Pop Culture Beast

Amazing Spider-Man Official Synopsis!

2012-01-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

Wonder no longer as Columbia Pictures has announced the official synopsis for their upcoming Amazing Spider-Man. Sounds a little bit like Ultimate Spider-Man.

One of the world's most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in "The Amazing Spider-Man." Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents' disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father's former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors' alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

Thoughts?

Source

Theater Review: And God Created Great Whales

2012-01-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Photo by Steven Gunther.

And God Created Great Whales
Created, Composed, Written by Rinde Eckert
Directed by David Schweizer
Starring Rinde Eckert and Nora Cole

Entering the theater you notice at once the lone figure of Rinde Eckert sitting at a cluttered piano, already in character before the lights even dim. He is hunched over scribbling on a piece of paper. It's our first glimpse of Nathan, a man losing his mind trying to finish his life's work (an opera based on Moby Dick) before everything just falls away.

When the lights die down and the show begins, we truly meet Nathan as he listens to a cassette tape explaining his condition and what he is to do that day. Rewind the tape, finish the opera. Finish The Opera seems to be all that Nathan has left and he needs his muse (played exquisitely by Nora Cole) to do it.

What follows is just over an hour of beautiful music, riveting performances, and even laughter. The songs are at times deeply haunting and moving, most especially near the shows end. Together, Eckert and Cole are a match made in heaven. Their voices complementing each other perfectly. Both have dynamic ranges that just fill the room. Eckert sounded mesmerizing when he was hitting the higher notes at times.

Photo by Steven Gunther.

I was truly in awe of both of these performers but I have to say that Nora Cole really is a scene stealer. She was brilliant and really gave us a deep and layered performance.

I really enjoyed the show but on the way home discussion brought on a certain revelation. The show concentrates a bit too much on Nathan the artist and not enough on Nathan the man. I feel like the emotional impact would be stronger had we spent more time with him when he wasn't performing the opera as he wrote it. More with him deteriorating, struggling to hold on to what he was even as he spirals towards whatever fate has in store for him. That really would be my only complaint.

This was my first REDCAT show and I already know I'll be back to see more. If you're looking for an evening of fascinating theater look no further than And God Created Great Whales. It really is an experience and a showcase for two incredible talents.

And God Created Great Whales
Performances through January 29

REDCAT
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
Located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex
631 West 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213 237-2800

Photo by Steven Gunther.

84th Annual Academy Award Nominations!

2012-01-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

Well, at last the Oscar nominations have been announced and there are some MAJOR snubs. Inconceivable ones if you ask me. No Bridesmaids for best picture, despite getting a writing and supporting actress nod, not too mention Drive (travesty) and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It's weird to me they only have nine nominations. That 10th slot could have easily been Bridesmaids or Drive. The Adventures of Tin Tin was also shut out of Best Animated Feature which feels almost like a gift to Rango.

Here are the complete nominees and we're sure to discuss them on this weeks SHOW.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Achievement in Directing
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Original Screenplay
The Artist, Written by Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Margin Call, Written by J.C. Chandor
Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen
A Separation, Written by Asghar Farhadi

Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash
Hugo, Screenplay by John Logan
The Ides of March, Screenplay by George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
Moneyball, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Screenplay by Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)

Original Score
The Adventures of Tintin, John Williams
The Artist, Ludovic Bource
Hugo, Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alberto Iglesias
War Horse, John Williams

Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Achievement in Art Direction
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

Achievement in Cinematography
The Artist
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Achievement in Costume Design
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

Best Documentary Feature
Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

Best Documentary Short Subject
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

Achievement in Film Editing
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

Achievement in Makeup
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Iron Lady

Best Animated Short Film
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Best Live Action Short Film
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

Achievement in Sound Editing
Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

Achievement in Sound Mixing
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

Achievement in Visual Effects
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Source

Contest: Win Merlin Season Three!!

2012-01-23T17:28:00.000-08:00

Merlin is back with even more magic, adventure and romance as the young wizard struggles to protect Prince Arthur in the perilous world of Camelot. While battling deadly assassins, mystical monsters and the most powerful sorcerers Camelot has ever seen, Merlin must work harder than ever to conceal his unique abilities while King Uther redoubles his war against magic. Featuring exciting new villains, white-knuckle stunt sequences, and spectacular CGI monsters, Merlin season three is more thrilling than ever.

Want to win a copy of this awesome show's awesome third awesome season courtesy of our friends at the BBC?

Email us at contest@popculturebeast.com and include your name and address (under 13 please have your parents write in!)

It's JUST that easy. We'll pick a winner at random on Sunday, January 29!

In the meantime if you want to catch up. Seasons one and two are a RIDICULOUSLY low price of $14.99 each over at amazon!

Merlin Season Three is now available!

Blu-ray Review: Sid and Nancy

2012-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Sid & Nancy
Written by: Alex Cox and Abbe Wool
Directed by: Alex Cox
Starring: Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb

Special features: For the Love of Punk, Junk Love, and Theatrical trailer

From the box:

Gary Oldman (Batman Begins) and Chloe Webb (The Newton Boys) execute performances that are "Nothing Short of Penomena." (Los Angeles Times) as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his unforgettable junkie girlfriend - two social misfits who literally love each other to death. In this "riveting biography of burnt-out icons" (the Washington Post), award-winning writer/director Alex Cox (Repo Man) creates "a great film" (siskel & Ebert) about the destructive lives of two 1970s punk legends.

Their love affair is one of pure devotion. Sid falls hard fro groupie Nancy Spungen, who seduces him with her affection - and addiction to heroin. Their inseparable bond - to each other and their drugs - eventually corrodes the band, sending Sid and Nancy down a dark road of despair. Out of money, hope and options, the despondent two hit rock bottom while living in squalor at New York's infamous Hotel Chelsea. But their journey takes yet another tragic turn as they face their final curtain - and attempt to fulfill their destiny of going out in a laze of glory!

It's certainly a cult classic and MGM is finally releasing Sid & Nancy on blu-ray in a (underwhelming) collector's edition.

The film is wonderful, although I don't know if it's one that demands repeat viewings. The highlight of course are the mesmerizing performances from the two leads, Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb. They're both heartbreaking and completely authentic as the punk's greatest train wrecks.

The film looks and sounds great on blu-ray. Almost too good to be honest. A movie like this feels like its best scene on a scratchy film negative in a dark run down theater. Somehow flawed like its subjects. Funny, I never thought a great picture could be a negative.

The sad part here is that MGM is calling this release a collector's edition and to be honest there isn't much here. A couple featurettes and a trailer make this hardly one to jump up and down for. Inf act, it's pretty disappointing. Especially with the Criterion edition floating around out there.

Still, the supplements don't make the movie and Sid & Nancy is one for the ages. It's dark, disturbing, uncomfortably funny at times and ultimately a tragic love story. Whether real or not, you can't help but admire the connection they had even if it was fueled by drugs (and god knows what else).

Sid & Nancy

Pop Culture Beast rating

7/10