Snow White's war against the evil queen is behind us, but MTV Sneak Peek Week is still going strong. Our weeklong highlight of the summer's hottest movies continues tonight with "That's My Boy," the R-rated comedy in which Adam Sandler plays Andy Samberg's father. If that absurd premise has you hooked, then look no further: Samberg and his co-stars Vanilla Ice, Will Forte, Ciara and Eva Amurri are presenting an exclusive look at the comedy right here on MTV.com!
Few people out there would actively go out of their way to declare themselves the greatest dirtbag of the year. Then again, few people are Oliver Cooper.
The "Project X" breakout star is one of five nominees for the inaugural Best On-Screen Dirtbag award at the MTV Movie Awards this year. He's also the only one of the nominees doing everything he possibly can to convince the voting masses that he's the one destined for Golden Popcorn glory. In his latest campaign video, Cooper calls out Best On-Screen Dirtbag frontrunner Bryce Dallas Howard, saying that "the prettiest racist that [critics] have ever seen" would easily win an award for Best On-Screen Racist' but when it comes to the Dirtbag department, Cooper feels it's his "Project X" character Costa that deserves the win.
"Only one of the nominees was universally reviled [this year] as a dirtbag," Cooper's voice declares in his latest campaign video. "He was the only nominee who stole drugs from a drug dealer, put a midget in an oven, betrayed all of his friends and burnt down an entire neighborhood. Oliver Cooper is America's dirtbag."
See more of what he had to say in the video below.
In case you haven't heard, 2012 is the year of Channing Tatum. He kicked ass in "Haywire," broke hearts in "The Vow," busted guts in "21 Jump Street," all in one year. For his latest trick, Tatum will get naked' and you can get your first taste of his strip tease tonight thanks to our MTV Sneak Peek Week presentation of "Magic Mike."
Like "Snow White and the Huntsman" and "That's My Boy" the last two nights, Sneak Peek Week continues tonight with "Magic Mike." Our very own Josh Horowitz will be live on MTV at 11 p.m. ET with Tatum to premiere an exclusive clip from the Steven Soderbergh stripper flick, and they'll take the conversation online for a 30-minute Q&A right after. You can follow all the action on Twitter using the hash-tag #MTVSneak.
If that's not enough "Magic Mike" goodness for you, make sure to tune into the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday night (June 3). You won't be disappointed.
The name's Bond. James Bond. You know him from such recent films as "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace," but the spy with a license to kill has decades filled with other adventures worth pouring into. As such, we're looking back on Agent 007's past with this week's Watch It.
Meanwhile, we're also keeping our heads in TV land, as one of our writers goes back to the recent past with a Joss Whedon classic while another dives head first into the Battle of Blackwater. Get all that and more in this week's column!
"From Russia With Love"
In preparation for "Skyfall," I'm watching every single James Bond movie for a weekly look back at the super spy series. Over the weekend, I caught the second movie in the franchise, "From Russia with Love," for the first time ever. With all of the series' hallmarks firmly in place with the first film, "Dr. No," Connery's next outing as 007 fails to build off of the formula in any way or, at the very least, provide a thrilling climax. Connery's Bond will always be inherently fun to watch and a platinum blond Robert Shaw steals the show as SPECTRE assassin Donald Grant, but "From Russia with Love" is little more than the James Bond movie in between "Dr. No" and "Goldfinger."
-Kevin P. Sullivan, MTV Movies editorial assistant
"Game Of Thrones"
One word: "Blackwater." This past Sunday's episode was the best reason to watch "Game of Thrones" this season. One person on Twitter described it as "The Avengers" of television episodes, and I'd argue that the comparison is apt. It's clear that all the budget of this season went to making the Battle of Blackwater be as awesome as possible, and it succeeded so freaking well. Even as a die-hard Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen fangirl, I was totally fine with missing them for an hour so we could spend more time watching Tyrion Lannister "rain fire on them." Everyone from Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey to Rory McCann and Sophie Turner were in top form, and if Dinklage doesn't earn another Emmy for his performance in "Blackwater" alone, then I'm going to cut off half my nose in protest.
-Terri Schwartz, MTV Movies contributor
"Firefly"
Shame on me for hopping aboard the good ship Serenity so late. I'm a wholehearted sci-fi lover and a big fan of all parties involved, but still, I had somehow never seen a single episode of Joss Whedon's "Firefly" until this past Memorial Day holiday weekend. Now, I'm three episodes and a movie away from completing the saga of Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his crew. Already knowing some of the big spoilers coming my way (hear my preemptive sobbing over Wash!) isn't wonderful, but it doesn't detract from the sheer awesomeness of Zoe, Jayne, the Tams and the rest. If you, like me, are late to the "Firefly" game, it's streaming in its entirety on Netflix. Get on it, asap.
-Josh Wigler, MTV Movies Blog editor
"The Tudors"
While I have a list of TV shows I need to jump on the bandwagon for, I'm currently in the midst of re-watching Showtime's "The Tudors" on Netflix. The show interests me on many levels. For one, I'm a big fan of Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer. I love their chemistry as she plays the Anne Boleyn to his King Henry VIII, and since I watched the show while it was on television, it's been quite a few years since I saw them in the earlier seasons. I'm also infatuated with English royalty'specifically the reigns of Henry VIII and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I. While the show stretches its historical accuracy thin, I enjoy it for its entertainment factor as it creates a fictional world where my favorite historical characters come to life.
-Fallon Prinzivalli, MTV Movies editorial assistant
"Pretty Woman"
It was a hot and sticky holiday weekend here in NYC, and at one point the only activity I could manage was lying on my sofa, flipping through the TV channels. Then I found 'Pretty Woman.' This is a film I've seen many, many times, but it's one of those movies, like 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Dirty Dancing,' that I just have to watch if I happen upon it. It's not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, and the concept is ridiculous if you really think about it: A rich, handsome businessman gets lost in Hollywood, asks directions from a young, beautiful prostitute, soon they fall in love and presumably live happily ever after. But Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are so damned charming that you forgive all that nonsense and just go with it. The quality supporting cast (Jason Alexander, Hector Elizondo, Laura San Giacomo, Larry Miller) helps too.
-Tami Katzoff, MTV News producer
What are you watching this week? Let us know in the comments section below or hit us up with your watch list on Twitter!
Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.
Yes, the movie is called "Snow White and the Huntsman," but what's a movie about the "Fairest of Them All" without a little help from seven dwarfish friends?
To kick of MTV Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week and get everyone as excited as possible for the awards on Sunday, we have a brand new, never before-seen-clip from the upcoming fantasy epic, "Snow White and the Huntsman."
There were no MTV Movie Awards when 'Star Wars' was released in 1977 (there was no MTV yet, either). If there were, it's a safe bet that the film would have swept pretty much all of the categories. Aside from Movie of the Year and Best Cast, 'Star Wars' would surely have blown away the competition in these races:
Best Male Performance: Harrison Ford (Han Solo)
Best Female Performance: Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia)
Best Comedic Performance: Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
Breakthrough Performance: Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
Best On-Screen Transformation: Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
Best Fight: David Prowse/James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) vs. Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Best On-Screen Dirtbag: Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)
Though the entire original 'Star Wars' trilogy predated the Movie Awards, a notable honor was subsequently given to one of its most important figures. During the 1997 show, Chewbacca was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by host Mike Myers. Carrie Fisher was on hand to show her support, calling Chewy 'one of the kindest, gentlest creatures I've ever worked with.' My only hope is that this year's Lifetime Achievement honoree will be equally worthy.
In The Comlink, "Star Wars" fan and MTV News producer Tami Katzoff explores the glory days of a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Whether you're Team Jedi or Team Sith, friend of Wookiees or wanted by bounty hunters, any and all "Star Wars" fans are welcome along for the ride.
Almost six months after the fact, the first releases from this year's Sundance Film Festival are beginning to roll out. One of the most talked about movies from the fest, Rodrigo Cortés' "Red Lights" starring Robert De Niro and Cillian Murphy, is scheduled to hit theaters on July 13.
In the lead-up to release of the psychological thriller, we're unveiling four exclusive character posters from "Red Lights." The prints feature head shots of the four leads (De Niro, Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, and Elizabeth Olsen) with teasing phrases, like "What do you think you know?" and "Don't trust your eyes."
Check out the full posters and learn more about "Red Lights" after the jump!
In "Red Lights," Weaver and Murphy play paranormal investigators who specialize in uncovering frauds. When famous psychic Simon Silver (De Niro) comes out of retirement, Murphy's character becomes determined to reveal the show as a hoax. But as the posters tease, everything is not as it seems.
The supernatural thriller hits theaters on July 13.
What did you think of the character posters from "Red Lights"? Let us know what you think in the comments below and on Twitter!
In case you're late to the news, MTV Sneak Peek Week is back for the second year in a row in the lead-up to the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, and it all starts tonight (May 29) with "Snow White and the Huntsman."
At 11 p.m. ET tonight, "Snow White" stars Kristen Stewart and Sam Clafin will appear on MTV with our very own Josh Horowitz to premiere a brand new exclusive clip from the upcoming fantasy flick, out in theaters this Friday (June 1). Right after the on-air presentation, Stewart and Clafin will join Horowitz online at MTV.com for a live Q&A session. Follow the action on Twitter and send questions for the cast our way using #MTVSneak. We'll see you tonight!
It's no secret that readers become protective of their beloved novels when a film company takes on the ambitious task of turning it into a movie. Fans rally behind their favorite actors to play the lead roles and voice their concerns over the script staying true to the book. When it comes to Stephenie Meyer's, "The Host," the response has been no different.
Luckily fans have been warm to lead actors Saoirse Ronan and Max Irons, but will they be happy with the script? Cast your worries aside Meyer fans! When MTV News headed out for a behind-the-scenes look at the big-screen adaptation of Meyer's novel, she told us that she's had more input in this film thanks to director Andrew Niccol.
"Andrew and I work pretty well together, he's really, really great," Meyer said. "And so he was super easy to work with. In the script-writing process he loved to hear what I had to say and worked really well with me on that. He's really about, 'What do you think about this? What do you think about that?' I think [I have more input] because we are really in sync."
Both parts sci-fi and romance, Meyer's story follows the invasion of an alien race called Souls. Like parasites, they enter the human body, but these trespassers erase their host's personalities. When Melanie Styder's (Ronan) parasite, Wanderer, becomes engulfed in Melanie's memories instead of erasing them, she develops her own feelings for Melanie's love Jared (Max Irons) and allies with her host body to find him.
Meyer told us that filming the movie has been a welcome experience, partly due to a change of scenery'no more dreary Forks for this writer! "This [set] has beautiful landscapes everywhere we've been and so that's been kind of different, too. We're not in a forest where you can't really see, we have all this beautiful stuff. It's great."
And while the author is enjoying her time on set, she also revealed that she misses "Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
"It seems funny not to have Kristen here," she said. "'I'm on a set, why can't I talk to Kristen?' That's a little funny."
Have you read "The Host"? Are you excited for the movie? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!
There are few things that go better together than a great TV show or movie and beautiful graphic design. The latest artwork from the Breaking Gifs campaigns proves that beyond a doubt.
Also, famous voice actors do "Star Wars" and Bill Murray is really good at slo-mo in today's Dailies!
» This behind-the-scenes photo from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" forces you to smile. [Reddit]
At long last, we have an actual look at Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger on the set of "The Tomb" and they look, well, their age.
Entertainment Tonight aired a video report of their "The Tomb" set visit, and in it we see Schwarzenegger and Stallone looking a bit grayer than we've ever seen them before. We like the wizened looks, and it seems like it's in keeping with the movie's plot.
According to "The Tomb's" official plot synopsis, the film follows Stallone as Ray Breslin, "the world's foremost authority on structural security."
"After being framed by persons unknown, all of Breslin's ingenuity and expertise are about to be put to work in the most challenging test he's ever faced: escaping from a high-tech prison facility that's design is based on his own protocols. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Emil Rottmayer, a complex inmate with multiple shades of gray," the synopsis reads.
Multiple shades of gray, indeed. During the interview, the stars addressed why they think it took so long for the both of them to team up on the big screen. Apparently it was all about getting the timing right.
'The funny thing is we have tried, I think, our entire careers to always work together. We have talked about it for three decades and it never happened. I think we tried maybe too hard," Schwarzenegger said. "But now after the governorship, somehow this just fell into place.'
FROM MTV NEWS: Listen, we're just as excited about "The Dark Knight Rises" as you are. We've tracked the increasing clarity of Bane's voice. We've scoured every frame of the trailer for clues. Most importantly, we've been counting down the days until July 20, and frankly, that's just too far away.
So how does June 3 sound? That's the date we will be premiering exclusive footage from Christopher Nolan's conclusion to his Batman trilogy at the MTV Movie Awards live on MTV. It will be your best opportunity to catch a glimpse at the summer's most anticipated film before the July release date.
If the allure of the golden popcorn wasn't enough for you before, now you have no other choice but to check out the MTV Movie Awards live on Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET.
For the rest of the details about the "Dark Knight Rises" footage, head over to MTV News!
Though "Only God Forgives," Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling's follow-up to last year's head-explodingly-awesome first collaboration "Drive," was among some of the more painful omissions from this year's Cannes film festival, a short clip debuted during a mysterious screening at the fest.
Quint over at Ain't It Cool was among the lucky few who were able to catch a glimpse at the upcoming film, which follows Gosling as the son of a crime boss who must face off against a legendary cop after his brother gets into trouble.
The footage screened provided little context for the larger story overall, but, according to Quint, shared some stylistic qualities with "Drive," one being some intense violence.
The scene starts off in what is presumably a nightclub somewhere in Thailand, most likely Bangkok. Gosling sits in a room across from two men, who are drinking and watching a sad female performer. This being a Refn-Gosling film, the actor then gets up and smashes a glass into one of the guys' face. He then proceeds to beat both men, eventually dragging one of them down a hallway by the mouth.
Needless to say, it seems that Gosling and Refn have come back together to make a film in the vein of "Drive." The description of the footage alone has us eager to see what the duo have put together this time, and that's ignoring the wonderfully brutal picture of Gosling all bruised up that leaked a few months ago.
The more and more we hear about "Only God Forgives," the more we get the impression that the dynamic duo may be upping the brutality. (Let's not forget that Refn blew up Christina Hendrick's head and Gosling smashed a different one with his boot last time.)
There's still no word on when we may see "Only God Forgives," so we'll have to wait patiently for now with retro synth music playing in the background.
Are you looking forward to seeing "Only God Forgives"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!
Romance movies rarely offer a look behind closed doors. They'll show the couple on a pond ice skating in the winter or walking along the beach engaged in a conversation to define their relationship. But in this exclusive "Take This Waltz" clip, Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen mirror a married couple's everyday tasks as they have a small bout, following a scene of intimacy.
Williams plays Margot, a 28 year old freelance writer happily married to her husband Lou (Rogen). Their interaction in this clip sets up their visible love for each other. He looks affectionately at her saying, "I'm glad you're here." She treads over and wraps her arms around him as he's cooking breakfast. They end up in a giggly, playful embrace on the floor before things start to go south.
Their flirtatious banter comes to a halt when Margot asks him not to kiss her and call her baby at the same time. Frustrated, Lou gets up and continues making breakfast as Margot sips her coffee apologizing. And there lies the crack in her life that Daniel (Luke Kirby) may be able to fill.
When Margot meets her neighbor Daniel, an artist and rickshaw driver, she quickly begins falling for him. Soon she gives into her desire to be close to him and starts exploring this new relationship'despite her reservations telling her to stay away.
"Take This Waltz" hits theaters on June 29.
What did you think of this exclusive 'Take This Waltz' clip? Sound off in the comments and on Twitter!
by Adam Murphy
When it comes to Wes Anderson, moviegoers fall neatly into two piles: those who love him, and those who've never heard of him. What's that? His twee sensibilities are just a little too indie-quirky-cute for you? Well, 'Moonrise Kingdom' may surprise even the most jaded viewers. Sure, it's packed with Anderson's trademark strand of oddball whimsy, but for the haters out there, you will find a well-acted and tightly written 90 minute movie with enough heart to melt the iceberg that resides in your frigid chest cavity.
For those of you who aren't already picking up your Rushmore blazer from the dry cleaner to wear to the very first screening, here are five reasons to see 'Moonrise Kingdom.'
Children with Wilderness Training
Granted, "Moonrise Kingdom" is set in the 1960s, but aren't you sick and tired of these anemic wimps with their 'attachment parenting' and their 'peanut allergies'? Heck, I sure am. In "Moonrise," you'll find kids at their best: orienteering (sans iPhone), starting fires, and running through the wilderness wielding homemade weapons. Millennials, take note: kids used to earn merit badges not just for showing up, but for using every part of the wild boar he killed with the trap he made from a bunch of sticks and thistles.
Newcomers Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman
After months of looking at postage stamp-sized Quicktime movies of potential candidates, Anderson cast the young leads of "Moonrise Kingdom" perfectly. Gilman's dark hair, glasses, and overall fastidiousness remind us of a young Max Fisher, and Hayward has the style and demeanor of a miniature Margot Tenenbaum. These charmingly deviant youths carry the film effortlessly.
Elite Scouts (or, 'the Scouteratti')
There's something distinctly Andersonian about a (grown) man in (a child's) uniform. Edward Norton's Scout Master Ward is a leader of men; or, more accurately, a leader of boys. He is highly trained and prepared for anything that could possibly happen in the woods. Whether these skills translate to real life remains to be seen, but in an Anderson movie, why would you be concerned with actual reality?
The Soundtrack
This is another pitch-perfect soundtrack for Anderson. The only popular tracks you're likely to recognize are a few Hank Williams tunes that provide Bruce Willis' Captain Sharp with an atmosphere appropriate for steeping in his own lonesomeness. The real treats here are the excerpts from 'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra,' instructional 45s that break down for children the basics of classical music.
The Holy Matrimony of Bill Murray and Frances McDormand
Their relationship is embattled to say the least, but it's nice to finally see these two under the same roof. That's all.
The road to "Fury Road" has been a long, frustrating and confusing one. The fourth "Mad Max" film has long been talked about, vehicles and other set pieces have been constructed, and numerous A-list actors including Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron have been hired' but beyond that, very little has been done in the way of actually shooting the movie.
That might change very, very soon, if Theron is to be believed. MTV News spoke with the Oscar winner at the "Snow White and the Huntsman" press junket in London earlier this month, and she revealed that "Mad Max" will finally go before cameras in early June.
"Pacific Rim" has so many of my favorite things. It's a Guillermo del Toro monster movie. It's a callback to Kaiju and anime culture. It stars actors from three of my all-time favorite shows: Charlie Hunnam of "Sons of Anarchy," Charlie Day of "Always Sunny," and Idris Elba of "The Wire" (bonus points for "Luther"). I do not need to know anything else to guarantee my attendance on opening day.
That said, I won't say no to reading the "Pacific Rim" plot synopsis, which only serves to sell the awesome-sounding movie even further. Check out the full synopsis and Legendary Pictures press release after the jump!
From acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' epic sci-fi action adventure 'Pacific Rim.'
When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes'a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)'who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.
Oscar nominee Guillermo del Toro ('Pan's Labyrinth') is directing 'Pacific Rim' from a script by Travis Beacham ('Clash of the Titans'). Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Mary Parent are producing, with Callum Greene serving as executive producer.
The film stars Charlie Hunnam (TV's 'Sons of Anarchy'), Idris Elba ('Thor'), Rinko Kikuchi ('The Brothers Bloom'), Charlie Day ('Horrible Bosses'), and Ron Perlman (the 'Hellboy' films). The ensemble cast also includes Max Martini, Robert Kazinsky, Clifton Collins, Jr., Burn Gorman, Larry Joe Campbell, Diego Klattenhoff, and Brad William Henke.
Del Toro's behind-the-scenes team includes Academy Award®-winning director of photography Guillermo Navarro, production designer Andrew Neskoromny, editor Peter Amundson, and costume designer Kate Hawley.
Slated for release in Summer 2013, 'Pacific Rim' is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company
(via Screen Rant)
Tell us what you think of the "Pacific Rim" synopsis in the comments or on Twitter!
Two years ago, an impossible beam of bright light zapped out of an island and left "Lost" fans everywhere dumbfounded, for better or for worse. The series finale was polarizing, no doubt about it: was it brilliant? Was it moronic? Fandom remains divided on the issue to this very day, and we're marking the occasion with our own look back on "Lost" history.
Go back to the island, and find out what else we're watching, in this week's Watch It!
"Fifty Shades of Grey"
I hate to say it, but I've been consumed by "Fifty Shades of Grey." It's not a movie, but it certainly will be, which is why I decided to give it a read. As "Twilight" fan fiction, I definitely notice traces of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in the main characters of Christian Grey and Ana Steele. Christian is brooding, self-deprecating and impossibly good-looking, while Ana is clumsy, shy and doesn't realize her own beauty. The couple's S&M relationship is both sexy and ridiculous, but what really interests me is their connection sans the physical affair. I find myself in anticipation of their email correspondence more than their trysts in Christian's Red Room of Pain. I have about 20 pages to go and I'm embarrassingly considering buying the sequels. Does that mean I can no longer say reading the series is "research for work"? -Fallon Prinzivalli, MTV Movies editorial assistant
"Serenity"
Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex Film Festival, and the closing film of the fest remains to be my favorite: "Serenity." There's something about the way Nathan Fillion's Captain Malcolm Reynolds says, "I aim to misbehave" that lets me know a "Firefly" marathon will be happening in the Schwartz household very soon. -Terri Schwartz, MTV Movies contributor
"Sherlock" & "House"
This week I watched two TV finales -- the second season finale of 'Sherlock' and the series finale of 'House.' Both were sad, sweet and somewhat shocking. They also shared a major plot point (which I won't spoil here). You may be aware that the characters of Dr. House and his best friend, Dr. Wilson, were loosely based on Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. But here's another interesting fact that links the two series: Long ago, before most folks in the US knew of either of them, Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) played Hugh Laurie's (House) son on a really funny UK show called 'Fortysomething.' Check it out; it's available on Netflix. -Tami Katzoff, MTV News producer
"Lost"
I am an unapologetic "Lost" fan who unapologetically thinks that the show's final twist was pretty poor. Honestly, the final season missed the mark for me. But does the existence of an abstract world where all of our favorites heroes (and some of our favorite villains) get to hang out with each other for all of eternity take away from six years of awesome Sawyer one-liners? Does it kill the pure joy we felt when Sawyer, Charlie, Jin and Hurley successfully kick-started the DHARMA van in the jungle and drove around for hours to celebrate? Does it make Michael Emerson's Benjamin Linus any less creepy? I don't think so. (And if you think so, please refamiliarize yourself with the video below; that dude is way creepy). If any story has ever taught me the lesson of journeys versus destinations, it's "Lost." No silly endings will ever change my love for the six-year roller coaster ride Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse took me on. And if you'll excuse me, I'm going to leave work tonight and celebrate the anniversary by watching Jack Shephard land a flying death punch on Fake-Locke's face on repeat for two hours. -Josh Wigler, MTV Movies Blog editor
At long last, the end of the world is upon us! Not literally, no, but the fan-favorite trio behind "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" ' Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright ' are finally set to join forces again for "The World's End," their latest genre-bending picture about five old friends who reunite to replicate an epic pub crawl from their boyhood; calamity and hilarity ensue.
Everyone has a Bill Murray story. Come on, you know it's true: you have a friend of a friend who encountered Murray in a public bathroom, found himself on the receiving end of a headlock, and watched in horror as Murray explained, "Tell this to everyone, they'll never believe you." Without question, Murray's pranks, antics and unpredictable nature have become legendary at this point.
O! M! G! 'The Great Gatsby' trailer is out and the full film can't come soon enough.
It had me hooked from the moment I heard the pulsing beat of Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'No Church In The Wild.' From there, director Baz Luhrmann transferred 'Gatsby' fans to a glitzy, yet gritty take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age masterpiece, which was always the author's intent.
Decadent party scenes only mask the 'hysteria' of the Roaring '20s, fueled by bathtub gin and a sense of liberation that influenced the fashions (shorter hemlines!) and loosey goosey morals (sexy, sexy times all over the place!) of the time.
For the December release, Luhrmann recalls the vibe of his equally modern take on 'Romeo & Juliet,' which also starred his muse-like leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio. This time, DiCaprio is another ill-fated anti-hero. He's the main man, Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who could care less about his money and only wants one thing: his former love, socialite Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), to be his once again.
Luhrmann, a man who knows a thing or two about star-crossed lovers, perfectly plays their intense love affair against the firework-filled backdrop of their lives. But, it all turns dark pretty quickly for the pair. Deception, lies and jealousy can't keep these two together for long. The trailer also includes some key appearances from Tobey Maguire, who plays innocent bystander and narrator Nick Carraway, as well as Daisy's hubby, Tom Buchanan, played by Joel Edgerton.
This is hardly the first film adaptation of the classic novel (see the 1974 version with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow), but, it is the first in 3-D and probably the first that seamlessly matches the music of now with the vibe of then, the calling card of any good Luhrmann production.
The trailer seems to be a very good indicator that the director has found the perfect tempo to shape the story. It's not too fast and not too slow. And, it's all splashy, just like the Roaring '20s themselves.
Tell us what you think of the "Gatsby" trailer in the comments or hit us up on Twitter!
Thirty-five years ago this week, on the 25th of May, 1977, something pretty big happened. At the time, no one knew just how big the thing was. Because on that day, a new movie called 'Star Wars' opened in just a few theaters across the country. I think you know what happened next.
So this Friday, May 25th, why not do something to celebrate the anniversary of the event that brought us all so much joy? Here's a whole day's worth of suggested activities:
Make your bed: Deck out your room with 'Star Wars' linens. You'll be the coolest kid on the block.
Bake a batch of Wookiee Cookies: Get yourself some flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, chocolate chips and The Star Wars Cookbook. If cookies aren't your thing, the book also has a recipe for Bossk Brownies.
Learn how to use your lightsaber: Take a class with a saber master and release your inner Jedi.
Make a pilgrimage: There are lots of places you can go to really feel the Force. If you happen to be in the UK, you can visit the grave of Sir Alec Guinness at Petersfield Cemetery in Hampshire, or the former dwelling of Peter Cushing at Seaway Cottage, Whitstable, in Kent (you should probably limit your visit to outside the home). Or you can have an anniversary party at Elstree Studios, where much of 'Star Wars' was filmed. If you're in the US, you can do this.
Build a droid: Get all the plans you need to build your very own R2-D2 in various editions of 'Star Wars Blueprints.'
Watch a movie: Whether it's on VHS, LaserDisc, DVD or Blu-Ray, pop in a copy of 'Star Wars' and enjoy.
How will you be celebrating Star Wars Day? Let us know in the comments section below or give us a shout on Twitter.
In The Comlink, "Star Wars" fan and MTV News producer Tami Katzoff explores the glory days of a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Whether you're Team Jedi or Team Sith, friend of Wookiees or wanted by bounty hunters, any and all "Star Wars" fans are welcome along for the ride.
FROM MTV NEWS: The 2012 MTV Movie Awards are approaching fast and there's a lot to look forward to! For starters, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Logan Lerman will join us to debut the first official "Perks of Being a Wallflower" trailer. But before the big day, MTV is hosting our second annual Sneak Peek Week!
Starting Tuesday May 29 through Friday, June 1, we'll screen a few of this summer's hottest movies at Universal CityWalk. The lineup includes "Snow White and the Huntsman," "Magic Mike," "That's My Boy" and "Rock of Ages." But don't worry movie fans'for those of you not in attendance, the stars of the film will be on hand to debut an exclusive clip at 11 p.m. ET on MTV! Immediately following, you can head to MTV.com to see an exclusive Q&A with the actors.
Head on over to MTV News to read more about the films, see which cast members will be in attendance and find out how you can win a chance to attend Sneak Peek Week and the Movie Awards!
You're never too old for "Lethal Weapon." Too young, sure, but never too old, even if Riggs and Murtaugh are a bit past their prime these days.
Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, the man in the tuxedo with the shaken-not-stirred martini (or maybe it's a Heineken?) is back: James Bond has returned with the first official teaser trailer for "Skyfall," his first big-screen adventure since 2008's "Quantum of Solace."
Where "Solace" registered as a pretty serious disappointment among the 007 faithful, "Skyfall" looks to be upping the ante in all sorts of ways. A very disgruntled Bond is the man we meet at the beginning of the teaser, engaging in a round of free word association with an interrogator of some kind. He's asked to react with the first words that come to mind in response to "Country," "Gun," and "Murder." Easy enough answers: "England," "Shot," "Employment."
But when asked about the mysterious "Skyfall," James is initially silent, before answering "Done." Whether he means the mission is complete or the interrogation is over, it's clearly a raw point for the licensed-to-kill agent.
The remainder of the teaser features numerous quick cuts that tease new Bond gal Naomie Harris, a room filled with caskets draped in British flags, a train crashing through an area it has no business being in, Bond and M (played once again by Dame Judi Dench) staring off at an expansive field, and much more.
So, what have we learned? Let's review: Country? England. Gun? Shot. Murder? Employment. Skyfall? Done for Bond, maybe, but certainly not for us. We'll be first on line when it hits theaters on November 9 later this year.
Tell us what you think of the first official "Skyfall" teaser in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter!
Daniel Radcliffe could've done pretty much whatever he wanted after the eight-film "Harry Potter" franchise drew to a close. The young and fabulously wealthy Brit might have jumped headfirst into another studio-driven blockbuster or retreated to a quiet life of attending "Potter" conventions and swimming in a bank vault filled with gold coins. He could have run for prime minister, and won.
But Radcliffe did none of these things. Instead he signed on for a low-budget horror flick called "The Woman in Black," and turned it into a $126-million-grossing, sequel-spawning hit. Big ups to the former boy wizard for spotting hit material where many observers might have seen a curious career choice. For Radcliffe, though, it was all about trying something new -- including fatherhood.
"One of the things that was very attractive was, in terms of something I'd never done before, I'm playing a father in this," he explains in an exclusive featurette clip from the upcoming Blu-ray and DVD, which will be available starting May 22.
And savvy actor that he is, Radcliffe made an important casting choice that helped him convincingly portray a dad for the first time. "I have cheated slightly on that score, because I got my godson to audition for the part of Joseph, my son," he explained. "He was great, and he was adorable as well. He's the sweetest little boy. It's great, because you really can't fake that relationship."
Tell us what you think of the "Woman in Black" featurette in the comments section below or hit us up on Twitter!
FROM MTV NEWS: "You sunk my Battleship!" is not a line you'll hear in Peter Berg's big-screen adaptation of the Hasbro board game ("They don't sink our battleship," he reasoned when MTV News recently brought up the topic), but perhaps it's a phrase Universal execs are shouting in the general direction of "The Avengers" this morning.
Earth's mightiest heroes once again stand tall at the top of the box office pile, smiling down on a domestic weekend tally worth $55.1 million and a worldwide total of $1.2 billion. As it stands, Marvel's superhero flick is the fourth highest-grossing film of all time, and is well on track to beat "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" for third place. Meanwhile, after raking in only $25.3 million in its debut, "Battleship" is left languishing in the water. On the bright side for the Universal action flick, the movie already made $226 million worldwide, softening the blow of an otherwise disappointing domestic debut.
Get more box office updates over at MTV News.
If you're a fan of "Game of Thrones," the photo you see below should make you very, very happy. Your mind isn't playing tricks on you: that is indeed Jerome Flynn as the sellsword Bronn, taking aim with a fire-tipped arrow at an unseen enemy with Blackwater Bay at his back. That's right: the Battle of Blackwater is on!
It's the first official photo from "Blackwater," the highly awaited episode of "Game of Thrones" season two that finally, finally, thrusts viewers into the thick of an all-out battle (as in on screen, no getting-knocked-out-and-skipping-the-fight trickery) between Joffrey's allies in King's Landing and the forces of Stannis Baratheon. "A Song of Ice and Fire" mastermind George R.R. Martin wrote the episode, only adding to the list of reasons why fans are losing their minds in anticipation of the hour.
Before we get to "Blackwater," we'll have to encounter "The Prince of Winterfell" in this Sunday night's episode ' but whether we're talking about Prince Bran or "Prince" Theon is a matter of some debate. We'll certainly be tuning in either way. Here's a look at Tyrion and Varys from that episode.
Tell us what you think of the new "Game of Thrones" photos in the comments section and on Twitter!
When you think of a king of England and a president of the United States your mind rarely travels to outdoor barbeques and jumping in pools, but that's just what goes on in the "Hyde Park on Hudson" trailer'and Bill Murray lights up portraying Franklin D. Roosevelt.
While the film is based around real events, we're not sure how historically accurate the movie will turn out, but watching Murray take on the charm and gentle mannerisms of America's 32nd President is a jolly ol' delight.
Check out the first trailer below, and learn more about "Hyde Park on Hudson" after the jump!
Before 1939, no reigning king of England had ever visited America. But that summer FDR and his wife Eleanor (Olivia Williams) host the royals at their home in Hyde Park on Hudson, an estate in upstate New York. As war with Germany looms in the distance for Great Britain, the King is hoping the holiday will lead to the President's support. But the weekend gets a little out of hand as his loved ones conspire to make it a memorable one.
The visit is narrated by Franklin's distant cousin and cherished friend Daisy, played by Laura Linney. Through her eyes, the audience learns more than the toils of diplomacy and gets to the heart of love and friendship.
"Hyde Park on Hudson" opens in theaters on December 7.
What did you think of the first "Hyde Park on Hudson" trailer? Speak your mind in the comments and on Twitter!
Spoiler alert: No one says "you sunk my battleship" in "Battleship." But director Peter Berg has a very good explanation for that. No one said it in the movie because the Regents didn't sink the Navy's battleships.
By Jessica Marshall
Ahhh birth. The miracle of life. And one of Hollywood's favorite plot points.
Birth scenes in movies range from shouty and grunty to creepy and gooey and often leave viewers with the highly philosophical question: What is that baby really covered in?
You'll get birth scenes in spades when you catch "What To Expect When You're Expecting," the new star-studded rom-com opening today. Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Chris Rock and Anna Kendrick are just a few of the celebs who bring to life the wacky rollercoaster ride that anticipating a brand new bundle of joy can be.
It's loosely based on the bestselling self-help book by Heidi Murkoff (there's probably a well-worn copy stashed somewhere in your parents' house), and focuses on five couples as they anticipate parenthood. There are lots of preggo bellies, raging hormones, slapstick humor and moments of sheer terror ' err, joy.
But just like giving birth in reality, you should be prepared. There are many different types of cinematic births. Here is a smattering of a few of the more notable ones to get you ready for "What To Expect." Think of it like taking a pre-film Lamaze class.
Violent Birth: "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ' Part 1"
The birth of Renesmee, the half-vampire, half-human spawn of Bella and Edward Cullen, is a bloody good time. Punctuated by the sounds of ripping flesh, flashing red and yellow lights, and what seems like gallons of fake blood throughout, this highly anticipated birth scene flat-out induced seizures in several folks around the country who saw it in theaters. It's definitely not for the squeamish.
Water Birth: "The Back-Up Plan"
This rom-com stars Jennifer Lopez as a perennial bachelorette who gets artificially inseminated in a moment of desperation, only to meet her soul mate later that day. The film is notable for a certain scene in which JLo's character and her would-be baby daddy (Alex O'Loughlin) witness a home water birth, complete with a plastic inflatable pool, animalistic noisemaking, unidentified floating objects and a bongo-drumming hippy, played by a hilarious pre-"Bridesmaids" Melissa McCarthy. Words cannot describe this chaotic scene that brings the term TMI to a whole new level.
The Creepy Supernatural Birth: "Children of the Damned"
If you've always dreamed of having kids at the same time as all of your best friends, we're pretty sure you didn't mean it to happen like it does in this 1995 John Carpenter flick (a remake of a chilling 1960 classic) starring Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley and Linda Kozlowski. This horror movie opens with an evil presence sweeping through a small American town, mysteriously knocking up its female residents. Exactly nine months later, there's a blond baby boom that starts with a mile-long caravan of cars on their way to the hospital (which is actually a barn converted for the occasion) and ends with a shrill chorus of howling moms and mewling, questionably human, infants. This one isn't so much gross as it is creepy.
The Sympathy Pains Birth: "Nine Months"
Hugh Grant plays his signature role of the ever-bumbling bachelor in this 1995 Chris Columbus romantic comedy. When his girlfriend (Julianne Moore) finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, Hugh's character is forced to man up in the course of nine months and stick with her. He does, but not before he faints (along with the also-bumbling and squeamish doctor played by Robin Williams) in the delivery room after getting an eyeful of the process.
The '80s Birth: "She's Having a Baby"
Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern (long before she became the mistress of 'Downton Abbey') star in this late-'80s comedy from John Hughes about newlyweds adjusting to society's expectations of them ' namely that they immediately start popping out babies. The film is pretty light-hearted until the end, when they actually have a baby. Then it turns all crazy dramatic when there's a complication with the birth and Kevin Bacon's character ends up sobbing like a little girl in a hospital waiting room. Don't worry though, it has a happy ending.
Bonus ' The Man Birth: "Junior"
Now this one doesn't happen often in movies, but it bears mentioning because, well, it's not everyday that you see Arnold Schwarzenegger giving birth via c-section. The Governator takes one for the team in this 1994 Ivan Reitman comedy that reunites him with his 'Twins' co-star Danny DeVito, playing a devoted fertility research scientist who agrees to become a test subject and carry a baby to term ' in his own body. This one gets bonus points for the hilarious (and kind of terrifying) dream sequence brought on by pregnancy hormones in which Arnold's character gives birth to a baby that has his adult face.
What's your favorite weirdo birth scene? Sound off in the comments and on Twitter!
With "Prometheus" hitting theaters in three weeks, it's time for Ridley Scott to focus on returning to another one of his most famous properties: "Blade Runner." Warner Bros released a press release today saying that the new movie will officially be a sequel to the original, and that "Blade Runner" scribe Hampton Fancher will be back to help Scott develop the story.
Fancher and Scott originally conceived "Blade Runner" as the first of a series of films that would explore the themes presented in Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep." Though it took Scott three decades to do so, he's finally returning to that idea now.
Apparently the sequel will take place several years after the first film ended. But which version of the ending will Scott use going forward? We guess that's the downside of releasing seven thousand director's cuts of a film.
Scott confirmed to The Daily Beast that he had his first meetings for the "Blade Runner" sequel last week, so it sounds like that might be one of his next few projects. Following in the footsteps of "Alien," "Thelma & Louise" and now "Prometheus," Scott said that he plans to put a female lead front and center.
"Funny enough, I started my first meetings on the Blade Runner sequel last week," he said when asked about the status of the project. "We have a very good take on it. And we'll definitely be featuring a female protagonist."
Are you intrigued by a second "Blade Runner," or do you wish Scott just left well-enough alone? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter.
Welcome to Friendsies, where everyone's your friend, and everybody is welcome ' even wolves!
"Friday Night Lights" has no flaws, save for one: the Landry Clarke murder subplot. The NBC football drama misfired horribly in its second season when it turned bumbling geek Landry into a killer of rapists, and even the show's staunchest supporters can't overlook the laughably bad storyline.
But here's a Landry Clarke murder subplot-in-the-making we can all get behind: actor Jesse Plemons, the man behind the East Dillon Lions kicker, is joining another critically acclaimed television series, "Breaking Bad," in a role that's sure to get bloody before all's said and done.
TV Line reports that Plemons is set to star in the final season of "Bad" as Todd, "a dependable, innocuous, working-class guy" who "may not be what he appears to be." Popular theories peg Todd as an undercover agent of some kind who will work towards busting the case of Heisenberg and his addictive "blue stuff" wide open. If that's true, and if Todd's putting himself in the way of Walter White and his continued survival' well, we know how that's going to end.
Plemons is enjoying a nice run for himself these days. Despite the recent cancellation of his NBC series "Bent," the "FNL" alum has a starring role in this weekend's summer blockbuster "Battleship," reuniting him with another Dillon local, #33 himself, Tim Riggins ' better known to non-"FNL" nerds as Taylor Kitsch.
Tell us what you think of Plemons' "Breaking Bad" casting in the comments section below or hit us up on Twitter!
by Matt Adler
Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator' has invaded theaters, featuring His Excellency, the incomparable Admiral General Aladeen, in his feature film debut.
But the beloved Admiral General is far from the only despot to reign over the big screen throughout the years, so as a celebration of this momentous occasion in his glorious reign, we thought it might be instructive (not to mention entertaining) to take a look a back at some of filmdom's other most feared (or mocked) tyrants.
Pharaoh Rameses II
A heavyweight among our lineup of autocrats, Rameses II has roots that are not just historical, but biblical to boot. But it was the screen presence of Yul Brynner that brought him to life in modern times, as the vindictive and arrogant Pharaoh in 1956's "The Ten Commandments," who just doesn't know when to quit, even after Moses (Charlton Heston) tells him to 'Let my people go!'
Doctor Evil
Now, granted, the esteemed Doctor Evil doesn't actually have a nation or throngs of subjects to rule over. But he does have a doctorate from Evil Medical School, absolute control over a global megacorporation, a passel of fearful lackeys eager to obey his every whim (or else get dropped into a pit of fire), and he's come pretty close to conquering the world on a few occasions, throughout the "Austin Powers" film series. Combine all that with a management style that competes with some of the worst bosses in history, and you've got the makings of a tyrant that moviegoers won't soon forget.
Big Brother
Big Brother. A phrase so iconic, it's made it into our lexicon, not just as the name of a reality show, but as a synonym for absolute control over our daily lives. So who better to appear on a list of film tyrants than the original Big Brother, from the film adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel "1984"? The movie brings to life Orwell's warnings about totalitarianism, and as portrayed in the film by actor Bob Flag, Big Brother isn't so much of a person, as an idea; you are being watched, and therefore you must obey.
Emperor Palpatine
Sometimes a tyrant doesn't just prove their bonafides through their harsh rule, but by the means they came to power. Certainly that's the case in the films of the Star Wars Universe, where an ambitious Senator named Palpatine secretly used his powers as a Dark Lord of the Sith to subvert democracy, lure a young Anakin Skywalker to the dark side, exterminate his opponents, and set himself up as the Galactic Emperor. In the end, as tyrants tend to do, he meets a violent end, but not before cementing his place in movie history.
Adenoid Hynkel
Sacha Baron Cohen isn't the first person to have taken a look at real world dictators and decided they need to be taken down a peg or two. 1940's "The Great Dictator," starring screen legend Charlie Chaplin (who also wrote and directed the film), mercilessly ridicules the pompous Adenoid Hynkel, a not-so subtle parody of the real-life dictator who at that very time posed a threat to the entire world. Although the world would eventually discover the full and horrific extent of that dictator's ambitions, Chaplin's gutsy move to take on one of the world's most feared men proved that comedy can be one of the greatest weapons in the fight against those who rely on unquestioning obedience.
Who is your favorite film tyrant? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or hit us up on Twitter!
Kristen Stewart has been excited about "Snow White and the Huntsman." Like, really, really excited about it. Every time MTV News has spoken to the actress about her first blockbuster movie since she starred in "The Twilight Saga," she's expressed how much pride she takes in Rupert Sanders' theatrical debut. So when we caught up with Stewart at "Snow White's" junket, we had to ask if the movie met her expectations. It turns out that it did.
People, if you're not already hip to this lesson, let us give you a tip: cool guys don't look at explosions. It's just science, really.
Actually, what it really is, is a callback to one of the best movie spoofs in MTV Movie Awards history, when Andy Samberg and Will Ferrell teamed up with J.J. Abrams (what?) at the 2009 show to stress to movie lovers the most important lesson one can take away from the action movie genre.
"Prometheus' are you seeing this?" We are indeed, Elizabeth Shaw ' we just don't know exactly what we're looking at!
A brand new "Prometheus" viral video has hit the web this week, and it's very different from what we've seen before. There are no powerful TED Talks or awe-inspiring android tutorials to gaze upon today. No, today we're getting to know Doctor Shaw, the female lead played by original "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" actress Noomi Rapace' and what we're learning about her, while interesting, is nowhere near as alluring as the circumstances surrounding the video.
Take a look past the break!
In the video, Shaw speaks about the differences between what a scientist knows and what she believes. She talks about how she believes the answers to the secrets of life exist in a specific place, somewhere she knows how to get to, but somewhere she needs Sir Peter Weyland's assistance in traveling to.
What's most intriguing is that the video is supposed to be from the Weyland Industries Prometheus crew files, accessible by classified personnel only. Clearly, it's been declassified for us. And it's not just a case of Weyland letting us take a peek behind the curtain, either, not by the looks of it: the flash of "Yutani" at the end of the video indicates that Weyland's chief rival is going to play a role in "Prometheus."
On Friday, November 3, 2006, I left school particularly quickly to meet my uncle at a movie theater nearby. My Uncle Mike was always the cool uncle, who knew good movies, so he had made a point of seeing "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" the day it came out. You can probably see why he was the cool uncle.
In the weeks leading up to that day, Sacha Baron Cohen's first theatrical release was heralded as a wide variety of things, including "sexist," "offensive" and "the funniest movie of all time." Mostly unfamiliar with Borat's previous appearances on "Da Ali G Show," I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got was a new type of comedy that I'm still not sure I was ready for.
When "Borat" first came out, intrepid Kazakhstani journalist Borat Sagdiyev was more than an accent and the collection of catchphrases, like "Var niiccee!" and "How mauch?" that worked their way into frat boy-friendly pop culture references. Borat was shocking and dangerous in a way that most formulaic studio comedies wouldn't dare to be. Baron Cohen put himself in situation where he realistically could get hurt, but his dedication to the bit instead transitioned each encounter into classic comedy.
Baron Cohen's new film in theaters this week, "The Dictator," takes a head-on approach to criticizing both America and the foreign dictatorships it struggles against, but even without a main character seemingly ripped out of the front pages, "Borat" managed to comment on significant issues like the country's attitudes towards foreigners, racism and homophobia in a hysterically subversive way. Most of the laughs in "Borat" live and die with the audience's tolerance of awkward situations and the decimation of unspoken social agreements.
Though "Borat" hasn't necessarily aged well in the collective cultural memory'many now consider it a comedic fad along the lines of "Napoleon Dynamite"'but separated from that current standing, Baron Cohen's first major release remains his finest with his brand of brutally honest comedy still as biting as ever.
Call them "cult classics." "Guilty pleasures." "Comfort movies." We all have a mental rolodex of flicks that may not be terribly popular but, for one reason or another, they resonate in a very special way. Maybe you saw it at the right moment. Maybe you just see gold where everyone else sees feces. Whatever the case, these are the special favorites that you keep stashed away for sick days. These are some of ours. Tell us about your Sick Day Stash picks in the comments or on Twitter!
We've reached another potential milestone in the year of Channing Tatum. Having already punched faces in "Haywire" and melted hearts in "The Vow," he's set to punch more faces in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and melt more' somethings in "Magic Mike" in just a few weeks. Now, add another upcoming credit to the pile ' one that's more on the face-punching side, with a little heart-melting thrown in for good measure.
The "21 Jump Street" star (oh yeah, don't forget about that one too!) is reportedly in negotiations to star in "White House Down," Columbia's high priority action thriller being directed by the master of doomsday-scale filmmaking, Roland Emmerich.
Tatum would star in the "Die Hard"-styled action pic as a secret service agent and single father who is trapped inside of the White House when it's taken over by paramilitary forces. It's up to Tatum's agent to save the President and save the day. Nothing Chan-man can't handle, I don't think.
"White House Down" is said to be on the fast track with another similarly premised film, "Olympus Has Fallen," nipping at its heels. With Tatum in the lead and with Emmerich behind the wheel, something tells me it won't be long before we hear a whole lot more on this one.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
What do you think of Tatum's casting? Sound off in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter!
This week, two of the year's most critically praised films hit DVD, plus Criterion releases a modern classic for all of us to enjoy.
Check out all of this week's releases below.
Filming a movie inevitably puts an actor in one or two compromising situations, and during the shoot for "One for the Money," Jason O'Mara may have strayed farther than he and co-star Katherine Heigl were expecting.
With the Blu-ray and DVD for "One for the Money" hitting stores today, we have an exclusive look at the gag reel featured on the disc. During one of those unused takes of O'Mara and Heigl kissing, the actor's hands wandered a bit, making for a funny-awkward moment on set.
Today is a very special day at The Comlink. It is the birth anniversary of the man who changed our lives, mostly for the better, by sharing with us his dreams and visions. He's the man who forever altered the fabric of popular culture, the man without whom this column would not exist.
Of course I'm talking about The Creator, George Lucas.
Is there any filmmaker alive today who's had such a profound effect on his audience? Is there any filmmaker who has inspired such vehement worship -- as well as hostility? I think not. We love him and we loathe him, because of what he gave us and what he took away.
If you're reading this column you're more than casually familiar with his filmography. And if you've not seen the fascinating documentary called 'The People vs. George Lucas,' I urge you to do so. The doc, which made the rounds of festivals in 2010 and was released to theaters and DVD last year, tackles the enormous subject of the relationship between Mr. Lucas and those who have been touched in some way by his films (and there are a lot of us).
Director Alexandre O. Philippe shot more than 600 hours of footage over a span of four years to make 'The People vs. George Lucas.' He interviewed fans, critics, pop culture experts, and Hollywood insiders, trying to make sense of this strange, intense, dysfunctional relationship. But there were many more people who couldn't be convinced to participate.
'We approached everybody you can possibly imagine, and to be honest there were a lot of people who wanted to talk to us who were just afraid to,' Philippe says. 'So it was a really strange process to make that film. I mean you'd think you were talking about national security.'
The people that did agree to be interviewed, such as 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strikes Back' producer Gary Kurtz, spoke with both admiration and derision about Lucas, his work, and his legacy. But even now, after all his research and discussion, Philippe still can't fully explain the actions of our brilliant but impenetrable hero.
'At the end of the day,' he says, '[Lucas] is just as much a mystery now to me as he was four years ago. The stuff he's done, especially lately ' the changes to the Blu-ray, his reaction to the fans being angry with him and deciding he's not going to make any more 'Star Wars' films ' it's really baffling to me. I can't understand the guy, I can't understand the reasoning.'
Maybe it's better if we don't understand. George will continue to be George and the fans will continue to argue and gripe ' but don't we thrive on that, after all? 'It's kind of beautiful and interesting and crazy, this dynamic between George and the fans,' says Philippe. But he stresses that, love him or hate him, you've got to respect him. 'Anybody who says they don't respect George, I can't possibly take seriously,' he says. 'Anybody who's made something like 'Star Wars,' I mean, come on ' it's an extraordinary feat.' I wholeheartedly agree.
So let's wish George Lucas a very happy birthday' and offer him our thanks. He most definitely deserves that.
In The Comlink, "Star Wars" fan and MTV News producer Tami Katzoff explores the glory days of a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Whether you're Team Jedi or Team Sith, friend of Wookiees or wanted by bounty hunters, any and all "Star Wars" fans are welcome along for the ride.
What happens when you take the masterminds behind "Lost," "Supernatural" and "Iron Man" and put them on the same creative project together? Apparently you get something so heated that it shuts down electricity all across the planet. Not the greatest thing that could happen to mankind, no, but it might make for some very compelling television.
J.J. Abrams and Eric Kripke, together with director Jon Favreau, have joined forces for "Revolution," a new television series hitting NBC in the fall. Set in a world where all forms of electricity have been shut down for fifteen years, "Revolution" tells the story of the survivors living in the post-power world. Among those survivors are a certain "Twilight" favorite, a "Breaking Bad" master villain, and one of the counselors from Camp Firewood of "Wet Hot American Summer" fame.
Check out the first full trailer for the new series beyond the break!
When it comes to the power of movie magic, one of the greatest ingredients for creating a memorable theatrical experience is the film's score, no matter how big or small.
I'm a little biased on this subject because I am a huge film score nerd. For me, a movie isn't "great" unless it also has the music to match. Where some people might be excited to see "Dark Shadows" because it's another Tim Burton/Johnny Depp quirky collaboration, I get excited because I know that we will likely get more movie music from prolific composer Danny Elfman, who delivered us the memorable scores for Burton's "Batman," "Edward Scissorhands" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," among countless others.
Much like Burton's working relationship with Depp, the director and his composer have a shorthand when it comes to working out a film score. And by "shorthand," that means that they don't really have to talk about it at all.
'We don't talk about it up front," Elfman told MTV News about his and Burton's initial scoring process recently during the press day for "Dark Shadows."
"[Tim] has nothing to say starting now. Some directors in a spotting session, that's when you first look at the movie and break it all down to cues, however many cues, where the music starts and stops. And he always says, 'Music starts, music stops.' Sometimes he'll tell me a little bit about how he feels about a scene, not about the music, but a sense of a scene. A little bit of information. Other than that, if the movie's an hour forty, our spotting session is probably two hours. It's short."
"I've been with a director that took two days to spot a movie because they had to go over the backstory of every scene and talk about and describe and every detail. Which really in the end, the scene just is what it is, and you have to come up with ideas and give the director things to respond to," Elfman explained. "Now, with Tim, everything's visceral, he doesn't think anything out of music. He doesn't plan and think about it, strategize, or get analytical in any way. He wants to hear it and respond. So it's a complete sense of 'Look, you come up with ideas, I'll respond.' And then he does have a lot to say as we're getting into it, but he'll never come in and say, 'It should be this kind of score, that kind of score.''
For those listening closely to his score for "Dark Shadows," you'll hear a variety of musical influences, from synthesizers to classic rock to "The Legend of Hell House" and "The Shining."
'The fun part here was the small part of the score because there's a certain point where finally I hit on a cue, and it's what we called, 'The Dark Shadowy part,' where it's just three instruments and synthesizers and it's very 70's-sounding," Elfman said of finding the appropriate theme or through line for "Shadows." "And that stuff was really fun. I knew that when we did use synthetic sounds we were going to want them to be probably very much of the era, so I did a lot of programming of the sounds, and we talked early on about a movie called 'Legend of Hell House' as a model, which had an atmospheric score, all weird sounds."
Elfman also took cues from the original TV series, a few of which he inserted into the score just for the fun of it.
"The cool thing about the original music is that it was really interesting, it wasn't like a soap opera, at all," Elfman said. "It was actually very eerie, an odd, strange orchestration so, I actually latched right on to a few key moments and a couple of motifs I took some from the TV score and used them. And I knew nobody would really recognize it, it was more for Tim than I, the enjoyment of it, because there's a little flute line that they use in the thing. It's like, 'This is cool.'"
The next 'cool' music you'll hear from Elfman is in "Men In Black 3," followed by Burton's "Frankenweenie," and then Sam Raimi's "Oz, The Great and Powerful."
Which Elfman score is your favorite? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!
If you've been following movies anytime since 2008, then you're probably acutely aware of what Robert Pattinson's eyes look like'especially if you're a frequent shopper at Walmart. Well, guess what? They're back.
The promotional poster for "Mission: Blacklist" was released by Embankment Films. The image casts a shadow around Pattinson's face only revealing his glowing peepers. The tagline for the film stands out in white among an assortment of letters and reads, "In a world of lies, only one man can see the truth." Standing out towards the bottom of the poster is the name Saddam Hussein.
Check out the full poster and read more about the film after the cut, and thanks to Mission Blacklist Film for the heads up!
Based on a true story, the film is an adaptation of Eric Maddox's book "Mission: Black List #1: The Inside Story of the Search for Saddam Hussein'As Told by the Soldier Who Masterminded His Capture." It recounts the tale of the man who played a vital part in the capture of terrorist Saddam Hussein.
The film is set to be sold at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival this month and was described by the film's producer Ross M. Dinerstein as "a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller."
He told The Baltimore Sun, "I have been inspired by Robert and [director] Jean-Stephane's dedication to tell this story in the most authentic way possible."
The recent "Prometheus" featurettes have made it really hard to go into the movie spoiler-free. The latest one includes some new footage and a basic set-up of the movie's plot, so if you're looking to avoid plot details for the upcoming movie, our advice is to not read past the jump.
Now we already know that "Prometheus" deals with two big questions: who are we, and where did we come from? This new featurette deals with both of those questions and expands on how director Ridley Scott tried to base the film in some form of reality.
The three and a half minute long video has plenty of new reveals. We get a closer look at the aliens the Prometheus team is facing in this movie, as well as whatever face-hugging creature attacks Logan Marshall-Green. With the added context of Noomi Rapace's character's search to find the alleged alien origins of humanity on Earth, the pieces of the plot have begun to fall into place.
But no matter how excited we thought we were for this movie, our interest jumped to a whole new level when Scott promised that "what I want to do is scare the living s--t out of you." Badass.
The new images are not as revealing, but just as great to look at. They offer a clearer look at the alien civilization found on the planet Prometheus journeys to, as well as a tease of the advanced technology used on their ship.
"Prometheus" is due out in theaters on June 8. It stars Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron.
What did you think of the new "Prometheus" featurette and images? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!
When it comes to creative iPhone cases, it's kind of hard to beat this one from Reddit featuring a tiny Han Solo frozen into carbonite. It will, however, leave an impression of Harrison Ford's face in your jeans.
Also, movie talkers get a talking to from Michael Madsen, and Damon Lindelof talks "Prometheus" in today's Dailies!
» I can't decide if the violence of "The Raid" is more or less disturbing when done to claymation cats. [Twitch]
Few actors will completely throw themselves at a role like Johnny Depp. He always seems fascinated by the character, and that interest really comes through when he speaks about his work.
For "Dark Shadows," Depp's interest in Barnabas Collins comes from the contradictions within the character. Yes, he's a vampire, but he never wanted to be. For Depp, that's where the fun comes in.
This week, the buzzword in the Star Wars universe is not actually a word at all, but a number: 1313, to be exact. Everyone's wondering why Lucasfilm purchased domain names relating to 'Star Wars' and those mysterious digits.
Many theorists say it has something to do with a long-awaited Boba Fett movie, but Eric Geller of TheForce.net doesn't buy it. 'My best guess is that '1313' refers to Thursday, January 3rd, 2013,' Geller says. 'They may be planning to unveil the starwars1313.com website this fall and use it to tease an announcement that will be made on 1/3/13.' But why a Thursday? 'I have no clue,' Geller admits. 'It's an odd day of the week to make an announcement, but maybe they really wanted the double-13 repetition factor.'
Geller also has a notion about what exactly Lucasfilm will announce on 1/3/13. 'I think it will be details about Seth Green's animated series. Seth Green and his team have been working on this show for a while, and Lucasfilm must be getting close to finalizing certain details.'
Bryan Young of BigShinyRobot.com agrees. 'The story in my head is this: From what I can piece together about the show, it's about the entertainment in the Star Wars universe without the war. What if 1313 is the in-universe channel on the holonet they're putting their content on?'
What if, indeed? Let the conjecture continue'
Also this week comes news that should be appreciated by anyone who has ever asked herself: What gift do you get for the Star Wars fan who's got everything? Well, you get her frozen in carbonite!
That's right ' now, for about a hundred bucks plus the price of admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can carbon-freeze yourself, sort of.
I'm not sure I like this idea; though Han Solo looks great in carbon I don't think it would suit me. How about you ' is this a trinket you just can't live without? And do you have your own theories about Star Wars 1313? Let us know in the comments section below or give us a shout on Twitter!
In The Comlink, "Star Wars" fan and MTV News producer Tami Katzoff explores the glory days of a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Whether you're Team Jedi or Team Sith, friend of Wookiees or wanted by bounty hunters, any and all "Star Wars" fans are welcome along for the ride.
One way to ensure your political campaign doesn't go as planned is to punch a baby square in the face. Will Ferrell's character in the upcoming comedy "The Campaign" is sure to learn that the hard way.
Earlier in the week, two fictional campaign ads for Ferrell's and Zach Galifianakis' characters showed up on their respective Facebook pages, but now Apple has a full-blown trailer for the Jay Roach-directed political satire.
Check out the full trailer after the jump!
Once the film that every actor in Hollywood clamored to join, Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" has lost two more cast members. Sacha Baron Cohen and Kurt Russell have both dropped out of Tarantino's Southern-set western.
As The Playlist originally reported, Baron Cohen announced during his interview with Howard Stern that his commitments to the press circuit for "The Dictator" made it impossible for him to film the part, which he described as a cameo. He was set to play Scotty, a sort of man-child who comes to own the title character's wife. The role was supposedly re-written for Baron Cohen, and there's been no word on who may replace him.
There is far more mystery surrounding Russell's departure. Variety broke the story but could provide no explanation for the move. Russell took the part of Ace Woody, a slave trainer, after Kevin Costner turned down the role. The current rumor going around is that instead of recasting Woody, Tarantino has decided to drop the character from the film all together. However, this is still a tenuous rumor at best.
We broke the news last month that Joseph Gordon-Levitt had to ultimately turn down a small role in order to focus on his directorial debut. When we spoke with Gordon-Levitt, he only had kind words for the film and Tarantino. "I've been in touch with Quentin about it, and it was so cool to trust me to do this little part in his movie," Gordon-Levitt said. "I would have loved, loved to have done it. He's one of my very favorite filmmakers, and he was really supportive of me directing and that meant the world to me."
But before we all begin to panic about the state of "Django Unchained," we should remember a few things. All of the roles in question were relatively small. Scotty only appears in a minor subplot of the film, while Ace Woody is more of a background player in the scenes involving Leonardo DiCaprio's Calvin Candie. Secondly, this is a Tarantino movie we're talking about. With great lead actors firmly in place and another classic script, we don't have too much to worry about.
What do you think this means for "Django Unchained"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!
