Category Archives: Entertainment

J.J. Abrams & Jonathan Nolan set up ‘Westworld’ adaptation at HBO

September 9, 2013News, TelevisionBad Robot, HBO, J.J. Abrams, Jonathan Nolan, pilot production commitment, WestworldScott Meisner

Here is a TV project to keep a very close eye on. J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan (the auspices behind CBS’ Person of Interest) are adapting Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi thriller Westworld into a TV series for HBO. This marks the first foray into pay cable TV for Abrams’ Bad Robot production company. And like all things Bad Robot, the project is shrouded in mystery; this official logline will have to do for now: “Set in the amazing world dreamt up by Michael Crichton, Westworld is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.” The movie, which starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin, took place at a Western-themed amusement park rampant with androids who appeared nearly indistinguishable from humans. Watch the trailer here. Westworld went on to spawn a sequel Futureworld (1976) and even a short-lived TV series Beyond Westworld.

Nolan is set to direct the pilot (HBO has already agreed to a pilot production commitment!) and he will pen the script with writer Lisa Joy (Burn Notice). Abrams, Nolan, Joy, Bryan Burk, and Jerry Weintraub will executive produce.

[Via Deadline]

Michael Bay’s next ‘Transformers’ pic gets a title & poster

September 9, 2013Image cache, Movies, Newsmovie poster, poster, Transformers, Transformers 4, Transformers: Age of ExtinctionScott Meisner

The fourth movie in Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise will be called Transformers: Age of Extinction. Eye the teaser poster above.

Though plot details are still being kept under wraps, the title and poster more than hint at the introduction of the Dinobots. In addition to the good Autobots and the big bad Decepticons there are the Dinobots, robots that transform into–wait for it–dinosaurs!

Mark Walhberg replaces Shia LaBeouf as star and the rest of the cast goes like this: Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, and T.J. Miller. The pic aims for a June 27, 2014 release.

Movie trailer round-up: ‘RoboCop’, ‘Neighbors’ & ‘Gravity’

September 9, 2013Movies, VideoGravity movie, movie trailer round-up, movie trailers, Neighbors, remake, RoboCop, trailersScott Meisner

Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 sci-fi classic is getting an action-packed and explosive remake. Brazilian director José Padilha helms the new RoboCop with The Killing‘s Joel Kinnaman as police officer turned cyborg Alex Murphy. Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, Jay Baruchel, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Samuel L. Jackson round out this surprisingly star-studded cast. The new RoboCop looks like good fun, but I’m not so sure it will capture the same satiric essence that the original did. If the trailer is any indication, this will be your run-of-the-mill popcorn flick set in a dystopian future; been there, done that. Padilha, surprise me. It’s out February 7, 2014. Synopsis below:

In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years – and it’s meant billions for OmniCorp’s bottom line. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine pursuing justice.

Jump after the break to view more trailers. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: ‘RoboCop’, ‘Neighbors’ & ‘Gravity’ →

Watch the latest & greatest viral sensation right here, RIGHT NOW!

September 5, 2013Hilarity, Music, Videomusic video, viral, viral video, YlvisScott Meisner

Feast your eyes and ears on this truly bizarre and admittedly catchy…well, I’m not sure what to call it. It gets more ridiculous as it goes on, but in the best way possible. There’s just no way to properly hype what you are about to watch–words simply cannot do it much justice. So mash play and ask yourself, WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? Side effects of that question are extreme confusion and plentiful laughter to the point of tears. This is quite possibly the greatest thing to come out of the Internet. Like ever.

When you’re finished, download the MP3 here. You’re welcome.

In case you’re wondering, the EDM-inspired song and accompanying music video “The Fox” was imagined by Norwegian brothers Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker. Together they are known as Ylvis and the musically-inclined comedic duo concocted this stroke of genius to promote their talk show that airs in Norway.

Jay Z’s “Holy Grail” gets new lease on life in bold new music video

August 29, 2013Music, VideoJay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Magna Carta Holy Grail, music video, remix, SingleScott Meisner

Here we have the music video for “Holy Grail,” the Justin Timberlake assisted track that gracefully eases listeners into Jay Z’s recent release Magna Carta… Holy Grail. Director Anthony Mandler was clearly given creative freedom during the construction of this visual spectacle. The track is heavily remixed here with verses out of order (Jay spits his rhymes before JT’s hook rings, for example) and certain parts are slowed down significantly. It’s hard to say if this version is better than the original creation, but there’s no denying that this newly polished version works. It’s like listening to the song again for the first time, and in my opinion, that’s an interesting experience.

Watch Jay rap in a ghoulish mansion and JT croon amongst the flames in the clip embedded above. In a sharp move, Hova teamed with Facebook to exclusively launch the “Holy Grail” music on the social network.

Eminem drops lead single off ‘MMLP2’

August 29, 2013Music, News, VideoEminem, MMLP2, SingleScott Meisner

Slim Shady is BACK. After teasing fans with “Survival,” Eminem dropped the true lead single off his eighth studio album “Berzerk.” The Beastie Boys-esque track produced by Rick Rubin hits hard and quickly reminds you just how great a rapper Em really is. The most exciting bit to come out of all this: tracks “Berzerk” and “Survival” are part of MMLP2. Do you need me to spell this out for you? Shady’s next record is a sequel to his instant-classic third album The Marshall Mathers LP; that 2000 release featured hit songs like “The Real Slim Shady,” “The Way I Am,” and “Stan.” Simply by naming his upcoming album what he did raises the stakes and the anticipation tenfold. And if “Berzerk” is any indication of what’s in store, I think fans will be plenty comfortable with the new material. And yes, there’s a street date: MMLP2 drops November 5.

Listen to “Berzerk” above and download a copy via iTunes. If this track preview video is any indication, an accompanying music video is imminent.

2013 MTV VMAs: Justin Timberlake scores

August 29, 2013Music, News2013 MTV Video Music Awards, 2013 MTV VMA, award show, awards show, list of winners, MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV VMA, VMA, winnersScott Meisner

From Miley’s twerk works to Bruno Mars’ pipes, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards had a little something for everybody. But there’s no arguing that the night belonged to the Video Vanguard Award recipient Justin Timberlake. Before accepting the award from a jubilant Jimmy Fallon, JT wowed the crowd and viewers tuning in with a never-ending medley of his greatest hits including a blink-and-you-missed-it NSYNC reunion. The artist proved that he’s a true performer in every sense of the word. And if that wasn’t enough, Timberlake also went home with the most limited edition KAWS Moonmen ; his hit single “Mirrors” won Best Editing and was crowned Video of the Year. “Suit & Tie,” helmed by filmmaker David Fincher, won Best Direction. Add in the golden Vanguard statue and the count lands at four. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who also made new fans that night with a great rendition of their track “Same Love,” came in a close second racking up three trophies.

For the full list of winners, click here.

Movie trailer round-up: ‘A.C.O.D.’, ‘+1’ & ‘Carrie’

August 29, 2013Movies, Uncategorized, Video+1, A.C.O.D., Carrie, movie trailer, movie trailer round-up, trailerScott Meisner

Adam Scott (Step Brothers, Parks And Rec) stars in A.C.O.D. as an Adult Child of Divorce. Richard Jenkins, Catherine O’Hara, Amy Poehler, Clark Duke, Jessica Alba, and Jane Lynch make up the rest of the comedy all-star lineup. A brief synopsis reads:

A.C.O.D. follows Carter (Adam Scott), a seemingly well-adjusted Adult Child of Divorce. Having survived the madness of his parents’ (Richard Jenkins and Catherine O’Hara) divorce, Carter now has a successful career and supportive girlfriend (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). But when his younger brother (Clark Duke) gets engaged, Carter is forced to reunite his bitterly divorced parents and their new spouses (Amy Poehler and Ken Howard) for the wedding, causing the chaos of his childhood to return, including his wacky therapist (Jane Lynch).

A.C.O.D. releases October 4. The poster was too good to miss, so you’ll find the trailer after the break.

Jump after the break to view more trailers. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: ‘A.C.O.D.’, ‘+1’ & ‘Carrie’ →

‘SNL’ finds its new featured players for season 39

August 24, 2013News, TelevisionSaturday Night Live, Saturday Night Live season 39, SNL, SNL featured players, SNL season 39Scott Meisner

Out with the old, in with the new, as the saying goes. It has been confirmed that SNL vets Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis will not be returning to Studio 8H in September, and we know that Weekend Update host and head writer Seth Myers will be bowing out in the new year as he transitions to Late Night. Fresh blood is a needed this year as much as any and if recent reports prove true, Lorne Michaels has found his (potential) new stars.

Meet Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, Noël Wells, John Milhiser, and Michael Patrick O’Brien. The first four hail from the Upright Citizens Brigade, the well-established comedy house that fostered talent like Bobby Moynihan and Kate McKinnon. O’Brien, who might seem familiar to you, has been an SNL writer for four years now and he’s been featured in numerous sketches over the years in minor roles.

Thanks to the Internet, you can get to know the new SNL featured players by watching their sketches and improv on YouTube. Bennet and Mooney are part of a sketch comedy group called Good Neighbor; their video “Is my roommate gay?” is one to watch. You might recognize Bennet from those AT&T commercials with kids; fun fact: Lonely Island member and former SNL writer Jorma Taccone directs those spots. Wells is a great impressionist; watch her do Zooey Deschanel and Dana from Homeland. Milhiser can portray a wide range of emotions and like Mooney he’s great at being super weird; watch is encompassing acting reel and this subtle yet hysterical sketch called “Dress Code.” Thanks to his direct connection to SNL, O’Brien was able to make a really entertaining web series called 7 Minutes in Heaven and each episode features him improving with celebrities.

And there you have it. The four featured players coming to Saturday Night Live in its 39th season this fall. What do you think of the new crop of talent?

Ben Affleck is Zack Snyder’s Batman in ‘Man of Steel’ sequel

August 24, 2013Movies, NewsBatman, Ben Affleck, DC Comics, Man of Steel sequelScott Meisner

At Comic Con Zack Snyder formally announced that a Man of Steel sequel is in the works and that it will pit Henry Cavill’s Superman against a new Batman. After completing Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Christian Bale publicly stated that he has laid the cape and cowl down to rest. So who would step into Bale’s shadow to become the next Bruce Wayne?

Ben Affleck.

Yes, the man who once played the super hero Daredevil in the widely dismissed 2003 flick about blind lawyer Matt Murdock and who even dressed up as Superman as actor George Reeves in 2006’s Hollywoodland, Ben Affleck is Batman. After losing his way in Daredevil and Gigli, Affleck turned his career around by becoming a filmmaker and directing critically acclaimed movies like The Town and Argo. He also happened to star in those movies and if you ask me he did a fine job all the way around. But the question remains: can he step into a super hero suit and make viewers forget his ill-fated turn as the blind red crusader? The Internet reacted quite negatively to the news, but I say let’s give him a shot. As long as Matt Damon is Robin.

Warner Bros’ press release reads: Affleck and filmmaker Zack Snyder will create an entirely new incarnation of the character in Snyder’s as-yet-untitled project—bringing Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen and continuing the director’s vision of their universe, which he established in Man of Steel.

Snyder notes, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Also, we now have a date for the Man of Steel sequel: July 17, 2015.

Ready, set, theorize! J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions teases mysterious new project

August 24, 2013Entertainment, VideoBad Robot, J.J. Abrams, S., Stranger, theories, theorizingScott Meisner

J.J. Abrams has another super-secret project up his sleeve. On the 13th of August his production company Bad Robot tweeted out a link to a mysterious video titled “Stranger” hosted on BR’s newly minted YouTube channel. The minute-and-seven-second video, like most everything Abrams does, is shrouded in a giant blanket of mystery and intrigue. With no press release to work off, viewers are forced to speculate and theorize.

Backed by a beautiful, piano-led score likely helmed by Abrams’ go-to composer Michael Giacchino, “Stranger” sets up a starry night scene where a long-haired man emerges from the sea. The visuals come to a screeching halt when a menacing looking man whose mouth is stitched up takes over the frame. A narrator recites the following words: “He arrived knowing nothing of himself. Who is he? Soon he will know. Because what begins at the water shall end there. And what ends there, shall once more begin. This is what happens: men become lost, men vanish, men are erased, and reborn.” At the very end, the words “Soon he will know” begin vanishing one by one.

After racking my brain on this one, a few theories surface to the top. First, as everyone well knows, J.J. is currently working on reigniting the Star Wars franchise with Episode VII; though a viral campaign to get the buzz going around this highly anticipated film would be exciting, I just don’t see it here. The starry sky is a subtle hint, but everything else just doesn’t make sense for it to be SW related.

Another project under J.J.’s belt includes the upcoming NBC supernatural drama Believe but again, this black-and-white visual simply doesn’t line up with that show’s pitch. However, a slight clue lingers here, too; Jake McLaughlin who plays wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate Tate on the show sports a shaggy mane of hair just like the man who comes from the sea. But Believe‘s main star is a little girl named Bo who has super powers that need protecting and this teaser sheds no light on that whatsoever.

Now it’s true that this may very well be an extremely early tease for The Stop Along the Way, Rod Serling’s final screenplay whose rights were recently sold to Bad Robot. Little is known about the project initially imagined by the Twilight Zone creator so it’s difficult to read into this any further.

I’ve saved the most believable theory for last. You may or may not know this, but Abrams is getting in on the books business. That’s right–he conceived and developed a story written by award-winning author Doug Dorst (Alive in Necropolis). And get this–the name of the novel is S. As in “Stranger,” as in “Soon he will know.” Now, read the novel’s synopsis:

At the core of this multilayered literary puzzle of love and adventure is a book of mysterious provenance. In the margins, another tale unfolds—through the hand-scribbled notes, questions, and confrontations of two readers. Between the pages, online, and in the real world, you’ll find evidence of their interaction, ephemera that bring this tale vividly to life.

S. is being released by Mulholland Books/Little, Brown and Company on October 29, 2013 and according to a press release. “Abram’ production company, Bad Robot, will be promoting the book leading up to and at publication time.” The video titled “Stranger” could easily be the start of a marketing campaign for this book. The synopsis hints that the story will expand its tale across various forms of media including the Internet. Until further evidence reveals itself, I think we having a winning theory here. It’s perfect, really. Viewers are clamoring to the idea that this video must be hyping a film or TV series when in reality it’s introducing Bad Robot fans to an entirely different form of entertainment: books!

Share your theories in the comment section below as we await the next “Stranger” tease that surely must be imminent.