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JERSEY SHORE ORNAMENTS NOW AVAILABLE...STD for the Tree Sold Separately

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If you always wanted to decorate your Xmas tree in mini bottles of self-tanner and hairspray, here's the excuse you've been waiting for:

The Jersey Shore ornament collection!


Just think of all the holiday memories you can make this year while trimming the tree with used pregnancy tests, ugg boots and dried vomit (don't forget to keep the tree well watered by keeping it inside a hot tub).

Even better, make this year extra special by downloading only techno-remixes of Christmas songs to play so that you can feel like you're inside a Jersey club all season long!

After the break are a few more ornaments and a link to where you can buy these treasured pieces.

Happy Holidays!




Buy them HERE

Source: Badder Homes and Gardens

Just Look Away: Psychomania

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This is a movie about some Harley-riding, devil-worshipping, anarchist, bikers who discover a way to come back from the dead. Invulnerable, and possessing superhuman strength, they go on a rampage that brings Britain to its knees.

Or it's a movie about twenty-something punks on beat-up, barely-functional, British motorcycles who play mean pranks on people in the British countryside.

When one of them figures out how to come back from the dead, he teaches them the secret…so they can keep playing mean pranks on their neighbors.



Which movie is Psychomania? I’ll tell you, after the break.

This 1973 pre-punk British biker horror movie has no rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where only 26% of the audience report liking it.

Why Bother?

I’m not sure why you would watch this, but I can tell you why I got the 2010 DVD release from Severin Films.

I first watched Psychomania when I was a kid, living in Connecticut. This was before cable TV, so we got most of our channels broadcast from New York City. One of them showed Chiller Theater and every week I watched the creepy Claymation opening of the show.

My parents were really strict about early bed times, and they thought horror movies would keep me awake all night, so I never saw the end of any of the Chiller Theater gems. Of course, not knowing the ending actually made them scarier, but try convincing my parents of that.

Jump ahead thirty years or so, and I still remembered the moment when Tom Latham (played by Nicky Henson) drove his motorcycle out of his grave. When I found the DVD, I couldn’t wait to watch it.

It’s a weird flick.

I watched it

Tom Latham is the son of a very wealthy woman. Mrs. Latham (Beryl Reed) is a spirit medium with genuine gifts. We’re not sure where those gifts came from, but her butler Shadwell (George Sanders) is very creepy, and something happened to Tom’s father in “the locked room” many years ago. Tom seems convinced that Shadwell and his mother know the secret of coming back from the dead, and he’s determined to get it. So Shadwell and Mrs. Latham send him into the locked room, where Tom has visions until he passes out.



Now, Tom is also the leader of The Living Dead, a motorcycle “club” composed of people with names like Hatchet, Hinky, Gash, Chopped Meat, and Bertram. Seriously. I could not make that up. Abby and Jane are also members. Together, they do everything from knocking over merchant carts to causing road accidents.

After his night in the locked room, Tom rides his motorcycle off a bridge at high speed in front of the gang. They bury him in his riding leathers, sitting on his motorcycle, along with an amulet provided by Shadwell.



That night, Tom returns to life and rides his motorcycle out of the grave. Trouble is, he needs fuel, and they didn’t bury him with his wallet. Tom, being a violent jerk, murders the gas station attendant rather than, say, call Shadwell or Mommy and ask for help.

This begins a wave of unstoppable…well, it’s supposed to be violence. There’s a couple of bits that look truly cruel, like when one of them steals a baby carriage and rides off with it a ways. They do cause a roll-over accident, and the truck explodes with the driver still inside. Otherwise, there’s not much to it.

It’s up to Mrs. Latham to take a stand against her unstoppable son.


The Verdict

So which movie is it? That depends on whether you buy into what the movie is trying to be, or what it is.

When I was a kid watching this, Tom and his gang reminded me of the bullies who beat me up in school. That made them scary to me, regardless of what they actually did on screen. When I watched it this year, I thought the attempt to portray the bikers as violent criminals was largely laughable.

You could watch this and think that The Living Dead were just getting started. Left to their own devices, they would have graduated to bigger and more horrible acts. The trouble is, almost thirty years later, we’ve seen much scarier depictions of violence, and much more realistic depictions of anarchists and punk rockers. What’s actually on screen in The Death Wheelers (as it’s also known) is pretty tame.

The ending also leaves a lot to be desired. By that point, we know that Mrs. Latham made some sort of deal with Shadwell when Tom was an infant, and that Shadwell is the agent of some supernatural evil. We never know the terms of the contract, but when she makes a conscious choice to surrender her power, that also undoes Tom’s resurrection. He and his club turn into stone, and she turns into a toad. It’s terrifically anticlimactic.



One thing that I do like about the movie was the way it hints at an underlying supernatural mythos without being specific about any particular mythology. The Devil is never mentioned. Witches merit a mention in dialogue, but there are no black cats, no pentagrams, no Elder or Yellow signs, and no Necronomicon. There are toads, though.



So my recommendation to you is this: If you want to see an artifact of an earlier age of filmmaking, Psychomania is good fun. Severin's DVD has some nice extras, too. If you want a serious horror film, though, you should Just Look Away.

MESSING WITH RETAIL WORKERS IS ALL FUN AND GAMES Until You Ask Where the Fancy Boy Lip Glitter Is Located

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You can find go f*ck yourself in aisle 10

As someone who has spent almost all her teen and adult life working retail (What? You think I can make a decent living writing about Squirrel underpants or Lady GaGa videos?) I have been a party to some of the most insane questions on the planet (I was once asked if a particular shade of blue paint would look good in a painting of France).

So naturally, I was intrigued by the following video of two guys asking Target employees where they would keep the most random of items in the store and filming the results.

While I find the experiment hilarious in and of itself, what really makes me proud of my fellow counter/floor jockeys is how nonplussed they  are when asked what department they would keep an oil painting of circus clowns storming Normandy in (Answer: Sporting Goods).

Ah...Good Job my friends, don't let those customers keep you down.

Video after the break.







Source: Neatorama

CONTEST! Win The Ultimate BBC Holiday Prize Pack!

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This Holiday season the BBCAmericaShop.com invites you to discover the perfect gift from DVDs to traditional UK Holiday collectibles and to enter for a chance to win a pair of $500 Gift Cards for you and a friend!

And, thanks to our friends at BBC America, we're giving away the ultimate BBC prize pack which includes the following DVD sets:

BBC Holiday Gift Set
Just like every holiday: part fun, part drama. Get in the spirit of the season with holiday episodes from such classic comedies as Are You Being Served, Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born, Allo Allo, Last of the Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances, Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley to the deep drama of All Creatures Great and Small, Ballykissangel, Monarch of the Glen, Lovejoy and Lark Rise to Candleford.

BBC Holiday Drama Collection
Celebrate your holidays with five heartwarming episodes with a Christmas theme from some of the most beloved BBC drama series- All Creatures Great and Small, Ballykissangel, Monarch of the Glen, Lovejoy and Lark Rise to Candleford. Enjoy performances by Dawn French (Absolutely Fabulous), Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and Peter Sallis (Wallace & Gromit), among others.

Being Human: Season 3
While Annie the ghost waits in purgatory to learn her fate, her supernatural friends- Mitchell the vampire and werewolves George and Nina-settle into their new home in Wales, hoping for a fresh start at living normal lives. Brace yourself for out-of-this-world adventure when Mitchell decides to rescue Annie. All eight new episodes in the hit BBC series, starring Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow.

Planet Earth: Special Edition
Planet Earth took the world by storm when it originally aired. It garnered uniformly glowing reviews, won four Emmy Awards, including Best Nonfiction Series and Best Cinematography, and its longevity on the best-seller list is legend. Now, with the addition of all new commentary and new bonus programs you can relive this incredible experience all over again! In this truly special, limited collector's edition, prepare to be overwhelmed again by the beauty and majesty of Planet Earth.

Top Gear 16
The trio is back in Gear for their latest supercharged season. Whether they're torturing a Jaguar, Mercedes, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW or Audi or chatting up a "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," the guys never fail to deliver their irreverent wit and nearly slanderous honesty. Six episodes, highlighted by the "Middle East Special," a seasonal road trip recreating a famous journey across the Middle East to Bethlehem.

BBC Holiday Comedy
Unwrap some extra joy during the holidays! Give the gift of guffaws with this collection of comedy that shares big laughs from all your favorite British shows. Featuring holiday specials from Are You Being Served, Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born, 'Allo 'Allo!, Last of the Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances, Black Adder and The Vicar of Dibley. Must-have holiday hilarity!





To enter, please send an email with the subject header "BBC HOLIDAY" to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following question:

Which of these U.S. tv series is not based on a British television program?

  • The Office
  • Sanford and Son
  • Three's Company
  • Friends
  • Being Human

Please include your name and address (U.S. Residents only. You must be 18 years old).

Only one entry per person and a winner will be chosen at random.

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 18th, 2011.

Smallville: Random, Awesome and WTF?! - S2E13: Suspect

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Someone has shot Lionel! But who? Who could possibly want to hurt such an honest and caring guy?

Considering the assassination attempt failed, I’m going to go ahead and guess it was Lana because that chick can’t do anything right.



The Random:
1. Jonathan could possibly solve all of his financial woes by suing the Smallville PD for all of the wrongful arrests the Kents endure on this show.

2. I half expected a scene with the Smallville PD trying to solve the crime by playing a round of Clue…

3. Sheriff Ethan being corrupt actually explains at least some of why the police department is so damn ineffectual, I suppose.

“What kind of town is this where a man can’t even drink himself to sleep in his own truck in the middle of the night anymore?!”

The Awesome:
1. Lionel tells Papa Kent not to fret too much about the expensive watch he bought Martha because it’s the financial equivalent of him buying her a small box of chocolates. Yeah, who would want this guy dead?

2. The reenactments are all filmed like bad soap operas. All they’re missing are pipe organ power chords and a dramatic voiceover.

3. Pete and Clark’s car accident is a total Dukes of Hazard homage. Bo Duke may be in jail, but his good ol’ boy is yeeeeee-haaaaawwwwing his way ‘round town.

I’m pretty sure we saw this shot 50 times; it was like a Choose Your Own Adventure that always had the same outcome.

The WTF?!:

1. Today’s security breach at the Luthor Mansion is brought to you by the Helen Keller Staffing Agency because they don’t see or hear a damn thing. And don’t worry, they work at the hospital, too…

2. Clark does a fantastic job of defusing a volatile situation…by nearly killing a witness. Smooth.

3. How exactly does Clark explain how his fingerprints are invariably at every single crime scene in this town anyway?

“Good thing this hospital has absolutely zero security checks…”


A NEW Poster For THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

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Back in the summer FOG reported that Lionsgate had bought the distribution rights to The Cabin in the Woods from MGM, who had shelved the film after the studio went bankrupt back in 2009.

Now that the TCITW is finally being released, we have our first new piece of marketing for the film in the form of a new one-sheet.

The Cabin in the Woods was written by Joss Whedon (Serenity, 2012's The Avengers) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Lost) and it also marks Goddard's directorial debut.

The story follows a young professional (Chris Hemsworth) who goes off to a secluded cabin in the woods with a group of friends and ends up discovering something horrifying.

Whedon at one time described the film as "the horror movie to end all horror movies."

The film also stars: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Let Me In), Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Kristen Connelly (Revolutionary Road, Confessions of a Shopaholic), and Jesse Williams (Brooklyn's Finest).

The Cabin in the Woods will open in theaters on April 13, 2012.

Check out the full one-sheet after the break.


Click to embiggen

THE PULL LIST - WOLVERINE #19, TMNT #4, X-MEN LEGACY #259 & MORE!

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Check out what I checked out this week.

Whether the comics are inspiring or disappointing, I read them all.

Welcome to The Pull List.

And, as always...Spoilers ahead!


Wolverine #19 (Pick of the Week)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Ron Garney
Color: Jason Keith
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99

I almost can’t put into words how good this issue was and how much I enjoyed reading it. I’m not going to say too much because you should just take my word for it and buy this book.

It was just one big adventure that has everything a comic book fan loves.

Wolverine, Fat Cobra and Gorilla-Man are hiding inside the stomach of three dragons, using them as a disguise to break into Jade Claw’s secret hideout. If that doesn’t hook you then I don’t know what will. The art and colors are wonderful and one of the panels on the last page is a bar scene where one of the dragons poke their head in the window and takes a sip of Fat Cobra’s 24 ounce beer mug. The conclusion shows a unknown group of people looking at various targets and they get the word they have to take out our adamantium-clawed Canadian. These last few pages really put over how much of a bad ass Wolverine is.  I’m done typing, please, just buy it right away.

It is the must read Wolverine book of the year!

Grade: A+


Daredevil #6
Writer: Mark Waid
Art: Marcos Martin
Color: Munsta Vicente
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the main event of the evening!  Daredevil’s confrontation with The Bruiser and the way it was laid out reminds me of a professional wrestling match.

Even the cover of this book is reminiscent of a fight event poster.

The Man Without Fear took the beating of his life in the last issue and he comes back for seconds as he tries to take down this behemoth once and for all. The Bruiser is the perfect professional heel (bad guy in wrestling terminology) because he talks a lot of trash while he beats up Daredevil. He sports a green full body singlet with a lucha libre mask and wears sponsor logos on his costume.

I was hesitant to pick this up since I haven’t been interested in Daredevil in years. Waid’s run has made me a fan and will make you a fan too if you are in the same boat. His writing in this book reminds me of a 1960’s spy thriller. Panels are laid out with the some noir style and the art does a fantastic job of displaying how Daredevil's powers are truly unique and make you wonder if most super heroes could escape his perilous predicaments.

Grade: A-


Star Wars: Crimson Empire III – Empire Lost #2
Writer: Mike Richardson
Art: Paul Gulacy
Colors: Michael Bartolo
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50

The Empire is putting plans in place to crush the New Republic with one swift stroke.  There is not a lot from Kir Kanos in this issue, but we meet some more of the key figures in the Empire.

One thing I want to point out is that there is one of two sides the imperials fall on. One is the new wave and the other is dedicated to restoring the Empire of Palpatine. Mirth Sinn is the focal point of this story as she is the head of security for Senator Organa’s family. She doesn’t want the job because she is conflicted on how she will act if dangers strikes because of a crucial piece of information that will peak your interest when revealed. Paul Gulacy’s work is always spot on and does an outstanding job of capturing the emotion and facial reactions of the characters as sometimes, I don’t have to read the word balloon to know what someone is thinking.  Good book overall.

Grade: B


X-Men Legacy #259
Writer: Mike Carey
Art: Khoi Pham & Tom Palmer
Colors: Antonio Fabela
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

Rogue is emotionally caught between a rock and a hard place. Even though she remained on Utopia with Cyclops’ team, she wonders if Wolverine’s team would be a better fit.

The difficulty of her decision making is based on who’s ideology she can get behind.

On one hand, she believes Cyclops is correct in trying to keep mutants together but all she sees is an army barrack. On the other hand, she believes Wolverine is also correct in trying to teach the next generation, but she wonders if the times we live today are too complicated for the type of education she received at the Xavier Institute.

In true X-Men fashion, Rogue gets pulled into a mysterious investigation that causes her to remain on Utopia for the time being. I thought the books explaining the X-Men split were good, but some characters needed a little more explanation for the choice they made. Exploring Rogue’s decision post-Schism is a move in the right direction since she is one the most prominent X-Men. The art could have been a lot better. The characters have no facial expressions which makes the dialog cumbersome in a sense that I found myself re-reading many of the word balloons just to make sure I read it correctly the first time. I’m not an art snob by any means and if the same goes for you, this was not a bad issue to read as the ending will make you want to come back for #260.

Grade: C+


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
Writer: Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz
Art: Dan Duncan
Colors: Ronda Pattison
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99

The mysterious origin of the Ninja Turtles has been revealed and Raphael has united with his long lost brothers.

This book has a little something for everyone.

There is plenty of fighting between the Turtles and Old Hob and a little comedy when a police station full of cops laughs at April O’Neil for telling them “Ninja’s, like the ones on TV” tried to kill her. The scientists in charge of the mutagen are scared to report their losses to their supplier and we are treated to the feel good moment of the year when Splinter displays the emotions of a proud papa when he and Raphael are finally united. The art is always rock solid and the page layouts create an exciting pace. The circle is now complete.

Prepare to be shell-shocked.

Grade: B


Green Lantern: The Animated Series #0
Writer: Art Baltazar & Franco Aureliani
Art: Dario Brizuela
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99

If you saw the debut of the animated series on the Cartoon Network or are interested in seeing it, you will enjoy this book. There is no origin provided so you will need to be familiar with the characters to appreciate the story.

The main arc shows the partnership of Hall Jordan and Kilowog as they battle the Red Lanterns on the far side of the galaxy. Make no mistake about it though, Kilowog is the star of this book with plenty of attitude to go around. There is one point in the story where the Kilowog remains unflappable as the Red Lanterns taunt him while they try to cut his arm off. The dialog is simple and fun to follow and the art and page layouts are on par with mimicking the color and style of the TV show just like the Batman Adventures book of old. This galactic comic version of a buddy cop show is sure to have you calling your friends “Poozer” in no time.



Grade: B-

New Trailer for THE GREY

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I've been waiting for Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The A-Team) to follow up his directorial debut Narc with another film on par with Narc's greatness... sadly he hasn't been able to do it yet.

Do I think Carnahan's most recent directorial effort The Grey is going to be on par with Narc? No, but from the newest trailer released today, it looks like it's going to be an awesome man vs. wilderness action film.

The Grey stars Liam Nesson as a man who works security for a crew of pipeline workers who try to survive the wilderness and a pack of wolves after a plane crash strands them in the middle of nowhere.

Solid man vs. wild films are far and few between, I believe the last one I enjoyed was David Mamet's The Edge back in 1997... I'm really hoping Carnahan pulls this one off.

The films also stars Dermot Mulroney (J. Edgar, Abduction, The Zodiac), James Dale Badge (Shame, AMC's Rubicon, HBO's The Pacific, The Departed), Frank Grillo (Warrior, My Soul To Take, Edge of Darkness), Joe Anderson (The Crazies, Amelia, The Ruins), and Dallas Roberts (AMC's Rubicon, 3:10 to Yuma, Flicka).

The Grey will open in theaters on January 27, 2012.

Watch the full trailer (via Moviefone) after the jump.



FIRST LOOK At HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS

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Entertainment Weekly has the first look at Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, the upcoming The Avengers) and Gemma Arterton (Clash of the Titans, Tamara Drewe) in next year's Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

Here's another stab at a modern reboot of a classic faiy tale, this time based on a Brothers Grimm story. You can add this to the list of next year's fairy tale retellings which also include Snow White & The Hunstmen and Mirror Mirror.

Tommy Wirkola took on directing duties as well as co-wrriting the script with Dante Harper. Wirkola was the man behind Dead Snow, a great, German genre film that features college kids, a ski trip, a secluded cabin, and Nazi zombies (it's currently streaming on Netflix and should not be missed).

Witch Hunters picks up 15 years after siblings Hansel and Gretel had their traumatic gingerbread-house incident and have since turned into bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world.

Tough to gauge how this one is shaping up based on the lone image, but with Wirkola at the helm, Renner and Arterton in the title roles, and a supporting cast that includes: Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Constantine), Zoe Bell (Deathproof, Whip It) and Famke Janssen (Taken, X-Men, The Wackness)... I have my hopes up.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters will open in theaters on March 2, 2012.

Check out the full image after the jump.


Click to embiggen

321 Productions To Syndicate Sci-Fi/Drama Titles For Starfield Indie Studios

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With such genre friendly names as Malcolm McDowell, Michael Ironside, Michael Paré, Ned Beatty, Julie Strain and Greg Evigan, Starfield Indie Studios have an awful lot of B-movies that suddenly have a new opportunity to find new fans as 321 Productions has been named as their U.S. syndicator.

Press release after the jump.

321 Productions Named As US Syndicator For Starfield Indie Studios’
Sci-Fi And Drama Movie Slates

321 To Handle Television, DVD And Digital Distribution For Renowned Sci-Fi and Drama Indie Producer’s Roster Of Catalogue And Select New Releases


Starfield Indie Studios has named Chicago-based 321 Productions, a division of Zephyr Media Group, as the US syndicator for Starfield’s expansive catalogue of sci-fi /thriller/horror feature films as well as select future feature and series titles in the celebrated independent Sci-Fi film producer’s select upcoming projects. 321 Productions will represent all categories of distribution in the US for Starfield Indie’s film titles, including broadcast and cable television, DVD and digital channels.

With production offices in Toronto and London, Starfield Indie has gained worldwide recognition for its eclectic portfolio of genre films, many of which have gone on to become cult favorites. Under the helm of the production company’s principals Mark Pickering and Phillip Jackson, Starfield Indie has amassed more than 25 films and four television series to the company’s credits, including such Phil Jackson / Daniel D’or sci-fi classics as the cult “Replikator” (Ned Beatty, Brigitte Bako); Men of Means (Michael Pare); 2103 the Deadly Wake (Malcolm McDowell); and Dream-Breaker (Michael Pare). Starfield also brings to its syndication deal with 321 Productions the 13-part reality TV series “The Mission” produced by Phil Travis.

In addition to handling select library titles, 321 will also launch US non-theatrical distribution of the indie’s soon-to-be released titles, including the much anticipated space docu- thriller “Alien Life –Contact” narrated by Michael Ironside for release in summer 2012.

“Mark Pickering and Phillip Jackson have built Starfield Indie Studios into one of the most acclaimed independent genre film production companies. In addition to being honored with numerous industry awards, many of the company’s titles continually rank among sci-fi and thriller/horror enthusiasts’ most favorite lists. We are delighted to present to the US television, DVD and digital markets the most extensive package ever offered of Starfield’s prized genre titles,” said Dan Zifkin, CEO of Zephyr Media Group.

“Zephyr Media Group’s 321 Productions has become a top go-to distribution home for the independent production community”, notes Starfield President Mark Pickering. We have known Dan Zifkin and his team for many years now and are delighted to entrust our catalogue with his proven and successful team.”

About Zephyr Media Group
Headquartered in Chicago (Evanston, IL) with offices in Los Angeles and Washington D.C., Zephyr Media Group is a recognized industry leader in US and international television and DVD distribution and full service media planning and buying for traditional advertisers, advertising agencies and direct response marketers. The company’s expansive staff of media professionals is responsible for numerous high-profile campaigns on behalf of both corporate and entrepreneurial clients alike. 321 Productions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zephyr Media Group, responsible for the national syndication and advertiser sales of over a dozen quality syndicated television and cable programming services. Zephyr Media Group is located on the Internet at www.zephyr-media.com.

About Starfield Indie
Starfield Independent Studios Inc. “Starfield Indie”, is a creative Toronto (Canada) and London (UK) studio developing and producing stories as feature films, TV series, and trans-media. Our president is producer/financier Mark Pickering (London). Writer/Producer Philip Jackson (Toronto) is Co-President and Head of Production & Development. Mark Pickering is a Cambridge (UK) and Columbia (US) graduate IP and entertainment lawyer and a producer of theatrical and documentary films and series who has funded some 30 independent features in whole or part, including Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute on which he also was a producer. (The film premiered at the Venice and Toronto festivals). www.starfieldstudios.tv

IF GUY RITCHIE MADE AN ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE This Is Probably What it Would Look Like

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What with all the board game movies heading our way it's only a matter of time before App games start getting mined as well by Hollywood.

And in this imagined bit of fun, writer/director Nick Murphy created a trailer of what an Angry Birds movie might look like had it been directed by Guy "I'm-Finally-Free-Of-Madonna" Ritchie.

And weirdly enough, it looks like it might have been a bloody good flick.

Which just goes to show you how low our viewing standards have become.

Video after the break.



DOWNLOAD LOUIS C.K.'S Newest Stand Up Special for only $5 On December 10th

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Starting tomorrow you can download Louis CK's newest special, Louis CK Live at the Beacon Theater for only five bucks from his website.

That's right, a guy who is seriously fucking funny is making it cheap for all of us broke bastards to participate in an hour or so of humorous rants without having to forgo groceries for the next week to pay for a DVD or tickets.

What a guy!

Anyway after the break is a cut scene from the special that isn't included in the download as well as a link to purchase the $5 show.

I don't know about you but I'm gonna be raiding my change jar in about two seconds.





Order the special HERE.

Fox Picks up Sci-Fi Short ROSA

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The short film Rosa will soon become a full feature film not that 20th Century Fox is in the final negotiations to pick up the title.

THR reports that the studio is keen on the short which hit the web in November. Creator Jesus Orellana, a comic book artist created the animated short to pitch a live action film which he wanted to direct. Things have turned out well for him and he will get to live his dream.

The animated short was created on a very low budget by Orellana on his home computer in Barcelona. Within a month of posting the short he had representation and was pitching the idea to multiple studios.

The story of rose is one about a cyborg deployed in a post-apocalyptic world where no natural exists. Born from mankind's last attempt to restore Earth, the Kernel project, Rosa soon finds out that she is not alone and that she must fight to survive, something about her is different than the others though.

Orellana has a roadmap for the feature story, but a writer will be hired to create a script that builds on the short storyline and the characters in it.

Watch the short for yourself right here, I think it's quite good.


DVD LOUNGE - Cancel Your Holiday Plans, There's Lots To Watch!

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Wondering what might make a nice holiday gift or a good selection to add to the queue to watch during the season of sugarplums and latkes?

Look no further; over two dozen reviews after the jump including some holiday specials, big Hollywood movies and some obscurities as well.

Hangover Part II (Blu-ray Combo)
Warner Home Video / Released December 6, 2011 on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD


The Pitch
Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding. What could go wrong? Director Todd Phillips' explosively funny follow-up to his award-winning smash hit demonstrates that though what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, what happens in Bangkok can hardly be imagined!

The Review
Comedy movies are a tricky thing.

One of the markers of success, in my opinion, is rewatchability.

The Hangover shares this important trait with such films as Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, The Blues Brothers, Dumb and Dumber, and Beverly Hills Cop.

And like those films, the sequel is pretty crappy.

Director Todd Phillips has not only reassembled his cast from the 2009 film, he's also reassembled the plot, retreading the same exact structure without any of the joy and surprises that the original film held, but this time substituting Bangkok for Vegas.  The movie is funny, and often, inappropriately so.  But ultimately unsatisfying as the characters walk through the same scenario with often the same results.  The cast seems bored, and like Ocean's 12, you often feel like their vacation has been interrupted while being called to set.  Extras include a gag reel, featurettes, a digital copy and more.

The Hangover Part II delivers what it's supposed to; be funny.  Unfortunately, I've seen all of the jokes before.

Crazy, Stupid, Love (Blu-ray Combo)
Warner Home Video / Released November 1, 2011 on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD


The Pitch
Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling lead an all-star cast in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Fortysomething straight-laced Cal Weaver (Carell) is living the dream—good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart, Emily (Julianne Moore). So when Cal learns that his wife has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his “perfect” life quickly unravels. Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth so handsome player Jacob Palmer (Gosling) takes him on as wingman and protégé, opening Cal’s eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style. Despite Cal's makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can’t be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading Cal back to where he began.

The Review
A sweet and warm film, anchored by strong performances and an albeit, predictable plot, Crazy, Stupid, Love is just that; a reminder of just how important love is in life and the lengths one would go to find it, preserve it and save it.

One of the most admirable qualities about the film is that as funny as it is, the humor is grounded.  No joke is made at the sacrifice of the verisimilitude of the film's reality.  By the end of the film, you've fallen in love with the characters and are in no hurry to say goodbye.  Extras include featurettes, deleted scenes and an alternate ending.


Crazy, Stupid Love is smart, funny and endearing and a must see.  Highly recommended.


Hollywood Party
Warner Archive / Released November 1, 2011


The Pitch
The screen’s great Schnarzan (Jimmy Durante) wants to wow the visiting Baron Munchausen (Jack Pearl, reprising his familiar vaudeville and radio character) by throwing him a big, bustling Tinseltown bash. Hollywood Party – 8 directors and 8 writers (2 credited) strong – is the wild, wildly inconsistent but ever fun musical-novelty result, packed with kicky dance montages offering pre-Code chorines and Berkeley-like kaleidoscopic shots, spiked with a color cartoon insert from Walt Disney, muscled up with Schnarzan’s lion-wrasslin,’ and thronged with notables (including Mickey Mouse, Ted Healy and his Stooges and Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy, who put an egg in Lupe Velez’s shoe and are duly repaid). Dress to impress! 

The Review
Running a taut 68 minutes, Hollywood Party manages to pack in an awful lot of entertainment.  Plotless, but the true definition of "a cast of thousands," is non-stop schtick, music and laughs.  Durante parodies Tarzan, playing a jungle movie star who throws a lavish party filled with musical numbers, vaudeville routines and even a color Disney cartoon (and an appearance by Mickey Mouse).  As a fan of many of the actors within, I wasn't even aware this film existed and it truly is an experience that should be had by every cinegeek.  Extras include a trailer and deleted songs.

Packed with production numbers, jokes, familiar faces of classic Hollywood and the all important man in a gorilla suit, Hollywood Party is highly recommended.

Night Watch
Warner Archive / Released October 25th, 2011 




The Pitch
Elizabeth Taylor ventured but once into the scarified world of Grande Dame Guignol, and Night Watch is the striking result. Taylor's matron in menace role is that of Ellen Wheeler, a lonely insomniac trapped in a loveless marriage and by an obsession with a creepy gothic manse next door. One night while indulging in her alcohol fueled ramblings, Ellen spots a corpse inside the vacant house. A corpse that resembles her deceased, two timing first husband...a corpse that no one else thinks exists. Adapted from a play by suspense mistress Lucille Fletcher (Sorry, Wrong Number, The Hitch-Hiker, Night Man), Night Watch re-teams Liz with her Butterfield 8 co-star Laurence Harvey, playing Ellen's emotionally distant second husband in one of his final film performances. Genre stalwart Billie Whitelaw rounds out the cast. 

The Review
Liz Taylor plays crazy in Night Watch.

But not just mentally "off" crazy, I'm talking full bat-shit, tasting colors, nuts.  With a sporadic British accent and an over the top performance that seems more geared for the stage than for in front of the camera, Taylor is nevertheless captivating to watch.  Unfortunately, for as intense her performance is, the rest of the cast isn't quite as electric.  It is a solid genre picture, and the thrills are in full force with a heavy helping of melodrama and a legitimately surprising twist ending.  

Night Watch is a fun, suspenseful film that delivers.  Recommended.

Reckless
Warner Archive / Released October 25, 2011


The Pitch
By 1935, every movie fan in the world knew Jean Harlow as both a blonde bombshell and a delightful comedienne. To expand her range, the studio gave her a dramatic role in Reckless – and Harlow was a hit. She plays musical star Mona Leslie, the bride of a champagne-stewed blueblood. When he blows his brains out, Mona is suspected of his murder, igniting media frenzy. The film is also notable for its Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein title tune (Harlow, whose considerable skills didn’t extend beyond acting, was dubbed and body doubled in the musical numbers), plus a cast that includes Franchot Tone, Rosalind Russell, and as a hotshot promoter, William Powell, who would become the last love of Harlow’s tragically short life.


The Review
It takes awhile for the plot to kick in and unfortunately by the time it does, it's a little late.  Disjointed, unfocused and a bit of a mess, with the tone shifting dramatically halfway through.  For cinegeeks, there are a number of brief appearances by future familiar faces including Rosalind Russell, Mickey Rooney and Ted Healy.  Extras include a radio promo and an on stage pre-recording session.

Reckless is a mess of a film, and offers little other than a footnote on the career of Harlow and Powell.

The Smurfs Holiday Celebration
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011


The Pitch 
In these two delightful tales, our little blue friends touch the lives of those in need and spread Christmas cheer to everyone around them, as they impart valuable lessons about the spirit of giving and sharing.  

The Review 
I spent many Saturday mornings watching The Smurfs and despite losing my affinity for the characters, I jumped at the chance to revisit them with this DVD, The Smurfs: Holiday Celebration, which contains two fairly average holiday specials, The Smurfs’ Christmas Special and Tis The Season To Be Smurfy. My problem with both of the specials is the presence of human beings. I’ve always thought The Smurfs worked best in their own environment, but to younger fans who enjoyed the movie, this release is full of good lessons and morals, and will likely be a perennial holiday favorite.

Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Deluxe Edition
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011

The Pitch
Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters and Jackie Vernon lend their voices to this captivating cartoon about the Snowman's winter return to the children of a small town for a winter season of fun and games. But he's lonely at night when left by himself. So the grateful kids build him a beautiful snowlady companion. Jealous of the attention given Frosty, Jack Frost blows up a blizzard and swipes Frosty's magical, life-giving hat. Only true love can bring Frosty back to his old fun-loving self.

Review
I remember seeing this when it premiered when I was a kid and absolutely fell in love with it. Christmas specials have become a rarity these days, and this one, although not nearly as iconic as the original, is a solid sequel.  Narrated by Andy Griffith, Frosty's Winter Wonderland is as warm and inviting as a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy afternoon.  A featurette is included on the history of snowmen.

My only complaint with this relief (strangely called a "Deluxe Edition") is that it's pretty slim considering that it only contains a feature running 23 minutes.  Nevertheless, it's a must have for anyone who grew up with it who wants to share it with their own families or relive the magic for themselves.  Recommended.

Twas the Night Before Christmas (Blu-ray)
Warner Home Video / Released October 4, 2011


The Pitch
For some unexplained reason, letters to Santa Claus are being returned to the children of Junctionville. It seems some sour soul has angered St. Nick, calling Christmas "a fraudulent myth!" The skeptical rodent Albert Mouse has to be brought to his senses "and let up a little on the wonder why." How Albert is persuaded to change his tune paves the way for Santa's jolly return to Junctionville -- and the joyous finale of this charming animated fable inspired by Clement Moore's poem. Joel Grey, Tammy Grimes, John McGiver and George Gobel are featured voices.

The Review
Another strange holiday solo release (this one on Blu-ray for a 23 minute special), Twas The Night Before Christmas is a fine effort, but forgettable in comparison to many of the other perennial favorites.  It's too talky, with Rankin Bass' less desired animation (as compared to their iconic Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer or a Year Without a Santa Claus).  The lone extra is a digital comic book feature on how the world celebrates Christmas.  I certainly can't understand why the Blu-ray of this title and it's a mild recommendation at best.

Dr. Seuss’s Holidays on the Loose!
Warner Home Video / Released October 18, 2011


The Pitch
Fun is on the Loose with 3 Dr. Seuss Holiday Classics! 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
“Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot.” And every family likes How the Grinch Stole Christmas! a lot! This joyous, heart-tickling holiday event based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved book and featuring the voice of Boris Karloff has delighted all ages since its 1966 debut. Can the Grinch steal the town’s holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas... perhaps...mean a little bit more? The answers to those questions unfold charmingly under Chuck Jones’ pitch-perfect direction. 

The Grinch Grinches The Cat in the Hat
What happens when the mischievous Grinch decides to wreak havoc on the world, but the happy and ever-so-delightful Cat in the Hat stands in his way? The result is a triumphant story of an unlikely hero who uses a little caring and compassion to help save the world from an unfriendly and unbeautiful future. Watch and see if the Cat in the Hat can go from a peaceful picnic in the shade to helping the frightfully mean Grinch turn a new leaf. 

Halloween is Grinch Night 
The sinister Grinch who stole Whoville’s Christmas is back to declare Halloween as “Grinch Night”! While the Whos are caught in a horrible storm of Sour-Sweet Wind, the Grinch and his trusty pooch Max, take this opportunity to terrorize the little town. Unfortunately for him he is surprised by a young boy whose unexpected courage prevents the Grinch from unleashing his awful horrors onto their tranquil town. Grinch Night will never be the same! 

The Review
This is what a holiday release should look like.  Collecting the animated masterpiece, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as the two other Grinch specials, this is a must have for viewers of any age.  Extras are plentiful and include commentary, featurettes, pencil tests, interviews and more.

The only real downside to this release is that How The Grinch Stole Christmas has been re-released more times than Evil Dead 2Dr. Seuss’s Holidays on the Loose! is a must have if you don't have How The Grinch Stole Christmas already, otherwise it's really for completists only.

The Adventures of Tintin: Season One
Shout! Factory / Released November 22, 2011
The Pitch
Adapted from the long-running graphic novels by the late cartoon artist Hergé (a.k.a. Georges Remi), the popular animated TV series The Adventures of Tintin, co-produced by Nelvana and Ellipsanime Productions, chronicles the young and intrepid investigative reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy, along with Captain Haddock, the muddled genius Professor Calculus, and the bumbling detectives Thompson and Thomson as they embark on incredible globe-trotting adventures full of excitement, mind-boggling mystery and fun.

Experience the excitement and wonder of The Adventures of Tintin at home before you head to the theaters for the brand new major motion picture that weaves in elements from the stories "The Secret of the Unicorn," "The Crab with the Golden Claws," and "Red Rackham's Treasures," that are among the first five episodes of the series and included on this DVD set.

The Review
Capturing Hergé's line work far better than CGI animation ever could, The Adventures of Tintin is a solid and entertaining adaptation of the popular comic series.  The thirteen episodes adapt seven books including The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn, Red Rackham's Treasure,  Cigars of the Pharaoh, The Blue Lotus, The Black Island and The Calculus Affair.  Voice work is solid and the colors and animation are truly representative of the source material.  Video quality is disappointing however, revealing that there wasn't any remastering of the content. Extras are non-existent, which is unfortunate giving the release is obviously meant to capitalize on the upcoming Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson film.  Even without any supplemental material, The Adventures of Tintin is terrifically engaging and truly faithful to the Belgium icon.  Recommended.

Conan: The Barbarian (Blu-ray Combo)
Lionsgate / November 22, 2011

The Pitch
Based on the character of Conan as originally created by Robert E. Howard, a boy born on the battlefield grows into a hulking warrior hell-bent on avenging his father's death. But Conan's personal vendetta soon escalates into an epic battle of impossible odds, facing the fiercest of rivals and the most horrific of monsters.
The Review
Over the top, excessive, misogynistic, exploitive and tremendously entertaining, this reimagining of Howard's iconic character is packed with CGI blood, ridiculous gore and dipped in a testosterone bath.  Jason Momoa isn't particularly charming, but how many barbarians are?  He looks like he stepped out of a Frazetta painting.  The film features a solid supporting cast including Stephen Lang, Ron Perlman, Rachel Nichols and Rose McGowan.  Morgan Freeman is narrating and his drawl might be great for penguins, but doesn't work well here.  Extras include featurettes and commentary.  Visually, Conan is far more impressive than it's writing, which is filled with stock characters, and a clumsy narrative; but on the flip side, it's a movie about a barbarian, so it kind of works.  Recommended.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure
Walt Disney Home Video / November 8, 2011


The Pitch
It’s Adventure Day and Professor Von Drake is sending Mickey and pals into the far reaches of outer space. The team blasts off in their Clubhouse Rocket in search of Treasure Stars that will point the way to the Out-of-this-World Treasure, their ultimate goal. The interplanetary trip takes preschool viewers first to the Moon, Mars and the Rings of Saturn. Along the way, the gang gets help from friendly space aliens Moon Men Chip and Dale, Martian Mickey and Pluto from Pluto but they also encounter sneaky Space Pirate Pete, who wants the Treasure all for himself. Eventually the Clubhouse Rocket’s crew and Space  Pirate Pete manage to become friends, and they all follow the trail of the Treasure Stars to the mysterious Planet Mickey where they discover the location of the Out-of-this-World Treasure. It turns out to be a futuristic, space age version of the Clubhouse -- the perfect meeting place for all pals across the universe!

The Review
Although I'm not a huge fan of CG animation, it's refreshing to see the classic Disney characters actually do something rather than run around a theme park.  The last time these characters (at least Mickey, Goofy and Donald) headlined a film it was 2004's Three Musketeers.

As for this particular volume, I'm not the target audience, as it's geared toward younger viewers with education in mind (believe it or not, I've mastered counting to ten and identifying colors).  That being said, it is a wonderful introduction to the classic Disney pantheon.  Extras include a bonus Goofy episode and digital download.  For nostalgiac Disney fans, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure won't exactly satisfy, but for younger viewers, this is both an educational and charming disc and a worthwhile addition to every family's home video library.

Behind The Mask
MGM MOD / Released October 26, 2011


The Pitch
Amateur sleuth Lamont Cranston, alias "The Shadow," is called upon to solve the murder of a newspaper columnist.

The Review
Taking Maxwell Grant's pulp character and translating him to the screen has never been as successful as Orson Welles' radio performance.  Nevertheless, Behind The Mask is the third in Monogram Pictures' Shadow films and although it's entertaining, it's not really The Shadow character as portrayed in print and on the radio.  Running a tight 67 minutes, there's a bit of comedy in with the thrills, which makes for an fun film, but not a very faithful adapatation.  Shrevvy and Margo Lane both make appearances and there's a lot less "clouding of men's minds" from Lamont Cranston (now a sleuth, rather than playboy) and a lot more of lurking around doors.  That being said, if you enjoy older B-pictures or are a fan the genre, this curiosity is a solid recommendation.
 
Chillerama
Image Entertainment / November 29th, 2011


The Pitch
It's the closing night at the last drive-in theater in America and Cecil B. Kaufman (Richard Riehle, Bridesmaids, Hatchet) has planned the ultimate marathon of lost film prints to unleash upon his faithful cinephile patrons. Four films so rare that they have never been exhibited publicly on American soil until this very night! What could possibly go wrong?

The Review
The danger of anthologies is that by combining the work of several artists, they always tend to be uneven.

That's not the case with Chillerama, which is pretty mediocre throughout. Trying to tap into a drive in culture that unfortunately is non-existent with crappy genre parodies, Chillerama feels like a live action MAD Magazine parody produced by Troma. The four shorts, Wadzilla, I Was A Teenage Werebear, The Diary of Anne Frankenstein, and Zom-B-Movie are schlocky and the film overall feels cheap. Extras are plentiful, with commentaries, featurettes and deleted scenes.

Chillerama is the kind of film that might be fun watching it while drinking heavily.

But, I don't drink.

30 Minutes or Less
Sony Home Entertainment / Released November 29th, 2011


The Pitch
The dull life of a small town pizza delivery guy, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) collides with the big plans of two wanna-be criminal masterminds (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson). The duo kidnaps Nick, forcing him to rob a bank. With only mere hours to pull off this near impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend and grade school teacher, Chet (Aziz Ansari). As the clock keeps ticking, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers and their own tumultuous relationship.

The Review
Director Reuben Fleischer follows up his amazing Zombieland with this less than amazing sophomore effort.  Loosely based on a true story, 30 Minutes or Less suffers most from it's cast, who are all playing the stock personalities that they have become known for.  If you want to see a movie that features Eisenberg being Eisenberg, Ansari being Ansari, McBride being McBride and Swardson being Swardson, this film delivers.  It's certainly a watchable effort, but forgettable and unfortunately not particularly funny.  Extras include a featurette, outtakes and deleted scenes.

30 Minutes or Less is mildly entertaining, albeit forgettable way to spend a few hours.  Mildly recommended.  

Detective School Dropouts
MGM MOD / October 18th, 2011


The Pitch
Two of the most inept detectives that ever bungled a case find themselves way over their heads in this wacky action adventure that leads them from Los Angeles to Rome and Venice.  Trying to reunite a pair of misplaced lovers, our incompetent duo begin a crazed caper with two Italian families--feuding for 1,700 years!  These misguided Americans solve no crimes, but provide an outrageous good time.

The Review
Slapstick is funny.

Don't believe me?  How many people have won money on America's Funniest Home Videos by capturing a child knocking an adult male in the testicles?

Which is exactly why I completely dug Detective School Dropouts, an obscure little gem from 1986 which is not only slapstick heavy, but also features cheesy dialogue and predictable gags.

But it's also funny.  The comedy team of Lorin Dreyfuss (Richard's brother) and David Landsberg (character actor and later, television producer) have wonderful chemistry, which makes this film's obscurity even more disappointing.

For fans of comedy, Detective School Dropouts is a cult picture deserving of a wider audience.  Recommended.

Don't Worry, We'll Think Of A Title
MGM MOD /  October 18th, 2011


The Pitch
A bumbling short-order cook? A secret organization thinks he is a defected Soviet cosmonaut in hiding! The result? Extreme confusion and hilarious slapstick mayhem.


The Review
Featuring Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie and Richard Deacon, who helped make the Dick Van Dyke Show one of the best series in the history of television, Don't Worry, We'll Think Of A Title often feels like a vaudeville act stretched out to feature length.

And might be a prime example why vaudeville isn't around anymore.  The film is full of cliché set-ups and pay-offs, lots of eye rolls and snappy one liners that aren't so snappy.

The film is filled with lots of cameos including Carl Reiner, Milton Berle, Moe Howard, Irene Ryan, Forrest Tucker, and Danny Thomas and supporting players include Joey Thomas and the second voice of Fred Flintstone, Henry Corden.

Don't Worry, We'll Think Of A Title is a film best left unseen, but if you're anything like me your morbid curiosity might get the best of you.  Don't let it.

Malone
MGM MOD /  October 18th, 2011


The Pitch
Based on the novel "Shotgun" by William Wingate, this drama depicts an ex-CIA hit man on the run who stumbles into a real-estate swindle/murder plot in Oregon.

The Review
A fairly watchable, mild action film of the Eighties starring Burt Reynolds, who was quickly fading from his perch as Hollywood star.

Surrounded by a supporting cast which includes Cliff Robertson, Tracey Walter, Lauren Hutton and Kenneth McMillan, Malone feels like a number of similar films of the time period.  And like many of them, this one is forgettable.

The Help (Blu-ray Combo)
Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Released December 6th, 2011


The Pitch
The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society's rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

The Review
Rarely do I suggest that a film should be longer, but I do think that The Help would have been better served by an HBO mini-series rather than a feature.  The problem is that the film needs a little more room to breathe.  We're told of the relationships and dynamics, but this is one of the rare cases where the story would have benefited from actually seeing these events.  The entire cast gives phenomenal performances, but all of the characters feel as though they are written a bit more shallow than the film's milieu might suggest.  The film isn't as honest or daring as the material deserves to be.  Extras include featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes and a music video.

The Help misfires because it almost works as much as it should, and although it doesn't emotionally resonate as it should, it's still a film worth seeing for both the acting and the moments that do work.  Recommended.

Fright Night
Walt Disney Home Entertainment / Released December 13th, 2011


The Pitch
Senior Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all—he’s running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he’s so cool he’s even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). But trouble arrives when an intriguing stranger Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there’s something not quite right—and everyone, including Charlie’s mom (Toni Collette), doesn’t notice. After witnessing some very unusual activity, Charlie comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood. Unable to convince anyone that he’s telling the truth, Charlie has to find a way to get rid of the monster himself in this Craig Gillespie-helmed revamp of the comedy-horror classic.

The Review
Fright Night is the latest attempt by Hollywood to reimagine a beloved film, and on almost every level it succeeds. No longer is Peter Vincent a television horror movie host, but rather a Criss Angel-styled Vegas magician, portrayed by David Tennant.  Anton Yelchin is earnest as Charlie Brewster who becomes obsessed with discovering the true nature of his possibly vampiric neighbor, played by Colin Ferrell in a charming performance delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a smirk across his lips.  As a fan of the original, director Gillespie and writer Marti Noxon have made a refreshingly funny and entertaining remake that in many ways surpasses the original.  And major props for the cameo by original "Jerry," Chris Sarandon.

Extras include deleted scenes, gag reel, music video, featurettes, deleted scenes and more.

If you're a fan of the original, you won't be disappointed and if you haven't seen it before, you're in for a treat.  Highly recommended.

Yahoo Creating Comedy Channel With BILL MAHER Stand-Up

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Good news if you like Bill Maher, the website Yahoo! is launching a new comedy channel with an exclusive live stand-up show from Mahar.

The site announced today that the Yahoo Comedy Channel will be coming in February 2012. Featuring content from sites like Funny or Die, Elecuts, Broadway Video and more, the site will host a collection of short-form videos. As the site progresses more programming will be added. Check out the press release for the exclusive "shows" that will be coming to the channel.

– CrazyStupidPolitics: Bill Maher Live from Silicon Valley – On February 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. PT Bill Maher will host a live comedy show exclusively broadcasted online on Yahoo!. This will be Maher’s first live online broadcast ever. For the last nineteen years, Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and ABC, and for the last nine years on HBO’s “Real Time, Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him twenty-seven Emmy nominations.

– Funny Or Die Presents “First Dates with Toby Harris” (Funny or Die) – starring Seth Morris, a series that takes us on a journey of ill-fated first dates with the lovable (sometimes deplorable) and always single Toby Harris. Set with Los Angeles as a back drop, each episode centers around a different woman and issue that will leave the audience bickering amongst themselves who was right and who was wrong, and how they would have handled it better! Love him or hate him, a date with Toby is a date you will always remember.

– 7 Minutes in Heaven (Broadway Video) – Host Mike O’Brien (Saturday Night Live) invites celebrities into his closet for an intimate conversation.

– Sketchy (Principato Young/Electus) – Sketchy is a weekly video series featuring stand alone, topical comedy shorts written, directed and starring the biggest names in comedy. Created by Electus and Principato-Young Entertainment, whose roster includes Ed Helms, Justin Long, Anthony Anderson, Rob Corddry, Rob Riggle, Rachel Harris, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and many many others.

– HACKERAZZI (David Morgasen) – From David Morgasen, the director known for classic viral videos like the “David Blaine Street Magic spoofs and “Obama-McCain Dance-off, as well as his work on “Jimmy Kimmel Live comes HACKERAZZI. This series is basically a wikileaks of celebrity video, including hidden-camera footage of 2012 presidential candidates. It’s the only place to see New Jersey Governor Chris Christie knocking over an 8 year-old boy at an airport Cinnabon and making off with his breakfast — or Justin Bieber bitch-slapping a sound guy while taping an anti-bullying PSA — or GOP hopeful Herman Cain’s never-before-seen audition to be “Harry Potter’s Dumbledore. Using a combination of live action and state-of-the-art digital effects, HACKERAZZI attaches celebrity heads to actors, making them look very close to the real thing.

Sony Pictures And George Clooney Making SMOTHERS BROTHERS Feature Film

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Deadline reports that Sony Pictures has partnered with George Clooney to adapt the story of 60s comedians Tom and Dicky Smothers into a movie.

 They've optioned the book DANGEROUSLY FUNNY: THE UNCENSORED STORY OF THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR by David Bianculli and have hired Brian Hecker and Craig Sherman to write the screenplay.


Clooney may direct the film, but it is too early to tell for sure. At the very least, he will be producing with partner Grant Heslov under their Smokehouse banner.

HBO Releases First Real Teaser Trailer For GAME OF THRONES SEASON 2

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The first teaser was just text, so was the second. Now we get the first real moving pictures in the teaser for the second season of Game of Thrones.

There has casting news, teaser pictures, settings photos, and more surrounding the second season of this show. Now watch the real teaser trailer for season two of what I consider one of the best shows on television.


I've Sunk Your New Trailer and Poster For BATTLESHIP!

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I still can't believe I'm about to type this, but the second trailer for BATTLESHIP has hit the interwebs and it looks even more like TRANSFORMERS than the first teaser.

I mean, seriously, it's like Universal went to Hasbro after TRANSFORMERS made Paramount a billion dollars and asked, "what else you got?" Hasbro said... "Uhhhhh, Battleship I guess..." Then Universal asked, "Does it have robots that transform?" and Habro replied, "Ummmmm, I guess is could...."

Well, now it does!

For real Universal? This whole thing is ridiculous, yet I believe movie audiences to be stupid enough to eat that shit up.

Check out the full trailer for BATTLESHIP after the jump. You know you want to...



Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic-scaled action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival against a superior force. Inspired by Hasbro's classic naval combat game, Battleship stars Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones; Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper's fiancée; Alexander Skarsgård as Hopper's older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson; Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper's crewmate and a weapons specialist on the USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone's superior (and Sam's father), Admiral Shane.



Berg directs this epic action-adventure also produced by Scott Stuber (Couples Retreat), Sarah Aubrey (The Kingdom), Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir of Hasbro (the Transformers franchise), along with Duncan Henderson (Master and Commander) and Jeffrey Silver (300). The film is written by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber (Red).


The battle for Earth begins at sea.



WATCH The Trailer For MEN IN BLACK 3

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Does anyone even care about another Men In Black film?

MIB3 will be Will Smith's return to the screen after a four year break, but the film has had a ton of production problems. The film was greenlit with only one act of the story complete to take advantage of NYC tax breaks, Smith wasn't happy with the script, so Devid Koepp (War of the worlds, Spider-Man, Stir of Echos, Premium Rush) and Jeff Nathason (Tower Heist, Rush Hour 3, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can) were brought in to do re-writes on it during an extended production hiatus, the budget went up to $215 million, and Alec Baldwin was forced to leave the film after shooting didn't restart when it was supposed to.

Sony has released a new trailer for the third film in the series and it's all sorts of blah. It sets up the basic premise of the film which revolves around Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) having been erased from history, killed back in 1969. Agent J (Will smith) has to travel back in time to team up with the younger Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save him... and the universe. The jokes don't really land and the CGI looks pretty bad. The one redeeming quality of the trailer is Josh Brolin... but will he be enough?

The film also stars Alice Eve (She's Out Of My League, the upcoming The Raven) Emma Thompson (Pirate Radio, Last Chance Harvey, An Education), Michael Stuhlbarg (Hugo, A Serious Man, Cold Souls), and Rip Torn (Eulogy, Dodgeball, Wonderboys).

Men In Black 3 will open in theaters on May 25, 2012.

Watch the full trailer after the jump.


MY FELLOW AMERICANS, May I Present To You Your Next Presidential Nominee, Marvin E. Quasniki

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Let's face it, the Republicans can't find a decent politician to run for President of the United States who doesn't scare the shit out of us, so anyone that doesn't happen question evolution, the use of vaccinations or is afraid of science would be a breath of fresh air.

Enter Marvin E. Quasniki, a turquoise farmer from Tonopah, NV who just may make the race for President a little more interesting.

Oh sure, Marvin isn't exactly the normal politician but hey, judging by the current crop of candidates, what does being normal have to do with anything.

After the break is Marvin's first political ad, and I can't tell you how happy I am to see a "Real American" throw his hat into the ring.


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