Steven Soderbergh's film to be released next year is getting a good list of men to take off their clothes for next year Magic Mike. The film is based on the true life story of lead actor's Channing Tatum's life as a male stripper in Tampa before he made it big in Hollywood. In the film Tatum's character, Magic Mike, mentors a new guy that is trying to make his way up the ladder. Tatum's mentee is portrayed by Alex Pettyfer of I Am Number Four. Others that will be sharing the screen with the duo are Matthew McConaughey and Variety recently reported that Matt Bomer of White Collar fame has also joined the cast.
Also it has been recently been reported that Joe Manganiello of True Blood is in talks to join these beefcake fest. Not to mention that there is a rumor spreading that Soderbergh is not against having the cast go full frontal. If this isn't a film for the ladies I don't know what is.
The films is about an underachieving pizza delivery guy Nick (Eisenberg) and two men men with really lofty dreams of becoming owners of a specialty shop (McBride and Swardson). When the two entrepenuers get an idea for how to get the money for their new venture it becomes Nick's problem. After kidnapping him on a run they strap a bomb to his chest and inform him he must rob a bank or he will die. Afraid and confused he turns to his recently ex-best friend (Ansari) to help him get the job done. Can these two succeed in a crazy game that doesn't robbers?
I walked into this film with low expectations due to the fact that it didn't look that good but I was surprised. The writing on this film was great because there are a lot of gag and small moments that take you by surprise and leave you laughing. The acting talent on the show is also hilarious. By far I really enjoyed Aziz Ansari's performance in the film. he has a combination of level headedness and freak out moments that make you just crack up.
This would be a great movie to see after a stressfull week to relax and laugh your head off.
Directed By: Will Gluck Run Time: 109min Released: July 22, 2011 8/10 The film Friends with Benefits, even though similar in concept to this year's No Strings Attached, stands on its own. The film is about a young recruiter or "head hunter" for hire named Jamie (Kunis), a damaged romantic, whom builds up walls to try and protect herself from being continuously hurt, and a young Art Department head named Dylan (Timberlake)- a guy that can't commit and blames others for his relationship short falls. These two fast become friends when Dylan moves to New York. With both their relationship short comings they believe that they can try out being "friends with benefits" without getting emotionally attached. Can they actually keep emotional attachment out of the equation and maintain a friendship?
The first thing that anyone could like about this film is the story structure and writing. There are some predictable moments in the film (because it is a comedy with romantic tendencies) but you will still laugh througout. Many of the jokes in the film poke fun at the genre as well as traits of the actors themselves. Not to mention that there is a decent balance that wouldn't make a guy feel like he is sitting through a chic flick.
The actors in the film bring a unique aspect to the film, Timberlake's and Kunis's seem like they were made for these characters or were able to relate many elements of themselves to the characters. There wasn't many elements about the actions of the characters that appeared so over the to or unrealistic to the point that the audience couldn't relate to the characters. Not to mention that the chemistry between the Kunis and Timberlake onscreen was hot.
The supporting characters in the film were also well cast in addition to utilized in the film. Veteran actors Patricia Clarkson, and Woody Harrelson added flavor and additional dimensions to the film. Clarkson portrayed Kunis's fair weather, low on parental skills mother Lorna. Her character is the reason why Jamie has the rough exterior as well as but some how fuels her lust for happiness love but continues picking losers. Woody Harrelson takes on an overtly fun role as Dylan's flamboyant sports editor. The character is similar to the overly masculine man but instead of focusing on women he is looking at guys.
No matter what this movie will be fun for a group of friends or on a date and no one should feel upset about spending money to see the film. Just be careful with thinking about your really hot good friends after the movie because there may not be any going back once you cross the line.
In the tabloids right now he is known mainly as Jennifer Aniston's new man but he has had career in the entertainment industry for years. Born in Washington D.C. in 1971 it is said that he received his Bachelors of Arts at Bennington College then moved to New York where he wanted to work as a visual artist but ended up in doing theater on Broadway.
His first appearance on a screen was as a guest star in a short lived show called C.P.W or Central Park West, about New Yorkers trying to get their film of sex and money. From here he did a lot a few more bit parts in film and television in the 90s such as hit Ally McBeal (a show about the wacky antics that happen at a law firm), Sex and the City, I Shot Andy Warhol, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (he is the cowboy if you have seen the film) and Spin City.
In 2000 he starred opposite Christian Bale in the cult classic American Psycho as Timothy Bryce.
Then he continued with a turn in the film Mulholland Dr., over a season on the television show The District and his most scene character around the world of Seamus O'Grady in Charlies Angels Full Throttle. Even with the huge exposure of Charlie's Angels it seems that he wasn't searching for the big spotlight that so many seek didn't get the big roles. From 2003 to 2007 he appears on two episode of Alias, a storyline of HBO's Six Feet Under (he shared in that season's SAG Best TV Ensemble nomination) and mostly a bunch of independent, low budget or straight to video films; The Baxter, Happy End, The Legend of Lucy Keyes, Return to Rajapur, Inland Empire, Broken English and The Ten. He did also squeeze in a role in the film adaptation of Miami Vice along side Colin Farrell and Jamie Fox.
But in 2007 it seems that he decided that he wanted to work on other aspects of the film industry behind the camera that also got him noticed. He executive produced and directed a film called Dedication which starred Mandy Moore and Billy Crudup, he created the story and was part of the writing team for Tropic Thunder along with exec produced, wrote Iron Man 2, was a creative consultant on Mastermind in which he also lent his voice, and wrote the screenplay for Rock of Ages which is now filming.
Along with his behind the camera endeavours he also portrayed the role of John Hancock in the HBO award winning mini-series John Adams, picked up a guest role on Parks and Recreations and was the antagonist in this year's stoner adventure film Your Highness.
So even though now he will be linked with Jennifer Aniston for a while (expecially because they are both in the film Wanderlust which comes out in October) don't forget that he isn't just her arm candy. Well let's be honest he is some hot eye candy.
Yesterday Fox Searchlight released its newest film of the year starring Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts, The Art of Getting By. The film is about a young man, George, that has given up on trying in life, school or relationships. Suddenly he grabs the attention of the popular girl in school and she helps bring him into the social part of the life. As their relationship progresses will George be able to make the leap into something further or loose everything he has gained?
Freddie Highmore, who is best know for the movies August Rush and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, takes on the lead role of George Zinavoy. For his first film in a non child role he does very well with what he is given. He takes the smart ass remarks and pulled back demeanor of George and makes a true character from it. Also he gets extra points for being able to hold on to his American accent for most of the film, he seems to trip up in one scene and his natural Brit escapes.
Emma Roberts plays George's friend/love interest Sally Howe. Roberts has been on a role since last year appearing in the star packed Valentine's Day, the indie It's Kind of A Funny Story and the franchise sequel Scream 4. She does a good job creating a combination of laid back girl that is fun to hang out with and care free party girl. She becomes one of those girls that you knew in High School that could be friends with everyone but sometimes unwittingly plays with others emotions.
The actors did a good job with the script but there were pitfalls all over the movie. The camera operator in the beginning had a few moments where the camera shook so noticeably that it throws the viewer out of the film for the first five to ten minutes. Then there was the fact that the costuming for the main character seemed to be a bit too dated, almost like Judd Nelson from The Breakfast Club. Not to mention it feels like the film is very slow, even though the film is only 84 minutes you could walk out believing it was two hours.
On the other side there are some good things about the film. The after the first few bad shaky camera issues there is a lot of great cinematography. The film is set in and around New York City and it shows off the city in a very picturesque light. Also the film's dialogue is very age appropriate and not unrealistic for the age of the characters.
Once the film is over one may be a little on the fence if they liked the film or disliked it. It is easier to say that it is better to wait for the film to come out on rather than pay the $10 admission and not be certain about your reaction of what was just viewed.
X-Men:First Class was released into theaters yesterday and while men were dreaming/excited for Jennifer Lawrence to appear in her full body Mystique gear I have been waiting to see one of my fav young Brits to appear on screen again. Nicholas Hoult takes on the character of Hank McCoy/Beast, the intelligent and super strong mutant that becomes furry.
Nicholas Hoult is a 21 year old British actor that is no stranger to working in front of the camera. He began his career at about age 5 with a small role in the film Intimate Relations which starred Julie Walters and Rupert Graves. From there he continued on by taking bit parts in television series and in 2002 he had a big break opposite Hugh Grant in the film About A Boy where his character Marcus tries to teach Will (Grant) how to become a real adult.
Later he appeared in the film The Weather Man where he worked opposite Nicholas Cage, even though the film didn't do fantastically at the box office it continued to get him seen. Since then he was one of the stars of the first two series (seasons) of the original version of Skins playing Tony, was an adorable and possibly trying to seduce Colin Firth in A Single Man, and last year's Clash of the Titans.
With his turn in big budget films as of late and scoring his role in First Class there is a lot more to come from him. He has been cast in the title role of Jack the Giant Killer, filming right now, which seems to be a modern retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Also if they ever get production together for the new Mad Max film, Mad Max: Fury Road (as listed on imdb), he is listed among those starring in the film, along with First Class co-star Zoë Kravitz. For now enjoy him as Beast
If you are looking for films to watch that honor soldiers the most or give a more inside look at the life of a soldier I have a few suggestions about films that may be good to watch today.
In honor of the men and women that are in and have been in the service HBO is running the critically acclaimed film Taking Chance tonight 9pm. The film was an official selection and nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and premiered on the HBO February 2009. It also took home awards at the Emmys, 2010 Writers Guild of America Awards and two awards for actor Kevin Bacon during the 2010 award season at the Golden Globes and SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards.
The film is based off of the true story of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, and his journey across America to bring back the body of a 19 year old officer to his home in Wyoming to be buried. This is a little bit of a heart breaker but very touching. I would suggest lots of tissues.
The Messenger is another film that screened during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and talks about the opposite side of fighting. Woody Harrelson received an Oscar, SAG and Golden Globe nomination for best Support Actor and won at the Independent Spirit Awards for his portrayal in this film.
The film is about Army Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery, played by Ben Foster, that becomes injured by an I.E.D. (improvised explosive device) and gets reassigned to the Casualty Notification Team to serve out the rest of his enlistment. His partner Captain Tony Stone, Harrelson, teaches him everything he knows about the job and a lot about how some people don't adjust correctly back into the world. The one thing that starts to normalize his life is a widow that he has recently visited on the job. Can she be the one thing that saves his sanity in his post war life?
The film Friends with Benefits, even though similar in concept to this year's No Strings Attached, stands on its own. The film is about a young recruiter or "head hunter" for hire named Jamie (Kunis), a damaged romantic, whom builds up walls to try and protect herself from being continuously hurt, and a young Art Department head named Dylan (Timberlake)- a guy that can't commit and blames others for his relationship short falls. These two fast become friends when Dylan moves to New York. With both their relationship short comings they believe that they can try out being "friends with benefits" without getting emotionally attached. Can they actually keep emotional attachment out of the equation and maintain a friendship?
