Thursday, May 31, 2012

Arsenio Hall in Talks for New Daytime Talk Show

Arsenio Hall Show TV

After snatching victory from the hands of Clay Aiken earlier this month on the fifth season of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, Arsenio Hall could be poised for a major comeback. Today the news is out that the 56-year-old actor/comedian is in preliminary talks with CBS Television Distribution to launch a syndicated daytime talk show.

Hall's potential return to the hosting chair, according to The Hollywood Reporter, would reunite him with CBS Television Distribution ' the same company that produced his iconic late night talk show in the early 90s (and currently produces Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and an upcoming daytime talk show from Survivor host Jeff Probst).

For those of us a bit too young to remember those fistpumping days of the original Arsenio Hall Show ' the Emmy Award-winning series ran for five years, 1000+ episodes, and experienced widespread success with the young people of the time. Stemming from the surprise popularity of Hall's thirteen-week run on The Late Show in the late 80s, The Arsenio Hall Show featured a variety of celebrity guests and popular running gags that quickly made the show a breakthrough hit, until increasing tensions with Paramount Domestic Television and declining ratings resulted in the show's cancellation in 1994.

Arsenio Hall Donald Trump Celebrity Apprentice

Since the demise of Arsenio's eponymous late night show, the Coming to America star hasn't been idle, having made many television appearances in the years since ' including a short-lived 1997 sitcom dubbed Arsenio and regular appearances on The Jay Leno Show. But in a recent interview with the ladies on The View, Arsenio was candid about his desire to return to a more permanent TV spot.

'I hosted for Pierce Morgan on CNN, and I was interviewing Cookie Johnson and Magic Johnson,' Hall said. 'We were talking about the foundation and Apprentice, and him buying the Dodgers, and there was a moment where it was like seeing an old girlfriend that I loved. I want a talk show again.'

As a fan of Arsenio Hall, I welcome the news of his return to television. That being said, there remains some question about his ability to maintain a daytime talk show. While there's no word yet on which network will air the show if it's greenlighted, I wonder if Hall will exhibit the same sort of urban-humor antics that made his 90s show so popular. Also, it's unlikely that Arsenio will be able to ride the fame coattails of his close friend Eddie Murphy, who frequently appeared on the previous show.

Bill Clinton Arsenio Hall Show

Bill Clinton's pre-presidential appearance on 'The Arsenio Hall Show'

Only time will tell, of course, but if his recent stint on the Celebrity Apprentice is any indication, Arsenio Hall ' nearly sixty-years-old ' is still a very charismatic character. 'Wuff! Wuff! Wuff!' (Sorry, but did you really think we could cover an Arsenio Hall story without doing that?)

Keep your eye on the main page for more news on Arsenio Hall's comeback as it develops.

Source:  The Hollywood Reporter



'Arrow' Star Stephen Amell on Comparisons to 'Smallville' & Geoff Johns' Involvement

Stephen Arnell Green Arrow Smallville

After the much-discussed release of the series trailer, it's safe to say that The CW's Arrow has grabbed the attention of many a television viewer and comic book fan. However, considering the character of Oliver Queen was already a major part of Smallville, some questions still linger as to how much of a resemblance this new Green Arrow will have to the character made popular by Justin Hartley.

Series lead Stephen Amell (90201, Hung) recently talked about his role as Oliver Queen/Arrow, the kind of superhero universe fans can expect to see in the upcoming show, and how this version of Queen is different from the one previously seen on the same network.

One of the key points brought up by Amell, courtesy of IGN, was that this version of the character won't be tussling with any super-powered villains or teaming up with the likes of Clark Kent anytime soon.

In fact, it sounds ' for the time being, anyway ' like The CW is sticking by their guns and Arrow will be a more grounded take on the character and the superhero genre as a whole.

In the interview, Amell said:

'We tried to make [the character of Arrow] as real as possible. The character doesn't have any superpowers. Nobody on the show has any superpowers. David Nutter ' I think he said this when a picture of the costume was released ' when he made 'Smallville,' he wanted to find the humanity in Clark Kent. We're looking for the humanity in Oliver Queen too. He's gone through a ton to get to where he is, and we're going to explore how he got there. But we wanted to make sure that he was really properly weighted and real.'

'Properly weighted' and 'real' don't necessarily rule out Arrow playing host to some of DC Comics' many non-powered characters at some point. In addition to DC's Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns possibly stepping in to write an episode, Amell suggests that the door is wide open for DC characters other than core Green Arrow cast members to appear in the series.

David Ramsey Stephen Amell Arrow The CW

'Stay tuned. I know that the people that are working on the show [...] love comics. I know that Geoff Johns from DC Comics'he was up there [on set]. I think that he's going to write an episode eventually. It would be unfortunate if, being a comic book show, we didn't draw from all the characters in the DC Universe. I hope we do.'

Rumor has it that the pilot is loaded with Easter eggs for comic fans. Whether or not those clues will hint at potential future villains, heroes, or storylines remains to be seen, but it sounds as though we'll be seeing some Arrow versions of popular characters before too long ' especially with Johns involved somewhere down the line.

With regard to how this Oliver Queen will differ from the one who appeared in Smallville, Amell told Zap2it that the dissimilarity will be obvious from the start:

'I think we find Oliver Queen more injured than we saw him before. Other than in name, there are virtually no similarities between [Hartley's version and the new version]. It's not to say that one's better than the other, it's just that they're so different, it's almost weird to compare them.'

Should the series prove a success, perhaps Arrow could be the start of a new televised DCU. The idea certainly played a part in Smallville lasting for 10 seasons, and with this series having its own set of ground rules, there is plenty of opportunity for some fresh takes on well-established characters. Let's see if Arrow brings any of them aboard after the series launches this fall.

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Arrow will air Wednesday nights @8pm starting this fall on The CW.

Source: IGN, Zap2it

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'Iron Man 3': Iron Patriot Armor Spotted on Set

Iron Patriot in Iron Man 3

I literally just finished writing a story detailing all the recent villain rumors for Iron Man 3, and another big rumor has dropped. While we are still waiting to see if Ben Kingsley is in fact playing iconic Iron Man villain The Mandarin (and all the debate that has already created), we now get word that Iron Man's star-spangled counterpart, The Iron Patriot, will also be part of Iron Man 3.

If you hear the name 'Iron Patriot' and find yourself scratching your head in confusion, simply scroll down to get details on who the character is.

In my last post I wrote how Iron Man 3 - which sees Tony Stark battling terrorists who unleash a nanotechnology virus known (in the comics) as 'Extremis' ' could be sowing seeds of the larger Marvel movie universe that mirror Marvel Comics events of the last decade, such as 'Secret Invasion.' In the comics, after 'Secret Invasion' ' in which the shape-shifting Skrull aliens launch a covert invasion of Earth ' came 'Dark Reign,' a story in which Spider-Man villain Norman Osborn became a national hero after seemingly ending the Skrull invasion, and used his new authority to re-brand super villains as superheroes, while making superheroes into enemies of society.

One of the best elements of  the 'Dark Reign' saga was the series Dark Avengers by Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Michael Bendis. In the series Norman Osborn took noted Marvel supervillains and had them masquerade as The Avengers ' with Osborn himself donning an old Iron Man suit (repainted as an American flag) and going by the moniker of' The Iron Patriot.

The Dark Avengers Iron Patriot Iron Man 3

Norman Osborn as Iron Patriot, leading his Dark Avengers Team

Now' if you haven't read our breakdown of which movie studios own which Marvel characters, here's the short version: Everything related to Spider-Man is owned by Sony, while everything related to Iron Man is owned by Disney/Marvel Studios. This means there will be NO Spider-Man-related elements in any Marvel movies, unless some new deal is worked out between both studios. I say that to say: The Iron Patriot in Iron Man 3 CANNOT (legally) be Norman Osborn, and Spider-Man is NOT being brought into the Avengers movie universe ' no matter how hard some fans wish otherwise.

Coming Soon broke this Iron Patriot in Iron Man 3 story, but has no explanation as to how the character fits into the plot, or who will be wearing the armor. Since Iron Patriot debuted in an Avengers comic book, the character can be used in IM3 - but again, the origin and details will have to be drastically changed.

UPDATE: It is reportedly actor James Badge Dale (Rubicon)  - previously thought to be playing obscure cybernetic villain 'Coldblood-7' in the Iron Patriot armor ' and here are the set photos to prove it (by way of Superficial):


Now, before we all geekgasm too much: Dale (if that's indeed him) could indeed be wearing the Iron Patriot armor for PART of the movie, while still becoming the Extremis-infected cyborg villain we've heard tell about. Without knowing where the set photos above fit into the film, we could be very well looking at a little Easter egg nod ' much in the same vein as Captain America's classic costume being factored into The First Avenger as a gag. We'll have to wait and see just how seriously (or not) Iron Patriot is meant to be taken.

Iron Man 3 hits theaters on May 3, 2013.

Source: Coming Soon & Superficial

Header Image by Deviant Art user 666Darks



Tuesday, May 29, 2012

'Mad Men' Season 5, Episode 11: 'The Other Woman' Recap

Vincent Kartheiser Jon Hamm John Slattery Mad Men The Other Woman

The offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce have become a time capsule ' not simply because the constant wandering of Bert Cooper (Robert Morse) through its halls seems to have stunted the aging process, but because there is a pervasive level of old-school thinking that Mad Men has, again and again this season, shown to be at odds with the world several stories below.

For all its apparently failed efforts to remain progressive and ahead of the curve in terms of advertising, SCDP is also woefully archaic in terms of equality in the workplace, so it's losing out on two fronts at the same time, and now the creative agency has to do without one of its most singular voices because of that fact. To be fair, though, it's the kind of thinking that nearly every other business is doing at the same time. As illustrated in 'The Other Woman,' offices everywhere are simply lined with men unable to view woman as anything other than objects.

The point is made very plainly as Don (Jon Hamm) and his creative team (sans Peggy) work extensively to convey the message that Jaguar is that temperamental, fiery woman men, with means and without, simply have to have; it's a thing of beauty that they can actually own to sublimate their need to be possessive of an actual woman. The actual pitch is almost those terms exactly, and it comes from Ginsberg (Ben Feldman) after he sees Megan (Jessica Paré) march in and whisk Don away to his office for a little pre-audition confidence building. He notes that she just comes and goes as she pleases. In Ginsberg's mind, as much as Don, or anyone would like to think they've got Megan, or someone like her, on a short leash, there's just no keeping a woman like that.

There is something cheap and sordid about it all. It's a perverse conquest; the kind of thing some men pat each other on the back about. By attempting to sell Jaguar as a mistress, an obtainable object just out of reach, the agency becomes home to the same kind of thinking in its desire to land its first car. And in doing so, SCDP remains complicit in prostituting Joan (Christina Hendricks) as a means to that end.

It seems as though the head of the dealers' association, Herb, has taken a liking to Joan, and makes it clear to Ken (Aaron Staton) and Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) over dinner that if he's not treated to a night with her, the chances that SCDP will ever land Jaguar are basically nil. Of course it's Pete who broaches the subject with Joan ' attempting to appear aggrieved by the situation, but that, really, his hands are tied and he thought he'd just bring it up because the needs of the company and all. Though repulsed, Joan leaves a window of opportunity open for Pete. After all, she's a soon-to-be-divorced mother living in Manhattan with an ex in Vietnam, a fridge on the fritz and a mother asking whether she's all dried up inside. Joan has a lot on her plate, and being able to look herself in the mirror comes in a distant second to the possibility of not having to constantly worry about money. Naturally, Pete doesn't miss his chance to pitch the idea to the other partners. Don wants nothing to do with the notion, but the rest remain on the fence ' not exactly comfortable with the idea, but open to it nonetheless.

And of course, that's what it all comes down to: what figure everyone has in mind. As Lane (Jared Harris) points out, he helped form the agency by agreeing to a salary well below what his lifestyle required, and now he's underwater because of it. 'The Other Woman' suggests that no matter how much or how little money someone makes, or already has, there's always more wealth to be accumulated; it's simply a matter of what people are willing to do, or sacrifice, to acquire that which they desire.

For Peggy (Elisabeth Moss), more money also means the possibility of more respect, and more freedom with another agency. Despite all the work she's done over the years and how far she's come, Peggy is just always going to be the girl on the outside looking in. While the men are at the table searching for a way to convey the message that Jaguar is the other woman, she's on the other side of the glass, pitching laxatives while Don and the boys are treated to lobster. And after she successfully pitches an idea on the fly to Chevalier Blanc, Don gives it to Ginsberg because it's his account. When Peggy complains, Don throws money in her face, accusing her of only wanting to go to Paris.

Christina Hendricks Vincent Kartheiser Mad Men The Other Woman

After a brief chat with Freddy Rumsen (Joel Murray), Peggy's ready to move on and it seems her suitor is none other than the loathsome, Draper-chasing Ted Chaough (Kevin Rahm). While SCDP has become mired in its old-school ways, Chaough's agency, Cutler Gleason and Chaough, is willing to pay top-dollar for Peggy's creative mind ' topping her salary demand by a cool thousand dollars. Of course one has to wonder whether Chaough's offer stems from a place of equality and respect or simply the price he's willing to pay to steal away Draper's protégé. It may be too much to expect that someone like Chaough could see Peggy as something more than his own conquest in the battle he's started with Don.

For his part, Don gets hit with the realization that Megan's acting may mean months away from Manhattan, which results in yet another spat between the couple. Thankfully, he's not entirely privy to the lascivious call back she's forced to endure, which suggests that no matter Megan's talent, the men who can decide her future are simply searching for a very specific thing, an object that will look good on stage. At the same time, Don catches wind of Joan's deal and rushes to tell her that no account, not even Jaguar, is worth signing over her character for a five percent stake in the company.

Then, in a rather well executed segment, Don pitches Jaguar while Joan is wooed, used and dismissed by Herb. Only later do we learn that Don's appeal came after the fact, which he learns when Joan is amongst the partners as they announce they've landed Jaguar. Uninterested in celebrating such a win, Don and Peggy go to his office so she can tell him she's leaving SCDP for CGC. Don's response is a mixture of anger and venom, but when offered, he takes Peggy's hand and kisses it for an extended length of time, as if pulling the tear from Peggy's eye. Then he simply dismisses her.

Peggy leaves the office while Joan has consigned herself to them forever. She stands in front of the elevator and as the doors open, the music kicks in and Peggy smiles to herself, a free woman.

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Mad Men continues next Sunday with 'Commissions and Fees' @10pm on AMC. Take a look at the episode below:



New 'Django Unchained' Images; Trailer Attached to 'Prometheus'

Image of New 'Django Unchained' Images; Trailer Attached to 'Prometheus'

Footage from Quentin Tarantino's Southern-set nod to spaghetti westerns, Django Unchained premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival ' and reactions were overwhelmingly positive (to what was shown).

Django Unchained is still in the middle of principal photography, but new images from the film have already sprung up online ' along with word that the teaser will premiere in front of Ridley Scott's Prometheus.

Tarantino's latest creation is an amalgamation of Blaxploitation and Sergio Leone Western tropes, seeing how the plot of Django Unchained follows an ex-slave named Django (Jamix Foxx) who is shown the ropes of bounty hunting by Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) ' an eccentric foreigner who is perplexed by the ways of the pre-Civil War South. As Foxx recently told Empire, though, the empowerment angle of the story is only part of what attracted him to the project:

'When this movie's done, there's gonna be some hot button issues but, given my background, I think I'll be able to get some points across. The one thing that stuck out to me in the script was that Django was married. Back then, to be married was taboo. This is a love story. He's not trying to stop slavery. He's not trying to do anything but find the love of his life ' which is like trying to find a needle in a world of haystacks.'

The word on the Django teaser with Prometheus comes from Variety's Stuart Oldham, so chances are good the report is accurate. Judging by the Cannes reactions, the comparisons to Tarantino's Inglourious Bastards will no doubt become more widespread, once that trailer has been released.

Until that happens, you can get another look at Foxx and Waltz in the film ' alongside Leonardo DiCaprio as the foul plantation head who owns Django's wife (Kerry Washington) and Franco Nero as a fellow ruthless resident of the Old South ' in the Django Unchained screenshot/image gallery below (click any thumbnail for the full version):

Early word of mouth is that Django Unchained retains certain hallmarks of Leone's classic work in the western genre ' including the massive landscape shots and protagonists who are often just as ruthless as the film's vile villains. However, Tarantino looks to leave his distinctive thumbprint on the genre by incorporating such elements as his trademark profanity-laced monologues and blood-splattering violence.

In other words: Django Unchained (like the rest of Tarantino's catalogue) wears its influences on its sleeve, but feels like something different and unique. The colorful characters and costumes ' as featured in early still frames ' are more than proof enough of just that.

Django Unchained shoots up theaters around the U.S. on December 25th, 2012.

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Source: Cinemateaser [via The Playlist], Empire, Variety



SR Geek Picks: Yoda Slippers, Starfleet Cufflinks, An Iron Man Scooter & More!

Welcome to Screen Rant's 'Geek Picks,' where we collect the finest movie-related geekery from around the web for you. Today you'll find Yoda slippers; Star Wars cupcakes and cookies; Starfleet cufflinks; and The Avengers as Minions. All that and more on this edition of SR's Geek Picks!

To kick things off Yoni Brenner has an excerpt from the long lost version of Battleship written by William Shakespeare. This could've been Shakespeare's greatest work if it was discovered sooner! I bet if they had based the film off of this it would've turned out much better. 98% on Rotten Tomatoes!

Captain America Memorial Day

Cap remembers

Artist Dan Hipp has a fantastic Marvel Memorial Day tribute.

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The Dark Knight: Just The Joker

What would this film be without The Joker?

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Mega Iron Man

8 Bit Tony Stark

An amazing Mega Man/Iron Man mashup from RespectTheFett

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

'Magic City' Season 1 Finale Review

Image of 'Magic City' Season 1 Finale Review

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Things are looking rough for Ike Evans and his empire at the Miramar Playa, as Starz wraps up season 1 of its period drama 'Magic City' with episode 8 'Time and Tide.'

Lifetime Developing 'Clarice' TV Series, Based on 'Silence of the Lambs' Character

clarice starling tv show silence lambs

Bryan Fuller's Hannibal TV series will premiere on NBC in the foreseeable future. However, Lifetime has already begun development on another television show that will be centered around a famous character from Thomas Harris' literature: FBI agent Clarice Starling.

MGM is producing the latter series, which is titled Clarice. The project is backed by Lifetime head honcho Nancy Dubuc (executive producer of The Kennedys), with the intention to replicate the success of Jennifer Love Hewittt's The Client List ' as another actress-headlined series on the channel.

According to TV Guide, Clarice will chronicle the experiences of its namesake after she has her first encounter with Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter and graduates from FBI academy. It sounds as though the TV series will therefore bridge the narrative gap between The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, following Clarice as she learns to cope with the everyday obstacles that come with the Fed lifestyle ' and faces off against a resentful superior, who takes on the form of Department of Justice official Paul Krendler.

Such an approach would result in Clarice playing out as a relatively conventional crime drama/procedural, focused around a brilliant, crime-solving protagonist with a troubled psyche (a la the BBC's Luther). That would also set the former apart from Fuller's show, which will have more of a buddy dynamic at its core.

As indicated before, Dubuc is interested in producing more original television series on Lifetime 'with strong female leads.' Hence, don't be surprised if a young actress whose star is rapidly on the rise signs on to portray Clarice in the pilot - following in the footsteps of Jodie Foster from Silence of the Lambs (which snagged her an Oscar) and Julianne Moore's performance from the Ridley Scott-directed Hannibal film adaptation.

julianne more clarice starling hannibal

Julianne Moore as Clarice Starling in 'Hannibal'

NBC has yet to announce who will play the infamous Dr. Lecter in Fuller's Hannibal TV series. No doubt, that's partially due to the difficult nature of casting for the role ' which so many people cannot disassociate from Sir Anthony Hopkins, despite the character having also previously been brought to life by people like Brian Cox in Manhunter and Gaspard Ulliel in Hannibal Rising (a younger version, in the latter case).

Foster's turn as Clarice remains the most widely-admired cinematic incarnation of the heroine, but it's never reached the icon status of Hopkins as Hannibal. It should also help that the Clarice TV series doesn't look to feature the Dr. Lecter character in any explicit capacity ' which could allow the show to better avoid comparisons to previous adaptations of Harris' creations.

Of course, Clarice is going to be geared primarily towards the Lifetime viewing demographic. So, with that label, there also come certain 'expectations,' good and bad.

Screen Rant will keep you up-to-date on any additional noteworthy developments concerning Clarice.

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Source: TV Guide



'Dark Knight Rises': International Banners, Catwoman Poster & Plot Details

Just as The Avengers did earlier this year, The Dark Knight Rises has begun to make headlines on an almost daily basis ' with just under two months left until Christopher Nolan's climactic Batman movie hits theaters.

Warner Bros. spent the past week showering fans with Dark Knight Rises posters, character one-sheets, TV spots, and domestic banners. Today, we add to the DKR paraphernalia pile with two international character banners, a 'secret' poster with femme fatale Catwoman (or, rather, her high-heel), and some plot details revealed in the synopsis for a children's tie-in book ' about the relationship between Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) and Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway).

Gotham becomes a veritable war-zone in Dark Knight Rises, after Bane (Tom Hardy) and his army of mercenaries, freed convicts and low-stature citizens who join the terrorist's 'revolution' all attack the city, forcing Bruce to 'get back in the game' after eight years of semi-retirement as the Caped Crusader.

That idea has been emphasized in recent footage and posters, but takes a bit of a backseat in the new, glossier, international Dark Knight Rises character banners. The 'secret' Catwoman poster ' which was hidden on the official DKR website ' retains the dark, rainy, motif of previous one-sheets, starting with the second domestic poster that teases Bane's triumph over Batman.

CLICK FOR FULL/LARGER VERSIONS

dark knight rises international banner

dark knight rises international banner catwoman

dark knight rises secret catwoman poster

Meanwhile, HarperCollins has posted a short plot summary for the DKR-based kid's book, 'Batman versus Catwoman.' While it doesn't give away major plot points in the film ' those who wish to go in as unspoiled as possible should obviously STOP READING NOW.

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!!

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CLICK FOR FULL VERSION

dark knight rises book batman catwoman

There's a ferocious feline in town, and she's out to steal from Gotham's wealthy citizens. Unfortunately, Catwoman makes a mistake when she visits venerable citizen Bruce Wayne and takes Bruce's prized family heirloom. She thinks she made a clean escape . . . but she doesn't know who she toyed with!

In other words, this confirms the popular theory that sprung up after the second Dark Knight Rises trailer featured a shot of Selina Kyle putting on a pearl necklace ' that piece of jewelry is indeed the property of Bruce's late mother, bought for her by his father.

The inclusion of said element from Batman Begins should not only help Dark Knight Rises to bring Bruce's overarching character evolution full-circle (as this finale is meant to do), but it's also a clever way of setting the stage for Batman and Catwoman's complex relationship (to say the least).

dark knight rises anne hathaway catwoman

Selina wears a prized Wayne family heirloom in 'Dark Knight Rises'

Overall, the past week of Dark Knight Rises marketing has re-energized certain portions of the fanbase ' while providing further confirmation for others that the film will be an exhilarating thrill ride full of grand spectacle, intense drama, and everything else that makes for a good Batman movie. Feel free to share your own thoughts about the DKR marketing scheme in the comments section of this article.

The Dark Knight Rises stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Marion Cotillard. It is of course directed by Christopher Nolan, based on a screenplay he co-penned with Jonathan Nolan (working from a story co-conceived by Davis S. Goyer).

Look for The Dark Knight Rises to arrive in U.S. theaters on July 20th, 2012.

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Source: Warner Bros. [via Batman-News], HarperCollins Childrens [via CBM]



Saturday, May 26, 2012

'Moonrise Kingdom' Review

'Moonrise Kingdom' (Review) starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward Bill Murray Ed Norton and Bruce Willis

Screen Rant's Kofi Outlaw Reviews Moonrise Kingdom

When I reviewed Fantastic Mr. Fox a few years back, I (at the time) considered myself in the camp of those who don't care for director Wes Anderson's brand of filmmaking. With Fantastic Mr. Fox Anderson clearly turned a corner, marrying his high-brow focus with a bit of child's play, to create something at once youthful and fun, while still insightful and witty on an adult level. Moonrise Kingdom, I can proudly report, takes this new trend in the filmmaker's evolving style a step further, and has only expanded my growing respect of the Anderson's skill as both a writer and a director.

The story revolves around the romance of young lovers Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward). The pair live on an island off the coast of New England ' a small world that is literally defined as being a 'one cop car town.' Sam (an orphan) and Suzy (the troubled black sheep of her family) instantly bond over their shared status as oddball outsiders, and thereafter, during the course of a year-long pen-pal romance, they concoct a brazen scheme to run away together.

When the children go missing, the various adults connected to them ' Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton), dreary faced lawman Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), 'Social Services' (Tilda Swinton), and Suzy's academia parents Laura (Frances McDormand) and Walt (Bill Murray) ' all try to mount a search/rescue/capture party. However, Suzy and Sam aren't in peril ' in fact, having found love and freedom, they couldn't be happier. But two runaway lovers have little place in a world where 'normality' is the status quo ' even when that status quo life leads to deep feelings of unhappiness (feelings the adults on the island are all-too-familiar with).

Edward Norton in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Moonrise Kingdom covers the usual ground of a Wes Anderson film (repressed angst and/or dysfuntional families), but combines those elements with the youthful playfulness of Fantastic Mr. Fox. Aside from being visually gorgeous in terms of photography and cinematography (shot by longtime Anderson collaborator Robert D. Yeoman), the film has a Mise-en-scéne composition that is at once stunningly sophisticated and hilariously funny. Almost all of the shots contain some kind of visual gag, symbolism or iconography ' often all three at once. Strip away the sharp dialogue and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack ' which includes everything from orchestrated classics and vocal chorus arrangements to 1960s French pop ' and you'd still be left with a film that tells a funny and interesting story through visuals alone.

The adult cast members are all award-winning/nominated talents, but they are asked (and graciously oblige) to take a backseat, so that the two young leads ' Gilman and Hayward ' can shine. And shine the two youngsters do, as perfect male/female physical and emotional embodiments of the oddball outsider ' those luminously eccentric personalities who don't quite fit the frame of 'normality' imposed by American social ideals (and are arguably better off for it). The two young leads successfully carry the film on their shoulders, and make Sam and Suzy's romance a captivating and cutesy affair (save for one sexually charged scene that might be off-putting to some viewers); however, they are also helped along by other young thespians ' namely the squad of young (Eagle?) scouts sent out to hunt Sam and Suzy, who provide many funny and charming moments of their own.

Bill Murray Tilda Swinton Bruce Willis Ed Norton and Frances McDormand in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, and Frances McDormand in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

The roundup of celebrated adult actors are equally good playing their respective roles, bringing the right pitch and depth to characters who could easily have dragged down the careful tonal balance between humor and drama that Anderson creates. Norton is especially amusing as the militaristic-yet-naive Scout Master, and Willis does a great send-up of his own action movie tough-guy persona by playing a cop who is a sad-sack of a man, rather than a badass. While their roles are somewhat less pronounced, McDormand and Murray invoke powerful (yet subtle) portraits of a married couple with a deeply fractured connection. Without spoiling things, there are some great appearances by other actors (i.e., Jason Schwartzman), who either poke fun at, or allude to their prior onscreen roles.

Anderson once again teamed with his Darjeeling Limited collaborator Roman Coppola (as in son of Francis Ford, brother of Sophia, cousin of Nic Cage) to write the script for Moonrise Kingdom, and the pair have done an outstanding job. The movie has lines of dialogue that are as quotable as they are clever, and moment-to-moment there are jokes and witticisms being fired off the hit on multiple levels of humor. Even in the few moments when things get serious, Anderson and Coppola skip melodramatic monologue and effectively cut right to the heart of the matter with some concise  - but impactful ' lines, which speak volumes of emotion and thought in just one or two masterfully-crafted sentences (see: the scenes between McDormand and Murray).

Jason Schwartzman in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Jason Schwartzman in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

For all its good points, Moonrise Kingdom does end up stumbling over the finish line. Things drag going into the third act, and once there, the narrative focus and scene composition seem to get a bit muddled as the story moves away from the young protagonists, and onto the surrounding adults. While watching Murray, Norton, Willis, Swinton and McDormand sharing the screen together can't at all be called a bad thing, their character arcs and interactions aren't as engaging or interesting as Sam and Suzy's wild romance. Things finally build to an overly-cartoonish and overly-dramatic climax, which feels even more out of place, given the tight control Anderson maintains in the preceding three-quarters of the film.

While the conclusion was a bit mishandled, Moonrise Kingdom remains ' for the most part ' a gem of a film, and clear indication that Wes Anderson is only getting better with age (in terms of both cultivating a fun youthful spirit and growing from his filmmaking experience).

Moonrise Kingdom is currently playing in limited theatrical release. It is Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking.

Our Rating:

4 out of 5



11 Great Tommy Lee Jones Roles Josh Brolin Could've Played

Image of 11 Great Tommy Lee Jones Roles Josh Brolin Could've Played
Now that Josh Brolin is impressing the world with his portrayal of a young Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black 3, we wondered what it would look like if Brolin replaced Jones in some of his most iconic movie roles. Check out what we came up with.

(TLJ Fact: EVERY Tommy Lee Jones role is a great role)



Interview: 'Chernobyl Diaries' & 'Paranormal Activity' Writer/Producer Oren Peli

Oren Peli Chernobyl Diaries writer and producer

Produce Oren Peli has become a well known entity in the horror world over the last several years. He is the writer/director of the original Paranormal Activity and the producer behind the remainder of the franchise.

Additionally, he's gone on to produce several other terror-filled offerings including Insidious, upcoming The Lords of Salem and television's The River. His latest film Chernobyl Diaries, which opens in theaters this weekend, is set in the city of Prypiat that once housed the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. The chiller follows a group of friends who sign up for an 'extreme tour' through the abandoned city while vacationing in Europe ' only to find themselves stranded where they are not so alone after all.

We had the opportunity to speak with the writer/producer recently about his latest endeavor, setting a thriller in the location of a real-world catastrophe ' and what scares him, personally.

Screen Rant: Horror is always seeking to tap into fundamental human fears but sometimes the storylines are addressing topical issues as well. Chernobyl Diaries, among other things, is playing on concerns about nuclear energy. Do you think those issues are still as relevant today as they were at the time of the event?

Oren Peli: 'I think it's something that people constantly think about. In many places around the world, all over the U.S. and Europe there are active nuclear power plants. And for many years during the Cold War the threat of nuclear war was a permanent fear. There's always the concern that human kind is biting off more than they can chew in harnessing nuclear power. There have been accidents like Three Mile Island and of course Chernobyl that make you more aware of the dangers. So definitely this is something that could be relevant. Hopefully this would never happen again, though.'

Chernobyl Diaries Trailer

SR: This was the worst nuclear disaster in history. Did you worry about utilizing this event as the backdrop of a horror movie and how people would respond to that? There's been an online campaign to boycott the movie due to its connection to Chernobyl, for example.

OP: 'Well we weren't approaching it as if we were trying to make a serious documentary. It's a work of fiction so we didn't have any intention of having people take it too seriously and it didn't really occur to us that this was the kind of thing that could offend people. We've seen a very tiny but vocal minority on the Internet that have been saying that they find it offensive and definitely no one is going to force them to watch the movie, but that was never our intention. And we're actually working with a charity that specializes in working with the children of Chernobyl and they've seen the movie and they didn't seem to find it offensive at all. In fact they were happy that, because of the movie, that we're raising awareness again about Chernobyl.'

SR: Were you thinking that this is something that could highlight the fears around some current nuclear threats? There are some issues with the animals in the film that make it seem like they've been affected by radiation poisoning.

OP: 'I don't even know if we were thinking about it on such a philosophical level. And a lot of those things aren't meant to be explained. It's just the kind of thing we thought would be a scary concept and that people can interpret it in whichever way is scariest for them.'

SR: This isn't a found footage film, but it does have a documentary/home video cinematic style. Is it important to you to capture these kinds of stories with that type of visual aesthetic?

OP: 'Yes, you know other than the beginning of the movie and a small moment in the middle it's not found footage at all. But it does have a very realistic documentary style that I do like a lot. It's kind of the way that Paul Greengrass does some of his movies. I like it, it makes it more relatable and intimate and you feel like you're going along on the ride with the characters. And because of the way we let the actors improvise, it feels like you're watching people react rather than actors reading lines ' so I think that's always going to be something I like. But 'Insidious' was shot in a very traditional manner and it did very well, so it's a case by case basis.'

'Chernobyl Diaries' Cast (Review)

SR: Speaking of Insidious, there's a sequel in production at the moment and another Paranormal Activity out this fall. Are you thinking that Chernobyl Diaries may also be a franchise? Perhaps a series of 'extreme tourism' activities gone awry?

OP: 'I never think beyond one movie at a time, when I did the first 'Paranormal' I was happy to see that is was doing well, same with 'Insidious,' so it's really too early to tell on this one.'

SR: We've seen the Paranormal mythology evolve over the last several films, where do you envision it going from here?

OP: 'The only thing I can say about 'Paranormal Activity 4' is that it's coming out on October 19th.'

SR: Fair enough. Have you thought about branching out beyond horror?

OP: 'Right now I'm having fun with what I'm doing but I'd never categorically say no to something because it's not horror. I'm keeping an open mind.'

SR: How do you approach each new project? Do you look for aspects of the genre that you've not yet explored and try to find a way into them?

OP: 'Really it's always things that scare me like loss of control, dealing with the unknown and the unseen ' whether it's a demon or something that's not supposed to be there in 'Chernobyl.' Something that's not supposed to be there and you don't know where it came from, or what it wants from you, or how to defend yourself against it. That's the root of the things I find scary. Usually I don't find gore or slasher films scary. What works for me is the slower build where you are tightening the noose around the situation until you are running out of options and then really have no idea what to do.'

Chernobyl Diaries is now playing in theaters.

Follow me on twitter @JrothC



Friday, May 25, 2012

Zoe Saldana Onboard for 'Machete Kills'

zoe saldana machete kills

Danny 'Machete' Trejo has revealed that Robert Rodriguez will start shooting the sequel to his Grindhouse trailer-turned-movie, Machete Kills, in about three weeks (from the time of writing this).

In addition to Trejo returning as Machete Cortez, Mel Gibson is onboard as the film's James Bond-style villain. Machete Kills will also pack a whole lot of girl-power ' as the cast includes returning players Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez, along with series newcomers Amber Heard and Sofia Vergara.

During a recent interview with Moviehole, Trejo announced more than just the planned start date for shooting on the Machete sequel; he also let loose the news that fan-fave starlet Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek) is yet another lovely lady who will show up in Machete Kills. Trejo held off on dropping any specific character or plot details about the project, other than to say the film 'is going to be more over-the-top' than its predecessor (which is saying something).

Robert Rodriguez recently announced that the current circulating plot synopsis for Machete Kills largely serves as misdirection ' but that the sequel does indeed see the eponymous ex-federale recruited by the U.S. government to handle a matter of national security. How exactly all the aforementioned actresses fit into that storyline remains a mystery ' though, Trejo has confirmed that (with the possible exception of Heard) he gets to kiss all of them. (Lucky bum')

machete sequel danny trejo

Danny Trejo as 'Machete'

The original Machete was a sizable critical hit that managed to quadruple its $10 million budget at the global box office. Obviously, though, it's not the potential financial rewards that've attracted so many big names to Machete Kills; rather, it's the opportunity to work outside the Hollywood system, in collaboration with a fast-and-efficient filmmaker like Rodriguez, on a project that truly deserves to be called a contemporary exploitation flick.

If nothing else, the Machete sequel will allow its cast to have fun hamming it up, which should make for good guilty-pleasure entertainment (in theory). Hopefully, the film will be a better showcase of Saldana's tough-chick acting chops than last year's Colombiana ' while also making better use of Vergara and Michelle Rodriguez' talents than some of their more recent projects (The Three Stooges and Battle Los Angeles, respectively).

We will let you know when Machete Kills snags an official theatrical release date (most likely, in 2013).

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Source: Moviehole



Networks Interested in 'Exorcist' TV Miniseries by 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' Director

The Exorcist TV Miniseries Sean Durkin

About three years ago, exactly, we first reported on a TV miniseries based on The Exorcist - which would've immediately set off all kinds of alarm bells, if not for the saving grace that the miniseries was being shepherded by William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist movie) and William Peter Blatty (writer of the The Exorcist novel).

Flash-forward three years and now comes word that this Exorcist miniseries is still alive and kicking ' and may be nearer to production than ever before ' thanks to an in-demand script by an up-and-coming Hollywood talent.

Vulture reports that Sean Durkin ' writer and director of acclaimed indie drama Martha Marcy May Marlene - is adapting Blatty's novel into a ten-episode miniseries that will be backed by producer Roy Lee (The Departed, The Ring, The Grudge, 7500 - and many other horror films past and present), as well as Morgan Creek Productions. Word is executives at several networks are already circling the project, even though it won't be formally shopped around for another few weeks.

Of course, there is still the question of how one takes a story about a priest curing a young girl of a demonic spirit and stretches that out into a 10-part tale for TV. Durkin's story will apparently focus on the family dynamic before young Regan MacNeil becomes possessed, how the family copes (or does not cope) with the situation, and how the dire circumstances finally push them toward the church, and the assistance of Father Damian Karras. No clear indication yet whether that 'family' will still consist solely of Regan and her famous mother Chris (played by Ellen Burstyn in the film), or if the family will be expanded to include more members for the sake of drama. We should hear more soon.

Elizabeth Olsen in 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' (Review)

Elizabeth Olsen in Durkin's haunting film, 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Similar approaches to the exorcism sub-genre have been more or less tried in films like The Last Exorcism and/or The Exorcism of Emily Rose - but not to the degree which we can only assume Durkin is going to venture. It's an interesting prospect that combines the best kind of dysfunctional family drama (a la Six Feet Under) with freaky elements of horror ' hopefully resulting in a show where family dysfunction becomes a thrilling, chilling, thing to watch.

If you haven't seen Martha Marcy May Marlene - do yourself a favor and do so. It wasn't just a breakout vehicle for rising star Elizabeth Olsen ' the indie sleeper was proof that Durkin has a gift for subtle-yet-searing psycho-drama ' a talent that would greatly benefit this new telling of Blatty's famous tale.

We'll keep you updated as The Exorcist TV miniseries gets shopped around to networks in the coming weeks.

Source: Vulture



'RED 2' Looks to Add More Star Power With Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins 'Red 2'

If we look back at the extraordinary career of Anthony Hopkins it is plain to see that he has never been afraid to tackle any type of role. Whether it's been a cannibalistic psychiatrist serial killer, or an Asgardian ruler, Hopkins has always seemed to excel under any circumstances that the script calls for. At 75 years young, Hopkins has shown no signs of slowing down.

Recently it was announced that the Oscar-winning actor would return to reprise his role as Odin in Marvel's Thor 2, and one thing that's for certain is Hopkins does not plan on getting out of the game while he still has so much to give us.  It would be too easy for him to call it a career and join Sean Connery on Hollywood's R.E.D. (Retired and Extremely Dangerous) list.

Speaking of RED - THR is reporting that Anthony Hopkins has entered negotiations to join the cast of the already star-studded crew of Summit's RED 2. The first Red film was released in 2010 and told the story of Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), a retired black-ops agent who re-assembles his old (literally old) team in order to stay alive and fight back against the agency who wants them dead.

RED 2, which will star the returning cast of Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich, will reportedly be set in and around Europe - a place Hopkins is very familiar with (he was born in Wales, UK) - and assuming a deal is struck, and Hopkins takes the role, he will reportedly play a genius scientist who has been locked away in an insane asylum ' a place Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter is familar with.

Not only would Hopkins be reuniting with Mirren (the two have worked on previous projects together and are currently off filming Hitchcock (yes, Hopkins will be playing Alfred Hitchcock) for a 2013 release), he will also be joining the other newcomers to the cast, Catherine Zetta-Jones and Byung-hun Lee (G.I. Joe 2).

Red 2 Willis Malkovich Mirren

Another fresh face to the RED team will be director Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest), who will be taking over the duties from Robert Schwentke. Jon and Erich Hoeber have returned to pen the latest chapter of Red, as has producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura.

As films continue to evolve, Sir Anthony Hopkins has remained the constant. His versatility in the art of acting is a rarity in this day and age, and if he joins the cast of RED 2 he will be joining a cast who has more than a few miles on their careers. Here's to longevity.

There is currently no release date for RED 2 but continue to check back with Screen Rant for further details.

Source: THR



Thursday, May 24, 2012

'Chronicle' Director Josh Trank To Helm 'Shadow of the Colossus' Adaptation

Despite the unraveling of what was going to be a very strange (read: unwanted) adaptation of the Uncharted video games, Sony Pictures is continuing to push the genre forward through developing several other brands for the live-action treatment. Sony signed with Ubisoft Motion Pictures to develop the Assassin's Creed film in a deal that didn't sit well with rival studios and as we learned today, they're still planning a live-action feature film based on Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus.

Deadline has the update on the latest important video game title that's entering development, a place where countless projects still sit as the video game movie genre remains in an uneasy place, unproven but ripe for emergence. Sony aims to make Shadow of the Colossus a large-scale blockbuster with the help of producer Kevin Misher (Mirror Mirror) and have signed Josh Trank (Chronicle) to direct. Back in 2009, Sony had hired Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) to pen the screenplay but that evidently did not work out.

Trank hit it big with his low-budget found footage film Chronicle earlier this year and has since become widely sought over for several big budget blockbusters, including the Fantastic Four reboot and Sony's own Venom - a spinoff for The Amazing Spider-Man. With Shadow of the Colossus however, Trank may have found his biggest challenge yet.

The story of the game isn't its focus, nor is its characters. In fact, there are not many characters at all in the game which barely features any dialogue. It's about a boy named Wander who travels with his trusty companion and only ally ' a horse named Agro ' across vast open areas, hunting a series of 16 massive and unique Colossi with his stolen magic sword in order to revive Mono, a young girl and his love interest.

The game earned critical praise for its uniqueness in style, its impressive visuals and its award-winning soundtrack, and that's partially why a film adaptation is difficult to fathom. Unlike most video game properties, Shadow of the Colossus isn't a property that can spawn a continuing franchise. The game didn't feature much dialogue and there weren't populated areas with other characters - It was a visual spectacle and more of a puzzle game than a typical action-adventure.

This begs the question of how faithful a Sony Pictures film adaptation could really be. Can they sell a movie to mainstream moviegoing audiences about one kid fighting gigantic monsters, entirely in CGI? Will they force in other characters and backstory a la Prince of Persia and take away from what made the game unique? Since it is so dependent on visuals, will it look more real than Wrath of the Titans?

While our Game Rant team loves Shadow of the Colossus it's hard to imagine at this point how it will be adapted for the silver screen, especially considering its heavy budgetary requirements for the effects. We can all expect this one to be made for 3D but we do not know what to expect from the script and story. Sony is looking at writers to join Trank at the moment and we're intrigued with the idea of a live-action take.

For more on the game and developer Team Ico, head over to Game Rant and read our review of the HD re-release of Shadow of the Colossus.

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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.

Source: Deadline (via Game Rant)



Amazon Reportedly Interested In Saving ABC's 'Pan Am'

Margot Robbie Christina Ricci Kelli Garner Pan Am

This is getting to be the new routine. Knowing that original content is king, networks and non-networks everywhere are lining up to either create their own programs or, like Netflix and now, online retailer Amazon, resurrect failed shows like ABC's period drama Pan Am.

According to recent reports, the online retailer is looking for ways to broaden its streaming content, and since it already carries the first season of Pan Am, has been in contact with Sony Pictures Television about potentially serving as the program's new home, now that ABC has sent the flight attendants packing.

Pan Am came into being as the second Mad Men wannabe, but unlike poorly received entry The Playboy Club on NBC, Pan Am, boasting a cast featuring Christina Ricci, Mike Vogel (Cloverfield) and Kelli Garner (The Aviator), managed to grab solid ratings and reviews for it premiere. Unfortunately, the series gradually faltered from there on, with its fate being handed down earlier this month.

Beyond already offering season 1, the attraction Amazon has towards the show comes down to its ability to attract an audience. And while the program stumbled a bit in the United States, the series remains potentially lucrative on the global market, where it recently received the Rose d'Or Award ' thought of as Europe's highest honor for TV. To that end, Sony may be looking long and hard at the list of suitors to keep the program alive; a list that now includes Amazon, apparently.

Since Amazon is a direct competitor with content providers like Netflix and Hulu ' two of the biggest examples of entertainment providers eschewing the traditional network definition ' it has learned the key to garnering more paying customers is to offer additional content that cannot be viewed anywhere else. While Hulu just recently jumped on board the original content wagon by offering a couple of new series from Kevin Smith and Richard Linklater, Netflix is practically old hat at this. Well, at announcing their interest in a dead series and then passing, anyway.

Pan Am Amazon logo

So far, Netflix has only guaranteed the revival of Arrested Development, but it had also expressed interest in the viability of resurrecting Terra Nova and The River (both of which it declined), as well as Reno 911! In addition, Netflix has also already aired the first season of its original series Lilyhammer, and has programs like Hemlock Grove starring Famke Janssen from horror director Eli Roth and Orange is the New Black from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan on the way. So, it's fair to say that the red envelope folks have a decent head start on Hulu and Amazon.

As another example of how the television landscape is ever changing, television provider DirecTV has even gotten in on the act by picking up the Glenn Close, Rose Byrne lawyer series Damages from FX. It seems clear that the model television viewers have grown accustomed ' that of content being offered by broadcast networks, cable or pay-cable on a predetermined schedule ' is likely going to be challenged by the new model these streaming content providers have in mind.

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Screen Rant will keep you updated on the possibility of Pan Am being given new life through Amazon, as news develops.

Source: Deadline



'The Simpsons' Short Film Hits Theaters This Summer

'Sequel?'

As many fans of Fox's perennial animated sitcom The Simpsons know, the above question was posed by baby Maggie during the end credits of 2007's The Simpsons Movie. While America's favorite yellow-skinned family has not since made a return to the big screen, it looks like they are taking baby steps (pun intended) in that direction.

Fox has announced a series of animated shorts featuring The Simpsons, the first of which will premiere in theaters with Ice Age: Continental Drift. According to Bleeding Cool, the short ' which will appear in 3D ' is titled The Longest Daycare and focuses on Maggie Simpson. The first trailer for The Longest Daycare is out now and can be watched above.

Considering the iconic nature of these characters, it makes perfect sense that Fox would use two of their most profitable animated properties ' Ice Age and The Simpsons ' to complement each other. It's also similar to the way Disney has been implementing Pixar shorts with theatrical releases going all the way back to Toy Story 2. What's curious about this move is why they're choosing to do it now.

The Simpsons short film (The Longest Daycare)

In recent years, the glow of The Simpsons has faded, giving way to more adult-oriented series like South Park and Family Guy. That's only natural, considering the series just finished its unprecedented 23rd season. The show has at least two more seasons left on the air, but while The Simpsons Movie was a tremendous success, there has been little progress on getting the characters back to theaters' until now.

The producers have mentioned their interest in creating a sequel down the line but have expressed their concerns that the show's schedule takes precedence over any potential sequel plans. With the show certainly in its declining years, it's plausible that these shorts are intending to keep Homer, Marge and the gang in the public consciousness to ensure the bankability of a yet-to-be-announced sequel, perhaps within the next few years.

Only time will tell, but the odds indicate that another big-screen adventure with The Simpsons is inevitable at this point.

The first short starring The Simpsons premieres in front of Ice Age: Continental Drift in theaters on July 13.

Source: Bleeding Cool



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

'House' Series Finale ' A Fitting Farewell?

'House' series finale

The final chapter of House has been closed with the series finale, and the fate of Dr. Gregory House revealed. After eight years on the air (177 episodes), do you believe that this was a fitting end for television's famed diagnostician?

Trapped in a burning building, House's final battle for survival was played out in front of our eyes. With appearances from some familiar faces, both living and dead, it was left up to the famed diagnostician to save himself.

Reliving his final case in his conscience, House made the decision to save himself. Unfortunately, as Wilson and Foreman approached the building, House was engulfed in the flames ' OR SO WE THOUGHT.

Taking a note from Sherlock Holmes, it was eventually revealed that House had actually faked his own death. Escaping from the back of the building, House wanted to spend the last remaining months of Wilson's life with him.

Certainly an interesting ending, though one I doubt many saw coming. With the House series finale preceding a beautiful series retrospective, hopes were high that the series would be ended appropriately ' but has it?

House series finale

While certainly the happiest of endings anyone could have imagined for the series, there will certainly be quite a few fans who were looking for more closure than was actually provided. While House certainly grew as this final season came to a close, it could be said that the character didn't evolve to such a level that a motorcycle ride would be a fitting ending for what we see of the character.

Though the debate my continue for days, there's only one question left to ask: Was this a fitting end to House?

Carpe diem!

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House aired Mondays @8pm on Fox

Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyocasio



'Prometheus' Roundup: Charlize Theron Featurette, Idris Elba Interview & More

Today's batch of Prometheus goodies covers all the bases, as far as promotional material is concerned. That includes: a new featurette focusing on Weyland Industries representative Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron), an interview where Idris Elba discusses such topics as his character, Captain Janek, and working with a seasoned filmmaker like Scott ' and a new screenshot, depicting David (Michael Fassbender) exploring the mysterious 'Space Map' featured in previous images released from the Alien spinoff/prequel.

Fox's extended trailer for Prometheus provided much food for thought about the film, including questions about exactly what Theron's character's priorities are. Obviously, the latest featurette doesn't spill the beans (entirely), but Vickers is certainly an interesting specimen. If any one member of the titular spacecraft's crew seems to have a hidden agenda ' among other potential secrets (could she actually be an android?) ' it's her.

On the less-speculative side of things: this new behind-the-scenes footage from Prometheus provides a fun look at incomplete versions of the more noteworthy practical sets constructed for the film (including, the 'Ampule Room'). In a recent interview with Yahoo! Movies, Elba echoed Theron's comments about how helpful the real-life props were to his experience on the production ' and that 'It was like being on another planet.'

promethus trailer ridley scott charlize theron idris elba

Charlize Theron and Idris Elba in 'Prometheus'

Elba also heaped much praise on Ridley Scott, who he previously collaborated with on American Gangster:

'Working with Ridley is like taking a master class every day. He sits the actors down and talks to us before we even start shooting' Even on 'American Gangster,' I had a small role, but he took the time to sit with me and get to know me.'

The fav-fave, Golden Globe-winning alum of HBO's The Wire and BBC's Luther also offered assurances that there is more to Prometheus than what's been revealed so far ' to quote Elba directly, 'There's so much more to it than [what is revealed in] the trailer.' Given the relatively vague picture of the film painted by its promos (humans go to an alien planet, chaos ensues), that's not so hard to believe.

Moving on ' here is what the Yahoo! article has to offer about Elba's character in Prometheus:

'Ridley instructed me to read 'Moby Dick,'' [Elba] says, adding that it was very helpful to his character depiction. (Janek is perhaps the most practical of the group, an alpha male most concerned with the logistics of the mission, and not necessarily its lofty goals.)

Other members of the Prometheus crew are clearly more focused on the mission's 'lofty goals,' as the latest still frame from the film ' where confirmed android David marvels at a holographic mapping of the universe ' reminds us:

CLICK FOR LARGER VERSION

prometheus michael fassbender star map image

There's not much more to be said about Prometheus that hasn't already been discussed many times over in the past -with regards to 3D effects and visuals, the film is essentially assured to deliver the goods.

It pretty much boils down to this: so long as the screenplay originally penned by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour), with a subsequent rewrite by Damon Lindelof (Lost) ' which was actively overseen by Scott ' manages to deliver on the promise of mind-blowing ideas and bone-chilling scares that the film's cast and crew have talked about so frequently in the past' well, then Prometheus could indeed manage to meet (or even exceed) the sky-high expectations so many fans have for it.

All shall be revealed when Prometheus opens in theaters (2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D) around the U.S. on June 8th, 2012.

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Source: 20th Century Fox, Yahoo! Movies



Tom Hardy Uncertain About 'Mad Max: Fury Road' Start Date

Tom Hardy Talks Mad Max 4

There hasn't been a Mad Max film since 1985, but George Miller has officially been trying to make one ' Mad Max: Fury Road ' since 2003. First with Mel Gibson, and then with Tom Hardy, the man who will be Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.

Hardy has been sporting a massive beard for the role for the past few months in preparation for the impending start date. Unfortunately, the film has yet to begin shooting and Hardy has no idea when it will.

Empire talked to the actor at Cannes ' who's there representing his other upcoming film Lawless, co-starring Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential, Prometheus) ' about the status of the fourth Mad Max:

'We keep moving that around, you know? Who knows when it'll come out? I've been on stand-by for two years'but it's all part of [the game]. It's kind of the cool thing to do, to be elusive with dates and all that.'

I think that was him being sarcastic.

Mad Max Fury Road Vehicles

One of the vehicles created for 'Fury Road'

Tom Hardy continued:

'It was going to be a year of filming, then six months, and now we're supposed to be doing it in six days. It's a musical ' we're going to go around shopping centers in a little wagon and sing songs. People were expecting big, but we're going to give them small. It'll be a live, free-running musical and it's coming to a place near you soon.'

And that was definitely sarcastic.

The comments don't exactly inspire confidence that Mad Max fans will be seeing Fury Road anytime soon ' or ever, for that matter.

Mad Max Fury Road Production Hell

In fact, the whole situation is incredibly reminiscent of Brad Pitt bearding up for Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain for a very, very long time before getting tired of waiting, jumping ship, and joining Wolfgang Petersen's Gladiator-inspired Greek epic Troy. Thus, Aronofsky's original iteration of The Fountain and Petersen's Batman VS. Superman were killed simultaneously. Two movies with one stone.

Hopefully, something similar won't happen to Mad Max: Fury Road, but it's difficult to have hope that a production nine years in the making (arguably longer, since Beyond Thunderdome) ' delayed by both the Iraq War (2003) and abnormally blooming Australian flowers antithetical to an apocalyptic landscape (2011) ' will ever see the cinematic light of day.

But here's hoping anyway.

What do you think, Screen Ranters? Are you concerned by Tom Hardy's comments? Worried that Mad Max 4 won't ever get out of development hell? Let us know in the comments.

Mad Max: Fury Road will ' hopefully ' begin production sometime soon.

Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.

Source: Empire



Monday, May 21, 2012

'Game of Thrones' Season 2, Episode 8: 'The Prince of Winterfell' Recap

Conleth Hill Peter Dinklage Game of Thrones The Prince of Winterfell

Considering how most conversations in Game of Thrones revolve around past wars, present wars and future wars, one would think the prospect of additional conflict and bloodshed would create excitement for the people of Westeros. Instead, as Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and his immense fleet sail ever closer to the shores of King's Landing, arrogance in the face of an unseen threat morphs into legitimate worry for those capable of comprehending its magnitude. Needless to say, Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) remains unburdened with concern or comprehension.

In 'The Prince of Winterfell,' there is the sense that the war being fought between Robb Stark (Richard Madden) and Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) is but a mere skirmish in comparison to the tidal wave of violence Stannis is preparing to unleash on King's Landing. It will likely upset the balance of power, as far as Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) can tell ' a power he has learned to enjoy and value, even though it comes with the unenviable task of dealing with threats from Cersei (Lena Headey) and her psychotic spawn. There is little optimism that the city will withstand the impending assault, and even if it doesn't fall immediately, King's Landing will simply consume itself from the inside out ' which is probably why, when Varys (Conleth Hill) speaks of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and her dragons, it's met with little more than a shrug from Tyrion. Conflict, is as inevitable as the setting sun.

And since in most conflicts there is a winner and a loser, such strife typically breeds ambition, even in the minds of those who lack the ability to understand their role and their purpose. As such, it's a horrible time to be anyone in Winterfell ' especially Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen). After going out on a limb and taking such a risk to prove himself worthy of his name, he is met with disapproval by his older sister Yara (Gemma Whelan), who tells him the ironborn take only what they need, and Winterfell's distance from the sea makes it quite unattractive to their people. Theon's ambition is going to be the death of him, and his sister knows that. So in a moment that can only be described as 'iron love,' she reminds Theon that their childhood under Balon (Patrick Malahide) was something to be endured, and although the Starks may have made his easier in some respects, they are survivors, not subjugators. Yara leaves hoping her brother won't die so far from the sea.

The hole Theon has dug for himself gets deeper as it's made clear the charred remains hung at the gate were not Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) and Rickon (Art Parkinson), but the children of a nearby farmer. Theon wants to pay the man off, failing to understand he's likely already joined his sons. Despite his desire to belong, Theon cannot bring himself to act like a Stark, or think like a Greyjoy.

Theon's not the only one making poor decisions, however. Given how much Game of Thrones revels in killing off main characters with spectacle, added to the clear motivations of said characters, it was plain to anyone that the meeting between Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) at the end of 'A Man Without Honor' would end only in her setting him free. The act is treason, though little will probably come of it, aside from sparking a little rebellious streak in Robb.

Simon Armstrong Kit Harrington Game of Thrones The Prince of Winterfell

With his mother safely put away where she can't make every situation more difficult than it has to be, Robb takes the time to find he has a great deal in common with Talisa (Oona Chaplin); and although he's betrothed to another, gives in to the romantic feelings that were last interrupted when his mother showed up earlier than expected.

Any sense of joy will be short-lived, however, since Tywin Lannister plans to lead an assault on the Northerners, and Robb Stark in particular. Overhearing this, Arya (Maisie Williams) tries to cash in her last death wish with Jaqen H'ghar (Tom Wlaschiha) to get rid of Tywin, but Jaqen can't deliver in the kind of time that would benefit her brother. Naming Jaqen as the next on her death wish, however, earns Arya, Gendry and the plump kid a ticket out of Harrenhal, as long as Arya promises to unmark Jaqen for death.

Up north, Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) manages to stave off death, too, despite landing in the clutches of the Wildlings along with Qhorin Halfhand (Simon Armstrong) and coming face to face with Rattleshirt (Edward Dogliani). Repaying Jon's kindness for not cutting her head off, Ygritte (Rose Leslie) manages to sell the idea that Jon would be of interest to Mance Rayder, earning him a few more days to live and contemplate Halfhand's plan to undermine the Wildlings from within their ranks.

Finally, in Qarth, despite the worry of Jorah (Iain Glen) Daenerys is determined not to leave without her dragons ' which means a trip to the House of the Undying is in order.

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Game of Thrones continues next Sunday @9pm with 'Blackwater' on HBO. Check out the preparation for war in the preview below:



'Mad Men' Season 5, Episode 10: 'Christmas Waltz' Recap

Christina Hendricks Mad Men Christmas Waltz

Considering how defined the characters on Mad Men are by their pursuit of achievement, it's not hard to imagine any of them being done near irreparable harm by the realization that perhaps they're not fit ' or no longer fit ' for the world of advertising. Given the effort the likes of Don (Jon Hamm), and especially, Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) have put in to attain such a career, seeing them stumble, as they have of late, is particularly worrisome when the end result of consistent failure is so dreadfully realized in the return of Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis).

Thankfully, the more fragile personalities of SCDP are largely spared the vision of a Hare Krishna Kinsey ' which is a good thing, taking into account that the ego-battering of work of Michael Ginsberg (Ben Feldman), and the effortless, drifting success of Megan Draper (Jessica Paré) have already taken a rather sizeable toll.

'Christmas Waltz' moves Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce a little closer to the end of 1966, but with little to show for it. Mohawk is ceasing its advertising in the wake of a mechanics strike, and the agency's only claim to fame is Don's letter to Lucky Strike ' which inadvertently steered most of the really big fish away from the agency. In addition, none of their work is seen as revolutionary enough to warrant mention in a New York Times Sunday Magazine piece. In essence, the company's creative side has a stagnation problem ' which would normally mean no Christmas bonuses, but since Lane Pryce (Jared Harris) owes some back taxes to England, he figures passing off a new line of credit as a surplus will justify the bonus he uses to pay the sum off.

Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) seems to be the only one finding success ' in work, anyway ' and manages to get the agency another shot at Jaguar, following the dismissal of the poorly behaved Edwin Baker. As is the case with Pete, the response to his achievement isn't what he's looking for, and so he barks at Don, 'Yes, you may have to stay past 5:30,' after Don mentions landing Jaguar will be a lot of work.

Bert Cooper (Robert Morse) isn't the only one who's noticed Don's lack of productivity. It seems work just isn't what it used to be for Don, and his performance on Sno Ball proves it. Making matters worse, Don and Megan attend the play American Hurrah, where a character goes on about the evils of advertising ' which later causes a row between the couple, ending with Don telling Megan, 'No one's made a stronger stand against advertising than you.'

Like the deadly smog keeping Don from opening his patio door on Thanksgiving in 'Dark Shadows,' there is a cost for what they've built. Whether it's a company, a reputation or a relationship, the taxes are coming due ' so to speak ' and it's becoming clear that not everyone is going to have what it takes when the time comes to get square.

Poor Paul Kinsey has to be made the example in this case. Since being left behind following the slapdash formation of SCDP, Kinsey apparently fell down the advertising ladder and was spit out to become a Hare Krishna with dreams of settling down with a woman going by the name Lakshmi (Anna Wood) and writing for Star Trek. Paul wrangles Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) into attending a group chant, so that afterward, he can ask his friend to pass along his spec script to NBC.

Unfortunately for Paul, his writing's no good, and worse yet, Lakshmi shows up at Harry's office, seduces him, then tells him to stay away from Paul ' the group's best recruiter ' so as to not turn Kinsey into a 'gross materialist.' Following that encounter, Harry decides it best to pay Paul's way to Los Angeles, where he can fail thousands of miles away from him and the Hare Krishnas.

Jon Hamm Christina Hendricks Mad Men Christmas Waltz

Joan (Christina Hendricks) is served divorce papers at the office, and following a semi-violent outburst, is taken to test drive a Jaguar with Don. If Don found it easy to get what he wanted from people before, with Joan on his arm, the world is definitely his oyster. The two whittle away the afternoon in a bar, where Don reveals he doesn't get a thrill out of the Jag, and Joan tells him it's because he's happy. On the other hand, Joan is terrified that she's destined to be a single mother now that she's being delivered divorce papers at work when she's so used to getting flowers.

Amidst a discussion of the struggle that comes with starting over, Joan wonders why Don never put the moves on her, explaining, 'My mother raised me to be admired.' Don tells her he was afraid of her, and jokingly thought she was dating Ali Kahn. Don deflects Joan's attention toward a guy sitting by himself at the bar. The pair does a good job psychoanalyzing the man, assuming he's married, but bored ' his wife having committed the sin of familiarity. Don opts out at that point, giving Joan some 'Mad Money' in case the guy at the bar doesn't work out.

Taking the Jaguar back to the dealer, Don drives it rather furiously, suggesting he may need a thrill more than he thought. He arrives home drunk to find Megan itching for a fight ' a state she seems in more and more, lately ' and she reminds him he loved his job and had it long before he ever met her.

At the office the next day, Roger delivers Joan some flowers with a card that reads: 'Your mother did a good job. Ali Kahn.' Don's not done there; he rallies his troops, telling them they'll be working non-stop until they land Jaguar ' as an agency's first car is how they tell the world they've arrived. It looks as though Don may finally be ready to start over.

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Mad Men continues next Sunday @10pm with 'The Other Woman' on AMC. Check out the preview below:



Complete Guide To 2012 Fall TV Shows ' What Will You Watch?

2012 Fall TV Guide

The impending 2012-2013 television season may still be months away, but with the addition of over 40 new series, deciding which new TV shows will be added to your viewing schedule may prove to be difficult, even for the most skilled DVR programmer.  Fortunately, we've combined all of the new series from ABC, CBS, The CW, NBC and Fox into one handy guide.

With many networks deciding to rework portions of their schedule, make sure to check out whether or not your favorite returning series has been moved to a new timeslot (especially if it's on The CW).

Though we have yet to take a look at any of the new series, the provided pilot trailers usually give a decent representation of how a series could turn out. (ABC's Revenge being last year's exception.)

Trying to add any new series to your television viewing schedule is never easy ' especially since 65% of new series will be canceled in their first year. That being said, it appears this year the networks are attempting to further evolve their core audiences. Though there are exceptions, when it comes to certain series, viewers can largely expect to see more of what they already enjoy from each network ' just more of it.

You can begin your journey into the upcoming television offerings below:

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ABC Success Rate

Looking to extend their current ratings achievements with Modern Family as the No. 1 comedy, Grey's Anatomy as the No. 1 drama, and Once Upon a Time as the No 1. freshman drama, ABC has picked up a unique range of dramas and comedies to help fill out their fall line-up.

From learning how to live with your parents in, well, How to Live with your Parents, to meeting the aliens from Zabvron in The Neighbors, ABC certainly offers much needed variety in what's already an extremely full television landscape. Of course, we'll have to wait until this fall to see just how well the variety (or aliens) manage.

Continuing to firmly grasp hold of Sunday night programming, ABC is adding Revenge to its weekend schedule. Following Once Upon a Time, ABC is hoping to provide an outlet for families to not only watch television together and then continue building their programming throughout the night ' with parents being able to finish out the evening with Terry Quinn's thrill drama 666 Park Avenue.

Rounding out ABC's schedule, Castle remains in the same timeslot on Monday's; Don't Trust the B' in Apartment 23 as well as Happy Endings and Private Practice remain on Tuesdays (but will be joined by How to Live with Your Parents and Family Tools in January); the Wednesday line-up adds The Neighbors and Nashville; and Last Resort joins Grey's Anatomy as well as Scandal on Thursday.

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Drama

666 Park Avenue (Sundays, 10:00 p.m.)

666 Park Avenue
At the ominous address of 666 Park Avenue, anything you desire can be yours. Everyone has needs, desires and ambition. For the residents of The Drake, these will all be met, courtesy of the building's mysterious owner, Gavin Doran (Terry O'Quinn). But every Faustian contract comes with a price. When Jane Van Veen (Rachael Taylor) and Henry Martin (Dave Annable), an idealistic young couple from the Midwest, are offered the opportunity to manage the historic building, they not only fall prey to the machinations of Doran and his mysterious wife, Olivia (Vanessa Williams), but unwittingly begin to experience the shadowy, supernatural forces within the building that imprison and endanger the lives of the residents inside. Sexy, seductive and inviting, The Drake maintains a dark hold over all of its residents, tempting them through their ambitions and desires, in this chilling new drama that's home to an epic struggle of good versus evil.

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Last Resort (Thursdays, 8:00 p.m.)

Last Resort - ABC

500 feet beneath the ocean's surface, the U.S. ballistic missile submarine Colorado receive their orders. Over a radio channel, designed only to be used if their homeland has been wiped out, they're told to fire nuclear weapons at Pakistan.

Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) demands confirmation of the orders only to be unceremoniously relieved of duty by the White House. XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman) finds himself suddenly in charge of the submarine and facing the same difficult decision. When he also refuses to fire without confirmation of the orders, the Colorado is targeted, fired upon, and hit. The submarine and its crew find themselves crippled on the ocean floor, declared rogue enemies of their own country. Now, with nowhere left to turn, Chaplin and Kendal take the sub on the run and bring the men and women of the Colorado to an exotic island. Here they will find refuge, romance and a chance at a new life, even as they try to clear their names and get home.

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Mistresses (Midseason)

Mistresses - ABC

Welcome to a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery, as they brave the turbulent journey together.

Meet Savi (Alyssa Milano), a successful career woman working toward the next phase in her life ' both professional and personal ' simultaneously bucking for partner at her law firm while she and her husband, Harry (Brett Tucker), try to start a family of their own. Savi's free-spirited and capricious baby sister, Josselyn (Jes Macallan), couldn't be more different ' living single, serial dating and partying, and regularly leaning on her big sister along the way. Their common best friend, April (Rochelle Aytes), a recent widow and mother of two, is rebuilding her life after tragedy and learning to move forward, with the support and guidance of her closest girlfriends. And friend Karen (Yunjin Kim), a successful therapist with her own practice, reconnects with the girls after her involvement in a complicated relationship with a patient goes far too deep.

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Nashville (Wednesdays, 10:00 p.m.)

Nashville

Chart-topping Rayna James (Connie Britton) is a country legend who's had a career any singer would envy, though lately her popularity is starting to wane. Fans still line up to get her autograph, but she's not packing the arenas like she used to. Rayna's record label thinks a concert tour, opening for up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music, is just what Rayna needs. But scheming Juliette can't wait to steal Rayna's spotlight. Sharing a stage with that disrespectful, untalented, little vixen is the last thing Rayna wants to do, which sets up a power struggle for popularity. Could the undiscovered songwriting talent of Scarlett O'Connor (Clare Bowen) be the key to helping Rayna resurrect her career?

Complicating matters, Rayna's wealthy but estranged father, Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe), is a powerful force in business, Tennessee politics, and the lives of his two grown daughters. His drive for power results in a scheme to back Rayna's handsome husband, Teddy, in a run for Mayor of Nashville, against Rayna's wishes.

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Red Widow (Midseason)

Red Widow

When Marta Walraven's (Radha Mitchell) husband is brutally murdered, her first instinct is to protect her three young children. Her husband's business partners ' Irwin Petrova (Wil Traval), Marta's scheming and untrustworthy brother, and Mike Tomlin (Lee Tergesen) ' were involved in an illegal drug business deal with rival gangsters, and Marta's husband paid the ultimate price. She already knows the violent world of organized crime; her father, Andrei Petrova (Rade Sherbedzija), and loyal bodyguard Luther (Luke Goss) are gangsters too. She and her sister Kat (Jaime Ray Newman) had always wished for a safer life without bloodshed and fear. For a while Marta lived happily as a stay at home housewife in San Marta's cooperation, FBI Agent James Ramos (Mido Hamada) now promises justice.

Marta discovers a tenacity she never knew she had, and takes on the gangsters and the FBI to unveil the truth about her husband's death. As she digs into this dark underworld, she'll test her own strength, relying on her resourcefulness, determination and family ties like never before. To get out of this mob, she needs to beat the bad guys at their own deadly game.

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Zero Hour (Midseason)

Zero Hour

As the publisher of a paranormal enthusiast magazine, Modern Skeptic, Hank Galliston has spent his career following clues, debunking myths and solving conspiracies. A confessed paranormal junkie, his motto is 'logic is the compass.' But when his beautiful wife, Laila (Jacinda Barrett), is abducted from her antique clock shop, Hank gets pulled into one of the most compelling mysteries in human history, stretching around the world and back centuries.

Contained in one of his wife's clocks is a treasure map, and what it leads to could be cataclysmic. Now it's up to Hank to decipher the symbols and unlock the secrets of the map, while ensuring the answers don't fall into the wrong hands ' a man they call White Vincent (Michael Nyqvist). With his two young associates, Rachel (Addison Timlin) and Arron (Scott Michael Foster), in tow, along with Becca Riley, a sexy FBI agent (Carmen Ejogo), Hank will lead them on a breathless race against the clock to find his wife and save humanity.

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Comedy

The Family Tools (Midseason)

Family Tools - ABC

Mixing family with business is never easy, and Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) is about to learn that lesson the hard way. When Jack's father, Tony (J.K. Simmons), has a heart attack and is forced to hand over the keys to his beloved handyman business, Jack is eager to finally step up and make his father proud. Unfortunately Jack's past career efforts have been less than stellar, so everyone seems to be waiting for him to fail. His new job isn't made any easier by Tony's rebellious, troublemaker assistant, Darren (Edi Gathegi), and Darren's flirtatious sister, Liz (Danielle Nicolet), who works at the local hardware store. Yet with the support of his Aunt Terry (Leah Remini) and his oddball yet endearing cousin Mason (Johnny Pemberton), Jack Shea may just find his true calling right at home.

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How to Live with Your Parents (Tuesdays in January, 8:00 p.m.)

Polly (Sarah Chalke) is a single mom who's been divorced for almost a year. The transition wasn't easy for her, especially in this economy. So, like a lot of young people living in this new reality, she and her daughter, Natalie (Rachel Eggleston), have moved back home with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Elizabeth Perkins) and Max (Brad Garrett). But Polly and her parents look at life through two different lenses. Polly's too uptight. Her parents are too laid back. Polly's conservative when it comes to dating (no action, whatsoever), while her parents are still sexually adventurous. They think Polly turned out okay, so what's the big deal? Well, they say it takes a village to raise a child'and in Polly's case, this village is on fire. But with help from her best friend Gregg (Orlando Jones), her lovable yet irresponsible ex-husband Julian (Jon Dore) and her cool and fun assistant Jenn (Rebecca Delgado Smith) Polly takes her first steps toward getting a life, starting with a social one.

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Malibu Country (Fridays in November, 8:30 p.m.)

Malibu Country - ABC

When Reba Gallagher (Reba) discovers that her husband, Bobby, (Jeffrey Nordling) a country music legend, has a cheatin' heart, her world is turned upside down. Reba dreamt of becoming a country star herself, but put her career on hold to raise a family. Now she's questioning all of that, big-time. With the ink on her divorce barely dry, Reba packs up her sharp-tongued mother, Lillie May (Lily Tomlin), her two kids and the U-Haul and heads for sunny California to begin a new chapter. Leaving Nashville in the rear view, they start over at their Malibu residence ' the last remaining asset they have. Reba gets to know her new open and loving neighbor Kim (Sara Rue) and her son, Sage, but also discovers that relocation to Southern California is going to be quite an adjustment for a traditional southern belle: the West Coast seems like the polar opposite of Music City, and Reba feels like an outsider. Still, with the support of her family she sets about finding her voice, jump-starting her music career with the help of her new music agent, Geoffrey (Jai Rodriguez), and embracing this chance to begin again.

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The Neighbors (Wednesdays, 9:30 p.m.)

The Neighbors - ABC

How well do you know your neighbors?

Meet the Weavers, Debbie (Jami Gertz) and Marty (Lenny Venito). Marty, in hopes of providing a better life for his wife and three kids, recently bought a home in Hidden Hills, a gated New Jersey townhome community with its own golf course. Hidden Hills is so exclusive that a house hasn't come on the market in 10 years. But one finally did and the Weavers got it!

It's clear from day one that the residents of Hidden Hills are a little different. For starters, their new neighbors all have pro-athlete names like Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye), Dick Butkis (Ian Patrick) and Larry Bird (Simon Templeman). Over dinner, Marty and his family discover that their neighbors receive nourishment through their eyes by reading books, rather than eating. The Weavers soon learn that the entire community is comprised of aliens from Zabvron, where the men bear children and everyone cries green goo from their ears.

The Zabvronians have been stationed on Earth for the past 10 years, disguised as humans, awaiting instructions from home, and the Weavers are the first humans they've had the opportunity to know. As it turns out, the pressures of marriage and parenthood are not exclusive to planet Earth. Two worlds will collide with hilarious consequences as everyone discovers they can 'totally relate' and learn a lot from each other.

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' continue for the CBS 2012-2013 fall line-up

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