Check it out. Film opens everywhere March 9th.
Read more on Final John Carter Trailer!…
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Author: Clayton Davis
February 29, 2012
Author: Joey Magidson
February 29, 2012
The latest comedy from the Judd Apatow stable isn’t quite up to what the usual standards represent, but ‘Wanderlust’ is a sufficiently weird mix between cult filmmaker David Wain and the Apatow sensibility. It doesn’t hurt that the talented cast (led by Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) is extremely game for what Wain and his co-writer Ken Marino have cooked up for them. It’s certainly a somewhat mainstream Wain project (much like ‘Role Models’, only weirder), but it’s pretty out there at times. If this sounds like a bit of a mixed bag, it’s because it really is one. It often lacks focus and doesn’t really have a big comedic high point to really get the funny shooting out at you. That being said, I laughed a lot during this 90 minute flick, and got 3 or 4 really big belly laughs, and if a comedy can do that, you tend to be very forgiving of it. I’d never argue that it’s a great film, but it’s not hard to call it the funniest movie of 2012 so far. There hasn’t exactly been much competition so far, but it certainly does its job and entertains you from start to finish. I’d never say to mistake this for some comedy masterpiece, but the acting, directing, and writing are all working on all cylinders to make you laugh…and the effort is not in vain.
Read more on Wanderlust (***)…
Categories: Film Reviews
Tags: Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Ambrose, Malin Ackerman, paul rudd, Wanderlust
Tags: Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Ambrose, Malin Ackerman, paul rudd, Wanderlust
Comments: 3 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 29, 2012
The new trailer for Marvel’s “The Avengers” is up. The film hits theaters on May 4, 2012. Check it out!
Read more on Trailer: The Avengers…
Categories: Trailer
Tags: Hulk, iron man, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Marvel, robert downey jr, Summer Blockbuster, Superhero, the avengers, Thor, trailer
Tags: Hulk, iron man, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Marvel, robert downey jr, Summer Blockbuster, Superhero, the avengers, Thor, trailer
Comments: 4 Comments |
Author: Joseph Braverman
February 29, 2012
Wow…I’m going to have to really take a breather on this one, folks. American Idol last night proved to us that it will definitely be hard to replicate the magic of last season. I know, it really was awful having Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina as the final two standing, but there were so many better performers overall, even in the Top 24! And what the heck is with Jermaine Jones coming back? He may have sounded better than he normally does, but his Luther Vandross impression was underscored by a blatant manipulation on the part of the producers. Seriously, they are pulling a Melanie Amaro situation with Jermaine, guaranteeing him a spot in the Top 13 by pimping out his possible return. How is that fair to the other twelve guys who worked hard to make it, and weren’t given a huge advantage like that on a silver platter? On top of that, how the heck are they not allowing another girl through to balance it out?! Idol voters are known for favoring men over women, so this gender skewing once again proves that the ladies’ best interests aren’t at heart. I have to also agree with my editor, Clayton Davis, in saying that tonight’s performances were by and large mediocre. With the exception of maybe four individuals, I’m not really excited about anyone from the boys’ side. I’m going to be doing things a bit differently in my recap this week since we are now at the live rounds. Instead of delivering a review based on the sequential order of when the Top 13 boys performed, I will be counting down from worst to best. Let’s have at it! Read more on American Idol Recap: Reviewing the Top 13 Boys…
Categories: TV/Music
Tags: american idol, american idol recap, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, fox, fox network, Heejun Han, Jennifer Lopez, Jeremy Rosado, Jermaine Jones, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Randy Jackson, reality television, reality tv, Reed Grimm, Ryan Seacrest, singing competition shows, Steven Tyler
Tags: american idol, american idol recap, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, fox, fox network, Heejun Han, Jennifer Lopez, Jeremy Rosado, Jermaine Jones, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Randy Jackson, reality television, reality tv, Reed Grimm, Ryan Seacrest, singing competition shows, Steven Tyler
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Author: Joey Magidson
February 29, 2012
The idea behind the action flick ‘Act of Valor’ isn’t a bad one at all. Making a film about the heroics of the military using real soldiers and tactics is something at least a little new. It’s just the execution that’s on the bad side. The script is incredibly awful, the direction is poor, and the acting is perhaps even more stilted than is to be expected. Combine all that with a way oversimplified view of war and the end result is something reverential to its subject matter without being worthy of it. Co-directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh started off with a terrible script by Kurt Johnstad and did nothing to improve it at all. They ram every cliche home without the smallest bit of irony, film the battle scenes in a way that prevents you from usually being able to tell what’s going on, and somehow manage to keep you from identifying at all with these real life heroes…pretty much the point of the entire film.. This is more like watching a friend play the video game “Call of Duty” than watching an actual film. Now, individual moments work and it’s hard to argue that the movie doesn’t have its heart in the right place (unless you want to make the case that this is just propaganda and glorifies something that shouldn’t be glorified, but I’ll leave that to a different sort of discussion), but it’s just not done in a way that makes for an enjoyable or quality film.
Read more on Act of Valor (**)…
Categories: Film Reviews
Comments: 5 Comments |
Author: Joey Magidson
February 29, 2012
Yes, it seems like at least once a year these days Harvey Weinstein/The Weinstein Company is locked in battle with the MPAA ratings board. From successfully appealing to change the NC-17 ratings of Kevin Smith’s film ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’ and Derek Cianfrance’s ‘Blue Valentine’ to R ratings to his current losing battle of the rating of the documentary ‘Bully’, it seems that there’s always a fight. Here’s the latest on the current one from Deadline:
Read more on Harvey Weinstein is in another fight with the MPAA?…
Categories: News
Tags: Bully, controversy, documentary, Harvey Weinstein, MPAA, the weinstein company
Tags: Bully, controversy, documentary, Harvey Weinstein, MPAA, the weinstein company
Comments: 5 Comments |
Author: Joseph Braverman
February 29, 2012
After you watch the premiere episode of FOX’s The Finder, you may want to re-title the show: ‘The Forgotten.’ It’s not a certainty that this spinoff from Bones will find itself canceled anytime soon — Idol’s lead-in certainly helped matters — but I doubt it’ll be on the FOX lineup for more than maybe a year or so. The problem with this show is that you would never guess it’s a spinoff of Bones unless you had watched the entire sixth season of FOX’s long-lasting procedural drama. Within Bones’ sixth season, one of the episodes, appropriately titled, “The Finder,” introduced us to the sarcastically charming ex-Iraqi vet, Major Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults) and the jovial crew that accompanies him (Michael Clarke Duncan and Mercedes Mashon). We learn from this episode that Sherman had a brain injury due to a roadside bomb while on active duty in Iraq, consequently resulting in paranoid mannerisms and an unflinching desire to “find” things. Unlike the protocol that your typical law enforcement would employ in an investigation, Sherman uses roundabout methods based on random leads, wild theories, and unrelated events in order solve cases. Miraculously enough, that seemingly unreliable investigative system actually winds up panning out. Yep, and that is where The Finder’s plausibility gets chucked out the window, and the show ceases to grip me in any grounds of reality. Read more on TV Review: The Finder (*1/2)…
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Author: Clayton Davis
February 29, 2012
American Idol Season 11 is officially kicked off. Staff writer Joseph Braverman and I will be writing up some commentary following each show throughout the season. Look for Joseph’s recap later on.
These are quick reactions to the show this evening which was “Producer’s Choice.” If we were already a bit out of control, the producers set some of the contestants up for failure. I’ve watched the show twice to take all the performances in thoroughly. Initial thoughts about the season and the judges:
Read more on ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Guys (Editor Recap)…
Categories: Editor, TV/Music
Tags: american idol, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Francweicz, Heejun Han, Jeremy Rosado, Jermaine Jones, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm
Tags: american idol, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Francweicz, Heejun Han, Jeremy Rosado, Jermaine Jones, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm
Comments: 5 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 28, 2012
American Idol Season 11 voting rounds kick off tonight. Joseph and I will be highlighting the season and critiquing the performances throughout the competition.
Here are some song spoilers from The Idol Pad and MJ’s Big Blog
Also Top 12 Rankings and commentary after the jump.
Also note that Jeremy Rosado will probably perform last.
Adam Brock – “Think” by Aretha Franklin
Creighton Fraker – “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
Eben Christian Franckewitz – “Set Fire To The Rain” by Adele
Jeremy Rosado – “Gravity” by John Mayer or Sara Bareilles
Reed Grimm – “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera
Read more on American Idol Song Spoilers…
Categories: Editor, TV/Music
Tags: american idol, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, Heejun Han, Jeremy Rosado, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm, television, tv
Tags: american idol, American Idol Season 11, Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Creighton Fraker, Deandre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, Heejun Han, Jeremy Rosado, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm, television, tv
Comments: 1 Comment |
Author: Joey Magidson
February 28, 2012
Fresh off of the Oscars here at The Awards Circuit, it’s time for the DVD column! This week, one of the big winners from the ceremony hits store shelves, along with, well…not too much else of note. It’s not a complete one and done type of week, but aside from the film you can easily guess is my top pick, there’s a definite visible drop-off in the quality of title available today. That’s hardly a big deal though, as we’ve been spoiled in weeks past and have some good ones still to come on the not too distant horizon. Anyway, we’ll get to them when the time is right, but for now, let’s focus on what we have right now. For my PICK OF THE WEEK, I chose one of the Best Picture nominees, a film with 5 Oscar wins this past Sunday evening, and a very different work from an esteemed director. This shouldn’t be a hard one to guess. If by any chance you’re stumped though, I won’t leave you hanging. It’s:
Hugo
I didn’t fall head over heels for this work like some did, but I definitely liked how it was essentially a Film 101 class as taught by Martin Scorsese under the guise of a children’s film. It’s just as technically proficent a work as he’s ever done, and his first foray into 3D is one of the best uses to date of the format. The writing and acting couldn’t quite match up to the direction, but this is definitely a very good movie overall. It wasn’t a huge blockbuster, but it’s doing decently theatrically, and now that it’s available on Blu-Ray and DVD, many more people will take this journey. I fully endorse booking that trip!
Read more on Joey’s DVD Picks of the Week (2/28/2012)…
Comments: 7 Comments |
Author: Joseph Braverman
February 28, 2012
Last night aired the official last blind audition episode of NBC’s The Voice (thank god), and now we can finally move on to the “Battle Rounds” next week. I am not going to lie, as much as I’ve been praising this singing show into the stratosphere, even I felt like the final blind audition episode was weak on talent and entertainment. There was only one individual who really roused me out of my seat to take notice, but the rest just kind of floundered with mediocre performances. It was frustrating to see the judges fill their slots with contestants who really could have been passed over just a few episodes ago. I’m not saying the talent was bad, but when you have Cee Lo Green choosing garage band, rock wannabes just to get his numbers crunched into completion, you really have to throw your hands up in anger. Look, what was so wrong about recycling last season’s formula by having the last blind audition episode bring back past contestants who were shunned initially, but still deserving of a second chance? I absolutely love Wild Card shows, because it can provide a great redemption moment for our entertainment purposes, and we can see deserving contestants, who may have just had an off-performance day, come back to make their case as to why they have one of the best, most unique voices in America. Heck, one of last season’s ‘Top 8,” Casey Weston, was a Wild Card contestant last year who was selected on Adam’s Team after it was decided that previously eliminated contestants were given a “second chance” for a blind audition. I’m not sure why we needed to be introduced to more new contestants, as it would have been more fun seeing Winter Rae, Dez Duron, and Dylan Chambers all come back to fight for a spot in the remaining slots of each judge’s team. With Thursday night’s Idol Wild Card show coming up, I’m going to probably end up giving the singing show face-off point to Idol this week. Unless we end up with a horrible Top 13 (which caused Season Nine to be Idol’s worst year), I can’t imagine The Voice will be stronger in quality at week’s end. Before we take a look at the final successful acts who made it past the blind auditions, check out some of The Voice rejects after the jump. Read more on ‘The Voice’ Recap: Blind Auditions #5…
Categories: TV/Music
Tags: american idol, blake shelton, cee lo green, christina aguilera, nbc, reality television, reality tv, singing competition shows, The Voice, the voice recap, the voice recap blind auditions
Tags: american idol, blake shelton, cee lo green, christina aguilera, nbc, reality television, reality tv, singing competition shows, The Voice, the voice recap, the voice recap blind auditions
Comments: 1 Comment |
Author: Anna Young
February 28, 2012
Dancing with the Stars is back people!!!! Get excited! Dancing with the Stars has become one of the most entertaining shows on television. It’s great fun watching the celebrities we love and hate learning to dance and fighting each other to win. Dancing will air on March 19th on ABC. This morning on Good Morning America the cast of season 14 was revealed and I, Anna Belickis, have the list of contenders.
Read more on Dancing with the Stars Season 14 Cast Revealed…
Comments: 2 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 28, 2012
Yep…We’re already doing it.
Year-In-Advance Predictions for 2013 are on the sidebar and below. Full commentary for each category will be coming throughout the next week or so on the actual Oscar pages. Looking this far out can never be right but there is a whole bunch of buzz surrounding Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and I’m very skeptical about Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby.”
I’m also anticipating a huge disappointment for “The Dark Knight Rises” and I know fanboys will be cheering on Tom Hardy in Supporting Actor but that don’t look like it’s happening. A full look at the year’s films will be highlighted throughout the month by all the writers so be on the lookout for those. Check out the year-in-advance predictions after the jump.
Read more on 2013 Year-In-Advance Predictions!…
Categories: Editor, Oscar Predictions
Tags: Argo, Brave, Django Unchained, Hyde Park on Hudson, kathryn bigelow, Life of Pi, Lincoln, On the Road, oscar predictions, Oscars, Terrence Malick, The Master
Tags: Argo, Brave, Django Unchained, Hyde Park on Hudson, kathryn bigelow, Life of Pi, Lincoln, On the Road, oscar predictions, Oscars, Terrence Malick, The Master
Comments: 47 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 28, 2012
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It’s been 24 hours and I’m joined by Joey, Robert, Anna, and Joseph to dish on the things of the night. Here’s the agenda.
- The Not-So Surprising Wins (Plummer, Spencer)
- Quick note about our Academy Idol winner
- Billy Crystal: How did he do?
- Technical aspects of the show (pacing, circus act, etc.)
- Surprises of the Night
- Editing (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Consolation prize?)
- Cinematography (Do they hate Lubezski?)
- Actress (A lot of talk about Meryl and her win)
- Race (Does it have anything to do with anything?)
Read more on Awards Circuit Power Hour Episode 3: Post-Oscar Talk…
Categories: Podcasts
Tags: Beginners, Best Actress, billy crystal, Christopher Plummer, Cinematography, Editing, Emmanuel Lubezski, Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer, Oscars, Podcasts, Shame, The Awards Circuit Power Hour, the girl with the dragon tattoo, The Help, The Iron Lady, The Tree of Life, Viola Davis
Tags: Beginners, Best Actress, billy crystal, Christopher Plummer, Cinematography, Editing, Emmanuel Lubezski, Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer, Oscars, Podcasts, Shame, The Awards Circuit Power Hour, the girl with the dragon tattoo, The Help, The Iron Lady, The Tree of Life, Viola Davis
Comments: 12 Comments |
Author: Anna Young
February 28, 2012
On the biggest night in Hollywood, there are many surprises and disappointments that occur than what just happens during the awards ceremony. I realize in the new millennium, fashion has become a huge thing, especially on the night of some of the biggest awards shows, and not many people dig it. But I’m one of those people who really does get into fashion and what the stars choose to wear.
Read more on The Academy Awards: Worst Dressed…
Comments: 9 Comments |
Author: Robert Hamer
February 28, 2012
Author: Clayton Davis
February 27, 2012
They came, they saw, they conquered. The Academy Awards delivered their awards last night and it was, surprising to say the least. ”The Artist” walked away with five Oscars including Best Picture, Director, and Actor for Jean Dujardin. ”Hugo” made a very strong showing as well, winning five technical awards.
Read more on Some Oscar Grumblings…
Comments: 38 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 27, 2012
In case you missed the announcement during the LIVE Blog last night, Steve McQueen’s emotionally resonate film, “Shame” won the fifth season of the Awards Circuit’s Academy Idol.
The film starring Michael Fassbender and Academy Award Nominee Carey Mulligan beat presumed early frontrunner, “Drive.” Both films had never been in the Bottom Three or Two during the voting weeks. Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive” is also the second runner-up in history, joining Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” to never be in the bottom three and lose the title. This is also the first time that the ACCA winner (“The Artist”) did not make the finale. “Shame” also has the smallest box office of any previous Idol winner.
Thanks to all our readership for a productive and amazing season of Academy Idol. Make sure to join us in November when we do it all over again.
Read more on Academy Idol Winner is…Shame…
Comments: 10 Comments |
Author: Anna Young
February 27, 2012
On the biggest night in Hollywood, there are many surprises and disappointments that occur than what just happens during the awards ceremony. I realize in the new millennium, fashion has become a huge thing, especially on the night of some of the biggest awards shows, and not many people dig it. But I’m one of those people who really does get into fashion and what the stars choose to wear.
Read more on The Academy Awards: Best Dressed…
Comments: 15 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 27, 2012
I went 20 for 24. Not my best day but not bad either. I’m heartbroken for Viola Davis. I know some of Meryl fans will gloat. Gloat away.
Best Picture – The Artist
Best Director – Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist”
Best Actor – Jean Dujardin for “The Artist”
Best Actress – Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady”
Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer for “Beginners”
Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer for “The Help”
Best Original Screenplay – Woody Allen for “Midnight in Paris”
Best Adapted Screenplay – Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash for “The Descendants”
Best Animated Feature – “Rango”
Best Art Direction – “Hugo”
Best Cinematography – “Hugo”
Best Costume Design – “The Artist”
Best Film Editing – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Best Makeup – “The Iron Lady”
Best Sound Mixing – “Hugo”
Best Sound Editing – “Hugo”
Best Visual Effects – “Hugo”
Best Original Score – Ludovic Bource for “The Artist”
Best Original Song – “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets”
Best Documentary Feature – “Undefeated”
Best Foreign Language Film – “A Separation”
Best Animated Short – “The Flying Books..”
Best Live Action Short – “The Shore”
Best Documentary Short – “Saving Face”
Read more on Full Oscar Winners!…
Categories: Community, Editor, News, Oscar Circuit, Oscar Predictions, Staff
Comments: 71 Comments |
Author: Clayton Davis
February 26, 2012
Author: Clayton Davis
February 26, 2012
It’s that time everyone! The Oscars are here. No more complaining, no more whining, we’ve made our predictions, and now we have to live with them. We will be LIVE blogging the ceremony beginning at 5pm eastern time by watching the red carpet. Make sure you join us!
I have put together our Staff Oscar Chart Predictions. Side-by-side comparisons of what we are all predicting here at The Awards Circuit.
Use this space to include your final predictions and make sure to join our Oscar pool via Picktainment.
Read more on Happy Oscar Day!…
Categories: Community, Editor, Oscar Circuit, Oscar Predictions, Staff
Tags: LIVE Blog, Oscar Day, Staff
Tags: LIVE Blog, Oscar Day, Staff
Comments: 9 Comments |
Author: Joey Magidson
February 26, 2012
Obviously this isn’t a serious award, but it tends to be a bit amusing. Here’s the story from Entertainment Weekly on the nominations:
When Adam Sandler’s bad, he’s really bad, according to voters for the Razzies, an Academy Awards spoof that singles out the worst movies of the year. Sandler received a record 11 nominations Saturday for the Razzies as star, producer or writer on three 2011 movies — Jack and Jill, Just Go with It, and Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star. That more than doubled the previous record of five Razzie nominations held by Eddie Murphy for 2007′s Norbit. Sandler’s nominations include worst actor for both Jack and Jill and Just Go with It — and worst actress for Jack and Jill, in which he plays a family man and his own twin sister. Sandler also had two nominations as worst screen couple opposite Jennifer Aniston or Brooklyn Decker in Just Go with It and opposite Katie Holmes, Al Pacino or himself in Jack and Jill.
Read more on Behold the Razzie Nominations!…
Comments: 3 Comments |
Author: Joey Magidson
February 26, 2012
Definitely not the outcome that I was expecting (or predicting for that matter), but hey…that’s the name of the game. Below is full list of winners from the Spirit Awards, and the rare group of winners from this show that will likely closely mirror Oscar. Go figure. Anyway, here they are:
Best Feature: “The Artist”
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist”
Best Male Lead: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Best Female Lead: Michelle Williams, “My Week with Marilyn”
Best Supporting Male: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners”
Best Supporting Female: Shailene Woodley, “The Descendants”
Best First Feature: “Margin Call”
Best First Screenplay: “50/50″
Read more on ‘The Artist’ dominates the Independent Spirit Awards…
Comments: 20 Comments |
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