by Shannon Hood, Aug 20 2010 // 12:00 PM
Remember Valerie Plame? She was the CIA agent who was outed by White House Staffers when her husband wrote an op-ed for the New York Times that condemned the Bush administration for fabricating intelligence that led us into the Iraq war.
In the upcoming movie Fair Game, Plame is played by Aussie actress Naomi Watts. Her husband, Joe Wilson, is played by Sean Penn. The film is directed by Doug Liman, who previously directed The Bourne Identity, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, so he obviously knows his way around a spy thriller.
If I might editorialize briefly, what do you think of casting Sean Penn in a politically charged role? He did star in Milk, but he has been so outspoken about the Iraq war that it seems a little off-putting to me. He is a wonderful actor, and Watts is always solid, so I am sure the movie will be intriguing.
You can catch the trailer after the jump. Fair Game opens in theaters November 5.
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Posted in: Movies · News · Thriller · Trailers
Tagged: CIA, Doug Liman, Fair Game, Naomi Watts, Political thriller, Sean Penn, Trailer, Valerie Plame
by Matt Raub, Aug 20 2010 // 11:00 AM
All week long, we’ve been bringing you increasingly interesting videos and interviews with some of the cast of Adult Swim’s Children’s Hospital. Today, we’re bringing you the mother load, as we chat with the mastermind behind it all: Rob Corddry.
Most people know Rob from his work on The Daily Show, if not one of this year’s funnier films, Hot Tub Time Machine. We discussed the possibility of a sequel to this year’s popular comedy, and what it would take to get him back in the same role.
Not only did Corddry create, write, and direct all of Children’s Hospital, but he also plays the character Blake Downs, a direct blow to Robin William’s character in Patch Adams. We also chatted with him about his blatant disregard for Grey’s Anatomy when making his show, which can be seen as an obvious parody of the ABC hit.
Check out our full interview with Corddry after the jump and be sure to catch the all-new season of Children’s Hospital this Sunday, August 22nd, at 10:30PM on Adult Swim.
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Posted in: Comedy · Drama · Exclusive · Fandom · Interviews · News · Video
Tagged: Adult Swim, Children's Hospital, Hot Tub Time Machine, Operation: Endgame, Rob Corddry, The Daily Show
by Shannon Hood, Aug 20 2010 // 10:00 AM
Come on, we all know the drill with romantic comedies. Two star-crossed lovers are completely oblivious to the fact that they are perfect for one another, then one or both has an epiphany in the last 15 minutes of the film, usually resulting in a sprint to an airport/train station/cab or other mode of transport to confess their true feelings. Cue happy ending.
There’s just not that much to it, and the genre has been done to death. The only thing separating romantic-comedies from one another is the story that articulates how the couple eventually ends up together. Sometimes that journey is dull and joyless, but The Switch was actually a sweet movie that made me want to share the journey with the characters. It was a notch above most romantic comedies, particularly this year’s offerings.
Jennifer Aniston plays Kassie, a New York professional who has suddenly realized that she has a biological clock that is not so much ticking as it is screaming at her to have a baby, stat. Her best friend Wally (who names their kid Wally, for chrissakes?), played by Jason Bateman, warily listens to Kassie effuse about how wonderful it will be to be a single parent, and tries to snap her back to reality.
God forbid someone tell Kassie something she doesn’t want to hear. Kassie dismisses his concern as lack of support, and promptly tells him that she is putting their friendship in a time out (get it, she is already thinking in Mommy terms!)
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Posted in: Comedy · Movies · Reviews · Romance
Tagged: Comedy, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Aniston, Juliette Lewis, Patrick Wilson, Romance, The Switch
by Chris Ullrich, Aug 20 2010 // 9:00 AM
Often the Internet is a source of news, information and, on occasion, social relevance. Other times it can serve as a springboard or a rallying point for fans of a particular person or thing to spread the word promoting whatever they are passionate about. In this case, the person fans are passionate about is Warehouse 13 actress Allison Scagliotti.
Not only are these fans acutely aware of Scagliotti’s appeal, they have an even more specific purpose in mind: to help her — and not Megan Fox – win the title role of Cassie Hack in the big screen adaptation of Time Seely’s comic Hack/Slash. To help facilitate this they have made a video appealing to other fans of the actress and the comic and trying to build support for her getting the role.
The video, brought to us by our pal SamProof, makes several good points about the actress and her ties to the geek and comic community. She also resembles the character quite a bit. However, it’s really up to you and those like you if videos like this are going to have any influence on those big Hollywood decision makers.
Judge for yourself and check out the video after the jump. Also, if you thing Scagliotti would make a good Cassie Hack, sound off in the comments.
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Posted in: Comics · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · SyFy · TV
Tagged: Allison Scagliotti, Cassie Hack, Casting, Fandom, Hack/Slash, Movies, Video, Warehouse 13
by John Carle, Aug 20 2010 // 8:00 AM
Back in November, we gave you our review of WWE’s latest Smackdown vs. Raw 2010. Now, SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is on the horizon and WWE has just announced the superstars for the game’s cover as well as some of its key features.
In the US, John Cena, the Big Show and the Miz, the latest addition to the Money in the Bank club, will be gracing SmackDown vs. Raw’s cover art (seen above). If you scan down to the gallery below, you will also see the European cover art featuring the Undertaker, Randy Orton and Sheamus.
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is on track to deliver the most incredible WWE simulation experience to date in our storied franchise,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “This year’s game will offer players a variety of intuitive new gameplay features, impactful upgrades, industry-leading creation and customization tools, as well as unparalleled freedom to experience their own virtual WWE moments in line with those seen weekly in WWE.”
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Posted in: Announcements · Games · News · Playstation 3 · Screen Shots · THQ · Trailers · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, Chris Masters, Created Superstar, Edge, Eve Torres, Hell in a Cell, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Road to WrestleMania, Sheamus, SmackDown vs. Raw, The Big Show, The Miz, THQ, WWE, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, WWE Universe, WWE Universe Mode
by Shannon Hood, Aug 20 2010 // 7:00 AM
Last week, The Flickcast brought you the first trailer for Skyline, a science fiction movie in which an extra terrestrial population sucks humans up into the sky for unknown purposes. Now, a new poster for the film has debuted on Shock Til You Drop. We, of course, have it for you here as well.
The movie, which lands in theaters on November 12, stars Eric Balfour, Donald Faison, and Brittany Daniel, among others. Most people I know are pretty excited to see this and have it on their “must see” lists.
The movie is directed by Greg and Colin Strause, who have previously done visual effects for some very high profile movies including Avatar, Iron Man 2, The Book of Eli, and Fast and Furious.
The poster features a spaceship of sorts hovering over a skyline, wreaking havoc. Check out the full poster after the jump.
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Posted in: Movies · News · Posters
Tagged: Brittany Daniel, Colin Strause, Donald Faison, Eric Balfour, Greg Strause, poster art, Skyline
by Nat Almirall, Aug 19 2010 // 3:00 PM
This is one of those films that makes me happy about doing a retrospective on John Huston. Just when I think it’s going to get boring, I stumble on a movie like The Asphalt Jungle, and it blows me away.
The Asphalt Jungle, for a cinemaphile today, is a study in influence—not what it was influenced by, rather what it influenced later and still influences now. I can’t think of any other Huston film I’ve seen that so readily ignites callbacks (call-forwards?) to so many films I’ve seen before seeing this.
If I were pitching it to a studio today, I’d say, “It’s like Reservoir Dogs meets The Seven Samurai meets David Mamet.” You can’t watch it without hitting your head and saying, “So that’s where that’s from.”
And to say this is Huston at the height of his powers” isn’t enough. You must say, “This is Huston at the height of his powers in the 1950s.”
And it is. Structurally, Jungle is air tight. It takes chances, but they’re carefully controlled to provide maximum shock, at least retrospectively—I can’t know how shocking they were in 1950, but I do know that in the context of the film they’re surprising and clearly deliberate—the gun falling on the floor and nailing one of the gang members, the abrupt execution of the double-crosser, the delightful close-up of teenage boobies…
Is this the same guy who made The Maltese Falcon? It doesn’t quite feel that way. Falcon seemed a little tighter, more rigid. Here Huston feels more relaxed—the dialogue isn’t a rapid-fire barrage of quips and one-liners. The characters aren’t as grotesque—they seem a little more human.
Here’s a quick recap: Several men of various means and personalities join together to pull off one big score that will set them for life.
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Posted in: Classics · Movies · Reviews
Tagged: James Whitmore, John Huston, Marilyn Monroe, Sterling Hayden, The Asphalt Jungle
by John Carle, Aug 19 2010 // 2:00 PM
Nickleback asks us, “Are we having fun yet?” Well come September 28th, everyone should be saying yes if they are fans of any of the Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock set list. We have been revealing bits and pieces of the game as it has come to us but below, you can finally see the entire 93 song list.
Sticking to a harder edged theme than the Rock Band series, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock’s set list looks to keep in line with the game’s story wear players are tasked with saving the Demi-God of Rock. This isn’t going to be the game with an appearance from Lady Gaga to say the least.
Check out the full set list below and the final reveal trailer. Stick with us for more news on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock as it becomes available.
- A Perfect Circle – “The Outsider”
- Aerosmith – “Cryin’”
- AFI – “Dancing Through Sunday”
- Alice Cooper – “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
- Alter Bridge – “Ties That Bind”
- Anberlin – “The Feel Good Drag”
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Posted in: Activision · Announcements · Games · Music · News · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Alice Cooper, Alter Bridge, Atreyu, Bad Brains, Blue Öyster Cult, Bush, Deep Purple, Edgar Winter, Five Finger Death Punch, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pantera, Playstation 3, Poison, Rise Against, Screenshots, Steve Vai, Strung Out, Styx, Sum 41, The Ramones, The Runaways, The White Stripes, Them Crooked Vultures, Trailers, Video Games, Wii, Xbox 360
by Chris Ullrich, Aug 19 2010 // 1:00 PM
Even though, for whatever reasons, the Ghost Rider movie wasn’t, shall we say, very good, that hasn’t stopped people from moving forward with plans for another one. Nor has it stopped Marvel from continuing to feature the character in comic book form which, as you will see from this preview for the upcoming comic book Shadowland: Ghost Rider #1, is a pretty cool way to do it.
Written by Rob Williams with art by Clayton Crain the “red-hot comic blockbuster of the summer, Shadowland, continues.” In the book, the spirit of Vengeance makes his debut after being summoned by the Kingpin. In an attempt to change the tides of war, Ghost Rider must travel to Japan and take on the unrelenting might of the secret ninja organization known as The Hand.
So let’s get this straight: Ghost Rider goes to Japan to take on Ninjas? Sounds pretty awesome to me.
Can’t wait until this book goes on sale which, by the way, is on September 15th. In the meantime, check out some preview pages for it after the jump.
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Posted in: Comic Previews · Comics · Marvel · News
Tagged: Clayton Crain, Comics, Ghost Rider, Kingpin, Marvel, Nicholas cage, Rob Williams, Shadowland, Shadowland: Ghost Rider, The Hand
by Shannon Hood, Aug 19 2010 // 12:00 PM
Have you ever heard of the 11-11 movement? I haven’t, until today. Apparently it is a spiritual cult that believes the date 11-11 has cosmic power, and that the number has been associated with many historical events. They also believe that on these dates, one can achieve a higher level of consciousness or enlightenment, allowing extra terrestrials and angels to communicate with them. Several mass meditations have been scheduled on these dates by the group.
What does that have to do with Saw director Darren Lynn Bousman? Heat Vision is reporting that Bousman will partner with Wayne Rice to make a movie based on the movement called 11-11-11. Of course, it will open on 11-11-11.
It sounds like Bousman is looking to break free from his typically gory trappings. He indicates that he wants this movie to be more akin to Signs, which was more of a psychological thriller.
Bousman has previously directed Saw II, III, and IV and Repo! The Genetic Opera, which was a commercial flop, but has found a cult following on DVD. He has already started writing the story, which will focus on something being able to enter our world at precisely 11:11 on 11-11-11 for 49 minutes.
We don’t get to see too many movies about cults, but they are fascinating. If it is done effectively, this could be a very creepy movie.
While the real cult focuses on extra terrestrials, it sounds like the movie will deal more with spirits and angels. The fact that the actual date is coming up makes marketing the movie a breeze, as long as they can finish it on time. Of course, we will keep you posted on the proceedings.
Posted in: Movies · News
Tagged: 11-11-11, Darren Lynn Bousman, Movie News, News, Repo The Genetic Opera, Saw
by John Carle, Aug 19 2010 // 11:00 AM
With Scribblenauts being one of our favorite games of 2009, it is no surprise we were excited to get some hands on time with its sequel at San Diego Comic Con this year. In the E3 Trailer for Super Scribblenauts, we found out that not only would the game receive a control upgrade where players would be able to finally control Maxwell with the D-Pad instead of the sometimes unreliable stylus but they would also be given the option of using adjectives in creating their objects.
These adjectives would influence the color, behavior and abilities of the items created in Super Scribblenauts. In the first game if a player wanted to create a flying pig, they’d have to type “Pig” and then “Wings” and attach the wings to the pig. Now, by simply typing “flying pig”, the game intuitively combines the two into one hovering swine.
At the Con, we got a walkthrough of some of the game’s levels. Super Scribblenauts will feature 120 new levels which Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment described as “deeper, more linear and require a little more thought process”. With the upgraded controls also comes more action oriented levels. While many levels are still focused on problem solving, there are now stronger action elements to the title.
The classic stylus controls are still there but for “twitch” style action levels, the d-pad with the ability to control when Maxwell jumps greatly improves upon what most consider the only flaw of the original game. While Maxwell isn’t going to be as tight control-wise as Mario would be, he is much easier to properly maneuver, saving accidental deaths and aggravating level failures.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · Games · Hands-On · News · Nintendo · Trailers · Video Games · Warner Bros
Tagged: 5th Cell, Hands On, Nintendo DS, San Diego Comic Con 2010, Screen Shots, Scribblenauts, SDCC, SDCC 10, SDCC 2010, SDCC10, Super Scribblenauts, Trailer
by Heather Toshiko, Aug 19 2010 // 10:00 AM
In case you haven’t been keeping up, we’ve been bringing you tons of great interviews with the cast of Adult Swim’s newest series, Children’s Hospital. We’ve already spoken with Ken Marino, Paul Scheer, and the lovely Lake Bell, so today we go straight to the man on top, Rob Huebel.
Many remember Rob as one of the founding members of MTV’s Human Giant, but he’s probably known best for being in just about everything that has to do with comedy on TV in the past 5 years. From Arrested Development to I Love You, Man to 30 Rock, American Dad, The Office and countless others. Huebel is certainly a character actor who gets around.
It seems that he’s most recently found a home on Rob Corddry’s Children’s Hospital as the clueless Dr. Owen Maestro, the melodramatic love interest of just about every female lead on the show. We spoke with Rob about Hospital as well as a few of his upcoming projects that we were pretty excited to hear about.
Check out the full interview after the jump and be sure to catch an ALL NEW season of Children’s Hospital this Sunday, August 22nd at 10:30 PM, only on Adult Swim.
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Posted in: Adult Swim · Cartoon Network · Casting · Comedy · Exclusive · Interviews · News · TV · Video
Tagged: 30 Rock, Adult Swim, American Dad, Arrested Development, Children's Hospital, Human Giant, I Love You Man, Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, The Office