The Flickcast

Box Office: People Love Epidemics, ‘Contagion’ Opens Big

Posted on September 12, 2011

Steven Soderbergh seems to have found his new Clooney, as Matt Damon has helped the man snag a #1 spot twice now with The Informant! and as of this weekend, Contagion.

Hard to believe a film about a virus wiping out the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Laurence Fishburne could bring in $25 million worldwide in the first weekend, but that’s just what it’s done. Not terrible, considering the film’s budget was a measly $60 million (most of which likely went to the ensemble cast).

Following up in the top 5, The Help finally got knocked from its #1 spot for the first time in 3 weeks and finally hit the $140 million mark. In third, another new release, as the “Rocky of UFC” movie, Warrior, opened to a quiet response, with only $5.6 million.

In fourth place, political thriller The Debt managed to drop off significantly from last week and only pull in an estimated $5 million this weekend.

Check Out a Preview and Pics from Tonight’s New Episode of ‘Strike Back’

Posted on September 9, 2011

Truth be told, I’m enjoying Cinemax’s Strike Back. It kinda kicks ass. So, this week we’ve got a new preview and some pics from tonight’s episode to share with you.

Here’s the scoop for those of you just joining us:

“When a resourceful international terrorist group plots an attack, a charismatic former U.S. Special Forces operative joins forces with a stealth British military unit to stop them.” Don’t worry, it’s not all talk or anything. Stuff blows up. I mean a lot of stuff.

The show features Sullivan Stapleton, Philip Winchester, Amanda Mealing, Eva Birthistle, Jimi Mistry, Rhashan Stone and Richard Armitage.

Check out the preview and the new pics after the break. Strike Back is on tonight at 10/9C on Cinemax.

Ricky Gervais Wants A Star-Studded Golden Globes Podcast

Posted on September 9, 2011

Last year, Ricky Gervais hosted the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards and was received with….mixed reviews. Gervais’ brass and care-free digs on the Hollywood system rocked the celebrity world and some were even “outraged” by some of the comments. Gervais’ response? He wants to do it again.

This time around, he won’t be restricted by the “tightwads” at HFPA or the network. Gervais is taking his jokes to the internet, in what some are calling a “re-dubbed livecast”. The British comedian’s plan is to do a live podcast the same night as the awards show, and have some of his friends stop by for the laughs. Here’s what Ricky had to say over at his blog.

What do you think of this?

A live 3 hour podcast during The Golden Globes. Me and a few chums (like Louis CK, Chris Rock, Karl Pilkington, John Stewart, Larry David popping in and out) doing our own alternative commentary.

People at home can have the telly on with the sound down listening to us online say things that no broadcaster could get away with.

Film Score Friday: ‘Drive’ by Various Artists

Posted on September 9, 2011

Drive is an interesting film. I have not seen it yet, but I can tell that by its trailers, promotional one-sheets and now its score. The music strikes a very interesting tone that fits in with the minimalistic, and down right retro style we have seen from the movie thus far.

The film features a score by Cliff Martinez, an early Steven Soderbergh collaborator who has since developed an interesting filmography. The Martinez portion of this score is pretty solid across the board. I enjoy the retro, almost electronic sound the score boasts.

It is almost like a minimalist version of the Tron: Legacy score, My only reservation of his music is that it is pretty one note. I don’t know that I could pick one track from another if I wasn’t looking at a track list.

The other major portion of this soundtrack is a selection of tracks by several different artists. This portion of the sound track was very enjoyable during the first couple tracks, but became mildly repetitive as it moved along. Really shining a light on the real problem on this who soundtrack, repetitiveness. I love the general sonic landscape this score is selling, but as an album I don’t know if it stands well on it’s own.

DC Comics Reboot Review: ‘Action Comics’ #1

Posted on September 9, 2011

You will believe that man can fly, no wait, run really fast.

More so than any of the other DC Comics #1’s, including Justice League #1, Action Comics #1 is the flagship book of DC. Superheroes were created in the original Action Comics #1 way back in June of 1939.

The editors of DC Comics must have realized this as well so they gave the job of reinventing their original book and superhero to Grant Morrison, superstar comic writer and creator of one of the best Superman stories of all time known as All Star Superman. So how is Action Comics #1? Well, it can be summed up in one simple sentence.

Welcome back, Superman.

Action Comics #1 is a refreshing, brand new take on the character of Superman. By going back to the roots of Superman, in his humble beginnings in 1939, Grant Morrison has created a Superman that is more modern and relevant than ever.

The issue begins with a young Superman. He can’t fly, but he can run real fast and leap buildings in a single bound. His costume is nothing but a t-shirt, a cape, and a pair of jeans. Superman grabs a CEO of a company that mistreated his workers, bribed city officials, and used illegal cheap labor.

John Malkovich To Play with Zombies in ‘Warm Bodies’ Adaptation

Posted on September 9, 2011

Worldwide audiences thought that vampires may be getting a bit stale, so why not hop on over to the world of the flesh-eating dead and take on a few zombie-based properties. Studios saw how successful things were over at AMC when they took a chance on a comic book about zombies, so why not tackle a book without pictures in Isaac Marion’s Warm Bodies.

Not only is the film already deep in the works, but they are already looking to the man who we once spent an entire 90 minutes Being, John Malkovich. Here’s the report on the film from THR:

John Malkovich is in negotiations to play the baddie in Warm Bodies, Summit’s adaptation of the zombie-centered book by Isaac Marion.

HBO Taking Aaron Sorkin’s New Show to Series

Posted on September 8, 2011

If you’re as big a fan of writer/genius Aaron Sorkin as we are here at The Flickcast, this news will make you very happy. HBO has picked up Aaron Sorkin’s hourlong cable news network pilot and will take it to series.

In case you haven’t been following the developments of this show, it is as yet untitled (but used to be called More As This Story Develops) and centers on a cable news anchor (Jeff Daniels), his new executive producer (Emily Mortimer), his newsroom staff (Alison Pill, John Gallagher Jr, Olivia Munn, Dev Patel, Thomas Sadoski), and their boss (Sam Waterston).

In true Sorkin fashion this ragtag team of individuals gradually comes together as they explore the world and the news taking place around the, and, in some cases, right in front of them. The number of episodes is yet to be determined but it is generally believed to be at least 10.

This is great news but not really that surprising. Sorkin is a well known commodity and coming off an Oscar win for The Social Network so it’s not hard to believe HBO would be interested in working with him.

It’s also a great deal for Sorkin as well as he can finally have a series on a newtork where ratings are not all that important. Sems like a good fit and we can’t wait to see the show.

Web Video Roundup: Doc Brown Pimping Argentinian Electronics, Streisand’s ‘Temple of Doom’ Cameo, & The Official ‘Human Centipede 2’ Teaser

Posted on September 8, 2011

• People may be agains the upcoming reboot/prequel to The Thing, but this brief clip may just restore faith in the film for those.

• For those who didn’t know, there was an old rumor that Barbara Streisand surprised the cast of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in a classic blooper. That footage is finally seeing the light of day

• Those who love the new Doctor Who will love this a capella song done to the show’s theme. This time with lyrics!

• It’s a sign of hard economic times when even Doc Brown has to stoop low and act in a commercial for an Argentinian electronics store. Hey, we’re just happy to see him back doing what he loves.

• We brought you a footage-free trailer for Human Centipede 2, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the intense imagery that the first teaser brings us.

• The new Rise of Nightmares game looks so good that the video game comedy troop Mega64 is schilling it in this awesome web short. Our verdict? Sold.

• Who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned loop cover? We do, so check out this loop cover of the Gorillaz’ “Feel Good Inc.”

• Justin Timberlake hasn’t been around the music scene for a while, as he’s been busy boning Mila Kunis and sabotaging Facebook. These mega fans want to see him bring sexy back….again.

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