Category Archives: News

Kanye West covers Complex, offers a peek inside Hawaii studio

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Today Kanye West’s fifth studio album released.  My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy has been a long time in the making.  After being shunned by controversy (read: the Swift incident), Kanye left the public spotlight and eventually made his back into the studio to create new content.  Complex editor-in-chief Noah Callahan-Bever gained access into Avex Honolulu Studios in Oahu, Hawaii during Kanye’s peak of creativty as the master rapper and producer worked day and night on Twisted Fantasy.  ‘Ye covers the December 2010/January 2011 cover of Complex, and in it Callahan-Bever takes the reader through the life and times of Kanye working on the album.  The article has been posted and it’s an intriguing look into the way Kanye handles his business when he means business.  The first half of the article follows Kanye in the studio and sheds light on his extremely high level of dedication towards his music.  The second half features block quotes from Twisted Fantasy collaborators and guest artists such as Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, and Q-Tip.  Read the article here.  Also, be sure to look in the gallery below to browse through some stills from the story; click here to view the full Complex gallery.

[Via Complex]

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ will resurface in reboot film, Joss Whedon not attached

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And the fanboys and girls shrieked!  That’s right–Buffy the Vampire Slayer is being primed for a comeback, but this time around Buffy (TV) creator and beloved showrunner turned Avengers director Joss Whedon is not attached to the project.  Today Warner Bros. and Atlas Entertainment announced that a Buffy reboot film is in the works.  Atlas’ Charles Roven and Steve Alexander and Vertigo Entertainment’s Doug Davison and Roy Lee are signed on to executive produce the upcoming vampire flick.  Whit Anderson, actress turned screenwriter, will pen the script.  If you didn’t know, Buffy actually started out in the movies.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Fran and Kaz Kuzui, hit theatres in 1992.  Joss Whedon worked his magic to spin the feature into a long-running TV series on The WB (1997-2003).  Warner Bros. managed to option the rights to Buffy from the Kuzuis to Atlas and Vertigo.  Let’s take a look at some choice quotes surrounding this surprising announcement.

Says Roven of Atlas: “Generally,  I wouldn’t have said,‘Let’s revive this,’ but Whit’s take is pretty compelling and a lot of fun, and it’s interesting to see all of this reimagined. This is a completely new reboot. Tone is extremely important, and you want the audience to realize what is at stake and the peril is real, but at the same time what’s going on should be fun and inviting and keep everyone engaged. It needs to be relevant to today too, and that is what Whit has found a way to do.” … “There is an active fan base eagerly awaiting this character’s return. … While this is not your high-school Buffy, she’ll be just as witty, tough and sexy as we all remember her to be.”

And Whedon made sure his two cents were heard ’round the world shortly after the announcement: “Obviously I have strong, mixed emotions about something like this. My first reaction upon hearing who was writing it was, “Whit Stillman AND Wes Anderson? This is gonna be the most sardonically adorable movie EVER.” Apparently I was misinformed. Then I thought, “I’ll make a mint! This is worth more than all my Toy Story residuals combined!” Apparently I am seldom informed of anything. And possibly a little slow. But seriously, are vampires even popular any more?”

You’re going to want hop after the break to read the rest of Whedon’s remarks.  In so many words, he is not happy about a Buffy comeback at this moment in time (he’d prefer it come “after [his] death”), but he understands that the situation is out of his hands.  Buffy fans, what say you?  Can a Whedon-less Buffy survive today?

[Via LATimes; EOnline; Deadline] Continue reading ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ will resurface in reboot film, Joss Whedon not attached →

Carlton Cuse’s next project is ABC civil war drama ‘Point of Honor’

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With fellow Lost collaborators J.J. Abrams (Odd Jobs, Alcatraz, M:I3) and Damon Lindelof (Cowboys & Aliens) having found work post-Island duty, it was only a matter of time before Lost co-showrunner Carton Cuse spilled plans about his next exciting project.  In a simple tweet today Cuse pointed his followers to a Variety news article that details his upcoming ABC series Point of Honor.  According to Variety, ABC is “eyeing it as a major event series”, so this is definitely something to get pumped about.  Cuse has teamed up with Randall Wallace (Secretariat) to write and executive produce this Civil War-based drama.  “The two are keeping mum on details other than to say it will be a story focusing more on fictional characters than on historical figures,” says Variety.  Cuse confirms it will be a serialized show with a clear-cut “beginning, middle and end.”  Cuse describes it as “very different from anything on TV right now.”  Both Cuse and Wallace share a deep interest in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era; Cuse admits that he and Wallace “just clicked” during early meetings about conceptualizing the show.  Time will tell if this new partnership can live up to the Cuse/Lindelof success story that came out of Lost.  With Cuse’s knack for smart, engaging storytelling and Wallace’s past experience working on Braveheart (there he proved he could use “historical events and connect them to fictional characters”, Cuse points out), I have little doubt Point of Honor will impress when it airs at an undisclosed time on ABC.  Cuse and Wallace are currently writing the script.

While we’re here talking about Carlton Cuse, do yourself a nice favor and read this fantastic interview that takes you on a journey through his interesting and fascinating career thus far.  It’s a great read!

[Via @carltoncuse; Variety]

FOX’s ‘Locke & Key’ finds its star

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The upcoming FOX drama Locke & Key spearheaded by Josh Friedman (showrunner/executive producer/writer), Steven Spielberg (executive producer), and Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (executive producers) has just cast its star player. Miranda Otto (War of the Worlds) will play Nina Locke the mother of three children “who survive an unspeakable horror and attempt to rebuild their lives at Keyhouse, their family home in Lovecraft, Massachusetts.”  Want a more extensive synopsis?  You got it!  “It is a mysterious New England mansion, with fantastic and transformative keys hidden inside its walls that are also being sought by a hate-filled and relentless creature with ties to the Locke family’s past who will stop at nothing to accomplish his sinister goals.”  Sounds like spooky fun doesn’t it?  Expect Locke & Key to air on FOX this summer.  Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo, Never Let Me Go) is currently in negotiations to direct the pilot.

[Via Deadline]

Jorge Garcia joins Abrams’ upcoming FOX pilot ‘Alcatraz’

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Jorge Garcia is island hopping from one J.J. Abrams show to another.  Lost’s Hurley will be joining Abrams’ show about the famous prison Alcatraz.  And Deadline’s got some insight into the mysterious plot.  It “centers on a group of missing Alcatraz prisoners and guards who reappear in the present day.  It chronicles the efforts of a team of FBI agents to track them down and unravel the mystery behind their disappearance thirty years prior.”  And who will Garcia play, you ask?  A “hippy geek” Dr. Diego Soto, “the world’s foremost expert on Alcatraz.”  If you’re a Lost fan you must be feeling ecstatic!  Michael Emerson (Ben Linus) and Terry O’Quinn (John Locke) are returning to television in Abrams’ Odd Jobs (working title) and Garcia is set to return in another Abrams series.  Life is good, huh?

The Alcatraz spec script was written by Elizabeth Sarnoff (Lost, Deadwood), and she will serve as executive producer along with Abrams and Bryan Burk (Alias, Lost) on the Warner Bros. TV/Bad Robot project.  FOX picked up a pilot commitment for the show back in September, and production will begin in January.

[Via Deadline]

Today in Apple news: iOS 4.2, Apple TV 4.1 get unleashed; MobileMe Find My iPhone feature goes free

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If you are a proud owner of an iOS device today is your lucky day.  Apple has finally unleashed iOS 4.2, and it brings oh-so-much to the aging iPad and a handful of sweet features to the iPhone and iPod touch.  Here’s the laundry list of new features coming to the iPad: multitasking, folders (you can store up to 20 apps inside a folder), Game Center, and updates to Mail (Unified Inbox, fast inbox switching, a threaded message view).  In other words, it’s playing catch up with the iPhone and touch.  Also bear in mind that the physical toggle switch on the iPad’s side no longer acts as an orientation lock; now it’s a mute switch, just like it is on the iPhone.  The lock has been moved to the dock tray that also houses the iPod controls.  With the new update, all iOS devices will gain the ability to find and highlight specific words and phrases on web pages in Safari, select new fonts in Notes, beam video and audio with AirPlay, and print wirelessly with AirPrint.  Let’s talk about the latter two new features because they are exciting additions.  With AirPlay you can stream music, video, and photos wirelessly from your iOS device to Apple TV and AirPlay-enabled speakers.  On the video front, you can only stream files you’ve purchased from iTunes (or managed to convert to make playable in iTunes) and from YouTube.  If you try to beam video content from Netflix or the ABC app, for example, only the audio will cross over.  Bummer, I know.  If you want to print wirelessly with AirPrint, you must own a compatible printer; Apple says HP Photosmart, HP LaserJet Pro, and HP Officejet will be the first to support it.  iOS 4.2 is compatible with iPad, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, second and third generation iPod touch, and the latest iPod touch.  You’ll be prompted to update the next time you open iTunes.

Right on cue Apple TV owners received the 4.1 firmware update today, granting them the ability to harness the power of AirPlay.  That is, of course, if they also own a compatible iOS device.

Last, the MobileMe Find My iPhone feature no longer requires a MobileMe subscription to access and use.  Apple has turned it into an app, and it’s available in the App Store today.  In case you forgot, Find My iPhone helps you locate your missing device on a detailed map.  You can also have it display a message or play a sound to make finding your missing device easier.  And if you are forced to give up the search, you can remotely lock or wipe data from the lost device.  The free Find My iPhone feature is available for iPhone 4, iPad or new iPod touch (4th generation).

Look after the break for Apple’s PR.

[Via Engadget, here & here] Continue reading Today in Apple news: iOS 4.2, Apple TV 4.1 get unleashed; MobileMe Find My iPhone feature goes free →

Netflix pushes out $7.99 streaming-only plan, increases price of all unlimited w/ DVD plans

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Here’s an update for you from Camp Netflix.  A new $7.99/month plan gives subscribers the option to instantly stream TV shows and movies from their computer (or any Netflix-compatible device), and nothing else.  If you’re the type of couch potato that rarely orders new DVDs by mail on a regular basis, this is the plan for you.  If you prefer to stick with your current plan which includes unlimited instant streaming and DVD shipments there’s a price hike you should become aware about.  The two most popular unlimited plans–the 1 DVD out at a time and 2 DVDs out at a time–are a dollar more than before, so prepare to cough up that extra Washington.  Browse the chart embedded above to learn about the rest of the price increases.  With Netflix instant streaming and Hulu Plus both priced at a low $7.99/month, you can safely say it’s on.

[Via NetflixBlog]

Nintendo DSi goes orange and green for Black Friday

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Black Friday is right around the corner, and Nintendo know how to celebrate.  Starting November 26 you can pick up the Nintendo DSi in two brand new colors, orange and green!  The new colorful DSis will come bundled with a copy of Mario Party DS.  $149.99 is the price.  These new systems join the limited-edition red Nintendo DSi XL bundle and red Wii bundle in honoring the 25th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. game on the NES.  Mario Party? Really? Well, at least the new colors pop.  Look after the break to see the packaging for Mr. Green.

[Via Joystiq] Continue reading Nintendo DSi goes orange and green for Black Friday →

FOX announces midseason schedule, moves ‘Idol’ to Thursday, bumps ‘Fringe’ to Friday

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Today FOX announced their 2011 midseason schedule and it includes the return of Kitchen Nightmares and American Idol, four series premieres (The Chicago Code, Million Dollar Money Drop, Mixed Signals, Bob’s Burgers), and some series program shuffling.  American Idol will now air Wednesdays and Thursdays, and it will serve as a lead-in to Human Target and Bones on those respective days.  So what does all this mean for the fantastic sci-fi series Fringe?  Not good things.  Beginning January 28 the show will be bumped to Friday nights, also known as the the graveyard for ratings-deprived TV series (read: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse). Now before you start panicking, you should know that FOX has made this move with good intentions.  According to Deadline “almost half” the show’s viewers record-and-watch using DVRs, and FOX prez Kevin Reilly has high hopes that Fringe’s cult following will stick with the show no matter what night it falls on (you’ve got that right, partner!). “Fringe has a very particular, loyal audience,” says Reilly. “If [Fringe] could stay near the current levels, we’ll get a big trade-up on Friday and will solve our problem there.” Fringe will replace The Good Guys in the 9PM slot. Though they won’t commit to cancellation just yet, FOX has confirmed that Guys and Running Wilde will not be receiving additional episodes this season.

Update: I managed to find a juicier quote from Reilly on the Fringe Friday situation: “We are not killing the show. Over the last week, over 45% of the audience time-shifted the show. That’s almost half of the dedicated audience watching it on their DVRs. It’s been such a loyal fanbase. I will be really disheartened if the viewer base decides to not watch because it shifted one night. I hope they go with it, and if not they have the option of picking it up on their DVRs. If it does anywhere near what it did on Thursdays, we can glue that show to the schedule because it can be a big win for us.”  And there you have it–no need to jump to scary conclusions just yet, Fringe fans.

Look after the break to view the FOX midseason schedule.

[Via Deadline, here & here; EW] Continue reading FOX announces midseason schedule, moves ‘Idol’ to Thursday, bumps ‘Fringe’ to Friday →

Glee’s newest member Darren Criss lights up Billboard’s Hot 100 with first performance

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In “Never Been Kissed”, the November 9th episode of Glee, new cast member Darren Criss (he plays Kurt’s new best friend Blaine) sang Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and almost instantly crawled its way up  Billboard’s Hot 100 music chart.  The song debuted at #1 in digital track sales with 214,000 tracks sold.  This marks the first time any Glee song has made it all the way to the top.  Season 1’s Don’t Stop Believin’ made it to the #2 spot back in May 2009.  With the addition of the “Teenage Dream” cover, Glee has had a whopping 93 songs on the Hot 100 list.  The only other artist to rack up the chart-topping hits this high with 108 of ’em?  Elvis Presley.

In other related Glee news, another concert is in the works but this time the gang will be travelling overseas.  Glee Live! In Concert! will hit up Manchester, London, and Dublin this summer.  The show will include the following cast members: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Dianna Agron, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Harry Shum, Jr., Chord Overstreet, and Darren Criss.  Look after the break to see the European tour dates.

[Via Deadline; EW, here & here] Continue reading Glee’s newest member Darren Criss lights up Billboard’s Hot 100 with first performance →

South Park creators are doing a Broadway musical

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Matt Stone and Trey Parker, aka the creators of South Park, are writing a musical…for Broadway!  The plot does not revolve around Kyle, Stan, Cartman, and Kenny.  Stone and Parker are finalizing a story “about a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get.”  This is an elaborate musical they’ve been working on for the last five years.  And if you’re a fan of the brilliantly raunchy duo you should know that they hold a special place in their hearts for musicals.  Their very first feature film was Cannibal! The Musical (1993), and this was followed by Orgasmo (1997) which they say “should have been a musical”–they wrote it that way.  And although South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999) and Team America (2004) were not billed as musicals, Stone and Parker admit that they not-so-subtlety injected tunes into them because they just couldn’t help it.  If you’re an avid South Park fan I’m sure by now you’ve picked up on the creators’ passion for musicals.  With all that said, it shouldn’t come to a surprise that these guys are living their dream by actually making a live musical for Broadway.

Josh Gad (The Daily Show With Jon Stewart) and Andrew Rannells (Jersey Boys) are set to play the two male leads.  Other cast members include Nikki M. James, Rory O’Malley, and Michael Potts.  The Book of Mormon‘s music and lyrics are by Stone, Parker and Robert Lopez, the showrunner for Broadway’s long-running puppet show Avenue Q.  Stone and choreographer Casey Nicholaw will direct.  Preview performances begin February 24, 2011 in New York at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre and opening night is expected to roll around in late March.  Get your tickets now before they go on sale to the public at large!  Look after the break to hear Stone and Parker talk about the show.  You know it’s gonna be pure adulterated gutbusting insanity.

[Via SouthParkStudios] Continue reading South Park creators are doing a Broadway musical →

Dell Inspiron Duo to ship in early December for $549

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It’s official: Dell’s netbook/tablet hybrid is coming to market in the first week of December.  Underneath that conventional, super cool swivel design lies a dual-core Intel Atom N550 processor, 2GB of RAM, a Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator, and 250GB of storage.  In standard laptop mode, Windows 7 Home Premium is your OS.  Transform it into a tablet and you’ll be introduced to Dell’s Duo Stage UI made for fingers.  The 10.1-inch, 1366×768-resolution display can be backed with a coat of blue, black, or red.  The Inspiron Duo is priced at $549.  A JBL speaker dock will ship alongside it; you can get it bundled with the Duo and bring the grand total to $649.  Antsy to get your paws on this slick lookin’ lappy?  This teaser should hold you over ’til it’s sweet release.

[Via Engadget; Dell]