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ShowBizCafe.com Archives - Page 38 of 45 - ShowBizCafe.com

ShowBizCafe.com Archives - Page 38 of 45 - ShowBizCafe.com

Jack Rico

By

2010/01/28 at 12:00am

EXCLUSIVE! First Look at ‘The Crazies’ TV Spot

01.28.2010 | By |

EXCLUSIVE! First Look at 'The Crazies' TV Spot

We just got a hold of the first TV spot of The Crazies before it has even hit the TV networks! It shows some never before scenes directed by George A. Romero.

The Crazies is a remake from the 1973 original that George Romero directed about the inhabitants of a small Iowa town suddenly plagued by insanity and then death after a mysterious toxin contaminates their water supply. One man, his wife, a nurse, and the sheriff try to survive this plague, but when the military are killing everyone on sight, they’re going to have to fight their way out, or die by either the plague or the military.

The film is released Feb 26th! Check it out now!

 

Karen Posada

By

2010/01/28 at 12:00am

‘Edge of Darkness’ movie review

01.28.2010 | By |

'Edge of Darkness' movie review

Edge of Darkness‘ was directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) who also directed the English mini-series from the 80’s with the same title on which the movie is based on. Not being familiar with the mini-series I thought the previews had given too much away and I could guess the outcome of it. I was wrong. There are many surprising moments and twists that have you guessing and wanting to know more. The story unfolds nicely and though at times it is hard to understand Gibson’s mumbles as well Winstone’s english accent, I enjoyed the thrilling ride.

This is the story of a Boston police investigator in the quest to find out who brutally shot his daughter and the reason why. Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a widowed parent who has a estranged relationship with his only daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic), he seems to love her deeply but know very little about her life. Once she’ shot he’s got nothing to loose and decides to put justice in his own hands. On his road to finding his daughter’s killer he opens up a can of worms and finds himself in the middle of a big corporation/governmental plot. In this quest he ends up getting to know his daughter more than he did when she was alive and finds that her principals were just what he taught her. A professional killer (Ray Winstone) sent to kill Craven proves to be his only ‘friend’ through his dilemma, a character that complements him well. Craven states the premise of the movie perfectly ” you had better decide whether you are hanging on the cross or banging in the nails”, this is exactly what the film makes us think of as we are introduced to new settings and characters.

The one thing that bothered me about the film were the moments where Craven hallucinates hearing and seeing his daughter as a child and an adult, there was no need to play the crazy card; his irreparable pain was enough and his misplaced anger worked to show it. Craven acting as a superhero for the later part of the film would have bother me except that knowing he’s a father that finds himself on ‘the edge of darkness’ and his only purpose is to revenge his daughter’s death lets me accept his ‘superpowers’.

Gibson’s words from our interview resonated as the movie continued, I got the connection he made to Jacobean tragedies and this film and you will too. It is a film that does make you think about how much power the government and how little we may be able to do about it. For those that know the series they might not find it as appealing as they already expect the shocking moments but it may appeal to them to see it under a new light. At some points the thought provoking plot does get in the way of the action but the moments of surprise make it worth it.

Jack Rico

By

2010/01/25 at 12:00am

Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds

01.25.2010 | By |

Lionsgate picks up Spanish film with Ryan Reynolds

Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to the 2010 Sundance Film Festival sensation, BURIED, directed by Rodrigo Cortés (THE CONTESTANT). A taut, inventive thriller, BURIED stars Ryan Reynolds (THE PROPOSAL, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) and is written by Chris Sparling (the upcoming MERCY).  The producers are Adrián Guerra and Peter Safran (NEW IN TOWN, MEET THE SPARTANS); Alejandro Miranda is executive producer, alongside Rodrigo Cortés. The director of photography is Eduard Grau (A SINGLE MAN).  The announcement was made today by Joe Drake, Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President, and Jason Constantine, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

Said Constantine, “BURIED is one of the tightest, most intense thrillers we’ve ever seen, and we were absolutely determined to bring it home to Lionsgate.  BURIED is a powerful reminder that all you really need for an unforgettable movie experience is a great story, inventive filmmaking and brilliant acting.  And because of the combined excellence of Rodrigo, Ryan and Chris, it’s all there in BURIED.”

“I’m very excited to be working with Lionsgate,” affirmed Cortés.  “They are consistently creative and know how to use their resources to make the strongest possible impact – which is exactly what we set out to do with BURIED.  So it’s a very natural fit.”

Commented Safran, “Making BURIED has been a deeply rewarding creative experience, and I am fortunate to have had outstanding producing partners in Adrián and Alejandro.  We are delighted to be joining forces with my good friends at Lionsgate, and look forward to making BURIED the breakout hit it deserves to be.”

The film is about Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds), truck driver and family man, wakes up BURIED ALIVE in an old wooden coffin.  Not knowing who might have put him there or why, his only chance to escape from this nightmare is a mysterious cell phone.  Poor reception, battery and lack of oxygen are his worst enemies in a race against time: Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued.

Jack Rico

By

2010/01/22 at 12:00am

Exclusive interview! Jay Baruchel quits acting

01.22.2010 | By |

Exclusive interview! Jay Baruchel quits acting

I was invited by Dreamworks Studios this week to watch never before seen footage from 3 of their upcoming animated releases for 2010… one of them was ‘How To Train Your Dragon‘ starring Jay Baruchel. After the screenings, Dreamworks takes us to a restaurant called A Voce at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan to frolic and eat with peers. One of the lovely publicists at the event asks me if I could chat with Jay to get to know him better. I said sure.

Baruchel approaches me with a trucker hat, a heavy beard and a tattoo of his mother’s name on his right forearm. I ask him about it and he replies I’m going to get a few more on my body for her. He must really love his mother! We then segue into 4 films coming out this year with him as one of the lead roles: She’s Out of My League, How To Train My Dragon, The Trotsky and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I asked how happy was he of being in the middle of a comeback. He answers disappointingly that it doesn’t mean anything, it’s all coincidence of the release dates. (as he was cursing up a storm). He continues saying that he’s been through this notion of the IT guys before and nothing has happened, “for example, when I was in ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ everybody said watch out for this guy, he’s gonna be someone. Then when I was in ‘Knocked Up,’ people said I was in a sleeper hit, gonna need to watch that kid. Then in ‘Tropic Thunder’ I was hailed as the one to watch…again! So I say, I don’t believe in being the IT guy nor am I interested.”

He then went on to share with me EXCLUSIVELY, that he wants to quit acting altogether. “You know, I think I’m gonna quit acting. I don’t wake up with that feeling of love for acting, for this business. I really just do it to pay my mom’s bills and take care of her.” With his beard in tow and the disappointed look, I had to ask if he was pulling a Joaquin Phoenix here. He laughed and scoffed at the notion. He says that it was embarrassing to see that and assured me it was nothing of the sort. We finally concluded with a new movie he’s currently filming called ‘Notre Dame de Grace’ which might be his last project.

Jay Baruchel

Jack Rico

By

2010/01/21 at 12:00am

‘Shrek Forever After’ – Exclusive First Review!

01.21.2010 | By |

'Shrek Forever After' - Exclusive First Review!

I was invited by Dreamworks Studios this week to watch never before seen footage from 3 of their upcoming animated releases for 2010…

– 10 minutes of the superheroe spoof comedy ‘Megamind’ starring Brad Pitt and Tina Fey
– 30 minutes of ‘Shrek Forever After’ starring the old cast
– ‘How To Train My Dragon 3D’ with America Ferrera, Gerard Butler and Jay Baruchel.

All three looked very promising, but Shrek stood out the best in my opinion. The story was the more attractive piece and it maintained its great humor. It is going to be a HUGE hit!

Here’s a breakdown of what I saw followed by some commentary (spoilers!):

Megamind:
The directors and producers took the stage to present and wow us critics with footage from their respective films. Megamind was mostly unrendered and made me wonder of their willingness to even present it. Kudos. The scene they showed us began with our hero Metro Man, voiced by Brad Pitt, at the opening of his new museum. He plays with babies, flies around in circles and cracks jokes until his ceremony is preempted by his blue archenemy Megamind voiced by Will Ferrell, which the story revolves around. They exchange various gags and more jokes until our villain tells Metroman that he is holding hostage Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey), the reporter and love of our heroes’ life. He flies to save her and is duped by a ruse that ends his life via a potent laser blast from the sun.

Afterwards, the director Tom McGrath gets on stage again and tells us via colored story boards that Megamind eventually ends up unhappy in the Oval Office of the White House thinking Metroman is dead. We then are shown the poster of the film which we couldn’t take pictures of. Sorry.

The story was very funny, but not enough for me to hail it innovative and fresh. It’s all recycled. At least it looked entertaining and worth a watch. Megamind opens November 5th.

Shrek Forever After:

The exclusive 30 minute scene begins with the opening of the film as a narrator recaps what has happened with the last three Shrek films. He brings us to the present time where Fiona’s Mom and Dad were about to give away their kingdom to the titular villain – Rumpelstiltskin, a dwarf  and loser of a man, desperate for attention and greed for all material goods – in exchange for the removal of the ogre spell on their daughter. He tries to get their signature on a contract but is thwarted when Shrek saves Fiona with his one true kiss. We fast forward and see Shrek with the whole family and friends crew going through their daily routine. But we see it repeated about 5 times in a row symbolizing how overwhelmed and frustrated he is with his life as a father and husband. The poop hits the fan when he screams at the top of his lungs in a kids party and walks out after an argument with Fiona who blames him for everything that’s going wrong.

He ends up meeting Rumpelstiltskin in the forest and convinces him to exchange one day of his life for being a feared and hated ogre once again. Shrek resistantly agrees and his life goes back to normal… but it isn’t normal. He notices that Rumpelstiltskin took away the day he was born, thus he never met Fiona nor does he have a family to love again. Shrek is captured by witches and is taken to Rumpelstiltskin’s new castle in Far Far Away land where he confronts him and escapes along with Donkey. Fade to black.

This was the actual half hour beginning of the film. It was very entertaining and very funny. I must’ve laughed liked 4 times before it ended. Puss in Boots needs to happen ASAP, he’s the best character of the franchise. Shrek forever After opens May 21st.

How To Train My Dragon 3D:
I won’t talk much about this one since it was shown in its entirety and will leave it as part of an official review week of release on March 26. But it was a fun film with great voice acting from Gerard Butler. The film is about the war between vikings and dragons. You can check out the trailer here (link). Overall the film has some touching moments at the end that might move some folks (it did me) and the 3D experience was standard and fun. Nothing ‘Avatar’ like.

My conversations with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Gerard Butler, Jay Baruchel

So Dreamworks takes us to a restaurant called A Voce at the Time Warner Center in Manhattan to frolic and eat with peers. While I’m there about to get a drink, Jeffrey Katzenberg is at the bar with me and I asked him about the decision of showing unfinished and unrendered movie footage so early. He replied “I don’t mind doing if it’s going to garner your attention and make the film a better buy for consumers. You know, I think there’s no reason why it should not be seen if you’re going to get excited. It’s just my thinking.” Kudos to him. This was a crux and still is for most film studios. He’s different and much respect to him for being open about it. The other film directors don’t necessarily agree with him, but do it anyway.

Jeffrey Katzenberg

Several minutes later, a publicist approaches me and says if I would like to meet Gerard Butler and have a chat with him. It was interesting to see this dynamic since it is usually the press pursuing the actors and not vice versa. We had a great chat, he looked slim and not chubby like he did in The Ugly Truth. We spoke about his career, jokes about Phantom of the Opera, the way the movie ‘How To Train My Dragon’ captured his mannerisms and essence and how this is his first feature length voiceover for animation. He’s had previous stints with voice work on television, but not like this. Butler spoke about cringing early in his career at the site of seeing himself on film. He hated it. He has no problems now with it. After some jokes were said about inane things and we moved on to Jay Baruchel.

Gerard Butler

Jay Baruchel approaches me with a trucker hat, a heavy beard and a tattoo of his mother’s name on his right forearm. I ask him about it and he replies I’m going to get a few more on my body for her. He must really love his mother! We then segue into 4 films coming out this year with him as one of the lead roles: She’s Out of My League, How To Train My Dragon, The Trotsky and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I asked how happy was he of being in the middle of a comeback. He answers disappointingly that it doesn’t mean anything, it’s all coincidence of the release dates. (as he was cursing up a storm). He continues saying that he’s been through this notion of the IT guys before and nothing has happened, “for example, when I was in ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ everybody said watch out for this guy, he’s gonna be someone. Then when I was in ‘Knocked Up,’ people said I was in a sleeper hit, gonna need to watch that kid. Then in ‘Tropic Thunder’ I was hailed as the one to watch…again! So I say, I don’t believe in being the IT guy nor am I interested.”

Jay Baruchel

He then went on to say, and I believe this is an EXCLUSIVE, that he wants to quit acting altogether. “You know, I don’t wake up with that feeling of love for acting, for this business. I really just do it to pay my mom’s bills and take care of her.” With his beard in tow and the disappointed look, I had to ask if he was pulling a Joaquin Phoenix here. He laughed and scoffed at the notion. He says that it was embarrassing to see that and assured me it was nothing of the sort. We finally concluded with a new movie he’s currently filming called ‘Notre Dame de Grace’ which might be his last project.

Karen Posada

By

2010/01/21 at 12:00am

3 questions with Mel Gibson

01.21.2010 | By |

3 questions with Mel Gibson

ShowBizCafe.com (SBC) got a chance to talk to the actor, screenwriter, film director and producer Mel Gibson about his new film ‘The Edge of Darkness’; opening January 29th nationwide. He excitedly gave us the back story of the movie and also spoke to us about his upcoming projects.

ShowBizCafe: So Mel, how does it feel to be back in a starring role? We haven’t seen you in one since the movie ‘Signs’ in 2002. How is this role different from the other ones we’ve seen you in?

Mel Gibson: Wow 2002, that’s 8 years? Well it’s about 8 years different (laughs). Well if you haven’t been on the board for so long you make different choices, time informs that, so it’s different. [In this movie] the character is a blue collar cop who is dealing with the loss of a child and dealing with grief; he’s on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I guess I’ve been on similar territory before but this has a nice feel to it. I liked the original TV series when it was on during the 80’s, also done by the same director who decided to add something new to it. It’s kind of a harbinger; it gives a social warning of where we might be headed.

SBC: Talking about the director Martin Campbell who is behind both projects, what can people expect in the film and was there more pressure because of its association with the series?

M.G: Well it’s essentially the same, it’s a very human story involving heighten circumstances, it was changed according to the times. The original series was on during the coal miner strike, union stuff, and civil unrest; so he found a new backdrop for the movie. It resides in the healthy paranoia we all have perhaps, on what our leaders may be up to. [The script] reminded me of Jacobean tragedies from the 17th century, this film kind of has the look and feel of them, and I’ve always been a big fan of them so this was one of the things that attracted me to it. It’s about getting even, and everyone getting their justice served, nobody gets a free ride.

SBC: Are you working on any projects right now that we can look forward to seeing soon?

M.G.: Well I have 3 projects lined up – Am writing a story to be shot down in Mexico, which will be rearing its ugly head soon. I’ve also signed to work with Shane Black on his next directing effort. [Finally] I’m writing another story with Bill Monahan and Graham King who I worked with on ‘The Edge of Darkness’, I don’t think anyone has done the Viking movie right yet, I’ve seen plenty but none that do it for me; so I’m gonna make one that does it for me and everybody else, I’m gonna put the ‘V’ back in Viking. It’s the biggest punch in the balls you’ll ever get.

Jack Rico

By

2010/01/06 at 12:00am

Review: Miguel Arteta’s ‘Youth in Revolt’

01.6.2010 | By |

Review: Miguel Arteta's 'Youth in Revolt'

It’s only the second week of January, but already Puerto Rican director Miguel Arteta’s ‘Youth in Revolt’ is my favorite film of the year. The premise is simple – boy meets girl, girl meets boy and boy wrecks two cars and goes to jail for his love. But what is most appealing and absorbing is the sophisticated english dialogue written by Gustin Nash, based on C.D Payne’s – Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp. Michael Cera could not have been more perfectly casted as the intellectual, Frank Sinatra loving, sardonic virgin teen who comes from heavily dysfunctional parents.

The film revolves around the life of Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) – a unique, but affable teen with a taste for the finer things in life. He falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful, free-spirited Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) while on a family vacation.  But family, geography and jealous ex-lovers conspire to keep these two apart. With Sheeni’s encouragement, Nick abandons his dull, predictable life and develops a rebellious alter ego: Francois. With his ascot, his moustache and his cigarette, Francois will stop at nothing to be with Sheeni, and leads Nick on a path of destruction with unpredictable and uproarious consequences.

It is very rare nowadays to see films that dare to challenge young audiences with words through a high level rhetoric. We saw this template used originally by indie director/screenwriter Kevin Smith in ‘Clerks’. A total hit and a great way to pick up the dictionary and see how many ways you can say “let’s have sex” to a girl. This was also part of the success behind the creative strategy that screenwriter Kevin Richardson used for his television series Dawson’s Creek in the late 90’s. I personally love this take on a teen romantic film – ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,’ also with Cera, played with this notion to a degree as well.

The other layer that I thoroughly enjoyed is the worldly and sophisticated tastes that the two protagonists shared in music, film and poetry. Cera loves Sinatra (the first frame opens up with the 1960 album Nice ‘n’ Easy), and he invokes Fellini’s masterpiece ‘La Strada’ in a DVD store as he tries to explain it to a girl he is trying to pick up. Ms. Doubleday loves french standards from Serge Gainsbourg and has an infatuation with New Wave french actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, in particular his breakthrough film ‘Breathless’ from Jean-Luc Godard. It’s this and other highbrow idiosyncrasies that seduced me from the onset.

What didn’t seem to mix well was the roguish alter-ego of Cera’s character Francois, as well as some of the casts contributions. One highlight was that of South African actor Adhir Kalyan, who played Cera’s lascivious friend. Very funny scenes! Does today’s youth really think and act like this today? No, but one hopes it inculcates a desire to explore the arts and culture side of them.

From a Hispanic perspective, it is wonderful to know that a born talent from Puerto Rico directed this film. There is a scarcity of great movies coming from ‘La Isla del Encanto’ these days. Arteta is perhaps more of an American in culture than Puerto Rican, but nevertheless, it is gratifying to hear the sound of a Latino last name next to a good work such as this and his previous (The Good Girl, Star Maps). Actually the last good film I saw come out of Puerto Rico was ‘Maldeamores’ directed by Carlos Ruiz Ruiz. It’s a Woody Allenesque romantic tale with a caribbean twist. A definite DVD rental this weekend.

For those who like teen romantic comedies ‘Youth in Revolt’ is a very enjoyable film peppered with laugh out loud moments. It is rated R so be warned that the sexuality is a bit vulgar and strong.

Jack Rico

By

2009/11/16 at 12:00am

Jack Rico

By

2009/10/20 at 12:00am

Shalim Ortiz Opens ‘Touched’ at Dominican Film Festival

10.20.2009 | By |

‘Touched,’ the movie starred and produced by Shalim Ortiz, best known for his role as Alejandro in NBC’s Heroes, has been chosen to lead the Dominican Republic Film Festival taking place in Santo Domingo from November 18th to the 22nd. Read More

Jack Rico

By

2009/09/21 at 12:00am

A chat with Charlize Theron

09.21.2009 | By |

A chat with Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron chats up our own Jack Rico on winning the Oscar and her desire to win another one with a Latino filmmaker!

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