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‘Terminator 5’ will be rated R
Mack Chico
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2012/01/28 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Terminator 5’ will be rated R

01.28.2012 | By |

'Terminator 5' will be rated R

If Terminator 5 shooting was the wise decision is to be rated R and actually will be. The fifth installment of the Terminator, will have an R rating in the words of Megan Ellison, owner and president of Annapurna Pictures studio, which owns the rights to the series.

The first three “Terminator” were all rated R, but then the director McG for “Terminator Salvation”, decided it would be better to lower the rating to PG-13 with the hope that the franchise could be seen by a wider audience with the hope that it would result in higher gross income.

The ace up the sleeve of this fifth installment will undoubtedly be the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger to the franchise. Is he the Terminator? What character would play? All in good time boys.

The Grey
Jack Rico
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2012/01/27 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Grey

01.27.2012 | By |

The Grey
Javier Bardem says no to ‘Despicable Me 2’
Mack Chico
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2012/01/25 at 12:00am

Movies

Javier Bardem says no to ‘Despicable Me 2’

01.25.2012 | By |

Javier Bardem says no to 'Despicable Me 2'

There were some early rumors last year that Oscar winner Javier Bardem was going to have a role in Universal Studio’s sequel to Despicable Me. But looks as if he is no longer interested in the role.

He was reported to be in negotiations about voicing a villain called El Macho who is a larger than life luchador and the baddest Mexican to walk the Earth, but looks like commitments to ‘Skyfall‘, the new James Bond film releasing 2013, as well as Terrence Malick’s currently untitled project with Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams.

So who is replacing Bardem in the movie? The word is that Universal Studios is doing a wide search for Latino and non-Latino actors. I’m sure they’ll audition the usual suspects. Kudos to Universal though for actually creating a Latino animated character which are rarely seen these days, even though WB’s ‘Happy Feet 2′ went towards that direction as well. It’s in Universal’s best interest since the original ‘Despicable Me‘, which was in 3D, had 25% of the box office coming in from Latino audiences.

Leave your comments below of whom you’d like to see replace Javier Bardem as the Mexican villain ‘El Macho’.

‘Despicable Me 2’ has a release date for 2013.

F. Javier Gutiérrez to direct ‘The Crow’ remake
Jack Rico
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2012/01/25 at 12:00am

Movies

F. Javier Gutiérrez to direct ‘The Crow’ remake

01.25.2012 | By |

F. Javier Gutiérrez to direct 'The Crow' remake

With so many problems to reboot the film ‘The Crow,’ Relativity Media studio, Dimension Films and producer Edward R. Pressman, finally announced that they have signed an agreement with Spanish helmer F. Javier Gutierrez (Before the Fall) to direct the remake. The successful 1994 film became a popular cult hit starring Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee.
 
Gutiérrez’s directorial debut, the Spanish-language apocalyptic thriller Before the Fall (Tres Dias), became an international and award-winning sensation after premiering at the Berlinale Film Festival in 2008. In Spain, the film won Best Motion Picture and Best Screenplay at the 2008 Malaga Film Festival, the Miradas Award (TVE) for Best Motion Picture of the Year, and garnered nominations from the Spain Critics Awards.   In Europe, the film was a finalist for the 2008 European Film Awards and won main prizes in such science-fiction and fantasy film festivals as the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, the Trieste Film Fesitval, and later in the U.S., picked up four awards at Los Angeles’ famed Horror Festival “Scream Fest” in 2009 (for editing, Gutiérrez’s directing, cinematography, and actor Victor Clavijo). The film also ranked #3 on the “International Watch List 2008”.  Gutiérrez is currently developing Dimension Films’ sci-fi thriller The Greys.
 
The Crow adaptation will be a gritty reboot of the iconic character Eric Draven, who returns from the grave as The Crow on a mission to avenge his wife’s murder, so that his soul can finally rest. The original film is known for its breakthrough visual style as well as its unique production design and cinematography.  The project is currently in development; start of production, targeted release dates and casting to be announced.
 
Pressman is currently in development on a reinvention of the iconic action film Bloodsport written by Robert Kamen (Taken) and to be directed by Phillip Noyce (Salt). The latest feature from Pressman, The Moth Diaries, directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho), will be released by IFC Films later this year. 

‘Paranormal Activity 3’: Win the Blu-ray movie!
Mack Chico
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2012/01/24 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Paranormal Activity 3’: Win the Blu-ray movie!

01.24.2012 | By |

'Paranormal Activity 3': Win the Blu-ray movie!

The record-breaking franchise that has terrified audiences around the world returns with the scariest story yet as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 is already out on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with UltraViolet™ and a Digital Copy at a value of $39.99, but we’re giving 10 copies away for free to 10 lucky ShowBizCafe.com winners.
 
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 Blu-ray/DVD combo pack includes both the theatrical version of the film and an unrated version with footage not seen in theaters, as well as Lost Tapes that reveal more footage not seen in the film.  In addition, all Blu-ray and DVD releases available for purchase will be enabled with UltraViolet, a new way to collect, access and enjoy movies.  With UltraViolet, consumers can easily add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them – safely and securely – to a variety of devices.

 

To win the free Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is easy, all you have to do is fill out the COMMENTS section below with your full name and email address to win.

The first 10 winners will be notified by e-mail. Only one entry per e-mail address will be accepted, and multiple entrants may be disqualified. Employees agents, consultants and other advisors of showbizcafe.com are not eligible to participate in this contest. No one under 13 is eligible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Once again, to enter, please post your name and email address. We will email you for your home address. All entrants MUST be residents of the United States. ShowBizCafe.com respects the privacy of its readers. No information submitted in this contest will be given, copied, transferred, or sold to any third parties.

Paranormal Activity 3

Complete list of 2012 Oscar nominations
Jack Rico
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2012/01/24 at 12:00am

Movies

Complete list of 2012 Oscar nominations

01.24.2012 | By |

Complete list of 2012 Oscar nominations

Fresh new Latino faces were represented at the Oscar nominations with the Argentinian Berenice Bejo (THE ARTIST) getting a nod for Best Supporting Actress, Mexican Demian Bichir (A BETTER LIFE) received a Best Actor nomination, and Chico y Rita obtained a Best Animated Film nom. 

But before you continue reading, I need to get a few things off my chest. I like Demián Bichir’s work in A BETTER LIFE, but even he would tell you that he was nominated for the wrong film! Fidel Castro in CHE was his best performance in his career to date.

The Buenos Aires born Bérénice Bejo selection is understandable but hard to swallow for me. I hate to confess this but Bejo didn’t impress me in The Artist. Compared to every other actor in the cast, she was the weakest link. Her mannersisms seemed force and unnatural. Obviously, I’m not a fan. But for the sake of Latinos surging in a white film universe, I wish her a win. 

One thing I have not even remotely heard from anyone is that RODRIGO GARCIA directed ALBERT NOBBS! He’s Colombian! Why isn’t anyone talking about him?

Glad to see HUGO get its due with 11 nominations. It begins slow, but boy does it leave an impression on you for days. 3D is pretty sick too.

BTW, I have a major issue with MONEYBALL and its story. Why was this made into a movie? Moneyball didn’t help the Oakland Athletics even pass the first round of the playoffs!

Speaking about Moneyball, Jonah Hill was very good. I’d argue he was the best part of the irrelevant film. But over Albert Brooks? He was robbed. The one who wasn’t was Nick Nolte. Well deserved. Max Von Sydow? BS.

Another travesty is Steven Spielberg not being nominated for Best Director: War Horse is as close to a masterpiece as we’re going to get 2011.

Michael Fassbender not getting a nod for BEST ACTOR is tragical. It was between him and Jean Dujardin for the win. His performance was powerful!

‘Extremely Loud’ is unbearable to watch. It shouldn’t even be nominated. Why do you think no other film organization awarded it? The film possesses so many problems so many holes. Hanks, Bullock, Daldry no noms, ha!

Also, Oscars picked 9 films. Why not just go for the full 10!? Drive, Dragon, The Ides of March, My Week with Marylin, Potter, were all worthy option.

Shocking moments from Oscar list: Dicaprio, Fassbender, Brooks, Spielberg, Tintin no nods. Hill, Bichir, McCarth, Glenn Close getting nods. Many surprises!

Moving on… here is the complete list of nominations for the 84th Academy Awards.

Best Picture

War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Actress

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Best Actor

Demian Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Best Director

Michel Hazanivicus, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Best Original Screenplay

Michel Hazanivicius, The Artist
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumulo, Bridesmaids
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
J.C. Chandor, Margin Call
Asghar Farhadi, A Separation

Best Adapted Screenplay

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants
John Logan, Hugo
George Clooney, Beau Willimon and Grant Heslov, The Ides of March
Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball
Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Foreign Feature

Bullhead
Footnote
In Darkness
Monsieur Lazhar
A Separation

Best Animated Feature

A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Art Direction

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

Cinematography

The Artist
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Costume Design

Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

Documentary Feature

Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

Documentary Short Subject

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

Film Editing

Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Kevin Tent, The Descendants
Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Thelma Schoonmaker, Hugo
Christopher Tellefsen, Moneyball

Makeup

Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston and Matthew W. Mungle, Albert Nobbs
Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, The Iron Lady

Music (Original Score)

John Williams, The Adventures of Tintin
Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Howard Shore, Hugo
Alberto Iglesias, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Williams, War Horse

Music (Original Song)

“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio” from Rio, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett

Sound Editing

Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
War Horse

Sound Mixing

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Monyeball
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon
War Horse

Visual Effects

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon

Short Film (Animated)

Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Short Film (Live Action)

Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

A fresh new weekend with a sequel at number 1
Karen Posada
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2012/01/23 at 12:00am

Movies

A fresh new weekend with a sequel at number 1

01.23.2012 | By |

A fresh new weekend with a sequel at number 1

Finally this weekend a good mix of movies that are worth going to the theater for premiered. Starting with ‘Underworld: Awakening’, this new segment of the franchise collected more money than the previous ones of the series, $25.4 million dollars; the main character Kate Beckinsale also stars in another movie in the top 10 this month of January 2012, but in this one she’s phenomenal!

‘Red Tails’ premiered on second place with $19.1 million, this movie of aerodynamic drama has been widely promoted and the reviews it has received are very mixed.

The number one movie from last weekend, ‘Contraband’ falls to third place with $12.2 million dollars. It’s followed by the action movie ‘Haywire’ and ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’. There are rumors that with the website megavideo being shut down, the finances in Hollywood will improve.

 

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Underworld: Awakening -$25.4 million

2. Red Tails -$19.1 million

3. Contraband -$12.2 million

4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close -$10.5 million

5. Haywire -$9 million

6. Beauty and the Beast 3D -$8.6 million

7. Joyful Noise -$6.1 million

8. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol -$5.5 million

9. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -$4.8 million

10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -$3.7 million

 

Underworld: Awakening
Jack Rico
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2012/01/20 at 12:00am

Reviews

Underworld: Awakening

01.20.2012 | By |

Underworld: Awakening

‘Underworld: Awakening’, the fourth installment of the franchise, was not screened to the press, which led me to believe this film was garbage. But to my surprise, it was completely the opposite – pure brain slashing right from the beginning, tons of action, the special effects were on point, but the 3D was a major disappointment. It looked like 2D. A waste of money if you asked me. Also, there are no hidden scenes at the end of the credits, so don’t’ wait for it, but they do set up the ending for another sequel. I saw this in IMAX and it’s money well spent. It really enhances the experience. In my opinion, this is the best movie of the week, much better than ‘Haywire’ and ‘Red Tails’.

Set 15 years after the conclusion of ‘Underworld Evolution’, after Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and her human-Lycan hybrid lover Michael (Scott Speedman) vanquished the Vampire Elder Marcus. It really ignores part three ‘Rise of the Lycans’. In the intervening years, mankind has discovered the existence of both the Vampire and Lycan clans, and launched an all-out war to eradicate both species. Selene, captured during the genocide, awakens after more than a decade to find herself captive in a sealed laboratory at Antigen, a powerful biotech corporation dedicated to developing a vaccine against the viruses that have created the Vampires and Lycans. Selene is heartbroken to discover that Michael is dead, but her grief is soon overshadowed by the shock of her discovery that, while in a cryogenically frozen state, she has given birth to his daughter, Eve (India Eisley). As she seeks asylum for herself and her child, Selene finds herself in a world in which her once proud people have been hunted nearly to extinction and the few survivors hide underground. Shunned by the remaining clans, Selene enlists the support of a young Vampire, David (Theo James), who joins her in a bloody vendetta against Antigen, where shadowy forces conspire to destroy both her and her child. With their traditional enemies, the Lycans, once again in ascendance, even Selene seems powerless in the face of the most ferocious opponent in Underworld history—a genetically enhanced uber-Lycan, like the beast from Ed Norton’s ‘Hulk’. You remember him… Hulk fights this genetically created monster for 20 ferocious minutes in the denouement, where one finishes as exhausted as the Hulk himself. 

The script stands alone on itself and depends minimally on the plot of the prior 3 to be entertaining. Its success relies in its combination of tension filled scenes weaved in with attractive visuals and very good performance on the part of Beckinsale.

With other commitments pending, including helming the upcoming remake of ‘Total Recall’, franchise creator Len Wiseman chose not to direct the film, but was on hand as a producer and provided the inspiration for the storyline. Swedish directors, Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein co-directed and were chosen based on a small film they did called ‘Storm’, which seemed to have been heavily influenced by Underworld. The tandem kept the mythology of the first films, but developed new characters and injected a more tense and agitated storyline that resulted in scenes barely being wasted.

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, and she doesn’t skip a beat. It felt like I was watching her all over again in the original. The woman never ages. Her return was crucial to the success of the film, due mostly to her strong acting skills. She infuses the movie with a gravitas which doesn’t allow it to turn comical in anyway. Beckinsale displays a variety of emotions from compassion to ruthlessness, love to fearlessness. She’s an underrated actress that deserves more roles to showcase her talents.

Another highlight of the film is it’s visual look, it’s almost impeccable. It’s filled with a plethora of stylized special effects in the form of raging murderous wolves, flying daggers, spattering blood and high speed car crashes.  In contrast, the 3D experience is underwhelming. Yes, it barely uses any gimmicks, but then there’s no flash to it either, nothing really pops out. What’s inexplicable is that it was shot in stereoscopic 3D with the new RED Epic cameras which have an extraordinary 5K resolution roughly five times greater than that of HD. And at times, I still couldn’t differentiate 3D from 2D when I took the glasses off. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t have a 2D version to switch off to, so you’re stuck with paying the extra money.

Nevertheless, like a friend said, “Underworld is ‘Twilight’ for adults”. He’s right, it’s a guilty pleasure filled with wolves, vampires, a hint of romance and a flood of non-stop action. This is well done and I have to nitpick to really find deficiencies within the film such as the dialogue. Overall, if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck from the new releases, ‘Underworld: Awakening’ is my personal selection this week.

The Ides of March
Jack Rico
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2012/01/17 at 12:00am

Movies

The Ides of March

01.17.2012 | By |

 

En cuanto a thriller políticos se trata, la nueva cinta de George Clooney ‘The Ides of March’, el cual él dirige, escribe y co-protagoniza, es una de las mejores películas del genero que he visto desde ‘Valkyrie’ de Tom Cruise. Este filme te entrega las supuestas verdades del sistema político estadounidense disfrazado en la ficción del séptimo arte. Las actuaciones del reparto son magnificas, en particular, las de Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti y Marisa Tomei. La dirección de Clooney es genial y el dialogo que provee él, Grant Heslov y Beau Willimon es sagaz, hábil y eficiente. Tres giros inesperados te mantendrán absorbido hasta su irresoluto final.

El argumento, basado en la obra de Broadway de Beau Willimon titulado ‘Farragut North’, se centra en un joven idealista (Ryan Gosling) que comienza a trabajar como director de comunicación para un prometedor candidato a la presidencia (George Clooney) que se presenta a las elecciones primarias del Partido Demócrata. Durante la campaña comprobará hasta dónde se puede llegar para alcanzar la cima en la alta política de los Estados Unidos.

El título del filme, tiene una referencia histórica en el calendario romano cual cae el 15 del mes de Martius. La fecha es famosa porque Julio César fue asesinado en los idus de marzo del año 44 a.c. Pero para propósitos de esta película, el 15 de marzo es la fecha de la primaria de Ohio, cuando el gobernador Mike Morris (George Clooney) espera vencer a su oponente y reclamar la nominación demócrata a la presidencia.

Como susodicho, Clooney hace un excelente trabajo de sumergirse en las aguas profundas de los negocios sucios de la política y logra plasmar plenamente todos los detalles tras bastidores, que nosotros como espectadores, solo nos pudiéramos imaginar. Su resultado final se asemeja a un documental, pero es una cinta absorbente y astuta donde nosotros vemos la gradual edificación de un hombre hacia el poder y su eventual caída…solo para regresar a ella ¿o no? El filme también posee todas las cualidades que hacen de un buen thriller político un éxito. Este establece tensión a través de su astucia argumental, jerga y temática política y personajes ingeniosos. El ambiente lo cautiva a uno psicológicamente y emocionalmente hasta que uno es intimidado por el objetivo de la historia.

Debo decir que el calibre de las actuaciones de Clooney, Gosling, Hoffman, Giamatti y Tomei fueron asombrosos y deberán de servir como un testimonio a la calidad de la producción. Gosling sigue impresionando en sus recientes trabajos (Drive, Crazy Stupid Love, Blue Valentine, All Good Things) y él se está asegurando un puesto, junto a Brad Pitt, como una de las estrellas más grandes de Hollywood.

Al final, ‘The Ides of March’ tiene que existir y ser discutido entre las mejores 20 o 30 películas del genero en la historia del cine. La credibilidad del guión, los actores y el equipo de producción crean una experiencia convincente y memorable para cinéfilos de todo tipo de gustos.

‘Contraband’ is #1
Karen Posada
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2012/01/16 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Contraband’ is #1

01.16.2012 | By |

'Contraband' is #1

This month of February continues to give us films not worthy of the number one spot in the box office. Mark Wahlberg’s thriller ‘Contraband’ appeared at number one this past weekend. This American version of the Icelandic film collected $24.1 million in the United States.

The remake of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 3D arrived at second place with $18.5 million dollars. Which tells us that the Disney classics continue to please children in every way.

The action film ‘Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol’ fell to third place with $11.5 million dollars. ‘Joyful Noise’ another crappy movie this month gives us, which seems to be unfortunately the rule for the beginning of the year.

 

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1.Contraband -$24.1 million

2. Beauty and the Beast 3D -$18.5 million

3. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol -$11.5 million

4. Joyful Noise -$11.3 million

5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -$8.4 million

6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -$8.3 million

7. The Devil Inside -$7.9 million

8. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked -$ 5.8 million

9. War Horse -$5.6 million

10. The Iron Lady -$ 5.4 million

 

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