for potential survival by joining this exciting grassroots movement.  And when you make it there and wake up from the blackout don’t forget to ask your fellow supports, “What did you see?”

[Via SaveFlashForward]

Music video: Eminem – “Not Afraid”

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Here’s the music video for Eminem’s first single off his next album “Not Afraid.”  In it you see Eminem rap in a basement, push his way through a maze of mirrors, and fly above a destroyed city (with a not so subtle ad for Beats by Dre plastered in the background).  Does Eminem rise from the wreckage that he believes was his last album Relapse with this chart-topping single?  Download the song at iTunes.  Recovery drops June 22.

Will Forte to guest star in Parks & Rec next season

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SNL’s MacGruber (the movie is hilarious, go see it!) has accepted an invitation to guest star in NBC’s Parks & Recreation in a season three episode.  According to Ausiello, Forte “will play a Pawnee resident whose obsession with the Twilight franchise complicates a pet project Poehler’s Leslie is working on.  Hint: Think time capsule.”  Forte will be third SNL member to visit Pawnee, following Fred Armisen as  Raul, the head of the Venezuelan delegation, in “Sister City” and Andy Samberg’s loud-mouthed Park Ranger Carl in “Park Safety.”

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Concept images of Thor & Captain America emerge

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This week images of the next two Avengers have leaked into the wild.  First there’s Thor the Norse god who wields the Mjolner hammer.  (If you have not seen Iron Man 2 yet, make sure you stay for the credits for a sneak peek of said hammer.)  If you are doubting that this image of Thor is real, just compare it to the official still of Chris Hemsworth as Thor outed by Marvel a few weeks ago.  The concept image matches up pretty well if you ask me.  Thor is expected to hit theatres May 6, 2011.

Next we have the first (ever) image of what Chris Evans will look like as Captain America, the first Avenger.  And you know what, he’s looking pretty bad-ass.  From the mask to the sheild (which was also hinted at in Iron Man 2), the suspenders, and the kevlar red-white-and-blue retro-fitted suit, Cap appears ready for the big screen.  Captain America: The First Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston, is expected to hit theatres July 22, 2011.

Look in the gallery below for more concept images of Thor and Captain America.

[Via Collider; AintItCoolNews]