Thursday, June 1, 2017

Man Calls for Austin Boycott Over 'Wonder Woman' Screening & the Mayor's Response Is Classic

Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Wonder Woman' - Red CarpetIf Wonder Woman ever wants a new sidekick, she should call Austin, Texas mayor Steve Adler. (Side note: There's something about Steves -- Steve Trevor, Steve Rogers, and now Steve Adler.)

Austin's Alamo Drafthouse is among the theaters planning to hold some women-only screenings of Gal Gadot's "Wonder Woman" to "celebrate a character who's meant a great deal to women for close to eight decades." That has garnered criticism from some people, and the most vocal critics have been male. They probably don't want to attend the screenings -- it's pretty clear many of these guys will go out of their way to avoid any movies starring women, and view any request to see more than one female character in a movie or TV show as feminist propaganda -- but they are still upset at what they perceive as hypocrisy.

One of those men wrote a letter to the mayor of Austin, and the mayor's letter in response was a glorious mic drop.

Both letters are posted in full on Mayor Adler's website. Here's just a portion of what Richard A. Ameduri wrote to the mayor:

"I hope every man will boycott Austin and do what he can to diminish Austin and to cause damage to the city's image. The theater that pandered to the sexism typical of women will, I hope, regret it's decision. The notion of a woman hero is a fine example of women's eagerness to accept the appearance of achievement without actual achievement. Women learn from an early age to value make-up, that it's OK to pretend that you are greater than you actually are. Women pretend they do not know that only men serve in combat because they are content to have an easier ride. Women gladly accept gold medals at the Olympics for coming in 10th and competing only against the second class of athletes. Name something invented by a woman! [...] Does Austin stand for gender equality or for kissing up to women? Don't bother to respond. I already know the answer. I do not hate women. I hate their rampant hypocrisy and the hypocrisy of the "women's movement." Women do not want gender equality; they want more for women. Don't bother to respond because I am sure your cowardice will generate nothing worth reading."

Oh, but the mayor did respond to this gentleman, and here's part of his response:

"Dear Mr. Ameduri,

I am writing to alert you that your email account has been hacked by an unfortunate and unusually hostile individual. Please remedy your account's security right away, lest this person's uninformed and sexist rantings give you a bad name. After all, we men have to look out for each other!

Can you imagine if someone thought that you didn't know women could serve in our combat units now without exclusion? What if someone thought you didn't know that women invented medical syringes, life rafts, fire escapes, central and solar heating, a war-time communications system for radio-controlling torpedoes that laid the technological foundations for everything from Wi-Fi to GPS, and beer? And I hesitate to imagine how embarrassed you'd be if someone thought you were upset that a private business was realizing a business opportunity by reserving one screening this weekend for women to see a superhero movie."

Read his full response for more, which includes this perfect "bless your heart" closing:

"And in the future, should your travels take you to Austin, please know that everyone is welcome here, even people like those who wrote that email whose views are an embarrassment to modernity, decency, and common sense."

BOOM. Of course, this is not settling any debates and will hardly change the OG writer's mind. Plenty of fans are still waging gender wars in comments across the Internet, with stars like Marvel's Don Cheadle defending the idea, and explaining from his perspective how it's not a double standard.

[h/t: EW]

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First 'Murder on the Orient Express' Trailer Has Viewers Asking the Wrong Question

Whodunnit? That's what many fans are asking after the first star-studded trailer for "Murder on the Orient Express," but they don't mean the murder.

Instead, after admiring the cast and mystery set-up, many viewers are wondering who decided Imagine Dragons's "Believer" was a fitting song choice for an Agatha Christie adaptation set in the early 20th century.

Or, as one put it in Collider's comments, "I could care less about who the murderer in the film is, I just want to know the murderer to my ears who thought that this trailer needed Imagine Dragons to catch the viewers attention. Who the f*ck thought that was a good idea?!?"

Ah, mon ami. That is the true mystery.

There are also questions about director Kenneth Branagh's facial hair and strong accent as Hercule Poirot, but that's just Branagh being Branagh. He'll chew the scenery the whole time. Just let him have his fun.

But these questions distract from the murder mystery, which -- conspiracy! -- may have been the whole point. 'Cause otherwise people might just go and read the book for spoilers, or go back to complaining about Johnny Depp. (Some fans are pleased that he seems to be the movie's victim, which is problematic on its own.)

Anyway, music aside, the trailer has us hooked. Here it is, complete with handy graphics to let us know who is who:And here's the synopsis:

What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best selling author Agatha Christie, "Murder on the Orient Express" tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.

The full A-list cast includes Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom, Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Marwan Kenzari, Olivia Colman, Lucy Boynton, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Sergei Polunin.

"Murder on the Orient Express" opens in theaters November 10.

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Kirsten Dunst Dismisses New 'Spider-Man' Movies: 'They're Just Milking That Cow for Money'

US actors Tobey Maguire (R) and KirstenThis Mary Jane has no time for any Peter Parker but Tobey Maguire.

Kirsten Dunst co-starred in director Sam Raimi's three "Spider-Man" movies from 2002-2007, and she's still casually shading the reboots -- not only Tom Holland in the upcoming "Spider-Man: Homecoming," but also "The Amazing Spider-Man" movies with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

Basically, everyone else can sit down.

'The Amazing Spider-Man' Madrid PremiereDunst's most recent comments are in the new issue of Marie Claire, as part of the promotion for her new movie "The Beguiled." Here's that part of the interview:

When asked for her opinion on the Spider-Man reboot, she was also pretty unequivocal. 'We made the best ones, so who cares? I'm like, "You make it all you want." They're just milking that cow for money. It's so obvious. You know what I mean?'

Some fans are taking those comments very seriously, especially as a direct attack on the MCU's reboot with Tom Holland, but she's just being loyal to her own team -- and probably with a laugh, since she's not confusing any of this with brain surgery.

Dunst shared similar mild insults when talking to Variety about how her career took off when she was cast as Mary Jane in Raimi's "Spider-Man."

"I wanted to be in that movie so badly. I loved it, and I wish we could have made a fourth."

Here's what she had to say about the new films:

She's ambivalent about Sony's decision to keep rebooting the franchise, now in its third iteration. "I don't care," she says of the reboots, admitting she didn't see the last installment. "Everyone likes our 'Spider-Man.' C'mon, am I right or what? Listen, I'd rather be in the first ones than the new ones."

So, like many commenters on the Internet, she says she doesn't care, but does care just enough to throw some shade. It's a good thing this Mary Jane isn't at Peter Parker's high school in "Homecoming," 'cause she'd probably scare him more than Vulture.

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Jennifer Garner Sets the Record Straight After Unauthorized Magazine Reports

The Cinema Society Hosts A Screening Of IFC Films' 'Wakefield' - After PartyJennifer Garner has taken the rare step of posting a note to fans on Facebook in response to the new People magazine cover story.

In her post, she references the many "ridiculous" tabloid stories that have been easy to ignore -- including one recent OK! report suggesting she was pregnant with twins -- but she knows People magazine is something different. It's more respected, and usually includes interviews with the stars themselves, and not just quotes from anonymous sources. That level of credibility is probably why she felt compelled to make it clear that she did not participate in or authorize the new cover story.

The new story is headlined "Life After Heartbreak," with an unnamed insider claiming Garner's decision to file for divorce from Ben Affleck was "the most difficult decision for her" and their three children, Violet, 11, Seraphina, 8, and Samuel, 5. The article also said Garner isn't ready to date yet, as "Ben was the love of her life."


It's not exactly a negative story, and her response may only draw more attention to it, but maybe she read the People comments and thought she'd better set the record straight instead of letting people think this unnamed insider was really speaking for her. And since both Garner and Affleck filed divorce petitions, she may not have wanted her family to think it was solely her move. (She also may not have liked the photo.)

So here's what she posted:For the record, a People spokesperson responded in a statement (via Page Six) that the story on Garner "is fair and truthful," adding that "it does not include rumors and does not say she's pregnant."

Nope, they weren't the ones with the pregnancy allegation, but by lumping all unauthorized stories together in one post, she's basically equating this cover with a tabloid twins rumor. Shots fired ... in the sweetest "Everymom" way possible.

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New Arya Stark Photo Reveals a 'Game of Thrones' Season 7 Spoiler

Premiere Of HBO's "Game Of Thrones" Season 6 - ArrivalsA Girl has something new, and fans took note.

"Game of Thrones" Season 7 is coming out July 16, and we knew fans would analyze every frame of the official trailer, but we didn't even think to study the new Entertainment Weekly cover photos. We were so excited to see an early Stark family reunion, we didn't pay close attention to Arya Stark's new weapon -- a dagger. A very particular dagger. You know that dagger.

Game of Thrones (Season 7)L-R: Sophie Turner, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Kit Harrington, and Maisie WilliamsPhotograph by Marc Hom on November 22, 2016 in Belfast.That's the Valyrian steel blade last seen in Littlefinger's possession. The one used in the attempt to kill off Bran Stark. The question is, how did Arya get it from Petyr Baelish?

Here's some of the dagger's history, via Reddit:

"Breakdown of the dagger's journey (at least in the books but it's probably the same in the show):
Littlefinger lost the dagger to Robert Baratheon at the tourney (not to Tyrion as he claims), then it is implied in the books that Joffrey stole the dagger from the king and sent the assassin to kill Bran with it (both Cersei, Jamie and Tyrion comes to this conclusion). Catelyn takes the dagger and gives it to Ned (who shows it to Varys and LF) and when LF betrays Ned he takes the blade back. When Sansa and LF are in the Vale it's mentioned that he has it with him.
If Arya now has the dagger, she would have to either steal it from LF or kill him and then take it. We see her sneaking around indoors in the trailer and looking under furniture, it is possible she could have found it in Baelish's room in Winterfell."

Yes, there is a shot in the trailer of Arya sneaking around, and maybe she did find the dagger there. Or maybe she takes it from him by force. It certainly wouldn't be past her.

Here's a version of the dagger:

We'll have to wait and see how exactly Arya gets this new toy, and if she uses it to help take out some White Walkers, since that's going to take A LOT of Valyrian steel (and dragon fire).

"Game of Thrones" Season 7 premieres Sunday, July 16 at 9 p.m. on HBO.

[h/t: Huffington Post]

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'The Bachelorette' Suitor Lee's 'Pleasantly Offensive' Tweets Surface

THE BACHELORETTE - Rachel Lindsay, a fan favorite on the 21st season of ABC’s hit romance reality series “The Bachelor,” starring Nick Viall, was named as the next woman to hand out the roses and attempt to find her own happy ending when “The Bachelorette” premieres for its 13th season, MONDAY, MAY 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Craig Sjodin)(FRONT) MILTON, BRYCE, JEDIDIAH, JACK, FRED, IGGY, RACHEL LINDSAY, KYLE, JAMEY, MICHAEL, LEE, KENNY, BLAKE E.; (MIDDLE) MATTHEW, BRYAN, PETER, JOSIAH, DEAN, GRANT, KENNETH, BLAKE K., ERIC, ROBERT;(BACK) JONATHAN, WILL, ADAM, DEMARIO, ALEX, MOHIT, LUCAS, ANTHONY, BRADY"The Bachelorette" suitor/fresh bit of nonsense Lee Garrett is currently offending all kinds of people, and not just with his questionable hairstyle. Lee is still competing on Rachel Lindsay's pre-taped season of "The Bachelorette," but he has managed to do the impossible: Make Whaaaaboooom and DeMario look okay by comparison.

Lee's Twitter -- which includes the bio "Pleasantly Offensive. Facetious.Exceptionally Southern.Entreprenuer.Always Someone*" -- is currently set to private after controversial tweets on race and gender started making the rounds.


The Internet saves all, and posted some of his tweets, wondering why ABC cast this guy for Rachel, knowing how both she and he view the world.


It might be time for Rachel to use her trademark line again:

According to Entertainment Weekly, spokespersons for ABC and production company Warner Horizon Television both declined to comment on Lee's tweets. They did, however, previously comment on and remove part of Bryce's bio from the official site when it was deemed transphobic.

Many fans suspect the producers knew what they were doing to cast Lee -- and DeMario with his girlfriend, and Whaboom with his Whabooming -- because it's all just fuel for the drama fire. Chris Harrison did bring up Lee's name when asked if this season had a villain. As long as Rachel still has two or three decent guys, they rest are apparently free to be jokes.

Rachel has yet to comment on Lee's tweets, and maybe she never will, but she might address Lee in a post-episode interview after this Monday's show or later in the season at the "Men Tell All."

"The Bachelorette" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

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Milla Jovovich Almost Quit 'Resident Evil' Over Rewrites for Michelle Rodriguez

Special Screening of 'Resident Evil'Milla Jovovich turned the Alice of "Resident Evil" into an action franchise icon, but the whole thing almost fell apart when she was blindsided by rewrites. In an oral history with Inverse, Jovovich explained that she almost quit the 2002 film when she found out -- while flying across the Atlantic ocean to set -- that some of her best action scenes were being given to Michelle Rodriguez, because Rodriguez was then the new star on the rise.

First, Jovovich explained that she wanted the role of Alice because she was a big fan of the video game and would play it all the time with her younger brother. Also, "I wanted to produce the movie, because I just thought, oh what a great property, to have such strong female characters that even my brother and his friends would rather play as Jill Valentine or Claire Redfield than the guys. And then I found out that it was being made by Paul's company, so I just asked to come in and read for it."

Paul is writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson, whom Jovovich met while working on "Resident Evil." They ended up marrying in 2009, and have two children, but there was a rocky start to their relationship when she confronted him over the script changes.

Here's that part of the oral history, from Jovovich's perspective:

"I almost quit the movie. I was shooting something else, and Paul had hired Michelle Rodriguez to play Rain. And she had just come off Girlfight and there was Oscar buzz. She was very hot at that moment, and my hotness had sort of been already four years old by that point. So Paul rewrote the script for her. It pretty much made my character 'the girl,' and Rain was 'the guy.' She got all of my big action scenes, and she became like Alice. And then Alice became this tag-along.

I didn't get the new draft until I was leaving to go to Germany from Canada, where I was working. I ended up reading the script on the plane, so by the time I landed in Berlin, I was livid. I got to the hotel and said, 'We have to have to a big talk or I'm going to be on a flight tomorrow morning.'

So Paul ended up coming over that evening and we literally sat for three hours and went through the script, page by page. He was like, 'What do you mean? This didn't change that much?' So I was like, 'OK, why don't we start with page one?' I pointed out every time I felt like my great scenes were taken away. That was how we started our relationship."

Hopefully that doesn't read as a "Girlfight" on its own, because the result kept Alice in the lead role of what would be a six-film franchise, and also gave a strong role to Michelle Rodriguez as Rain, who returned for "Resident Evil: Retribution."

Inverse's oral history also includes praise from Ali Larter, whose Claire joined the cast in the third movie:

"I loved the idea of getting involved in a female-led franchise; especially in these action-zombie movies, you don't usually see a woman in that role. I was originally very attracted to that, seeing Milla and the fact that they were then bringing a character that wasn't going to be in competition with her. They build each other, they end up having this connection, and they work together. I thought that was really special."

Read the full history for more.

[h/t: EW]

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