Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Miles Teller Says 'Fantastic Four' Reboot Is 'Different in Every Way' From Original

The Cinema Society And Brooks Brothers With Grey Goose Host A Screening Of Sony Pictures Classics'

Miles Teller understands that moviegoers may be suffering from superhero fatigue by the time the "Fantastic Four" reboot rolls around next summer. But the future Mr. Fantastic says that the upcoming flick is unlike its predecessors -- and will set itself apart from the comic book pack.



In an interview with Vulture, Teller opened up about the new "Four," telling the site that "It's different in every way" from the 2005 feature (and 2007 sequel, "Rise of the Silver Surfer") starring Jessica Alba and Chris Evans.



"All those actors were a lot older, their characters were in different places," Teller explained. "The tone of this film is completely different: We don't have Michael Chiklis in a big Styrofoam thing, and I think that [a more grounded approach] is what people are into."



The actor compared the reboot to the tone established by "X-Men: First Class," telling Vulture that the movie is "dealing with these characters but ... making them real people in how they exist day-to-day. People wanted it to be taken more seriously than the kind of 'Dick Tracy,' kitschy, overly comic-book world."



That's certainly a big promise from the actor, though it echoes previous comments he made shortly after his casting that the film will be "very grounded," unlike other superhero flicks.



Audiences won't have to wait long to see what Teller is talking about: "The Fantastic Four" hits theaters on June 19, 2015.



[via: Vulture]



Photo credit: Getty Images







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11 Essential 'Gilmore Girls' Episodes You Should Definitely Watch On Netflix (VIDEO)



Rejoice, "Gilmore Girls" fans. Your favorite fast-talking, small-town, mother-daughter CW classic arrives on Netflix on October 1 for your viewing pleasure. Prepare to watch the story of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore whenever you feel like it.



There are 7 seasons of "Gilmore Girls" to get through and if you have the time perhaps you'll start from the beginning and follow the magic through the very end. But if you want to skip to the very best or know which episodes to look out for, we've got you covered.



Here are 11 essential "Gilmore Girls" ever:



"Kiss and Tell" (Season 1, Episode 7)



This episode is major because it's all about Rory's first kiss with new kid and future boyfriend Dean, of course. But it's also special because when Dean hangs out at Rory's with her mom for the first time we get to see what it's like for an outsider to get to be a part of the club that is the Lorelai Gilmore household, where pizza, classic movies, gossip, and witty banter is sacred. Also, the kissing.



"Rory's Dance" (Season 1, Episode 9)

While the Stars Hollow Gilmore home is typically a pleasant place to hang and binge on junk food, there's still room for mother/daughter drama sometimes. This episode features an emotionally-charged exchange between Rory and Lorelai after Rory spends the night with Dean at Ms. Patty's studio. Even though she says nothing happened, Lorelei has trouble trusting her because of her own rocky teenage past. Oh, momma Emily Gilmore also happens to be there when Rory returns, making the moment that much harder to deal with for Lorelai.



"Sadie, Sadie" (Season 2, Episode 1)



This is the one where Lorelai accepts Max's proposal. She's gonna be a Sadie! (See above.) Plus, Dean comes over to Friday family dinner and gets a taste of Emily and Richard's difficult ways.



"I Can't Get Started" (Season 2, Episode 22)

It's Sookie and Jackson's wedding day! But it's also time for Rory to choose between Dean and bad boy Jess. Well, she kisses Jess and if you're a Jess fan, then you should probably watch this episode on repeat. This one will also make your heart sink into your stomach because after Lorelai reunites with Christopher she finds out --dun dun dun -- his girlfriend is pregnant.



"They Shoot Gilmore, Don't They?" (Season 3, Episode 7)



What a doozy. This one all goes down during the Stars Hollow Dance-a-thon, which has Rory and Lorelai all dressed up in old-timey '40s costume to top off all the drama. Dean breaks up with Rory in front of everyone when he realizes she loves Jess and we see real heartbreak for Rory, despite her budding romance with Dean.



"Dear Emily and Richard" (Season 3, Episode 13)



Leave it Lorelei to save the day. This episode has TV's coolest mom joining Rory and her dormmates on their first night at college doing what she does best -- making friends, ordering tons of food, and being generally awesome. We can't say we would want our own mother chilling with us in that coming-of-age situation, but this is Lorelai Gilmore we're talking about.



"Raincoats and Recipes" (Season 4, Episode 22)

So, this is kind of a big deal because Rory decides to sleep with Dean, who happens to be married... But it's also a big deal because Luke and Lorelai! The Dragonfly goes through a test run and the two of them finally kiss. It all ends when Lorelai comes home to find Rory (or as she refers to her, "the other woman") and she is NOT pleased.



"Written In the Stars" (Season 5, Episode 3)

More Luke and Lorelai goodness that we can't get enough of. We get to see Luke's sensitive side as he shows Lorelai a horoscope he kept that she gave him when they first met. Aww. This is also where Rory meets her new longtime boyfriend, Logan Huntzberger.



"Gilmore Girls Only" (Season 7, Episode 17)



Emily tags along with Lorelai and Rory as they road trip to North Carolina to attend a wedding for Mia, the former owner of the Independence Inn who helped raise Rory as a young child. This episode we get to see a vulnerable, albeit rude, Emily who clearly feels upset about missing on part of her granddaughter's life. Fortunately the family gets in a little bonding time once Lorelai begins to understand her feelings. It might be entertaining to watch the two older Gilmores at odds, but we certainly do love it when they find some common mother/daughter ground.








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'Tetris' Will Become a Movie, For Some Reason

CC TETRIS JAHRESTAG

If you've ever played classic video game "Tetris" and thought, This would make a great movie!, you're in luck: The Gameboy staple will be getting the big screen treatment.



The Wall Street Journal reports that the Tetris Company is partnering with Threshold Entertainment to turn the falling blocks game into a live-action film, which filmmakers are already touting as a win.



"It's a very big, epic sci-fi movie," Threshold CEO Larry Kasanoff told WSJ. "This isn't a movie with a bunch of lines running around the page. We're not giving feet to the geometric shapes."



While a story is already in the works, no director or cast members have been selected yet. But Kasanoff and co. have big plans for the project, which the exec described as "location-based entertainment based on the epicness." Whatever that means.



"Brands are the new stars of Hollywood," Kasanoff added in his interview with WSJ. "We have a story behind 'Tetris' which makes it a much more imaginative thing."



Stay tuned to see if this project makes it to the next level.



[via: Wall Street Journal, h/t Screen Rant]



Photo credit: Associated Press







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Mindy Kaling Dancing with Elmo on 'Sesame Street' Is the Cutest Thing You'll Watch Today (VIDEO)

Mindy Kaling, Sesame Street, Elmo

Mindy Kaling stopped by "Sesame Street" to teach kids about the word "enthusiastic," enlisting Elmo and a group of chickens to help her demonstrate.



The "Mindy Project" star explained to Elmo that "enthusiastic" is just another way of saying you're really excited about something, adding that she's enthusiastic about dancing. Kaling then busted a move, quickly followed by the little red monster



Things temporarily go off the rails when a group of chickens stops by (not as weird as it sounds), but the actress is unflappable, joining in as the fowl explain that what they're really enthusiastic about is jumping. It's a cute clip that will make you smile, and also make you want to get up and shake your tailfeather yourself -- a combination about which we're pretty enthusiastic ourselves.



[via: Sesame Street]



Photo credit: YouTube







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Tom Hanks Comedy Classic 'Big' Set For Fox Series Remake

Film - Tom Hanks - 'Big'

"Big," the 1988 comedy that earned a fresh-faced Tom Hanks an Oscar nomination, is getting the remake treatment as a TV series.



The Hollywood Reporter writes that Fox is looking to make an "event series" out of the Penny Marshall movie, and the project will be scripted by "Enlisted" co-creators Kevin Biegel and Mike Royce. THR describes the small screen "Big" as a "half-hour comedy, which is envisioned as an ongoing series with a cable model episode count."



The flick starred Hanks as the grown-up version of a young boy who makes a wish at a carnival fortune teller to become "big." He gets his way, with Hanks waking up as the boy in a man's body, where he must suddenly navigate the adult world, while staying true to his (literal) inner child.



So far, Fox has only ordered a script from Biegel and Royce. "Enlisted" didn't fare well with audiences -- it was axed by Fox for low ratings earlier this year after less than a full season -- but was a critical darling, so our fingers are crossed for a high-quality take on the comedy classic.



[via: The Hollywood Reporter]



Photo credit: Stills/EMPICS Entertainment







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Genesis Rodriguez Talks 'Tusk,' and Has Some Choice Words for the Naysayers



"Tusk" is all sorts of f**ked up.



The latest from the mind of director Kevin Smith ("Mallrats," "Red State") promises to challenge your assumptions about his filmmaking, and that's putting it lightly. The lone female in the leading ensemble, Genesis Rodriguez, is as gung-ho about the movie as an actor can be, even though she's a self-professed "scaredy cat."



Since the movie is nearly impossible to encapsulate in a short space, we'll just say it involves Justin Long getting kidnapped and transformed into a walrus. Let that sink in. Rodriguez plays Long's unfaithful girlfriend, Ally, who journeys to Manitoba to rescue him alongside Haley Joel Osment and an A-list actor in an unexpected cameo (he's revealed below).



Moviefone Canada chatted with Rodriguez at the Toronto Film Festival, and she candidly discussed her own wimpy tendencies and working with the outstanding cast. She also has a few words for the people who are badmouthing "Tusk."


Moviefone Canada: So this movie. What the hell. Wow.

Genesis Rodriguez: How did you sleep?



Pretty well, but it sticks with you. It has with most of the other journalists I've spoken to.

I felt the same way when I read the script. It just stuck with me. I became obsessed with it. I was like Coo Coo Ca Choo for like a week. [Laughs]



What was your reaction upon reading the script for the first time?

It was crazy. I read it at 12 o'clock at night, which was a huge mistake. Then I heard the podcast, and started listening to I Am The Walrus and Tusk. I wrote an email to my manager, which is how I first got the script, and I said, "I don't know who I need to talk to, but I need to be in this effin' movie." He was very smart in just forwarding the email ... eventually Kevin [Smith] read my very vulgar email [unedited], and he hired me!



Kevin doesn't swear!

No, not at all.



Were you a horror fan going in?

I always said, "I'm never doing a horror movie!" I'm the biggest scaredy cat on the planet. I'm the type of person who watches "Ghost Adventures" and freak myself out. I listen for things in the house, and I swear I'm doing like EVPs. I can get really traumatized watching scary movies, so I never see them. This ["Tusk"] felt more like it could happen. Don't get any weird ideas, people! Do not sip tea in a stranger's house! Don't cheat on your girlfriend, which I think is the moral of the story. [Laughs]



What about Kevin's earlier work?

Oh, "Clerks," "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy," "Dogma." Watching Jay and Silent Bob, growing up, was like the best kind of comedy for me. He's just intelligently funny, and he may do the stoner thing but he's so smart. That's where his comedy lies. You see it a lot in this movie. The lines are gonna stay there forever. Imagine reading Michael Parkes' dialogue? Like are you kidding me?



He's unreal.

His performance is so well done. It's just so well-said.



Like all the Canadian jokes!

I hope everyone sees it as a compliment and not an insult. Kevin loves Canada, he's obsessed with it. Honestly, I've kind of become obsessed with it. I never thought I'd ever be in the True North trilogy!



When you first watched the finished product, were you grossed out?

I was so excited to hear and see everyone's reaction to the walrus. The colour ... when I saw Justin [Long] in the suit, his face was separate. He was wearing undergarments, like long-johns, and then the walrus face, and I jumped. I was like, "I'm so sorry, I have a hard time looking at you. You keep freaking me out, man."



And you got to work with Johnny Depp, which is nuts.

We call him Guy Lapointe now. The first day with him, I probably talked about my sinuses. It was the most awkward conversation. I did not know what to say, OK? [Laughs] He was super nice and started telling me about the weather and how that could cause the problem. He was totally sympathizing with this nervous-ass freakin' girl. The next day I tried to just be cool and told myself to keep it together. It turned out well. I texted Haley [Joel Osment] and said, "This is the greatest moment of my life and I'm so happy to share it with you!"



A lot of people walked out of the screening I was in. I think it was too gross.

[Shock] What?! [Silence] Are you serious?! [Silence] Hey, people. It's a movie. If the biggest scaredy cat in the world can be in this movie, I would say, "Do not walk out! What's wrong wit chu?" Just like that. #whatswrongwitchu!



"Tusk" opens in theatres on October 3, 2014.







Toronto: Kevin Smith's 'Tusk' To Get World Premiere







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The Trailer For 'Tak3n' (AKA: Taken 3) Has Arrived (VIDEO)





The trailer for Taken 3 err... "Tak3n", is out and it looks like Liam Neeson is back to his old ways of kicking ass and taking names.





After two successful movies featuring a weary Bryan Mills traveling around the world killing criminals to protect his family, "Tak3n" looks to inject a few twists in what could be the final film of the franchise.



Based on the trailer, it looks like Neeson's character will be on the run from the law after mysterious forces frame him for murder. While his daughter, Kim, (played once again by Maggie Grace) won't be kidnapped again (that would just be lousy parenting after all) it looks like Neeson will have to keep her safe from the same people that want him dead or thrown in prison.



In addition to Neeson and Grace, Famke Janssen will return as Mills' wife and Olivier Megaton will be back at the helm to direct.



"Tak3n" is set to hit theaters come Jan. 9, 2015.



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'How to Get Away With Murder' Pilot Breaks DVR Ratings Record

Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder

After bowing to big numbers last Thursday, freshman series "How to Get Away with Murder" is continuing its hot streak by adding 6 million more viewers to its total ratings haul -- and breaking DVR records.



The Shonda Rhimes-produced drama scored 14 million sets of eyeballs last week, but when live plus three data was accounted for, its new total settled around 20.3 million, a whopping number that should make Shondaland pretty happy. For those keeping score at home, that's the highest DVR viewership increase ever, beating out previous L+3 champ "The Blacklist," which set a DVR record back in January with an additional 5.6 million watching a recorded episode of the show.



And the good news doesn't stop there for the Viola Davis vehicle: "Murder"'s 6 million additional viewers placed the show second only to CBS juggernaut "The Big Bang Theory" in terms of the percentage growth of the total size of the audience. Plus, the series can also boast that it's the top-rated new show in the coveted 18-49 demographic so far this fall TV season.



Cheers to Rhimes and co. on producing yet another hit drama, and cheers to the networks for recognizing the power of the DVR. "How to Get Away with Watching TV on Our Own Terms" has a nice ring to it.



[via: The Hollywood Reporter]



Photo credit: ABC







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What's On TV Tonight: 'Selfie' Premiere, 'New Girl,' and More TV Picks



Not sure what to watch on TV this evening? Don't worry -- we've got you covered. Every day, we here at Moviefone will share our picks for the shows we think are worth watching tonight. Be prepared! Here's what's on TV Tuesday, September 30:



"Selfie" (ABC, 8 p.m.)



A marketing guru (John Cho) helps a social media obsessed diva (Karen Gillan) make friends in real life in this new "My Fair Lady"-inspired sitcom.



"Manhattan Love Story" (ABC, 8:30)

This new comedy follows a new couple as they begin their relationship. We can also hear their (very differing) inner monologues throughout their dates.



"New Girl" (FOX, 9 p.m.)

'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia""s Kristin Olsen guest stars as Jess's dads new girlfriend, who happens to be a high school rival of Jess and CeCe's.

CATCH UP ON "NEW GIRL" NOW











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Good News, NFL Fans: The FCC Has Overturned the Blackout Rule

New England Patriots v Kanas City Chiefs

National Football League fans won't have to deal with blacked-out home games anymore: The Federal Communications Commission has overturned the league's blackout rule policy.



The rule, which prohibited local television stations from broadcasting home team games if they didn't sell out, had been in place since the early 1970s in an effort to boost ticket sales. But while attendance at NFL games at the time was relatively low, and ticket revenue was the league's number one money-maker, advertising has since taken over as the top breadwinner, and broadcasters had argued that the rule should go.



And in a unanimous decision, the FCC agreed, saying in a statement Tuesday that the policy was "no longer justified in light of the significant changes in the sports industry since these rules were first adopted nearly forty years ago."



"Blackouts of NFL games are increasingly rare," the FCC added. "The NFL is the most profitable sports league in the country, with $6 billion in television revenue per year."



But one concession to the FCC decision is that the NFL may still choose to keep its blackout policy intact -- it will just lose the protection of the FCC (which preserves the league's copyright on game broadcasts) if it does do. The league had also threatened in the past to move more of its games to pay television such as cable and satellite if the rule was overturned.



Here's hoping the NFL and the FCC can settle their difference, and give the fans what they want. More television is always a win.



[via: USA Today]



Photo credit: Getty Images







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Netflix's First Original Movie Will Be A Sequel

IMG_2472.CR2

Michelle Yeoh returns as Yu Shu-Lien in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend".



Netflix has found plenty of success with "Orange Is The New Black" but it looks like the online video-streaming service is experimenting with a new colour: green.



The company announced on Tuesday that it will be releasing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend", its first original movie to date. Speaking of dates, the film is set for a simultaneous release online and in select IMAX theatres come Aug. 28, 2015.



If the movie title rings a bell, that's because "The Green Legend" is a sequel to the first "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", which scored an Oscar back in 2000 for Best Foreign Film. The sequel won't bring back original director Ang Lee, instead picking up Yuen Wo-Ping, who's best known for his martial arts choreography in films like the Matrix trilogy and "Kill Bill 1 & 2".



Michelle Yeoh will return though, reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien from the first film. She'll be joined by martial arts star Donnie Yen from "Ip Man 1 & 2" as Silent Wolf, along with Harry Shum Jr. from "Glee" and Jason Scott Lee from "Hawaii Five-O".



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Donnie Yen in character as Silent Wolf in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend".



In terms of a plot, the film will be based on "Iron Knight, Silver Vase", the fifth novel in the Crane-Iron Pentalogy, which is written by Wang Dulu. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was the fourth book in the series. Fans can still expect lots of high-wire martial arts, legendary weapons and themes of love, loss and redemption in this chapter, according to Netflix's release.



The Weinstein Company will be producing the film, according to Netflix's COO, Ted Sarandos.



"We are honoured to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX."



And while "The Green Legend" represents the video streaming service's first opportunity to break into Asia, Netflix says it plans to continue with its experiment, with "several major films" to come that'll receive its backing to premiere online and in IMAX.







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'Taken 3' Trailer: Liam Neeson Is Ready to Face the Consequences

Taken 3

Can't Liam Neeson catch a break?



First, in "Taken," the guy's daughter is kidnapped. Then, in "Taken 2," his ex-wife is kidnapped. Now, in "Taken 3," he's being set up for murder.



The first full-length trailer for "Tak3n" is now online, and it's much of what you'd expect. Neeson's Bryan Mills is growly and determined. His daughter (Maggie Grace) is confused and sad. Forest Whitaker joins the cast as a law enforcement agent on the hunt for Mills, who's been accused of murder.



"There are things I've done in my life, and I've always been ready to face the consequences, to protect my family," Neeson snarls.



You can mess with the guy once, even twice. But three times? Hell to the no.



"Tak3n" opens in theaters January 9.














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Ben Affleck Has Words With Neil Patrick Harris in This Exclusive 'Gone Girl' Clip (VIDEO)

There are few movies that are currently being talked about as much as "Gone Girl," David Fincher's adaptation of the best-selling novel that seemingly everybody read (original author Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay for the movie). "Gone Girl" has a starry cast (anchored by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike), a wonderfully twisty-turny narrative, and a can't-stop-listening-to-it score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. (Plus, there is a ton of socio-political commentary that will be done after the film opens, in regards to its views on gender roles, the institution of marriage, and the media.)



Why wouldn't people be talking about?



Gone Girl - Nick at Desi's House



Well, to ease the wait time left before its opening on Friday, we are here to bring you an exclusive clip. Not that it will get you any less pumped. (If you'd like to read our review, you can do so here. Spoiler alert: we really, really loved it.)



The clip features a mini face-off between Nick Dunne (Affleck), the husband of missing wife Amy (Pike) and the investigation's chief suspect when it comes to her disappearance, and Desi (Neil Patrick Harris), an ex-boyfriend of Amy's who Nick spotted lurking around right after she vanished. Nick has gone to visit with another one of Amy's exes (played by the always-excellent Scoot McNairy in a nifty cameo) and on his way back from that endeavor, stops at Desi's pad to try and get some answers. As you can see in the clip, it doesn't go so well.



Saying anything more or providing any more context would lessen the impact of the scene and, most likely, the movie as a whole, so we'll stop now. Needless to say, this is fairly early in the movie, so there are plenty of twists and turns and cover-your-mouth-with-your-hand moments to come.



We'll have more from "Gone Girl" throughout the week, including interviews with Pike and Harris, so keep it right here for all of your "Gone Girl" needs.









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Interview: 'The Guest' Star Dan Stevens Reveals That Method Man Is A Huge 'Downton Abbey' Fan



This weekend, one of our very favorite movies of the year expands nationwide, to about 500 screens, after building considerable word-of-mouth and sterling reviews. That movie is "The Guest." And instead of being a stuffy art house movie, which follows a similar rollout (and achieves comparable buzz), "The Guest" is a down-and-dirty genre movie and probably the most fun 100 minutes you'll have in a theater all year.



The movie, from the creators of "You're Next" (writer Simon Barrett and director Adam Wingard), stars Dan Stevens from "Downton Abbey" as David, a war veteran who returns to the home of his fallen brother-in-arms. Presenting himself to the family, he says that he is there to just keep an eye on them and maybe stay until he gets back on his feet. But it turns out that David's intentions are much more malevolent, and what starts out as a tableau of suburban American bliss soon descends into chaos and bloodshed. Oh, and it's really, really funny, and feels like the battered VHS copy of some forgotten eighties gem (complete with a lovingly synthetic score).



We got to sit down and chat with Stevens, who really is as delightful as you'd imagine him to be, and we chatted about what his initial thoughts were while reading this bonkers script, what his chief sources of inspiration were, shares a funny story about Method Man (yes, from Wu Tang Clan) and lets us in on what it was like joining the other antiquities in the upcoming "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb."



What did you think when you first read this script?

I thought it was hilarious. I thought it was insanely funny. I laughed from beginning to end. It was just a thrill. And it was so playful and it reminded me of so many movies that I loved growing up - in one script.



So it read consistently with how the movie turned out?

Yeah, it did and I'm really delighted with how it ended up and to see it being received in the spirit in which it was made, which was very fun and very celebratory of a certain kind of cinema that we were fed on in the eighties and nineties. Especially growing up in Britain at that time, we were steeped in American action movies and horror movies. That was our lifeblood. And as soon as I had established with Adam that we both loved the movie "Big Trouble in Little China," I knew that we were off to a great start.



Did they try to explain what they were trying to do with the script or you just got it?

I just kind of got it. And I didn't realize that I was one of the few who had. I think that Adam had met with a few guys and they had taken it a bit too seriously. And certainly some people who read it, some of my representatives, didn't get it. They said, "Why do you want to do this? It's so nasty and horrible." They hadn't appreciated that there was room for humor in a film like this. But I think people are laughing at different things now. Horror has evolved in the way that comedy has, I think. And Adam and Simon are keenly aware of that shift. We do dance between that, too. It's not that it's an out-and-out hilarious comedy but nor do we want it to be out-and-out nasty and creepy and weird. We wanted to play with that shift.



There's a little bit of "The Terminator" in your performance...

There's a lot of "The Terminator" in there.



What other things did you reference for your performance?

"The Terminator" was a big one. I had obviously seen them and knew they were a big influence on the film. Adam made me go away and watch "Terminator" and "Terminator 2" back-to-back, which I confess I'd never done previously, I'd seen them individually but as a back-to-back feature it's a really extraordinary experience that I would recommend highly. The "Halloween" movies were a huge influence, as was anything by John Carpenter... obviously the soundtrack was hugely influenced by him. I think a big influence on me was a British movie called "If..." It has this kind of beautiful anarchy to it that I found so delightful. I saw that film when I was probably too young but it really left a mark on me. And even "Kill Bill," with its use of soundtrack, with insane visuals and a certain kind of movie cool that was engendered with that film that we really wanted to celebrate.



"The Guest" is so far removed from your character on "Downton Abbey." Was that a conscious decision to break away from that?

Yes, it was. I was looking to do different things but I couldn't tell you what form they would take. I knew I had an appetite for something. It's funny when things come along. Like I said, I read "The Guest," thought it was hilarious, and knew in my heart of hearts that if I sat down with this director we would make a connection. And I was right. I sat with Adam and we just talked shit for hours. At the end it was like, "Oh yeah 'The Guest.'" But we were talking about movies we love, what we'd seen recently, and weird shit we read in the news. We just were in the same headspace. It was clear we would have a lot of fun making stuff together. But it was clear that we shared the same cinematic vocabulary. He grew up in Alabama, I grew up in Britain, but we watched all of these movies and we're almost the same age. We basically had been to see the same movies, week after week, from about 1994 to 1999 - we'd rented the same videos. So that was cool to find that connection.



The end of the movie certainly leaves things open for the possibility of further adventures with David. Have you guys talked about that at all?

I'd certainly work with Adam and Simon again. I think what you're referring to is more of a nod to the structure of the "Halloween" movies than it is a teeing up of anything in the future. Sure, the possibility is out there and god knows what he'd get up to next. But yeah, we're having a little bit of fun.



Another movie you're in right now is "Walk Among the Tombstones." Where did that come from?

[Writer/director] Scott Frank had seen me in "The Heiress" on Broadway and he had responded to a certain kind of ambiguity I was going for in that role. And he wanted someone a little unexpected to play this Brooklyn drug trafficker - someone who, by their very casting, would tease the audience's expectations. He delights in seeing actors try things they'd never tried before. I really liked "The Lookout" and I loved what he was doing with Matthew Goode in that movie. I remember thinking, "What a cool role to take on," especially someone who had taken on a lot of similar roles to me back in England. I know Matthew a little bit and we delight in the sense that an American director would be like, "Play a weird bad-ass." That vote of confidence is so enormously empowering. That's where that character came from - to get to go into a much darker world and to go with someone like Liam, who is kind of the king of that genre.



Liam Neeson is obviously the greatest. That's not really a question.

Yeah, I'm not going to lie, it's a little intimidating meeting him on that first day, like, "What is this guy going to be like?" And he is a big man but he's very calm and brings a fantastic attitude to the work and keeps things light enough off set. That's not to say he turns into Jim Carrey, but he's a sweet guy who is serious about the work but doesn't take himself too seriously and I really respect and admire that.



You were recently in "The Cobbler" with Adam Sandler that just premiered in Toronto. Do you have any funny stories from the set?

My one abiding memory from that set was with Method Man, actually. The amount of love for that man that was coming out of these residential towers we were shooting around in the lower east side... Once word got out that we were filming below, within 20 minutes people were playing his music out their windows. But I was very excited to meet him. And he came onto the make-up truck one day, and I was a big fan and hadn't met him yet and was worried what I was going to say to Method Man. And before I could open my mouth, he comes up to me and goes, "Dan Stevens. Downton Abbey - that's the fucking shit, man."



On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you're in "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb." How was working on a giant studio thing like that?

It was fantastic. That was a whole other world. It was mind-blowing how many of my comedic heroes were in that film. It was lovely to see how there's an attempt made on a movie of that scale to preserve something at the core of that set is creative and very positive and reserved as a safe space to be very silly and funny. But just to play around, when things do get to that scale, there's a feel amongst filmmakers that that sense will be lost. But there was a real effort on set to preserve that - to keep things fresh and playful. It's a delightful franchise and I really love the first two movies so to get a chance to step into that with a very silly character that I guess I've had in my back pocket, it was great. I was so heartened by how Lancelot was welcomed into that mad world.



Did you get to work with Robin Williams? What was that like and what was your reaction when you heard the news?

I'm still reeling to be honest. And I guess I'm not quite ready to talk about it. But it was a very, very special time.







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David Fincher Considered Directing 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

US movie director David Fincher speaks bWhen "Star Wars: Episode VII" was just a gleam in LucasFilm's eye, a slew of directors were rumored for the job. J.J. Abrams ended up winning that derby, but, oh, what could've been!



One of those "what if" scenarios that apparently was close to fruition is a David Fincher-directed "Episode 7." The master behind "Se7en," "Fight Club," and the new "Gone Girl" considered taking on the newest film in the iconic franchise.



In an interview with TotalFilm, Fincher admitted to talking to LucasFilm's president, Kathleen Kennedy. But he didn't "know what Disney-Lucasfilm will be like."



Fincher worried about meeting the newly-merged studio's expectations. "If I said, 'I want to do something more like that,' then I'm sure the people paying for it would be like, 'No! You can't do that! We want it like the other one with all the creatures!'" he aid.



Also, his ideas for the sequel were, hmm, shall we say unique?



"I always thought of 'Star Wars' as the story of two slaves [C-3PO and R2-D2] who go from owner to owner, witnessing their masters' folly, the ultimate folly of man," he explained. "I thought it was an interesting idea in the first two, but it's kind of gone by 'Return Of The Jedi.'"



What could've been: David Fincher's "Star Wars: Episode VII - We, Robots"?







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'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel Set as Netflix's First Feature Film

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2

Netflix already has networks shaking in their boots; now, it's Hollywood movie studios' turn.



The online streaming service announced that it is partnering with the Weinstein Company to release their first original feature film - a sequel to the 2000 martial arts film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."



The film will premiere on Netflix and in select IMAX theaters on Aug. 28, 2015. It stars Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen and was directed by Yuen Wo-Ping.



"Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty," said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a statement. "We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film."



Netflix has already disrupted the television industry with sterling original series like "House of Cards" and "Orange Is the New Black." Both of those shows garnered nominations in the top categories at this year's Emmy Awards.



Now, the service hopes to do the same with movies. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2" is just the first of several original films that Netflix plans to release.







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Best of Late Night TV: Ben Affleck's 'Frozen'-Obsessed Kids, NPH's Wedding, Aretha Franklin Covers Adele (VIDEO)

Ben Affleck, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon

If you're like us and value your sleep, you probably nodded off into your Ambien dreamland before the party started on post-prime time TV. Don't worry; we've got you covered. Here's the best of what happened last night on late night.



"Gone Girl" star Ben Affleck stopped by "The Tonight Show" and chatted with host Jimmy Fallon about his upcoming projects, including his role as Batman in Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" follow-up. Affleck admitted that his kids "could give a s--t" that he's playing the Caped Crusader, but "if I were doing the sequel to 'Frozen,' I'd be a hero." The actor said his children want to watch the film so often that he's had to come up with clever ways to cut down on their viewing time, including showing them the clip of Fallon covering "Let It Go" with Idina Menzel, the Roots, and classroom instruments.



Kate Walsh also appeared on "Tonight" to promote her title role on new NBC sitcom "Bad Judge," and recounted a recent whitewater rafting trip that got a little intense when her guide dislocated his shoulder. Fallon joked that it sounded like the plot of a "Deliverance"-style movie, and Walsh admitted that she was more concerned about getting all the way down the river than she was about the man's injury.



Neil Patrick Harris sat down with David Letterman on "The Late Show" and talked about his recent wedding to longtime partner David Burtka. The ceremony, which took place at an Italian castle, was filled with little surprises, Harris explained, because he's a fan of puzzles and magic. Some of the special moments included Elton John serenading the couple during the reception, and fireworks going off during their first dance, which was set to Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This."



Harris also chatted with Letterman about his upcoming "Choose Your Own Adventure"-style memoir, lavishing praise on the host in the process. The actor also discussed his Tony-winning role in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and his upcoming part in "Gone Girl," and how both involve some sexy, scandalous things.



Aretha Franklin also stopped by "The Late Show" and discussed her new album, "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics," an idea that came from Clive Davis, who suggested that the legendary singer cover pop and R&B hits sung by her contemporaries as well as modern artists. Franklin also performed the album's first single, a take on Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," proving that she's still got it after decades in the business -- and giving Adele a run for her money.



On "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Clark Gregg discussed the secretive nature of working with Marvel, and how the studio's movies affect the plot of his show, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Marvel doesn't really trust its cast members with secrets, though, Gregg said, which can get frustrating when scripts change at the last minute.



Gregg also chatted with host Jimmy Kimmel about his love of comics and how much fun he has when going to Comic-Con and other conventions. It sometimes gets inappropriate with fans, though, the actor admitted -- especially when female admirers ask him to sign certain body parts.



Jennifer Love Hewitt also stopped by "Kimmel," where she recounted an embarrassing story about how she sent Matt Damon a bed years ago. What was supposed to a sweet gesture ending up being kind of creepy, the actress admitted. Hewitt also discussed the birth of her daughter, and how her husband was amazing in the delivery room. The key, she explained, is to bring snacks.



Photo credit: YouTube







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Monday, September 29, 2014

The First 'Inherent Vice' Trailer Is Finally Upon Us (VIDEO)

The first trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice" has finally been unleashed to the world, and it's nothing short of amazing.



With an all-star cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, and Benicio Del Toro, the Thomas Pynchon adaptation feels alive with humor, weirdness, and the perfect amount of cool. In fact, one could call it whimsical. Sort of.



"Inherent Vice" hits theaters December 12, 2014.



inherent vice trailer



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What to Watch This Week: 'Chef,' 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'In A World...'

Chef

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.



New on DVD and Blu-ray



"Chef"

Jon Favreau wrote and directed this delicious comedy about a chef named Carl Casper, who quits the biz to start a food truck with help from fellow chef Martin (John Leguizamo) and Carl's son Percy. Sofía Vergara plays Carl's ex-wife, with Dustin Hoffman as Carl's former boss, Scarlett Johansson as the hostess of the restaurant, and Oliver Platt as a food critic whose mean tweets kicked off this whole business.



"The Exorcist: The Complete Anthology"

This Blu-ray box set includes both the theatrical version and the extended director's cut of "The Exorcist," "Exorcist II: The Heretic," "The Exorcist III," and the two prequels, "Exorcist: The Beginning" and "Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist." Although this set doesn't boast a whole lot of extras, it's the only way to snag "Dominion" on Blu if you're a completist. The entire set is actually cheaper than the "Exorcist" Blu-ray released in 2010, and this is the first time four of these are even on Blu-ray, so hey, why not?



"The Pretty One"

Zoe Kazan stars as identical twins with very different lives. Laurel is sweet but childish; she lives at home with their dad and wears the old clothes of their dead mother. She's in love with the boy she used to babysit, and spends her days taking care of their dad. Audrey lives her own life in a different city, with a real job and a boyfriend and cool clothes; she's "the pretty one" of the two sisters, even though they're genetically identical. A terrible accident gives Laurel the chance to experience life as the pretty one, but can she keep up the ruse? Jake Johnson co-stars as Laurel/Audrey's next-door neighbor in this darling indie from writer/director Jenée LaMarque.







TV Worth Watching



"Gracepoint" (Fox, Thursday at 9 p.m. EST)

It's not clear why there's an American adaptation of the excellent BBC drama "Broadchurch," but we'll take it. David Tennant reprises his role as the lead detective in a murder investigation, joined by Anna Gunn as his partner.



"Saturday Night Live" (NBC, Saturday at 11:29 p.m. EST)

Sarah Silverman is hosting! Don't worry, you can mute Maroon 5 if you really want to.



"The Vampire Diaries " (The CW, Thursday at 8 p.m. EST)

It's the premiere of the sixth season! The Other Side has gone bye-bye, the doppelganger nonsense is dunzo, and now we've got to figure out what the future holds for Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Bonnie (Kat Graham). We're also anticipating some new characters, like a mysterious and possibly psycho new villain (Chris Wood).



New on Netflix



"The Double"


Jesse Eisenberg does double duty as nerdy Simon James and his suave, shifty doppelganger James Simon (without a green screen!) in Richard Ayoade's quirky adaptation of the Dostoyevsky novella. Mia Wasikowska appears as Hannah, the fiery love interest of Simon and James, alongside a motley crew of fabulous actors like Wallace Shawn and Noah Taylor. Beautiful, weird, and highly literary, with a cool Japanese pop soundtrack.



"Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa: Unrated Version"

If you didn't get nearly enough of Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and his dangly bits, well, you're in for a treat. If you dig the "Jackass" crew, then you know what to expect. And if you don't, well, buyer (or renter) beware!



"The Walking Dead" (Season 4)

It's never too late to catch up on the gory trials and tribulations of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the folks he meets trying to stay alive among all the flesh-eating walkers, diseases, and baddies (like the Governor) shambling around this AMC drama.





New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only



"Broad City" (Amazon Prime)


This Comedy Central sitcom is finally available on Amazon Prime. (Shout out to everyone who tried to watch it on the Comedy Central site and struggled through endless ads!) It actually became available last week, but it's so ridiculously good that you can't afford to miss it. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer star as best friends who love pot, sex, and being slackers. Amy Poehler is an executive producer!



"Hellion" (iTunes)

This gritty indie from IFC is about a motocross-obsessed 13-year-old named Jacob (Josh Wiggins) who's in and out of trouble, but mostly in it. Aaron Paul co-stars as his drifting, freshly widowed dad, with Juliette Lewis offering some support as a concerned aunt who's given custody of Jacob's little brother Wes (Deke Garner). Austenite Kat Candler wrote and directed this coming-of-age story.



"In A World..." (Amazon Prime)

Lake Bell does triple duty as writer, director, and star of this witty indie about a voice coach named Carol who's struggling to get into the male-dominated voice-over acting biz. Her competitors include her successful and selfish dad (Fred Melamed) and a gross chauvinist named Gustav (Ken Marino). The excellent ensemble cast includes Demetri Martin, Michaela Watkins , Tig Notaro, Rob Corddry, and lots of other cool people.







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Fall 2014 TV Guide: October Premiere and Finale Dates



October is officially upon us, and we're in for an entire new slew of television premieres -- not to mention a few finales. This month is packed with returning favorites and a crop of freshman shows that are poised to be hits ("The Affair," anyone?) and Moviefone's rounded up a day-by-day schedule so you can prepare in advance for a major TV binge. Check out what's on October's docket right here -- and pssst brand new shows are in bold, plus we included a few must-watch previews!



OCTOBER 1
9/8c Criminal Minds (CBS)
10/9c Stalker (CBS)


10/9c The Bridge FINALE (FX)


11/10c Death Valley (CMT)

11/10c Girl Code (MTV)




OCTOBER 2
8/7c The Vampire Diaries (CW)



9/8c Bad Judge (NBC)

9/8c Gracepoint (Fox)


9/8c Reign (CW)

9:30/8:30c A To Z (NBC)


OCTOBER 3


8/7c Last Man Standing (ABC)

8/7c On The Menu (TNT)

10/9c Kendra on Top (WE)


OCTOBER 4

9/8c Survivor's Remorse (Starz)



OCTOBER 5

7/6c America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC)

7:30/6:30c Bob's Burgers (Fox)

9/8c Homeland (Showtime)


9/8c Manzo'd with Children (BRAVO)

9:30/8:30c Mulaney (Fox)

9/8c Inspector Lewis (PBS)

10/9c Tethered (DISCOVERY)



OCTOBER 6

8/7c The Originals (CW)

10/9c Are You the One (MTV)




OCTOBER 7

8/7c The Flash (CW)


9/8c Supernatural (CW)

8/7c Bad Girls Club: Redemption (OXYGEN)

9/8c Nail'd It (OXYGEN)

10/9c The People's Couch (BRAVO)

10/9c Preaching Alabama (TLC)

10/9c Town of the Living Dead (SYFY)



OCTOBER 8


8/7c Arrow (CW)

9/8c Kingdom (DirecTV)

9/8c Ghost Hunters (SYFY)

10/9c American Horror Story: Freak Show (FX)



OCTOBER 10

8:30/7:30c Cristela (ABC)

9/8c Say Yes to the Dress (TLC)

10/9c Something Borrowed, Something New (TLC)



OCTOBER 12

9/8c The Walking Dead (AMC)

10/9c The Affair (Showtime)


12/11c Comic Book Men (AMC)

10/9c Talking Dead (AMC)

10/9c The Strain FINALE (FX)



OCTOBER 13

9/8c Jane The Virgin (CW)


9/8c Shahs of Sunset (BRAVO)

9/8c Star Wars Rebels (DisneyXD)




OCTOBER 14

9/8c Marry Me (NBC)

9:30/8:30c About a Boy (NBC)

10/9c Chrisley Knows Best (USA)



OCTOBER 15

10/9c Top Chef (BRAVO)



OCTOBER 20

9/8c American Dad (TBS)



OCTOBER 22

9/8c The 100 (CW)

11/10c Web Therapy (SHOWTIME)



OCTOBER 23

10:30/9:30c Project Runway: Threads (LIFETIME)



OCTOBER 24

9/8c Grimm (NBC)

10/9c Constantine (NBC)





OCTOBER 26

9/8c Death Comes to Pemberley (PBS)



OCTOBER 27

8/7c 2 Broke Girls (CBS)



OCTOBER 28

10:30/9:30c Benched (USA)



OCTOBER 30

8:30/7:30c The Millers (CBS)

9/8c Two and a Half Men (CBS)

9/8c Project Runway All Stars (LIFETIME)

9:30/8:30c The McCarthys (CBS)

10/9c Elementary (CBS)










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'SNL' Parody Proves Audiences Will See Anything Marvel Makes (VIDEO)

marvel spoof, marvel, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Chris Pratt

"Guardians of the Galaxy" star Chris Pratt hosted the 40th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, and the show couldn't help but poke fun at Marvel's success with the unlikely superhero flick -- and audiences' undying support for seemingly anything and everything the studio produces.



In a fake trailer for supposed upcoming Marvel releases, an announcer notes that "Marvel can't fail," and now doesn't even need recognizable comic book heroes -- or real heroes of any kind, for that matter -- to find big screen success. Instead, the studio is building its next franchises around five random words from the dictionary, the clip says, featuring a pastry chef and an office chair as the next saviors of the universe.



Other upcoming titles from the comic powerhouse include "Marvel's Bus People," "Marvel's Fancy Ghosts," and "Marvel's Pam 2: The Winter Pam." And what would Marvel's take on new sister company Disney's property "Star Wars" be without "Guardians" star Chris Pratt playing Princess Leia?



Check out the hilarious, highly-accurate clip below, and tell the truth: You'd totally see "Fancy Ghosts," wouldn't you?



[via: Saturday Night Live]



Photo credit: SNL







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Here Are the Main Characters in the 'Walking Dead' Spinoff Series

The Walking Dead, Rick, Daryl DixonWhile it's not set to debut on AMC until sometime next year, some details about the upcoming "Walking Dead" spin-off series -- including its main cast of characters -- have emerged.



TVLine has the scoop about the six people at the center of the new show, described by the site as follows:

SEAN CABRERA | A Latino male in his early 40s, Sean is a good man trying to do right by everyone in his life.



CODY CABRERA | Sean's whip-smart and rebellious teenage son. Known as the angriest kid in town.



NANCY TOMPKINS | A thirtysomething single mom to two kids, Nancy looks like the girl next door, but there's an edge to her.



NICK TOMPKINS | Nancy's screwed up teenage son. He's too old to stay home, too scared to flee.



ASHLEY TOMPKINS | Nancy's mostly level-headed teenage daughter. Her ambition is in direct proportion to her older brother's failures. She loves her mom but it's time to get out of Dodge.



ANDREA CHAPMAN | A somewhat wilted flower child, fortysomething Andrea - yep, another Andrea! - has retreated to the outskirts of the city to recover after a horrible marriage.



The spin-off won't be directly related to the current "Walking Dead" series, following the brand-new above crew in a different part of the country. TVLine notes that it's rumored that this show will instead act as a sort of prequel to the hit drama, depicting the early days of the zombie outbreak and attempts to get it under control. And unlike "TWD," it won't be based on Robert Kirkman's comics (though Kirkman is penning this series, along with showrunner Dave Erickson).



TVLine writes that AMC declined comment on its report, other than confirming it has ordered a spin-off pilot. Stay tuned for more details.



[via: TVLine]



Photo credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC







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Ben Affleck Wanted to Keep His 'Batman v Superman' Suit - But Was Told It'd Cost Him $100,000

Opening Night Gala Presentation And World Premiere Of

Superhero memorabilia can be surprisingly pricey, something actor Ben Affleck learned recently while shooting "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."



While promoting his part in "Gone Girl" during an interview on "Live with Kelly and Michael," Affleck discussed his role as the caped crusader in the upcoming Zack Snyder flick, joking with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michel Strahan that he expects to get a lot of birthday party appearance requests following the high-profile movie's 2016 release. After Strahan wondered whether or not Affleck will get to keep one of his Batman costumes following the film's wrap, the actor admitted that he did inquire about the possibility -- but faced some sticker shock when producers told him he'd have to pay up for the prop.



"I asked them, 'So, what about maybe taking the suit home at the end of the thing?' And they're like, 'For $100,000 you can,'" Affleck said. "I was like, 'Maybe I'll just take a picture.'"



Despite that disappointment, the actor said he understood why the suit would cost so much, telling Ripa and Strahan that audiences demand a higher-quality product these days when it comes to their superhero flicks, and that includes getting details like a perfectly-designed suit exactly right.



"These movies have become a big deal, so they spend a lot of money on every little detail, and they're scrutinized and criticized," Affleck said. "And the guy who did the suits did a very good job."



Moviegoers can check out the high-quality costumes for themselves when "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" opens on March 25, 2016.



[via: Live with Kelly and Michael, h/t Yahoo! Movies]



Photo credit: Getty Images







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Lorde's 'Mockingjay' Single, 'Yellow Flicker Beat,' Is Finally Here (AUDIO)

2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 2 - Backstage

As promised, Lorde has delivered the first single from the soundtrack for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1," and it's equal parts spooky and epic -- and 100 percent awesome.



The track, "Yellow Flicker Beat," is ostensibly about "Hunger Games" heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), featuring an inner monologue that veers between uncertainty and fiery passion, an internal debate that Katniss faces as the "Hunger Games" trilogy progresses -- and comes to a head in the "Mockingjay" films. Much like the posters promoting the film, which depict Katniss first reserved, then rising from the flames as a rebel warrior, there are hints in both the melody and Lorde's lyrics about the teenage heroine slowly accepting her mantle, as lines like "the fire's found a home in me" and "we lit the spark" foreshadow the showdown with the Capitol yet to come.



Listen to the track below, and get pumped up for "Mockingjay"'s release later this fall. The entire soundtrack, curated by Lorde, is due out on November 18.








"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" hits theaters on November 21.



[h/t Stereogum]



Photo credit: Isaac Brekken via Getty Images







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Yes, Those Weird Rock Trolls Were Even a Part of the 'Frozen'/'Once Upon a Time' Crossover (VIDEO)



The fact that "Frozen" and "Once Upon a Time" are crossing over isn't much a surprise. Disney owns both properties and both are phenomenally popular. But how the two properties are being integrated largely remains a mystery, mostly due to the fact that we're not sure what the mechanics of "Once Upon a Time" are and how fairy tale characters are allowed to just pop in and out, seemingly at random. But oh well, the "Frozen" characters are on "Once Upon a Time" now and we're all going to have to deal with it. Thanks to Vulture, too, you can see all the "Frozen" bits from last night's premiere, in one place -- down below, in this very post!



In the clips, you see Elsa (Georgina Haig), Anna (Elizabeth Lail), and Kristoff (Scott Michael Foster), as well as a computer-animated rock troll guy that looks awesomely similar to the character in the movie. Apparently Elsa and Anna are trying to figure out where their parents were going on the fateful sea voyage that ended up taking their lives. We spell an unnecessarily complicated back story coming up!



What's kind of striking is how faithfully these characters were rendered for the small screen, and not just those weird troll guys (how funny is it that they only animated one of them? Trolls cost money, people!) The best part, in our estimation, is how they maintained Anna's goofiness; it's really endearing, no matter the format.



"Once Upon a Time" airs on Sundays on ABC. "Frozen Fever," a short film spin-off, will premiere in 2015, most likely before the new "Frozen"-themed ride at EPCOT opens. Everything's coming up "Frozen!"











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NYFF Review: 10 Things You Should Know About 'Gone Girl'



A couple of nights ago, the New York Film Festival kicked off at Lincoln Center, with a starry, splashy premiere - "Gone Girl," the long-awaited adaptation of Gillian Flynn's best-selling mystery (there were more than 3.5 million copies in print in the first year the book was published). Everyone was there, including stars Ben Affleck (who took some good-natured ribbing about his upcoming role as Batman during the post-film Q&A) and Rosamund Pike and director David Fincher. But the real star was, of course, the movie.



"Gone Girl," for those precious few who haven't read the book, concerns the disappearance of a beautiful wife (Pike) and the media scrutiny that zeroes in on her charming husband (Affleck). Did he murder her? Was she kidnapped? Or is there something altogether stranger going on? These are the questions that swirl around "Gone Girl," and as directed by Fincher ("Seven," "Zodiac," "The Social Network"), they become even murkier and harder to discern.



But was the adaptation worth the wait? And what of all the talk about the severe changes made to the original novel's narrative? Well... Read on to find out. And, in keeping with the book, I'm splitting the review into 5 Things You Should Know If You Haven't Read the Book (so: no spoilers) and 5 Things You Should Know If You Have (stuffed with spoilers).



If You Haven't Read The Book, You Should Know...



1.) It's A New Classic

David Fincher's "Gone Girl" is an absolute masterpiece; a uniquely American rumination on marriage and modern society and one of the very best, most thrilling experiences you'll have going to the movies this year. Every second of the movie is precision cut, every performance calibrated to perfection (more on that in a minute), and as big a kick as the movie is, it's also deeply resonant on an emotional and political level. This is a movie where big ideas are nestled inside a nifty mystery. It's profound and heartbreaking and deeply personal while also being a total cinematic rollercoaster. "Gone Girl" is, handily, one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of the year, and one that I can easily see becoming even deeper and more thoughtful after multiple viewings.



2.) This Is The Best Ben Affleck Has Ever Been. Ever.

Ben Affleck, at the press conference following the NYFF screening, joked that he wanted to be "a director when I grow up." But in recent years, that's primarily what the actor has been known for, with his pair of Boston-set crime movies ("Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town") and an Oscar-winning historical thriller ("Argo"). But with "Gone Girl," he re-enters the acting arena full force, almost two years before taking on the brooding Dark Knight in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," and it's the best he's ever been. Affleck is unassuming but electric, giving the kind of naturalistic, lived-in performance that seemed to always be slightly out of reach (even in the movies he directed himself). There's also a weird real-life dimension to his performance, since he plays a man who is hounded relentlessly by the media; those scenes are both scary and familiar. Everything that might have bothered you about Affleck before - his handsome, schoolyard bully good looks, his goofy amiability, the occasional brittle edge - are turned inward and flipped upside down. His charm becomes a liability, his relentlessness a virtue, and your allegiance oscillates accordingly. It's a high-wire performance and Affleck pulls it off admirably.



3.) Rosamund Pike is Officially a Movie Star Now

For years now Rosamund Pike, a wonderful British actress, has appeared on the sidelines of fairly big movies that, for whatever reason, failed to catapult her to the next level of her career (some James Bond movie, "Pride and Prejudice," "Jack Reacher," "The World's End"). Well, all that is about to change. "Gone Girl" is the type of role that makes an actress a movie star, one that is able to showcase the performer's wide array of talents and it doesn't hurt that she's lump-in-your-throat gorgeous. What's so great is that none of these previous roles really prepares you for what she's capable of in this movie. It's brilliant work. Pike may play the gone girl, but she is definitely here to stay.



4.) The Music Is Unbelievable

For the past few movies, Fincher has relied heavily on Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, a pair of musicians who work most of the time in the fabulously popular rock outfit Nine Inch Nails, but for the filmmaker create haunting, electronically-tinged soundscapes. For "The Social Network," they created glittery electro pop that kept with that movies John Hughes-goes-to-hell feel, and with "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," they approximated the snowy Swedish landscape in music form (listening to the accompanying album practically gave you frostbite). For "Gone Girl," they create something wholly different than the other two scores but yet still keeping within the same wheelhouse - and it's totally unbelievable. Fincher instructed them to think of the music he heard in a spa while getting his back adjusted, a kind of malformed sweetness that could, over the course of the movie, curdle and rot. So taking that idea, they created the musical equivalent of Nick and Amy's relationship. On the surface, it seems so beautiful. But underneath...



5.) It's Really Funny

A movie about a potential homicide (or, at the very least, a violent kidnapping), doesn't seem like it is the type of material that should be stuffed with jokes. But yet it is. Fincher's films have always been under-appreciated when it comes to their levels of comedy, but there are great gags in almost every movie and "Gone Girl" is easily one of his funniest. The satirical element of the film, the part that skewers the media (and how we consume that media) is only slightly heightened. You can see enough real life in it, even if the comedic element is boosted a bit. And Pike and Affleck are both really, ridiculously funny too. It's just a joy.



And If You Have Read The Book, You Should Know...



Seriously... No turning back...



Okay...



1.) Structurally, Things Remain Intact

One of the bigger questions when it came to the film adaptation of "Gone Girl" was whether or not the book's shifting perspective, half told in real time as the investigation unfolds and half told through slippery diary entries written by Amy before her disappearance, would make it through to the movie. It does. And it's brilliant. Flynn and Fincher found the perfect way to translate that very literary device to the big screen in a way that was truly thrilling, especially when you consider that...



2.) The Twist Works Even Better Here

Of course, if you've read the book then you're reading this section of the review and you know that Amy is actually alive (!) and staged her death to get revenge on her very lousy husband. And what's kind of amazing is how this plays out. About halfway through the movie, there's just a montage of "how she did it," and the shock of the twist just reverberated in the theater (and, honestly, through the rest of the movie). The montage is, of course, put together with the typical level of Fincherian flair, and cements the movie's nearly hypnotic power. Just... wow.



3.) The Ending Is Pretty Much the Same

There was a lot of talk early on in the process that Flynn had deconstructed the last act of the book and had thrown it out altogether. But that just isn't true. There are a few embellishments, but generally, things are the same. So don't worry, there haven't been any major shake-ups in terms of the narrative beats and it's just as perverse as it's always been. There is one little bit that's been added that will delight everyone, but you're going to have to watch it to find out what that is.



4.) Tyler Perry Makes A Terrific Tanner Bolt

The biggest X-factor, probably, in terms of Fincher's cast, was the addition of Tyler Perry as Tanner Bolt, the smarmy lawyer that swoops in to defend Nick when the public scrutiny becomes too great. Now, Fincher has a knack for great (sometimes left field) casting choices, but Perry seemed odd even by those admittedly looser standards. But you know what? Perry totally works. He's really funny and confident and oily and it is yet again a testament to the power of David Fincher that he could choose someone primarily known for dressing up in drag and putting on an affected, slightly harmful stereotypical voice, and making him stand strongly alongside Affleck and the other actors.



5.) "The Scene" Is Amazing

There's a sequence late in the book that, when I was reading it, literally made my jaw hinge open. The sequence is, I am happy to report, fully realized, in all of its bloody glory, in the movie. So just prepare yourself (it also has the best soundtrack cue in the entire thing). I'm still being cagey because I'm worried people will keep reading into the spoiler section even if they're not supposed to, but be prepared... it gets gross.







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