Tag: Russell Brand

They’re Back! Watch The New MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU Trailer And See It In IMAX On July 1

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU.

Opening on July 1, check out the brand new trailer and see it in IMAX https://www.imax.com/movies/minions-rise-gru

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.

It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.

When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

The Vicious 6 —(from lower left) Jean Clawed (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren), Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson), Stronghold (Danny Trejo), Nunchuck (Lucy Lawless)—address the Minions (foreground, backs to camera) in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.

Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humor, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him.

The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

(from left) Kevin, Gru (Steve Carell) and Stuart in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

Get Tickets minionsmovie.com/tickets/

DEATH ON THE NILE (2022) – Review

In director Kenneth Branagh’s mystery-thriller “Death on the Nile” based on the 1937 novel by Agatha Christie, Simon Doyle (ARMIE HAMMER) and Linnet Ridgeway (GAL GADOT) are a picture-perfect couple on a honeymoon voyage down the Nile River which is tragically cut short. Wedding guests aboard the glamorous river steamer in this daring tale about the emotional chaos and deadly consequences triggered by obsessive love include Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (KENNETH BRANAGH) and an all-star cast of suspects. Twentieth Century Studios’ “Death on the Nile” opens in U.S. theaters on February 11, 2022. Photo by Rob Youngson. © 2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Not in the mood for romance this big pre-holiday weekend? Well, how about a murder, most foul, and….quite stylish. You see, this isn’t a grim and gritty crime caper, like those profiled in all the podcasts and streaming channels. This is based on a classic novel from an iconic novelist with an almost as famous sleuth out to nab the culprits. Nope, it’s not the fellow from London with the deerstalker cap, nor the hard-nosed PI from San Fran spotting a battered fedora. This “prestige picture” marks the return (after nearly five years ) of the shamus with the spectacular ‘stashe, Hercule Poirot as portrayed by Kenneth Branaugh (still basking in the glow of all those recent Oscar noms, no doubt). He’s ditched the train in favor of an equally luxurious river steamer (with an equally impressive all-star cast) just in time the ponder the mystery concerning a grisly DEATH ON THE NILE.

We filmgoers do quite a bit of traveling also, as the prologue goes from the horror of WW1 in 1914 to a mid-1930s flashback in a crowded London jazz club. Poirot (Branaugh) is there to sample the superb desserts but is distracted by the blues guitar stylings of the enigmatic singer Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), managed by her niece Rosalie (Letitia Wright). Also catching his eye is the re-uniting of old friends, the wealthy debutante Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) and school chum Jacqueline du Bellefort (Emma Mackey) who is there with her new fiancee, not-so-wealthy American Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer). Out of his hearing range, Jacqueline implores Linnet to hire Simon as a manager for her newest luxury manor. Several months later, Hercule is vacationing in Egypt and runs into his old friend from the Orient Express Bouc (Tom Bateman) who’s there with his prickly mother Euphemia (Annette Bening). The duo is staying at the plush local hotel to celebrate the wedding of Simon and…Linnet (how things can change in a few months). Also in attendance are Linnet’s godmother, the sickly “pro-worker” Marie Van Schuyler (Jennifer Sanders) with ever-present Nurse Bowers (Dawn French), her financial manager/cousin Katchadourian (Ali Fazal), and her ex-fiancee Dr. Windlesham (Russell Brand), along with entertainment provided by Salome and Rosalie. Oh, and a big surprise…the definitely “not-invited” Jacqueline. But this will not change the honeymoon plans. Hercule is invited to join them in a cruise down the Nile via the “top of the line” steamer, the Karnak. A side trek through the ruins almost ends in tragedy, but things don’t really get “dicey” until Jacqueline sneaks about at one of the ports. It’s almost inevitable that this unnerving tension will lead the way to (cue the ominous music beat)…MURDER!!

With the second “case” under his belt, Branugh brings a touch more humanity to the great Belgian detective. He shows us how the loss of a great romance altered his behavior, though he is progressing a bit more, Branugh’s superb line delivery shines through, whether he’s extolling a fine cuisine as he’s tossing a wry insult toward an insufferable intruder to his table. But there’s more warmth here as seen in his affection for the rascal Bouc and in his stammering infatuation with Salome, played with scene-stealing gusto by Okonedo. She demands respect while still being impressed and charmed by the eccentricities of Hercule. Mackey is almost a sad vengeful specter as the rebuffed Jacqueline. Bening embodies haughty propriety as the easily annoyed matron. What a treat to see the comedy team of French and Saunders reunited as the bickering duo (Schulyer dislikes the “upper classes” while Bowers delights in the “fancy fluff”). Speaking of comic actors, Brand is quite effective as the dejected suitor of Linette who knows that everyone finds him “ridiculous”.Once again, Gadot is luminous as the “poor lil’ rich girl”, glowing in the gorgeous retro fashions, though her character has little to do. And Hammer, in what could be his big-screen “swan song”, evokes the thin-mustached 30s “rakes” and “swells”.These river travelers are just as complex and compelling as those rail passengers from the last “crime caper”.

And once again, Branagh does double duty as director helming another Agatha Christie adaptation from Michael Green, a witty one at that. Actually, this follow-up feels a bit more fluid since the previous one went out of its way to get off the train to the point of absurdity (interrogation is the frigid tundra…brrrrr). There’s no great effort to “open it up” since it is a touring cruiser. The stroll through the ruins is eerie (I half expected Karloff to shamble out of a hidden chamber) and exciting, with great use of CGI and drone footage. The “meat” of the tale is on board and the Karnak becomes almost a character itself, with sudden staircases and dark lower decks. The film’s odd choices are really in the opening sequences. The WW1 scenes feel like rehashes of 1917, WONDER WOMAN, and even THE KING’S MAN, though the use of black and white gives it the look of a feverish nightmare. But then it goes from those battle terrors to the London nightclub where Salome provides the soundtrack to a thrusting, gyrating dancehall orgy (I hope several physical therapists were on call to handle pulled muscles and limbs). It’s a weird sweaty mix of DIRTY DANCING, “Cirque du Soleil”, and CALIGULA. Maybe those tiny desserts fueled the contortions. Well, at least the fashions were superb, with everyone reflecting the sun with the crisp variations of white and soft pastels. Ditto for the period furnishings, autos, and sets. For fans of all-star late show whodunits, this is a splendid reworking of the novel and its fondly recalled 1978 movie. DEATH ON THE NILE is an engaging mix of travelogue and mystery that should keep audiences guessing the culprit right up to the big reveal. Now if only Poirot could enjoy a murder-free vacation…

3 Out of 4

DEATH ON THE NILE is now playing in theatres everywhere

Win Free Passes To The St. Louis Advanced Screening Of DEATH ON THE NILE

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers, and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement.

Stars Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, Letitia Wright. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, “Death on the Nile” opens in U.S. theaters February 11, 2022.

Get tickets now. https://fandan.co/33Qadu1

Enter at the link below for a chance to win passes (good for 2) to the advance screening of DEATH ON THE NILE On Wednesday, February 9, 7pm at Marcus Ronnies Cine 20. 

http://gofobo.com/DOTNGeeks

Rated PG 13.

Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in 20th Century Studios’ DEATH ON THE NILE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

FOUR KIDS AND IT (2020) – Review

With the home-schooling battles and triumphs (hopefully) several weeks in the past, perhaps it’s time that the “wee ones” were rewarded with a (virtual) trip to the movies, jumping from their computer (and laptop and iPad) screens to the big living room flat-screen. The Trolls and the Scooby Gang arrived and mostly departed by the last big holiday. So what’s up for this holiday, the Fourth of July (aside from the neighbors blasting their fireworks all through dark night skies)? The “Mouse House’ is going to “ride out” the pandemic into the Fall, when we may get to view this year’s second Pixar feature (ONWARD squeezed in right before the shut-down), SOUL. Perhaps the small set would enjoy a flick based off of a recent (well, a reboot actually) classic, but featuring a mostly flesh and blood human cast (don’t worry, they’ll get a pixel fix). If that’s the case then they should get ready for a fantasy-adventure all about FOUR KIDS AND IT.

As the story begins we meet half of the title youngsters. Ten-year-old Ros (Teddie Malleson-Allen) is ecstatic to be stocking up on books at a local second-hand shop for her big holiday getaway. But first, she has to rescue her timid one or two years younger brother Robbie (Billy Jenkins) from some bullies before they can join their (newly single) father David (Matthew Goode) for the long car trip to their cottage near the coast in Cornwall. Not too far away newly single mom Alice (Paula Patton) takes her eldest ten-year-old daughter Smash AKA Samantha (Ashley Aufderheide) away from some local “toughs” (she’s their champ at smashing the windows of an old warehouse) and embarks on their big ‘holiday” with six-year-old little “sis” Maudie (Ellie-Mae Siame). To the kids’ shock, both groups arrive at the cottage within moments of each other. This must be a mistake! No, Alice and David have been secretly dating and thought this would be a perfect way for the kids to meet each other. Things get tense very quickly. Since they’re stuck with each other for the next few days, the youngsters head to the beach where local eccentric aristocrat Tristen Trent III (Russell Brand) notices them during his daily “explorations”. After he leaves, something under the sand snatches Maudie’s shoe. They soon find the culprit, a weird creature of legend, a magical sand faerie who calls himself Psammead (voice of Michael Caine). How is he magic? Well, he explains that he can grant one wish a day to each of the children, one which expires with sunset. Robbie is upset that Smash tossed his hand-held gaming device high up on a craggy hill, so he asks to be the world’s greatest climber. Psammead fills his own little body with air (perhaps) and expels it. Sure enough, Robbie scurries up the rocks like a certain “web-slinger”. And has to be rescued once night falls. The kids make it a point to get up early the next day in order to run to the beach and put in their wish. But can they keep the “new friend” away from their folks? Although their biggest threat may be Trent who has actually been searching for Psammead over the last few decades but now thinks that these “annoying” kids may lead him to his “prize”.

The title quartet does a commendable job of drawing us into the often outlandish plot quirks and contrivances. Their de facto leader may be Malleson-Allen as the down to Earth, fairly sensible Ros who seems to owe quite a bit of her personality to Jo March (Hmmm, “Little Women and a Little Troll”). But she’s not all “brains” as her heart nearly breaks as she finds that her former family will never reunite. Jenkins is the shy, queazy (oh, that “carsickness”) introvert who gradually starts to stand up for himself. Aufderheide is convincingly intimidating as the rough-edged Smash, but really shines as she gets her diva pop star wish and finally chips away at her hard outer emotional shell. And Siame is achingly adorable even as she spouts dialogue best suited for a teenager (some of the “pop therapy” lines are cringe-worthy). As for the “non-kids”, Goode is an endearingly befuddled pop (perhaps too clueless at times) as the frazzled David, while the gifted Patton does her best to wring laughs from Alice’s “food frustrations” (oh boy she burned dinner again, call the pizza place). Perhaps he’s hoping to reach a wider audience, but it’s disconcerting to see the cutting-edge wit of Brand somewhat dulled in order to play the standard adult bumbling comic villain, sort of a male Cruella DeVille (or Jim Carrey as Count Olaf and Dr. Robotnik in some recent kid flix). When he’s not gazing with disgust at the kid -heroes, he’s wringing his hands with greedy delight over exploiting the sand faerie, and inevitably getting the brunt of some slapstick humiliation. This comic rebel seems too smart for such buffoonery. The same can be said for Mr. Caine (excuse…Sir Michael) as the voice of Psammead, who plays the odd creature as a feisty frisky grandpa’ trying to have fun with the lil’ sprites while teachin’ em’ a lesson. I can only imagine Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon riffing on his role in (hopefully) another “trip” romp. It would certainly be funnier than the lines Caine gamefully infuses with his rascally charm.

Tv vet Andy De Emmony does his best to keep the pace running smoothly, but his efforts are done in by the predictable plot points and forced bits of pathos concerning “blended” families. It all comes down to the screenplay from Simon Lewis and Mark Oswin adapting the children’s’ book by Jacqueline Wilson (which was a retelling of a story from nearly 120 years ago called “Five Children and It”). The parents veer from being ineffective bystanders to almost criminally incompetent (or irresponsible). And really, who springs such a life-changing decision on their kids during a vacation? For a fantasy feature flick, the special effects are truly “hit and miss”. One wish involves flight, and the four kids soar through the green Irish locales like junior Kryptonians, but the gags involving the crumbling Trent estate seem right out of “Lego-land” with some “iffy” miniature work. And then there’s “It”, a CGI “beastie” looking like the lovechild of E.T. and Clyde the orangutan from those 80s Eastwood comedies. He never feels as though he has any “weight”, especially as he “sand swims” and blows up like a pufferfish (all for some mandatory kiddie flick flatulence gags). It all leads to a sunny upbeat ending (with a “message” of course) that doesn’t feel earned. FOUR KIDS AND IT may temporarily distract the youngest viewers, but for most of the family, it’s a noisy, befuddled, forgettable, familiar farce. Now if only I could banish the Psammead from my spicy food-induced nightmares.

One Out of Four

FOUR KIDS AND IT screens in select theatres and is available as a Video On Demand on most cable and satellite systems along with many streaming apps and platforms.

WAMG Giveaway: Win the DVD of ARMY OF ONE – Stars Nicolas Cage and Russel Brand

 army-of-one-movie5
Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension Films released ARMY OF ONE on Digital HD November 4th and will releasing it on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, and On Demand November 15th.
army-of-one

Academy Award® winner Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, National Treasure) and Russell Brand (Get Him To The Greek), embark on one hell of a holy mission in the hilarious comedy Armyof One, the mostly true story of one man’s quest to single- handedly capture Osama Bin Laden. Directed by Emmy Award® winning director Larry Charles (Borat, Bruno, “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Seinfeld”) with screenplay by Rajiv Joseph & Scott Rothman.

armyofone3

Now you can win the DVD of ARMY OF ONE. We Are Movie Geeks has one copy to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment below and answer this question: What is you favorite Nicolas Cage movie? (Mine is CON AIR!) It’s so easy!

We’ll pick the winners next week. 

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT. PRIZE WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO US ADDRESSES.  NO P.O. BOXES.  NO DUPLICATE ADDRESSES.

2. WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ALL QUALIFYING ENTRIES.

No purchase necessary

Gary Faulkner (Cage) is an ex-con, unemployed handyman, and modern day Don Quixote who receives a vision from God (Brand) telling him to capture Osama Bin Laden. Armed with only a single sword purchased from a home-shopping network, Gary travels to Pakistan to complete his mission. While on his quest, Gary encounters old friends back home in Colorado, the new friends he makes in Pakistan, the enemies he makes at the CIA – and even God and Osama themselves. Wendi McLendon-Covey, Rainn Wilson, and Paul Scheer also star in this hilarious tale of patriotism and oneman’s quest for justice.

armyrussell-brand-video-screen-capture

Army of One Blu-ray™ and DVD include a “Making of Army of One” bonus featurette

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER:  

Army of One Blu-ray™ and DVD include a “Making of Army of One” bonus featurette

armyofone1

 

Meet The TROLLS In First Teaser

Trolls_Logo_RGBsml copy

DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox have released the first trailer for TROLLS.

From the genius creators of SHREK, TROLLS stars Anna Kendrick as Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch, played by Justin Timberlake. Together, this unlikely pair of Trolls must embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they’ve ever known. TROLLS also stars Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Russell Brand, Icona Pop, Ron Funches and Kunal Nayaar.

Get ready for a hair-raising adventure, when this irreverent comedy extravaganza with incredible music comes to theaters November 4, 2016.

Visit the official site: www.dreamworks.com/trolls

www.facebook.com/DreamWorksTrolls

twitter.com/trolls

instagram.com/trolls

Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani, James Corden Reveal TROLL Characters

(Photo by Kirk McKoy/Contour by Getty Images)
(Photo by Kirk McKoy/Contour by Getty Images)

The Trolls are heading to the big screen.

To get ready for DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox’s new hair-raising adventure TROLLS, Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Gwen Stefani, James Corden, Russell Brand, Icona Pop, Ron Funches and Kunal Nayaar have all taken to Twitter to reveal their characters.

Check out their tweets below to get your first look at the Troll characters before their motion picture debut on November 4, 2016.

Kunal Nayyar (Guy Diamond): https://twitter.com/kunalnayyar/status/684781765026656257Ron Funches (Cooper)

Kunal Nayyar (Guy Diamond)

(Photo by Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Contour by Getty Images)
(Photo by Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/Contour by Getty Images)

Icona Pop (Fashionistas) Gwen Stefani (DJ Suki)

(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
(Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mark Nolan/WireImage)
(Photo by Mark Nolan/WireImage)

DreamWorks Animation’s TROLLS is an irreverent comedy extravaganza with incredible music! From the genius creators of SHREK, TROLLS stars Anna Kendrick as Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch, played by Justin Timberlake. Together, this unlikely pair of Trolls must embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they’ve ever known.

Directed by Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After) and Walt Dohrn (Shrek Forever After) and produced by Gina Shay (Shrek Forever After).

HASHTAG: #DreamWorksTrolls

Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation

Trolls_Logo_RGBsml copy

Cute DESPICABLE ME 2 Minions Clips; Despicablimp On It’s Way To Hollywood Premiere

2415_TP2F_00169R

Super-villain Gru ( Steve Carell ), his adorable girls, and the hilarious Minions star in these new clips from DESPICABLE ME 2.

Universal Pictures announced today that it has launched a search for missing Minions in support of Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s upcoming 3D-CG comedy adventure, DESPICABLE ME 2.

Gru’s loyal yellow, gibberish-speaking Minions love causing mischief and mayhem almost as much as they love bananas.  They are easily distracted and can be unpredictable, curious and subversively sweet.  They are extremely competitive with each other.  This can lead to sudden slap fights, but if someone from the outside tries to harm them or Gru’s family, they become fiercely protective.  Now, someone or something has been making them vanish…

By searching for the Minions across the NBCUniversal family of websites—beginning today and lasting until June 30—fans may win any number of despicable prizes.  Every day, a new missing Minion will be revealed at www.missingminions.com, along with the NBCUniversal partner website where he may be found.  Audiences are asked to visit the specific partner site and search for the missing Minion.  To rescue him and enter the drawing for the grand prize, all they must do is click!

For each Minion found, registered users will receive an entry into a grand-prize sweepstakes for a trip for four to Universal Orlando Resort.  Daily instant-win prizes of Fandango Movie Cash—good for tickets to see Despicable Me 2 in theaters—are also available for lucky fans with keen eyes.

More than 21 NBCUniversal sites are participating in the three-week promotion. Visit www.missingminions.com to find out more and start the search for a missing Minion today

despicableme2_minions

Have you seen a gigantic Minion in the skies? Travelling approximately 20,000 miles, crisscrossing the country three times over the course of its six-month journey and having made multiple stops across the continental U.S., the Despicablimp is making it’s way west to the DESPICABLE ME 2 World Premiere in Hollywood, CA on June 22.

At last report they were leaving Pecos, Texas and on the way to Deming, New Mexico.

The Despicablimp may be tracked in real-time via GPS at the Despicablimp Command Center (www.despicablimp.com).

Fans can tweet sightings of the blimp or post photos to Instagram or Flickr using #despicablimp (twitter: https://twitter.com/despicablimp) to see it featured on the site, and participate in weekly prize giveaways.

2415_TP2F_00182R

2415_FP_P1710R

Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure with DESPICABLE ME 2.

With a host of new and outrageously funny characters, the sequel stars the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Al Pacino, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Nasim Pedrad, Moises Arias, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, and Steve Coogan.

From original DESPICABLE ME directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin, the 3D-CG comedy adventure will be in theaters July 3, 2013.

Visit the official site: http://www.despicableme.com/

“Like” on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/DespicableMe

Follow on Twitter: @DespicableMe

Photos: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. © 2013 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

despicable-me-2-DM2_PO1SHT_0509_rgb

Diablo Cody’s Much-Anticipated Directorial Debut, PARADISE, Finds Home At Image Entertainment

Diablo Cody

Image Entertainment has picked up all U.S. rights to Mandate Pictures’ PARADISE, the much-anticipated directorial debut of Academy Award® winner Diablo Cody. Based on her original screenplay,  PARADISE stars Julianne Hough (Rock of Ages, Footloose), Russell Brand (Rock of Ages, Despicable Me), Octavia Spencer (Academy Award® winner for The Help), Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) and Holly Hunter (The Incredibles, Academy Award® winner for The Piano). Bill Bromiley, Chief Acquisitions Officer for Image Entertainment, made today’s announcement at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival.

“Diablo Cody is a terrific storyteller and her gift is evident in this film, PARADISE,” commented Bromiley. “It has a talented cast and we know audiences will love the film. We are thrilled to be in business with her and the PARADISE team.”

“I’m thrilled to be able to share our labor of love with the world,” added Cody. “I had such a great cast and crew to work with and it shows.”

The comedy follows a sheltered young woman (Hough) who loses her faith after a plane crash and decides to go to Las Vegas to experience the wild side of life. On her journey, she meets unlikely companions (Brand and Spencer) who inadvertently help her find her true self. Mason Novick (500 Days of Summer) produced the film. Executive producers include Nathan Kahane (Hope Springs), Nicole Brown (50/50) and Diablo Cody. Matt Leonetti, Jr. and Dave Koplan co-produced.

The deal was negotiated by Bill Bromiley, Mark Ward and Michael Bayer on behalf of Image Entertainment and Liesl Copland of WME Global along with Dan Freedman on behalf of Mandate Pictures. International sales are being handled by Lionsgate.

ROCK OF AGES – The Review

ROCK OF AGES is the latest stage musical to be adapted for the big screen in the wake of the enormous success of CHICAGO over ten years ago ( wow! ). It bucks the popular current trend on Broadway in that it’s not based on a film, so we’re not getting the full-circle vibe from THE PRODUCERS and HAIRSPRAY ( although this is from that remake’s director Adam Shankman ). AGES harkens back to the shows built around known songs like ” Smokey Joe’s Cafe ” and ” Ain’t Misbehavin'” on stage and HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN on screen. This work takes the rock anthems  from several 80’s bands and attempts to connect them in a story set in that era. It was a big hit on the Great White Way, but will movie audiences be boppin’ their heads to the beat down at the multiplex?

In the far off year of 1987, hopeful singer Sherrie Christian ( Julianne Hough ) is looking wistfully out the window of the bus that’s taking her to that entertainment mecca, Los Angeles ( Hmm, sounds a lot like one of Hough’s previous films, 2010’s BURLESQUE ). On Sunset Boulevard she meets cutie Drew Boley ( Diego Boneta ) who works at the town’s rockinest’ club, the Bourbon Room. He helps her get a waitress job from the owner, Dennis ( Alec Baldwin ) and his right hand man Lonny ( Russell Brand ). The club’s got some tax problems, but Dennis is sure that the final concert of Arsenal will put things right. Unfortunately the club is threatened with closure from the rock hating wife of Mayor Whitmore ( Bryan Cranston ), Patricia ( Catherine Zeta-Jones ). Dennis must also deal with sleazy manager of Arsenal, Paul Gill ( Paul Giamatti ) and the band’s spaced-out frontman, rock god Stacee Jaxx ( Tom Cruise ). The film follows the ups and downs of Sherrie and Drew’s romance and music dreams while leading up to the big concert night and its aftermath. So will those two crazy kids be harmonizing before the final fade-out?

The hard-working cast really put out a lot of energy, but I’ve got a feeling that this material may have worked better in a live venue ( I’ve never seen the stage version ). We’ve got a film here that seems to be a good 20 minutes or so too long. It would’ve benefitted the film’s flow if much of the youngsters’ love story was trimmed. Hough and Bonetta are very photogenic, but there’s little chemistry, and their big break-up fight ( or misunderstanding ) is contrived and cliche’. This does set up an amusing subplot in which Bonetta sells out to Giamatti’s mustache-twirling evil manager. We know the guy is bad news, but does he have to be bathed in a red light in all his backstage close-ups? Giamatti is still a most welcome addition to any supporting cast even as an obvious villain. Speaking of villains, Zeta-Jones is reduced to playing a shrill, bug-eyed gargoyle in most of her scenes as a cartoon wicked witch out to stop all the fun. She has very few chances to light up the screen with her impressive musical talents as she did in CHICAGO. Another great musical talent, Mary J Blige, doesn’t appear till well past the one hour mark as the owner of a gentleman’s club. She’s given a couple of rock standards to sing as her ladies really, really work those poles. AGES promotes Cruise as the main star, but his over-indulged, tattooed space cadet, sex machine grows tiresome early on. Yup, he’s believable screaming into the mike, but the film makers rely too much on close-ups of his primate double, Hey Man for easy chuckles. The supporting comic actors do deliver some big laughs. Brand may be a bit much as a film’s lead so his club manager is better suited to his screen persona. Baldwin’s a delight as the grizzled party animal turned business owner. Too bad he’s not given more to do. Malin Akerman thankfully shows off some of her comedic chops she honed on TV’s ” Children’s’ Hospital ” as an ambitious Rolling Stone reporter. There’s other laughs provided by cameos of a couple of gifted comic actors  and , of course, there’s those funny 80’s stuff ( Look at that huge wireless phone! Lookit’ that big hair! ), not to mention a very surprising love duet. The sets and costumes are impressive, but the sanitized version of the Sunset Strip takes the film too far away from reality ( hey, I know people break into song! ). That,along with a clunky, cumbersome script and heavy-handed direction prevent this stage triumph from really coming alive on screen. Those great rock anthems will live on long after this misfire has faded from memory.

Overall Rating: 2.5 Out of 5 Stars