Blu-Ray Review: ‘Back to the Future Trilogy’

Monday, October 25 by

I can't believe it's been over 25 years since the first Back to the Future came out. To commemorate the anniversary, Universal is releasing the entire trilogy on Blu-ray, and I got to take the discs for an early run.

I'm not going to write a synopsis of the films because, well, it's Back to the Future. I can't imagine you being on Screen Junkies and not having seen these movies a million times. So you know my stance going into the Blu-ray review, I will say that I dearly love Back to the Future, but find the sequels a bit lacking. Still really fun movies, but they aren't on the same level as the original.
More after the jump…

Antonio Banderas Is Directing Sci-Fi Flick ‘Solo’

Monday, October 25 by

Antonio Banderas is stepping behind the camera once again. With the films Crazy In Alabama and Summer Rain already on his directorial resume, he'll put his smoldering eye to the viewfinder of a sci-fi thriller. The film is called Solo, in which he will also star as a Spanish colonel who is suffering from post-traumatic stress. We're not sure how the sci-fi element comes into play. Perhaps it's aliens. Or robots. Or robot-aliens. Or sinus-suffering anthropomorphic bees. Or perhaps it's weaponized Mario Van Peebleses.

(Variety)

Review: ‘House’ Nov 8th Episode ‘Office Politics’

Monday, October 25 by

There’s no new “House” while Fox has baseball to run, but I got the next two new episodes in advance. I get my “House” fix and I can satisfy you with a little tease too, but I promise no spoilers beyond what you’d find in TV Guide.

The patient in “Office Politics” is a political campaign advisor (Jack Coleman). It’s HRG from “Heroes” playing another manipulative politician. His reaction to House’s tactics is refreshingly simpatico. It’s interesting to see a patient who agrees with House’s methods, not that it makes the diagnosis any easier.
More after the jump…

‘Stargate Universe’ Actress Elyse Levesque

Monday, October 25 by Col. Longshanks

Here’s one for all you science fiction junkies out there: Elyse Levesque, the face behind space-dwelling heroine Chloe Armstrong of SyFy channel’s “Stargate Universe.” An actress by trade since age 11, Levesque has risen to small-screen prominence over the past year since being cast in the role. And as one of the show’s primary pretty ladies, she has by default become an object of desire for daydreaming “Stargate” fanboys the world around.
A word from Elyse: "Live every day to the fullest."
More pics of Elyse after the jump…

Denzel Washington Does His Denzel Washington Impression

Monday, October 25 by

"Saturday Night Live’s" new cast member Jay Pharoah does an impeccable Denzel Washington. He did a sketch about Washington working retail as research for a part, and Pharoah totally captured Washington’s sound, his cadence, his laugh. Washington heard about that a lot as he spoke to reporters about his new movie, Unstoppable.

The thing is, when I asked him if he heard the impression, he kind of started doing the impression back to me. He’s in a press conference with costars Rosario Dawson and Tony Scott. From the opening laughter to the way he turns the question around on me and tries to prod me, that’s exactly how Pharoah played it.

After the jump, take a listen to an audio clip of Washington sounding very much like the "SNL" version of Denzel Washington.

Danny Devito Is ‘The Lorax’

Monday, October 25 by

Today I have some sad news for Wilford Brimley. Danny Devito has stepped into the lead role of Fox Animation's adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax. Zac Efron, Betty White, Ed Helms, and Rob Riggle also star in the CG animated film about a weird, little beast who defends nature against industrialization. In a case of life imitating art, Devito had this to ramble:
“Look, I don’t want to be gruff about it, but we’ve got to wake up and smell the oil burning. I’m hoping that the squeakiest wheel gets the least grease. I feel sometimes the only way to get things done is shake people up a little bit, and the Lorax is not a guy who pussyfoots around. He’s not a guy who uses kid gloves. No, no, the Lorax means business.”
Jim Carrey and Mike Myers, who both had to sit in a make-up chair for hours on end before performing beneath hot setlights in the equivalent of a fur coat for their Seuss roles, are reportedly thrilled that Danny Devito has to drive all the way to Burbank for two hours of work. (USA Today)

Review: ‘The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horrors XXI’

Monday, October 25 by

“The Simpsons” Halloween episodes, or “Treehouse of Horrors” are an annual tradition. Three spoofs of popular horror stories let the writers and artists cram thrice as many jokes into a single episode. They often air after Halloween, so even though Halloween is actually on a Sunday this year, this is airing November 7.
More after the jump…

Tony Scott Will Jump Back In The Cockpit For ‘Top Gun 2′

Monday, October 25 by

Paramount's attempts to woo Tony Scott back for a Top Gun sequel were a success. Though it won't be his next film, the director seems pretty excited to show off the nerdy side of the 'new' Navy.
"I'm not waiting for a script. I'm going to do my homework. I'm going down to I think it's Fallon, Nevada, down near New Mexico and it's a whole different world now… These computer geeks — these kids play war games in a trailer in Fallon, Nevada and if we ever wentto war or were in the Middle East or the Far East or wherever it is, these guys can actually fly drones. They are unmanned aircraft. They operate them and then they party all night."
Without any actual pilots, the story has nothing at stake. The drama of the original Top Gun was watching Maverick push himself to his limits and beyond in the cockpit. Now the biggest challenge is going to be watching Taylor Lautner get video game thumb. Which, in all fairness, does really hurt. (HitFix)

Jack Black Will Show Us ‘How To Stop A Robot Uprising’

Sunday, October 24 by

"You wanna step to this, ese? Do ya? DO YA?!?"
You all laughed when I warned you on the inevitable robot uprising. And then that other time when I got pantsed in church. At least now, Hollywood is listening.
Just the other day it was announced that Steven Spielberg would choose the adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson's Robopocalypse as his next directorial effort, and this weekend comes news that Jack Black will adapt another of Wilson's books about robots overthrowing mankind (seriously, one wasn't enough?). Black, along with Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink, are looking to develop How To Survive A Robot Uprising. The eventual film will star Black as a layabout in a future society where robots are our slaves. When they revolt, it's up to Jack Black to save us all. It's like "Battlestar Galactica" with more farting. (io9)

New Zealand Seems a Little Too Desperate to Keep ‘The Hobbit’

Saturday, October 23 by

New Zealand is coming across as a little too desperate about this whole Hobbit situation. Granted, I know losing the Peter Jackson film, with its $500 million budget, would be a huge economic loss, but this video/rally seems just a little over the top.

New Zealand has to understand that Warner Bros. isn't going to respect them if they act so needy. What they need to do is act like they don't give a damn where The Hobbit is shot. Maybe New Zealand can even make out with some executives from Universal in a public place where Warner Bros. can totally see what's going on! That's sure to make Warner Bros. jealous! (Deadline)
Watch New Zealand come across as desperate after the jump…

‘Community’ Halloween Episode Preview

Saturday, October 23 by

This morning I have for you a preview of the upcoming Halloween episode of "Community." Zombies have taken over Greendale. The producers have also managed to make all the characters' costumes funny again, as well as indicative of their unique personalities. Jeff is so vain that he always goes as something effortlessly attractive. This year he's David Beckham. Brilliant. And wait until you see Senor Chang.
"Community" is without a doubt one of the best shows on television, and it's perplexing to me that no one watches it. You and I might watch it, but everyone else is tuning into "The Big Bang Theory" and not DVRing the little college sitcom on NBC at the same time. Some affiliates across the country are even dropping it from their lineup due to the fact that no one in their city gives a crap. That is not a good sign, folks. Once affiliates start dropping programs it's not long before it gets yanked from the schedule altogether. Let's watch this Halloween episode and save this show from going the way of "Arrested Development."
Check out the preview after the jump…

Photobomb Fridays: ‘Marathon Man’

Friday, October 22 by

Some hold up under pressure better than others…
Here are your weekend links.
What to See This Weekend (MovieFone)
Rich People Have 'Long Life' Hormone (Asylum)
Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas (Ranker)
Layla Kaleigh Pictures (HolyTaco)
Should Be a Movie: Crocodile Loose On Plane Kills 19 (FilmDrunk)
Football Fantasy (Maxim)
Seat Girls Taking Us Into the Weekend (BarstoolSports)
Awesome Football Catches and Dives (EgoTV)
Going to a Party Where No One's Still Alive (Pajiba)
The Front Runner for Creepiest Costume Concept (Unreality)
40 Beautiful Beach Volleyball Bottoms (TotalProSports)
10 Things You Can't Do After College (Smosh)
The Five Best Places to Hook Up at a Tailgate Party (BroBible)
Rachel Bilson Wears Ill-Fitting Dress (CelebJihad)
Diego Sanchez Promises to Return to Lightweight (CagePotato)
Liam Neeson Replaces Mel Gibson in The Hangover 2 (PopEater)
Melody Donchet, the Frestyle Soccer Hottie (TuVez)
How to Bribe Police in Foreign Countries (MadeMan)

Exclusive Clip: Denzel Gets Chris Pine On Board In ‘Unstoppable’

Friday, October 22 by

In this exclusive clip from Tony Scott's Unstoppable, Denzel Washington tries to enlist Chris Pine's help in an attempt stop a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals. Obviously some heavy convincing is necessary. Most people don't want to go to head with the equivilant of a nuclear missile.
Check out the clip after the jump. Unstoppable crashes into theaters November 14th.

Nicole Kidman Fills ‘Rabbit Hole’ Trailer Full of Tears

Friday, October 22 by

Lionsgate has dropped the trailer for Rabbit Hole, officially entering the 2011 Oscar race. The film stars Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as parents who try to cope with the tragedy of losing their child. John Cameron Mitchell directs a David Lindsay-Abaire script adapted from his acclaimed play. You know what that means, right? Actors acting, and acting hard! Look for Kidman in the Best Actress category this year.
Rabbit Hole hits theaters December 17th.
Check out the trailer after the jump…