Reel Talk

Oh, 'FAST & FURIOUS', Never Change...

2013-05-22T10:00:00.000-04:00

Dominic (Vin Diesel), in one of the film's many gravity-defying scenes

Not like after twelve years and six wildly successful films (the latest already a hit in the UK), the franchise has any intention of becoming something other than the nonsensical and over the top spectacle we're accustomed to anyway.

But this is not going to be a scathing or pretentious review of the newest installment, FAST & FURIOUS 6. I'm pretty sure you can find a number of those anywhere else. Rather, this is more like a review of concession, because these films are gloriously ridiculous. They don't try to be anything else, and you eventually kinda begin to love that.

At least, that's where I am at with the series. It also helped that I didn't bother to check out the middle films--2, 3 and 4--so I don't have that overwhelming sense of fatigue others might have after watching the same asinine plot repeated in five movies. After seeing the fifth film, and now the sixth, I feel quite content with the level of sweet trash that has encapsulated the series because I know what to expect and what not to expect. It's like devouring a juicy double whopper with cheese--you know it's not exactly good for you, but you just can't not eat it. Afterwards you're completely disgusted with yourself yet pleasantly satisfied at the same time.

If you go into FAST & FURIOUS 6 knowing and appreciating that, you should be just fine. The story is once again set in an exotic location where a tight group of criminals bond over their shared love of fast, shiny cars.The film opens at a very familiar point reintroducing the antiheroes from the last film--Dominic (Vin Diesel), his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), Gisele (Gal Gabot), Brian (Paul Walker), Han (Sung Kang), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges).

(Left to Right) Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), Dominic (Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker)

Dominic and Detective Elena Neves (Elsa Pataky) are now pretty chummy (you may remember how their romance got started in Fast Five). Mia and Brian are basking in the glow of parenthood. Han and Gisele are also an item, and extremely adorable (it's not every day we get to see an Asian and Israeli matched on screen). And Tej and Roman continue to revel in their millions and trade quips, some of which are recycled but are still fondly welcomed.

Elena's partner, Hobbs (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), is now teamed with Riley (Gina Carano, Haywire). They're after Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), who's involved in some kind of high-tech, high-speed heist (it's not well explained, and not especially important. You just need to know he's the bad guy). Hobbs and Riley recruit Dominic's crew to take down Owen and his posse of maniacs, with a particularly alluring note for Dominic that his dead ex-girlfriend and love of his life, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), may be alive and somehow involved. With that, the gang abandons their plush, retired existence, and enter back into the world of mayhem and vehicular crime.

They learn that this Shaw fellow is way more technologically advanced than they all imagined, and therefore they need to amp up their game. Amid bloated action sequences (that culminate to the audience discovering that Diesel may actually be able to fly, like with wings and stuff), wooden line delivery and effective bromance, the film reads like any other in the franchise.

(Left to Right) Riley (Gina Carano) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in a duel

But what sets this one apart from its predecessors is the return of Michelle Rodriguez, reminding audiences that she's freakin' awesome. We're not sure which team she's playing for (and the brief explanation of her immortality is more than a little ludicrous), but when Letty throws elbows with Riley in an underground subway, it is pure bliss to watch. On the one hand, you feel you should root for the obvious good guy, Riley, but then IT'S MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ. So you're understandably conflicted. In a film that's largely testosterone-fueled, save for a few notable ass-kicking scenes with Gabot, it's nice to see a female versus female combat that could rival the epic brawl between Diesel and Johnson in Fast Five.

If Johnson revived the franchise in the last film, Rodriguez took it to a whole new level. As usual, her ability to compel audiences goes far beyond knowing how to throw a punch or five. Since her character is shrouded in mystery, Rodriguez has the perfect opportunity to mold her into something new, creating a nuance that wasn't there before. And she does so effortlessly.

(Left to Right) Letty (Rodriguez) and Owen Shaw (Luke Evans)

Meanwhile, Diesel works through his more sentimental scenes with blood, sweat and...car chases. If you've ever seen him any movie ever, you know that that's really all he's got.

If you're familiar with Carano, then you already know that she's a Women's Middleweight champ and starred in Haywire in 2011, in which she wasn't particularly convincing as an actress. But in FAST & FURIOUS 6 she can rely more on her exquisite combat skills and less on her weak ability to portray a layered character. In other words, she's less talk and more action. This works exponentially better for her. And the fact that she's not playing the lead role, but rather part of an ensemble cast, is a good look.

Of course, none of the actors here are reciting Shakespeare, but the fact that they're all equally mediocre in their own special ways balances the movie and doesn't really make you second guess the talent because they're all on the same level. More importantly, they all look pretty/handsome, can handle weapons (including their fists), and can drive very, very fast. Plus, chemistry is a must. Without that, the whole film will fall apart.

That's what makes FAST & FURIOUS 6 work so well. The authentic brotherhood allows you to see the characters as friends of yours, friends with really exciting lives. And while director Justin Lin's eye for the flamboyant makes the film less credible, it's never not fun to watch even as you shake your head at the absolutely bogus action scenes.

Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson's script isn't much to write home about, but there is a twist that you won't expect at the climax of the film. Clearly they have a winning formula with Lin, since all three helped resurrect the franchise with Fast Five. Morgan and Thompson are reportedly set to return for Fast & Furious 7 (yes, that is happening, so get your helmets ready).

This is apparently Lin's final film in the franchise, which makes me shed a single tear and question whether I too will have to jump ship again until another appropriate director boards. After all, every once in a while you crave that double whopper with cheese.

FAST & FURIOUS 6 is in theaters Thursday.

Cinema in Noir: The Absence of Asian Romance in American Films and a Q&A with "Sleepy Hollow" Star Orlando Jones

2013-05-19T20:08:00.000-04:00

Lucy Liu

There's been a lot of hot button topics swirling around cyberspace recently, and we discussed a few of them on toady's "Cinema in Noir."

But first, former film critic and self-proclaimed Trekkie, Brandon Fibbs, calls in to the show to rave about Star Trek Into Darkness, which is now the number one movie at the box office. So if you're a fan of the franchise or the new movie, you'll definitely want to tune in early in the show for that.

After that, we move right into two ongoing debates--Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone and the possibility of Michael B. Jordan (whose newest film, Fruitvale, has received high praise) as The Human Torch in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.

You might remember that in a previous post and episode "Cinema in Noir," certain folks weren't taking too kindly to the idea of Jordan as the hot character. You can read his response to the speculation in a recent interview here.

He basically tells his naysayers to STFU, and I'll have to second that.

As for this nonstop backlash against Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone, it's definitely getting tired. I can only imagine the overwhelming fatigue and hurt Saldana must feel from having to defend her casting. But she has certainly not won over any of her naysayers with her newest comments in a recent interview posted on Clutch Magazine Online. Read it here. She should probably find a way to avoid these discussions in future interviews, if possible.

Orlando Jones "Sleepy Hollow" promo

Midway through the show we talk to Orlando Jones, who you might know as the magazine salesman in Office Space, "MADtv," Drumline, etc. He's talks about his new TV show, "Sleepy Hollow" (an update on the classic story, about which I'm really excited) and web series "Tainted Love." He's hilarious to talk to, so you don't want to miss this interview. He even explains his now infamous Orlando Jones as Madea skit, which you can watch here.

Lastly, we discuss "Elementary" star Lucy Liu's comments about the challenges she's faced as an Asian American actress in Hollywood. In a recent interview with Net-A-Porter Magazine, she says the following: “I wish people wouldn't just see me as the Asian girl who beats everyone up, or the Asian girl with no emotion. 'Well, she's too Asian', or, ‘She's too American’. I kind of got pushed out of both categories. It's a very strange place to be. You're not Asian enough and then you're not American enough, so it gets really frustrating.” She says she receives the following remarks in Hollywood: "'Well, she's too Asian', or, ‘She's too American’. I kind of got pushed out of both categories. It's a very strange place to be. You're not Asian enough and then you're not American enough, so it gets really frustrating.”

You can read the full cover story here.

This is certainly not an obstacle we haven't heard before, but it frustrating that an actress of Liu's talent, and one who has been working in the industry for more than twenty years, still faces these challenges. On the show this led to a discussion on the absence of Asian romance and Asian dramas on screen (that don't involve martial arts or action of any kind). There are sadly few and far between.

Catch a replay of today's entire episode here (click on the episode titled "Q&A with Orlando Jones and Asian Romance"). Share your comments below!

Who Is Khan? 8 Things You (Might) Not Know About Star Trek’s Villain

2013-05-16T21:34:00.001-04:00

(Left) Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS,
(Right) Ricardo Montalbán as Khan in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Ever since news first broke that actor Benedict Cumberbatch (TV’s “Sherlock”) was cast as the notorious "Star Trek" villain, Khan, in the upcoming film STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (in theaters today), speculations have ran wild regarding where the filmmakers would take his story.

But many are still in the dark about who Khan really is. After all, it has been more than thirty years since we last saw him stirring up trouble in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Here are eight things you may not know about the man Trekkies love to hate:

8. He looks really good for his age: By my estimation, Khan should be about 300 years old by now. He was introduced in 1967 in the first season of the TV series, “Star Trek,” in an episode titled “Space Seed.” At the time, his body had been cryogenically frozen for more than 200 years. His second appearance in 1982’s “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan” was set fifteen years after that.

7. He has unfinished business with Captain Kirk: Khan has had beef with Captain Kirk ever since he made his first appearance on the TV series. In “Space Seed,” the Enterprise discovers his frozen body and takes him in. When Khan awakens and finds himself on the starship in the 23rd century, he tries to infiltrate the crew and manipulate the ship, which leads to an epic battle between him and Captain Kirk. This ends with Khan being exiled to Ceti Alpha V. In his second appearance in the 1982 movie “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan,” Khan tried to exact revenge on Kirk after the Ceti Alpha V exploded, virtually wiping out the planet and killing many of Khan’s followers and almost Khan himself. STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS will be his third attempt to destroy Captain Kirk and his crew.

6. He is extremely dangerous: Khan is one in a group of genetically enhanced superhumans, whose power is said to be five times that of regular humans. Khan was a successful conqueror and 20th century warlord who ruled more than a quarter of the Earth during the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s. After later being deposed, he narrowly escaped his death sentence on board the SS Botany.

And has since then been pissed off.

5. He goes by the name John Harrison in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS: Cumberbatch has remarkably kept mum about the true identity of his character (though much of the Internet is already convinced he’s Kahn). Instead, he has revealed his character to be John Harrison, a rogue Starfleet commander and terrorist who has it out for Kirk. Cumberbatch describes him as a “one man weapon of mass destruction,” which actually sounds very similar to Khan, so…..?

We're on to you, Cumberbatch.

4. He has never been played by an Indian actor: Khan was first written as a superhuman from India (with the full name Khan Noonien Singh), yet he has only been portrayed by non-Indian actors on screen. The late Mexican actor Ricardo Montalbán originated the role in in the TV series in 1967 (and again in 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan), and now Cumberbatch, who is English. Before Cumberbatch signed on, it was even rumored that Puerto Rican actor Benicio Del Toro was considered for the role. No shade to Cumberbatch or Montalbán, but this could have been a great role for an Indian actor like Irrfan Khan, who wouldn't have even had to change his name…

But we still love you, Cumberbatch. No need to cry about it.

3. He was once written as a Nordic superman: Though the idea never saw the light of day, Khan was originally conceived as a Nordic superman by scriptwriter Carey Wilber before that was eventually changed in the final script. This character was said to be even more violent than Khan.

But maybe not as scary as this guy.

2. He’s had a makeover: If you look back at the older clips of Montalbán as Khan in the series or Wrath of Khan, you may have noticed that he isn’t particularly fashion forward. To keep the authenticity of him living on a wasteland with few supplies, Khan’s original costume was supposed to look like a composite of several items (including electrical equipment and furniture upholstery from the ship) that he was able to scrounge together in his exiled surroundings. The filmmakers also wanted to show off his masculine physique with revealing attire. Most of the images from STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS showed Khan a little better groomed donning a sleeker wardrobe.

1.He is a widower: Khan was once married to the Enterprise ship’s historian, Marla McGivers (with whom he flirted in order to try to manipulate the ship in “Space Seed”). She died after the Ceti Alpha VI explosion in Wrath of Khan caused a disaster on Ceti Alpha V, turning it into a vast wasteland. She was killed by one of the few remaining animal species on the planet.

Montalbán and Madly Rhue as Marla McGivers in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS is in theaters today.

This post was originally published by The Urban Daily.

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY Trailer Aims To Rekindle The Charm Of The First Film

2013-05-13T21:39:00.000-04:00

(Left to Right) Harrold Perrineau, Taye Diggs and Terrence Howard in The Best Man Holiday (courtesy of Taye Diggs Online)

I'm just going to put this all out there: I think the idea of sequel-izing (yes, that's a homemade word) romcoms is a pretty lazy idea, considering romcoms today at their most general are already pretty dull. So you can just imagine how derivative their sequels are.

Which brings us to the new trailer for THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY, the follow-up to the 1999 classic romcom that spawned countless others, The Best Man. For the few of you who aren't familiar with the original film, it followed a group of friends through love's trials and tribulations as they prepared for the nuptials of their good friend, Lance (Morris Chestnut).

Though the movie was typical of its genre, the alluring cast (which also includes Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau and Sanaa Lathan) and overall charm of the film has made it endlessly rewatchable for many (but once was okay for me).

Anyway, the new movie reportedly revisits the relationships from the first movie amid the holidays. More on ti below (from About.com):

"When the college friends finally reunite over the Christmas holidays, they will discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited."

I think most of the fans are excited to see their favorite characters come together again after fading off into the sunset fourteen years ago. I'm most interested to see how the story will mature the characters, and not simply give us a redux of similar situations from the first film. You'll see from the trailer that they all still look like not a day has passed since we last saw them. Check it out:

THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY hits theaters November 15th, which should bring in the holiday/family audience. What do you think? Will you watch it?

Michael B. Jordan Shines In The Stirring First Trailer for the Sundance Drama, 'FRUITVALE STATION'

2013-05-11T01:07:00.000-04:00

You may have heard me mention on a recent "Cinema in Noir" podcast that although actor Michael B. Jordan has ample amount of potential to become the next It guy, I have yet to see him in a breakthrough role he deserves. (Yes, I am one of the very few who haven't seen an episode of "The Wire." I have, however, seen Jordan in Red Tails and TV's "Parenthood." It was his performance in the latter that made me take notice of him).

Flash forward to today, when the trailer of his newest film, FRUITVALE STATION, dropped and eliminated any doubt I could have had about him. The drama, which has been much talked about since it wowed audiences back at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, tells the true story of 22-year-old Oscar Grant (Jordan), unarmed and fatally shot in the back by a police officer after a disturbance on New Years Eve in 2009. Read more about the film in its synopsis below (from Ropes of Silicon):

Oscar Grant was a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who loved his friends, was generous to strangers, and had a hard time telling the truth to the mother of his beautiful daughter. He was scared and courageous and charming and raw, and as human as the community he was part of. That community paid attention to him, shouted on his behalf, and filmed him with their cell phones when BART officers, who were strong, intimidated, and acting in the way they thought they were supposed to behave around people like Oscar, shot him in cold blood at the Fruitvale subway stop on New Year’s Day in 2009.

First time feature director and writer, Ryan Coogler, helms what looks to be a remarkable debut effort that will hopefully resonate with an even wider audience in light of last year's Trayvon Martin case, which sparked a national outcry.

The movie also stars Chad Michael Murray and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (as Oscar's mother, Wanda). Check out the trailer:

This is definitely on my radar to watch. FRUITVALE STATION hits theaters July 26th.

The New Teaser Trailer For The Sci-Fi Drama, GRAVITY, Wins Today's Internet

2013-05-09T22:54:00.001-04:00

There are some directors that I genuinely appreciate, but don't particularly care for their movies. Alfonso Cuarón is one of them. While his critically-acclaimed films Y Tu Mamá También and Children of Men prove him to be an undeniable visionary and a fascinating storyteller, they ultimately fail to resonate with me. His movies, including the critically-acclaimed films

However, I must hand the man props for today's spectacular trailer for his upcoming sci-fi drama co-written by his son Jonás Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, GRAVITY. Despite the fact that at its core it tells the familiar story of a routine space mission gone awry, the clip (which clocks it at just under a minute and a half) is filled with so much suspense and authenticity that you don't even want to blink while watching it.

Read more in the official film synopsis (from JoBlo):

Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone--tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness.

The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth...and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left.

But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Sounds great, but the only thing I worry about is whether Clooney or Bullock's general lack of intrigue in their dramatic performances will impede the story. But, then, you can't deny this trailer:

I know, right?! It kinda makes you feel like they released a one-hour clip, huh?

GRAVITY heads to theaters October 4th.

Paula Patton Goes On A 30-Day Quest To Find The One in 'BAGGAGE CLAIM' (Trailer)

2013-05-09T22:21:00.000-04:00

As much as I try to root for Paula Patton, she continues to move farther away from her underrated performance in the 2009 drama, Precious, and closer to the pits of romcom hell after consecutively starring in both Just Wright (2010) and Jumping the Broom (2011).

Other than her role in the Tom Cruise actioner, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in 2011 which she is rumored to reprise in the 2015 sequel) and this year's tech drama, Disconnect, the actress hasn't veered too far away from her romcom calling card.

In BAGGAGE CLAIM, Patton plays flight attendant Montana Moore, a woman on a desperate quest to find a man to bring to her younger sister's wedding in 30 days. She begins serial dating every eligible (and ineligible) man within a 30,000-mile radius.

*Insert heavy sigh here*

Right out the gate, the movie sounds basic. But at least there will be plenty of pretty people to look at--Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Gladiator), Taye Diggs (Chicago), Tia Mowry Hardrict (TV's "The Game"), Derek Luke (Sparkle) and Jill Scott (in a wretched wig/weave) are all in it, as is R&B singer Trey Songz, Boris Kodjoe and Adam Brody.

It may be piggy-backing off the recent success of Think Like a Man, but I wonder how the box office receipts will line up (TLAM grossed more than $91 million worldwide).

Check out the trailer:

BAGGAGE CLAIM releases in theaters September 27th.

3 Reasons Why I'm Not Excited About the New Trailer for THE BUTLER

2013-05-07T22:51:00.001-04:00

Forest Whitaker as Eugene Allen/Cecil Gaines in The Butler

Today director Lee Daniels released the trailer for his upcoming film, THE BUTLER, which details the life of Eugene Allen, who served as butler of the White House throughout eight presidencies from 1952 to 1986.

Though the filmmaker has assembled an impressive cast of actors to portray several well-known political figures for the feature, I can't say I'm particularly interested to see it. But before I explain why, here's a little more about the film (courtesy of MovieNewz.com):

Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Minka Kelly, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Leo, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, Nelsan Ellis, Zac Efron, Woody Harrelson, Nicole Kidman, Jesse Williams

Synopsis: THE BUTLER, based on the screenplay by Danny Strong & Lee Daniels, is inspired by Wil Haygood’s Washington Post article “A Butler Well Served by This Election” about Eugene Allen (Whitaker), an African-American man, who served as a butler to eight Presidents in the White House for over thirty years. From this unique vantage point, THE BUTLER traces the dramatic changes that swept American society, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family.

And here's why I'm not excited about it:

The Paperboy is still fresh in my mind, and I have the PTSD scars to prove it. Plus, Oyelowo, Efron, Cusack and Kidman are in this too! It's just too soon.
Though I liked Django Unchained, I'm so over the butler/maid/slave narrative that the mere thought of seeing another one makes my eyes roll to the farthest point in the back of my head.
Because I can't seem to forget what Terrence Howard reportedly said about Oprah Winfrey's breasts, no matter how hard I try. And since I can't, you shouldn't be able to either. Watch this.

Maybe I'll come around in time for the film's release on October 18th. Maybe...

In any case, check out the clip below and tell me, will you see THE BUTLER?

Black Superheroes, Fitz and Olivia's Tired Love Affair and Hollywood's Double Ethnic Problem

2013-05-05T20:11:00.000-04:00

Michael B. Jordan and Fantastic Four's The Human Torch

Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you were on Twitter at all last week, you may have noticed a few heated arguments going on (in par with the usually wild amount of impassioned opinions)--the notion of a Black actor playing the Human Torch in the next Fantastic Four 4 film, Hollywood's lack of showing same race couples on screen and pretty much anything having to do with the TV show "Scandal." We discussed them all on a special 70-minute episode of Cinema in Noir this evening.

Twitter really erupted with the news that Michael B. Jordan's (Chronicle, Red Tails) is in contention to play The Human Torch in the next Fantastic Four film. On the one side, there is the hope for a Black actor to star in a role previously played by white actors (most recently Chris Evans). And on the other side, some fanboys are rebelling hard against the idea claiming that The Human Torch, a fictional superhero, was never Black and should not be portrayed that way.

As you will hear on tonight's show, I think I am most disturbed by the fact that there's going to be another Fantastic Four film, since I found the first one HORRID enough for me to never want to go near it again. But many are upset by the narrow-minded of some of the fanboy reactions. What do you think about the possible casting?

We also talk about singer Robin Thicke's recent comments about Hollywood's so-called 'double ethnic' problem--the growing lack of same race couples on the both the big and small screens. He claims that his wife, actress Paula Patton, would not be considered in a romantic role opposite Will Smith because the Hollywood doesn't portray Black couples onscreen as much anymore--interracial couples are becoming more marketable. You can listen to his full interview here. Thoughts?

As for this whole Fitz (President Fitzgerald Grant played by Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) controversy on TV's "Scandal," I don't really have a dog in the fight since I stopped watching the show months ago after it refused to move away from its soapy, melodramatic plotline. But it seems like folks are really not in love with Olivia's "relationship" with the married President, and that she is still a very undeveloped character despite the show being well into its second season.

Eh, sounds like the show hasn't changed much from the last time I watched it back in November. Listen to our full take on all these discussions and reviews of the latest new releases on the Cinema in Noir Blog Talk Radio channel (title of the show: "Hollywood's Double Ethnic Problem").

Feel free to share comments below!

Do You Feel The Need For Speed? New Images From FAST & FURIOUS 6

2013-05-03T21:04:00.001-04:00

(Left to Right) Han (Sung Kang), Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), Gisele (Gal Gadot), Dom (Vin Diesel), Brian (Paul Walker) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson) reunite for Fast & Furious 6

Beefcake alert! Universal Pictures has just released new images from FAST & FURIOUS 6, and they are exactly what you'd expect them to be--a bunch of hot guys (and women) driving very fast cars. Before you start drooling over them, here's more information on the film:

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Sung Kang, Luke Evans, Gina Carano, John Ortiz, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky

Based on Characters Created by: Gary Scott Thompson

Written by: Chris Morgan

Directed by: Justin Lin

Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Clayton Townsend

Executive Producers: Justin Lin, Amanda Lewis, Samantha Vincent, Chris Morgan

Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of all-stars as the global blockbuster franchise built on speed races to its next continent in Fast & Furious 6. Reuniting for their most high-stakes adventure yet, fan favorites Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Elsa Pataky are joined by badass series newcomers Luke Evans and Gina Carano.

Since Dom (Diesel) and Brian's (Walker) Rio heist toppled a kingpin's empire and left their crew with $100 million, our heroes have scattered across the globe. But their inability to return home and living forever on the lam have left their lives incomplete.

Meanwhile, Hobbs (Johnson) has been tracking an organization of lethally skilled mercenary drivers across 12 countries, whose mastermind (Evans) is aided by a ruthless second-in-command revealed to be the love Dom thought was dead, Letty (Rodriguez). The only way to stop the criminal outfit is to outmatch them at street level, so Hobbs asks Dom to assemble his elite team in London. Payment? Full pardons for all of them so they can return home and make their families whole again.

Building on the worldwide blockbuster success of Fast Five and taking the action, stunts and narrative to even greater heights, Fast & Furious 6 sees director Justin Lin back behind the camera for the fourth time. He is supported by longtime producers Neal H. Moritz and Vin Diesel, who welcome producer Clayton Townsend back to the series. http://www.thefastandthefurious.com

And here are the images:

Dom (Vin Diesel)

Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Riley (Gina Carano)

Gisele (Gal Gadot) and Denlinger (Sammy Stewart)

Brian (Paul Walker)

(Left to Right) Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) and Han (Sun Kang)

Elena (Elsa Pataky)

Shaw (Luke Evans)

Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and Dom

(Left to Right) Han and Roman (Tyrese Gibson)

Mia (Jordana Brewster)

Dom and Hobbs

Needless to say the rock hard bodies and fast-paced action is the ~~only~~ main selling point here. And the fact that Michelle Rodriguez's character, Letty, has been somehow resurrected and has turned against the gang of antiheroes is another draw. Hopefully this latest installment is at least as good as the previous one (Johnson is back, so you know what that means --->box office bank.

Will you be watching? FAST & FURIOUS 6 speeds to theaters May 24th.

This Is Not The Jennifer Lawrence Admiration Post For Which You Are Looking

2013-05-03T14:40:00.002-04:00

Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) in Silver Linings Playbook

But it's not a rant either. Well, not really. Listen, I like Jennifer Lawrence as much as the next overhyped fan of The Hunger Games. I love that she gets the chance to play roles that are completely outside what we usually see from her twentysomething-year-old counterparts. Oh, and I like that she's not a bubblegum cardboard cutout of the perfect young woman every starlet should aspire to be like. Most importantly, I'm glad that she isn't afraid to show you just how imperfect she is (see the still ah-mazing clip of her falling up the stairs of the Academy Award stage just before she accepted her shiny Best Actress trophy this year).

I get it. She's funny, charismatic and blonde. She's like a Hollywood poster child. But can we talk about Silver Linings Playbook for a minute? You know, that movie for which she won the trophy and took the fall? A few days ago marked the first time I watched the film, which is delightful and charming, as tragically romantic tales go. Though it took major liberties from the book (which I'd recommend reading, by the way), it got a brand new point across and convinced you that Bradley Cooper can be more than that guy from the Hangover movies (no shade).

But I'm not here to discuss how some of the changes from book to film were completely unnecessary (i.e. changing Pat's trigger song from a Michael Bolton tune to Stevie Wonder's precious "Ma cherie amour"). This is about Lawrence, or JLawr, as she's known in the streets. First of all, for all you who haven't read the novel, Tiffany (Lawrence) is slightly older than Pat (Cooper) in the book. Obviously, this wouldn't be a major deal had they changed certain elements of the film's character in order to accommodate Tiffany's new age. But they didn't really. Tiffany was still a widowed, raging nymphomaniac who met a similarly misunderstood soul in Pat (note: the whole romantic element was totally nonexistent in the book).

So now we have this young actress trying to take on the complexities of a multidimensional woman

Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany

who is depressed, lonely and searching for her next phase in life, having already experienced insurmountable loss with the death of her husband. While Lawrence captured the desolation and aggressive nature of the character (down to her black fingernails), she came off more angsty than tortured. In other words, she came off flat and very accessible at times, much unlike the original character by whom hers was inspired.

To her credit, Lawrence was impressive in the newly imagined role, but I can't stop wondering what kind of performance someone like Winona Ryder or Parker Posey could have brought to Tiffany. Posey particularly could have brought the right amount of nuance and depth to Tiffany, without sacrificing how she is portrayed in the book. She'd have made more tangible the inexplicable qualities Tiffany had that which Lawrence herself has stated she did not fully understand. Lawrence reportedly stated in reference to her first impression of Tiffany, "I was very confused by her. She was just kind of this mysterious enigma to me because she didn't really fit any basic kind of character profile."

While Lawrence tackled the character as best she could, there was a disconnect between her and the Tiffany. Lawrence likely channeled similar feelings within herself that weren't exactly in tune with what Tiffany was going through, but she failed to dig deep into Tiffany's inner core.

So that's where I'm at with both Lawrence and Silver Linings Playbook, which is yet another example of a older man scoring the younger woman, however in less than ideal circumstances. The new romantic angle the film took may have really excelled had Tiffany and Pat been closer in age and better united on the front of both having suffered a lifetime of heartbreak.

But, hey, Lawrence is now an Oscar winner. So whatever, right? Per my calculations, she would have earned one sometime in her career anyway, so I'm not all the way mad at the Academy's decision to give it to her a little early (though it sucks that Quvenzhané Wallis and Jessica Chastain got the shaft). I hope she continues to take roles that challenge her as an actress and stays away from the shallow, teenybopper roles to which many actresses even double her age fall prey. But as far as her performance in Silver Linings Playbook goes, I'm not saying, but I'm just saying.

(REVIEW) IRON MAN 3 Is The Epic Summer Blockbuster We Needed This Spring

2013-05-03T00:51:00.002-04:00

The Iron Man and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)

Confession: I was one of the few people who watched the Iron Man trilogy out of order. Yes, despite my own rules, I just didn't think it was pressing that I commit to a assigned sequence for viewing a series about a man who puts on a metal body suit and sprays explosives out of his palms using said suit. So, I went ahead and watched the second movie first, which was entertaining. Then followed that with the first film, which was engrossing as all get out (and, admittedly, made me realize how inadequate the second one actually was).

Still, the series didn't really rock my world like it did for ~~fanboys~~ others. But it didn't leave me begging for my time back. So I was mildly hyped to see the third film, IRON MAN 3, which is actually--wait for it--wildly engaging.

Sure, it doesn't have the gravitas of which certain other superhero films can boast. But, what IRON MAN 3 does have is a ton of charisma. And not just from its lead actor, Robert Downey, Jr., (who craftily throws out one-liners left and right for the entire 130 minutes of the movie). The whole film literally bursts at the seams with excitement, charisma and lots and lots of explosions (of course).

At the start of the film, we're reunited with millionaire Tony Stark, the relentlessly arrogant playboy doing what he does best--partying. It's New Years Eve 1999 and Tony is charming the skirts off the ladies and flipping off everyone else, which includes nerdy scientist Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), who's desperate to pitch him his latest idea. Tony won't realize until thirteen years later that his conceit will catch up to him when he is in danger of loving what he loves most--his beloved Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).

The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley)

Flash forward to the year 2013 and the only thing that has really changed in Tony's life is his relationship with Pepper, which has finally blossomed into the full grown mature relationship we all saw coming two movies ago. They live together in a huge mansion filled with all of Tony's toys and gadgets. Things are pretty posh until an image of terror suspect, The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), pollutes their airwaves and puts Tony on high alert for heroism. When his trusty security guard, Happy (Jon Favreau), is almost killed in a mysterious terrorist attack, Tony charges into full on Iron Man, save-the-world-by-causing-even-more-mayhem mode (complete with recklessly luring the enemy to his home address on live TV. SERIOUSLY).

Up until this point in the movie, Tony is entertaining to watch with his seemingly endless bag of zingers that reinforce his self-importance and everyone else's unimportance. But it's only when he is the tin soldier, Iron Man, that he develops compassion for others. Don't worry, his brand of empathy comes fully equipped with narcissism and punchy verbal strikes.

Colonel James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle)

Tony/Iron Man enlists the help of sidekick Colonel James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle, matching Downey, Jr.'s sarcasm blow for blow) and a young boy in Tennessee (Ty Simkins, who doesn't even try to don a southern accent) to concoct a plan to take down the terrorist plot.

And, you know, hilarity ensues. No really, it's basically Armageddon but somehow writer/director Shane Black and co-writer Drew Pearce manage to insert humor in the midst of having the characters dodge explosions and barely escape with their lives. Bullets are flying and buildings are collapsing but everyone seems like they're having such a good time experiencing it all. So we have the same fun watching it.

That's the thing about IRON MAN 3; it doesn't really try to provide commentary on global issues or be any more that what it is. And that works for the film. You don't always have to have a message. It captivates with its grandiose effects and exciting characters that you actually care about, despite their flaws. The movie does exactly what a blockbuster should--entertain.

While Downey, Jr. is obviously the MVP here, Cheadle holds up his own as well, creating a smidgen of space for a possible War Machine movie (he can certainly carry a franchise). Even Pearce, Rebecca Hall (playing an off-type brief but significant role), Favreau and Kingsley (whose performance is more than meets the eye) are thoroughly amusing to watch. But it is Paltrow who is given much more to work with as Pepper. Pepper's usual unaffected nature and perennial damsel in distress act morphs to become more in tune with this latest adventure than she ever has before, for her own survival.

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow)

Dazzling special effects, a committed cast, and witty dialogue remind audiences of what it was like before a superhero movie became an allegory. It is simple, honest fun, a spectacular ending (?) of truly inspired trilogy. Stay after the credits for a memorable final scene.

Rating: B+ (**** out of *****)

Michael Shannon Has Little To Say And Plenty To Kill In The Chilling Mafia Thriller, THE ICEMAN

2013-05-01T23:35:00.000-04:00

Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon) in The Iceman

Once again, Michael Shannon proves he's one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood with a performance so spellbinding you won't be able to take your eyes off him.

In THE ICEMAN, Shannon plays notorious New Jersey contract killer Richard Kuklinski, a guy so merciless and cold that he was simply known as "The Iceman" around the streets (and because of his unorthodox method of icing the bodies so that the police couldn't tell how long the victim had been dead). It's been recorded that he's murdered at least 100 people throughout his more than forty year spree (roughly between 1948 and 1986) before he was eventually arrested and sentenced to consecutive life terms until his death in prison in 2006.

Kuklinski

If you've seen any gangster movie at all, you'll probably be able to figure out how the story will play out on film even before you see it. In fact, even Ray Liotta is in the movie, playing a conventional character we already know he can play in his sleep--Roy Demeo, a ruthless mafioso for whom Richard works for the greater part of the movie. Director Ariel Vromen doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel here as far as gangster movies go, but if he did anything right is is live up to the title of the film by making each scene more intense than the last, capturing his actors at their finest.

Shannon, who is known for extremely dry performances in which the audience never really knows whether they should laugh or cry (or do both), is both quietly enigmatic relentlessly malicious throughout the entire film. He emits little to no emotion, even when we watch him make his first kill--a harmless vagrant on the street begging for cash who he takes out in broad daylight. But it's this monstrous tone that is so eloquently balanced by the burdened character he plays in front of his wife and kids.

To portray a man like Richard, someone so emotionally vacant and who can easily separate himself from his own heinous acts, you need an actor like Shannon who can dig deep and find the humanity in a seemingly soulless being. With the help of Vromen and co-writer Morgan Land's taut screenplay, we get a significant glimpse into Richard's abusive childhood and his strained relationship with his jailed brother, Joey (surprisingly played by Stephen Dorff). But, in doing so, the film is careful to not force sympathy from the audience. Rather, it uses scenes, like Richard visiting Joey in prison to intimidate him from calling his home, to reveal his desperation to remove himself from his tortured past and align himself further with this vicious self-made alter ego to which he has committed.

THE ICEMAN is made more fascinating to watch by the relationships Richard acquires throughout his life, both professionally and personally, however futile or manipulative. But perhaps the most enthralling is seeing Shannon mask the role of thug and daintily balance family life. As much as he tries to create a divide between his two personas, as things go it falls apart at times.

Deborah Pellicotti (Winona Ryder) in The Iceman

Winona Ryder, an actress who has made a career out of playing varied shades of dark characters, is right in her element as Richard's somewhat oblivious wife, Deborah. Where Shannon's stoicism and terseness paints Richard as unaffected, Ryder's Deborah is a softer version of him. While she starts off as a meek and naive young woman in the '60s (when we first meet her), she gradually is molded into a embittered wife by time and circumstance. Ryder doesn't reveal Deborah's emotions right away, but when she does it's honest and even eerie in its unnerved delivery. She and Shannon make quite the hypnotic onscreen pair.

Two other actors whose performances should be called out for their sheer surprise is Chris Evans as Mr. Freezy, a man with whom Richard allies after his DeMeo tenure, and David Schwimmer, as DeMeo's sweatsuit-clad, ponytailed lapdog. While the two don't share any scenes together, they each serve their purposes in the gritty underbelly of the movie.

It won't sustain audiences with its perceivable, play-by-numbers plot, but THE ICEMAN is captivating with its performances and escalating tension. It's an absolute must-see.

Rating: B+ (**** out of ***** stars)

Watch the trailer for THE ICEMAN (which releases in theaters Friday):

Does Race Matter In Nonfiction Films With Universal Themes?

2013-04-28T19:39:00.002-04:00

Maria (Naomi Watts) in The Impossible

Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) in Argo

We asked this question on today's "Cinema in Noir." With the success of the drama, The Impossible starring Naomi Watts, we wondered what the story would have looked like if a Spanish actress played the role instead. The film is inspired by the true story of Spanish physician María Belón, whose family were victims of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.

While the film is moving and extremely well acted, the fact that the characters weren't portrayed by Spanish actors (in a film written and directed by Spanish filmmakers--director Juan Antonio Bayona and writer Sergio G. Sánchez) is deceiving. But Belón herself has reportedly stated that her race was not an important aspect in the portrayal, so she did not see a problem with the fact that it was switched in the movie. "We were the same," she said. "We had no race, no language, no nationality, no social standard. We were just the same.”

We talk about stereotypical portrayals on the show often, so to finally have a role that doesn't offer a generalization of the Latino character be essentially whitewashed on the big screen is very unfortunate, even if it was done for U.S. marketing reasons. But if the real-life character is okay with it, should we be as well?

The same goes for Tony Mendez, whose story inspired Argo. While he doesn't identify himself as a Latino (despite having Mexican roots), Ben Affleck, who played him in the movie, certainly isn't Latino. But, again, does it matter what the actor's race is in a film where it is of no consequence to the story or quality? Share your thoughts below.

On the show we also discussed the latest in casting news, including Dwight Henry's (Beasts of the Southern Wild) new role in the Marvin Gaye biopic, Sexual Healing. Jonathan Hailey of the Urban Daily also joined the show to give his thoughts on the topic of the day and a fairly scathing review of director Michael Bay's newest film, Pain & Gain, starring Dwayne Johnson, Mark Wahlberg and Anthony Mackie (the #1 movie in America).

Catch the full episode of today's "Cinema in Noir" below:

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FIRST LOOK: Thor's New Battle, Loki's Angry Hair, And Jane's Return In THOR: THE DARK WORLD

2013-04-23T13:34:00.004-04:00

THOR geeks, gird your loins! The hammered hero, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his pissed off brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), are back for more underworld action, but this time they've got even more to contend with than each other.

The first trailer for THOR: THE DARK WORLD, the second installment of the Marvel comic book franchise, reportedly picks up right where last year's The Avengers ended, which, you may remember, left things pretty wide open for Loki's return. But in this latest adventure, Thor's got a new problem--the ancient Dark Elves race that will stop at nothing to send the universe back into darkness. Needless to say, it is up to Thor to take on this daunting battle. More on the film after the jump (from Screerant):

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, “Thor: The Dark World” is directed by Alan Taylor, produced by Kevin Feige, from a story by Don Payne (credit not final) and screenplay by Christopher Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (credit not final) and is based on Marvel’s classic Super Hero Thor, who first appeared in the comic book “Journey into Mystery” #83 in August, 1962.

“Thor: The Dark World” is presented by Marvel Studios. The executive producers are Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Victoria Alonso, Craig Kyle and Nigel Gostelow. The film releases November 8, 2013, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

This Malekith fella is played by Christopher Eccleston, who I vaguely remember from The Others and 28 Days Later...(it's clear he's got a penchant for the darker fare). It seems that all the actors from the previous movie have reprised their roles in the new film. Even Natalie Portman, who I wasn't much a fan of in the first movie, but that was also on account of the fact that her character as a whole was a bit silly to me (and needlessly meddling).

Speaking of the Oscar winner, in the trailer it looks like the villains are using her character, Jane (Thor's abandoned love interest from the first film), as bait for Thor. Which means he's gonna be that much more salty about the whole Dark Elves situation. With that in mind, we may see a softer side of Thor that we didn't see as much in the first film.

The clip shows the impending battle (which is gloriously shot, by the way), and also spotlights the ongoing rift between Thor and Loki (who's sporting extra angry hair these days). We also catch a glimpse of a few new characters in the franchise.

While I was looking forward to seeing what director Patty Jenkins (Monster) would do with the movie (she was previously signed on to helm the project), judging by the trailer it looks like Alan Taylor (who's had a pretty impressive TV career) really did his thing. Screenwriters Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, none of whom are unfamiliar to the world of animation and comics, penned the script.

Watch the trailer:

I know we should be rooting for Thor, but Loki is just so thrilling to watch.

THOR: THE DARK WORLD heads to theaters November 8th.

The Many Women Of Don Draper

2013-04-22T21:10:00.000-04:00

DON DRAPER (JON HAMM), the leading man on TV’s “Mad Men,” may not be a role-model husband, or even an amicable business partner. But there is no denying his ability to attract any woman within a thirty mile radius.

Throughout the show’s six seasons, we’ve dissected, admired and even hated on Don’s swag. But we all know that behind every Don Draper, there are several (if not more) remarkable women with their own stories. Click through and find out how they drove this Madison Avenue Man…mad.

BETTY FRANCIS (JANUARY JONES):
Poor misunderstood, perpetually hormonal, bitter ex-wife, Betty. She is by far Don’s most complex love interest to date. Polarizing by nature, but compelling with each growing peculiarity, Betty would be damned before she submits to the level of side piece. After spending years together with Don, raising their three kids and sharing in his ups and downs, Betty knows a part of Don that he allows few to see. But while Don juggles two identities, Betty struggles to develop one outside of his.

MEGAN DRAPER (JESSICA PARÉ):

The latest entry in Don’s wife-of-the-month club, Megan is fluent in French seduction. But she first swept Don off his feet with her natural maternal instincts, after his split with Betty left a vacancy in the role of part-time mother to his children. Charmingly ditzy, but alert when you least expect it, Megan embodies that perfect balance of style and substance. Need convincing? Just watch this sexy clip from season five’s opener:

RACHEL MENKEN (MAGGIE SIFF):Don’s former fling, the elegant Rachel, was one of the only women in his little black book who was a proud independent businesswoman. She counted on no man for money, shelter or social status, and she let that be known to Don (who, if you haven’t already noticed, is a bit intimated by strong women). Though their friendship with benefits didn't last very long, Rachel’s departure undoubtedly left a lasting effect on Don’s ego.

SYLVIA ROSEN(LINDA CARDELLINI):
Don’s newest jumpoff became one of the “Did you see that?” moments on the sixth season premiere. Hardcore apologists for Don were thrilled that he had seemingly turned over a new leaf, revealing himself as the one-woman man to Megan that they’d always hoped he could be. That is, until they saw him steaming up the sheets with this buxom brunette at the end of the episode. You hear that? That’s the sound of dreams collapsing.

SUZANNE FARRELL (ABIGAIL SPENCER):

A woman who might have had Don’s heart, Suzanne was a sweet, caring schoolteacher who was at first hesitant about engaging in an affair with Don (who was married to Betty at the time). But once the two spent more time together, Don felt a connection unlike any other we’ve seen. More than simply lovers, Don and Suzanne were genuine friends that were there for each other in their time of need. Don even tried to help her shady brother out of sticky situation, showing her that he wasn’t just some sleazy guy trying to get in her pants. And when he ended things between them, despite her heartbreak she wished him well. If only every break-up was this touching.

BETHANY VAN NUYS (ANNA CAMP):
Every dude needs that PYT to flash in front of his ex once they break up. For Don, it was Bethany, who was basically a younger, wide-eyed version of Betty. She may not have had the scruples to carry on a provocative conversation with Don, but who needs brains when you’ve got a checkmate?

MIDGE DANIELS (ROSEMARIE DEWITT):
Before the TV show “Girls” came around, wannabe artist/liberal/junkie Midge Daniels first put hot mess hipsters on the map. A complete opposite from her A-lined female counterparts on the show, Midge may not have ever been able to sell one of her bootleg paintings, but she always had a full drug stash. Unlike anyone else we’ve ever seen Don date, Midge epitomized the anti-establishment. She was also the only woman who left Don tongue-tied and unnerved.

ANNA DRAPER (MELINDA PAGE HAMILTON):
Anna, Don’s first bride from his previous life, remains the only character—male or female—who knows the real Don Draper, perhaps even better that he knows himself. Despite the fact that he stole her husband’s identity, Don has somewhat amended this façade by forming a healthy friendship with her that often borders on that between a mother and son. While it wasn’t a romantic relationship, it was surely the best one we’ve seen Don have. No matter who Don’s with, Anna will always be his life partner in spirit.

This post was originally published by The Urban Daily.

"Cinema in Noir" Question of the Day: Who are the Best Single Female Characters on TV and Film?

2013-04-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

Lana Kane on TV's "Archer"

That's what we pondered on tonight's episode of "Cinema in Noir." From Kenya in Something New and Miranda on "Sex and the City," to Lana Kane on "Archer and Eva Mendes in Girl in Progress, there have certainly been a variety of depictions of the single woman. But what we learned on the show is that we are most compelled to watch the stories of a single woman who is not just the perfect archetype, but a more interesting and flawed character to which we may be able to relate.

We also interviewed Ashley Blaine, star of the online dating web series, "Hello, Cupid," and got to talking about our perceptions of one another in the dating game, colorism in the single community, and the unique challenges we experience as single women of color.

Lastly, we discussed the latest casting headlines, including all three projects Will Smith has lined up and what's next for Wesley Snipes.

Catch a recap of tonight's episode here:

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(Review) OBLIVION Looks Absolutely Stunning but Struggles with a Shaky Plot

2013-04-18T22:49:00.000-04:00

Let it be known, there are moments of greatness in the new sci-fi movie starring Tom Cruise, OBLIVION. But you've got to weed through some of the less impressive moments in the film to get to them.

The premise is there: Cruise plays Jack, one half of a futuristic clean-up crew in charge of protecting the drones from the aliens that wiped out human civilization 60 years ago (the film is set in the year 2077). Jack's right hand woman, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough), is also his sort of girlfriend (or coworker with benefits?). She coordinates Jack's missions from the safety of their uber cool space loft using an even niftier computer that could have easily been borrowed from Minority Report (an earlier, better Cruise film).

The beginning of the film pretty much shows off its sleek silvery glaze and special effects, and establishes the ambiguous relationship between Victoria and Jack, leading up to the first (of many) scenes where Jack's curiosity gets the best of him and almost costs him his life.

Here's the thing: The more Jack wanders outside the domain of the mission, the more he begins to remember things about his distant past (before the apparent war that vanquished the planet). You notice right away that Victoria is deeply unsettled by his findings (however minimal and virtually unsupported, at first), which triggers an effective amount of tension in the movie. Jack's suspicions put him directly in the path of danger, and his first encounter with Julia (Olga Kurylenko), a survivor he recovers from a wreckage.

Julia enters the film (roughly about a half hour in) is right around the time when it switches gears and moves from a standard fighting-off-killer-drones sci-fi film, to something that tries to be much deeper. All of a sudden, Jack's mission is questioned, along with his identity and the circumstances which brought him here.

Then comes the long, choppy explanations of what could be happening and what could explain what Jack is really doing here. But, between his general hypothesizing and director Joseph Kosinski's ping pong with the plot (moving from Jack's vision of his reality and the actual reality of what is happening), it's difficult to grasp. It begins in a thrilling, plot-twisty kind of way, but evolves into a messy, you-lost-control-of-the-story kind of way. It's just not seamless.

While the film fights desperately to tug at our heartstrings (and, to its credit, it succeeds at times), we're still unsure whether what we're watching is real.

Things are made clearer when Beech (Morgan Freeman, in an off-kilter yet refreshing role for him) comes into the picture. Without giving too much away, he's the guy who puts all the pieces together in Jack's puzzle. Similar to the Morpheus character from The Matrix, Beech is the leader of a rebel crew Jack comes upon during one of his misguided adventures.

Just when you think you have it all figured out (and are somewhat satisfied by it), Kosinski adds another piece to the puzzle. In an attempt to tie a bow on the film by employing a philosophical tone to the movie (only once suggested at its start), references to a book (the Bible?), God, and how a man can die better take center stage. This is completely unnecessary, and only muddies an already shaky yet adequate execution.

In fact, the film, which runs a bit over two hours, should probably end about 20 minutes before it does. Instead, we get a bunch of rambled explanations in droll sequences we could have done without.

The performances range from effective to serviceable, with Kurylenko rounding out the latter end, sadly. While Julia's identity isn't revealed until near the end of the movie, Kurylenko does very little to add depth to the role. She should be the heart of the movie, but instead comes off surprisingly stale (especially coming off her far more absorbing portrayal in To the Wonder). Melissa Leo plays Sally, who literally lives inside of a computer the whole time, controlling the goings on of the Jack and Victoria partnership. Leo dons an inexplicable southern drawl and is completely underused in the role.

Obviously, OBLIVION is not without its flaws. But its impeccable action scenes and stunning cinematography are where it thrives. Kosinski, who penned the screenplay (based on his own comic book) with Karl Gajdusek (Trespass) and Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3), struggles with the story, but does manage to create a glossy world where nothing is as it seems. It's a shame that its poor editing inhibits what could have been a memorable movie.

Rating: C+ (**1/2 out of *****)

OBLIVION is in theaters Friday.

The First Trailer for R.I.P.D. Makes it Look like MEN IN BLACK with Dead People

2013-04-17T22:12:00.002-04:00

Well, I don't...quite know what to make of this. On the one hand, this trailer for the action comedy R.I.P.D. looks like Men in Black if agents J and K were both dead. On the other? It's Ryan Reynolds, who, if I may say, should be trying to attach himself to projects similar to his underrated performance in the 2010 drama, Buried, and not...this kind of thing.

And, let's not forget, Oscar winner Jeff Bridges is playing the J to his K. It seems he hasn't been living up to his full potential lately either. Robert Schwentke (Red) directed the film, and screenwriter Phil Hay (Clash of the Titans) adapted the film from Peter M. Lenkov's graphic novel.

So, needless to say, while the effects and chemistry between the two stars look all fine and dandy, the rest just seems a bit bland for my tastes. Here's a little about the movie (from Collider):

Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds headline the 3D supernatural action-adventure R.I.P.D. as two cops dispatched by the otherworldly Rest In Peace Department to protect and serve the living from an increasingly destructive array of souls who refuse to move peacefully to the other side.

Veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people. His mission? To arrest and bring to justice a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth.

Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork. When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, two of R.I.P.D.’s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance…or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.

Oh, it looks like it has funny moments too. So there's that. R.I.P.D. releases in theaters July 19th.

Katniss and Peeta Learn That the Odds are Never in Their Favor in the New Trailer for THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

2013-04-16T13:31:00.001-04:00

Am I the only one who geeks out over cool motion posters?

You may remember that after watching the first Hunger Games movie last year, I had a few questions about characters and how the city of Panem became what it was (I also wondered why Katniss was so perplexed about which guy she'd choose, when Gale is clearly the hotter one, but that question was less important...I suppose).

Since then I've devoured all three books in author Suzanne Collins' series, which may have a YA slant but I found myself captivated by each tale's political themes and pop culture commentary. So, as you can imagine, I waited with baited breath for the first look at the film adaptation of the second series, CATCHING FIRE. With director Francis Lawrence taking the reigns from Gary Ross (who directed the first film), I didn't know what to expect (I find it hard to trust a guy who directed the pitiful I am Legend). Simon Beaufoy (Oscar winner for Slumdog Millionaire) and Michael Arndt (Oscar winner for Little Miss Sunshine) penned the script, which should make this that much more interesting.

But, you know what? The trailer looks a-mazing. The sheer tension, dilapidated landscape and flamboyant costumes add to the heavy tone of the book. The gravity of Katniss (Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta's (Josh Hutcherson) fateful situation becomes even more dire (as wonderfully depicted in the clip below), and we get to see shady characters Plutarch (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, perfectly cast) and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) hard at work. Along with newcomer to the project, Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone and Sam Claflin join the cast as young assassins Johanna and Finnick with Jeffrey Wright as Beetee, a contestant from another district. Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, and Woody Harrelson also reprise their roles as stylist Cinna, District 12 (Panem) coordinator Effie, game host Caesar and the sullen yet useful Haymitch (respectively).

Judging by the trailer, it looks like they remain very true to the book as well, even capturing the small but poignant scene with Gale (Liam Hemsworth) getting whipped in the central. The only thing I question is the military scenes present in the clip. From what I recall (and please correct me if I'm wrong; it's been a few months since I've read the book), the military aspect was introduced in the third book, Mockingjay, not the second book. So maybe the scenes shown here are just a a prelude? I'm not sure.

Anyway, in case you're unfamiliar with CATCHING FIRE, here's an official synopsis:

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” begins as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

Anyone else excited? CATCHING FIRE hits theaters November 22nd.

Black Film Kickstarter Campaigns and Hollywood's Depiction of Racism on Today's "Cinema in Noir"

2013-04-14T19:37:00.001-04:00

Would you donate money toward a Kickstarter campaign for a black film? That's what we asked on today's "Cinema in Noir." With the success of the Veronica Mars movie Kickstarter campaign, we examine the impact that Kickstarter has and what it could do for black film adaptions that are long overdue ("The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" anyone?).

We also discuss the level of responsibility a Hollywood film has in its depiction of racism. It seems the new Jackie Robinson movie, 42 (the #1 movie in theaters now), has gotten folks saying that it glazed over certain racial aspects of the athlete's story. Coming off the heels of the much talked about Django Unchained last year, which some say was too overt in its portrayal of racism, it seems like there's always going to be some talk about how to do it, how often to do it and which directors get a pass? That said, we talk about the pressure of making a black film that deals with racism and how we can approach it moving forward.

Lastly, we talk about the latest film headlines: David Alan Grier and Anika Noni Rose cast in the Hallmark movie adaption of the Coretta Scott King Award-winning book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham and news of an updated film version of the recent Tony Award-winning musical, Porgy and Bess (directed by Spike Lee?).

Missed the show? Catch it here:

Listen to internet radio with KimberlyRenee on Blog Talk Radio

(Review) TO THE WONDER: A Well-Acted But Disjointed Pseudo Silent Film

2013-04-11T23:45:00.001-04:00

Olga Kurylenko and Ben Affleck in To the Wonder

As you probably have gathered from my tepid review of director Terrence Malick's last film, The Tree of Life, I'm not exactly the president of his fan club. While I am in awe of the gorgeous cinematography in his films and his unmatched ability to capture the beauty in simplicity, I remain wholly unaffected by his storytelling.

But TO THE WONDER, while it still has a few of his trademarks, has a different effect than its predecessor. With themes involving deteriorated relationships, false assimilation and the absolution of emotions, the film aims to resonate on a deeper level. The characters are people you would know, going through situations you might have experienced.

However, the characters never actually speak to one another, you know, out loud. Much of the film is in voice-over narration, in three different languages (Spanish, French and English) with subtitles, and there are three somewhat intertwining stories that often vacillate in time. They often react operatically, silently moving toward or drifting from the action around them with giant gestures or lingering gazes. This forces them to mime their emotions as we hear their internal struggle and interpretation of the events and feelings around them. In some scenes this is effective, in others it isn't. And, like many Malick films, it is so arresting to look at you almost forget to listen to the dialogue (or, in this case, you may forget to stare at the dialogue).

But it takes more than beautiful Kodak moments and lingering themes to sell a movie. The performances must be there. Which brings us to Ben Affleck who plays Neil, the main character around whom each story revolves. This is a complete departure from Affleck's typical brooding and above-it-all type, and he appears visibly uncomfortable in Neil's skin. Neil is a somewhat sullen blue-collar worker, who revels in complacency. He is married to Marina (Olga Kurylenko), a French woman who comes to the U.S. on a VISA marriage proposal. It's hard to say that she falls in love with Neil, but she respectfully feels very deeply for him. And she tries her hardest to love him enough for the both of them.

Kurylenko

That quickly proves futile when she realizes that Neil is completely detached from emotion; she is in the relationship by herself. As her frustration builds, exquisitely portrayed by Kurylenko, Neil becomes farther distant. But, rather than humanizing Neil, Affleck comes across blank and at times not present in the scene. It's especially difficult to watch in scenes he shares with Kurylenko, who can literally be shot strictly from the neck up and compel you more than Affleck's entire 6-foot-something frame. Her face is so expressive it's hard not to fall for Marina, even when she falters. Meanwhile, Affleck remains exceedingly vacant the whole movie.

In fact, the one time Affleck really comes alive in the movie is during a scene which calls for anger over Marina's betrayal. You can almost see him channel The Town then. But then he quickly recoils back to being stoic. Though, in his defense, Neil isn't really written with a whole lot of depth. For a character who really circumvents the movie, Malick didn't offer much of an anchor or a reason to focus your attention on him.

I'm not sure whether that was intentional, or whether it mattered more how other characters fed off his energy, how they reacted to him and what they became as a result of it. In the end, he comes off as merely a centerpiece in the middle of a much more interesting puzzle.

Affleck and Rachel McAdams

Take, for instance, Neil's brief encounter with Jane (Rachel McAdams), a woman with whom he finds a flicker of a connection once Marina is out of the picture. She inexplicably falls for him, in a way which is not reciprocated on any profound level, which of course disappoints her. While McAdams is serviceable in the role, Jane comes across as a distraction to both Neil and the movie. She doesn't elevate the film, and fails to even stir Neil's flaws.

Javier Bardem

Another character who doesn't exactly connect with the rest of the film is Father Quitana (portrayed as well as one could by Javier Bardem). He is another one in the movie whose story is theoretically bare, but Bardem makes him the most interesting to watch. He embodies the sullenness of Neil, the overwhelming frustration of Marina and the emptiness of Jane into one character, a priest, who's consumed so much of everyone else's sins and confessions that he lost sense of himself. He wears their every emotion on his face, without saying one word. Quitana's internal struggle becomes immediately clear in Bardem's performance. Even with the persistent voice-over narration, Quitana becomes a fully realized character.

It's a shame the rest of the movie isn't as effective. The intention is there, and the performances (sans Affleck) are at the very least committed. But the film could have benefited from tighter editing and spoken dialogue (there is one scene of spoken dialogue between Marina and a fellow import that is so evocative but sadly too brief), which also could have made certain scenes more trenchant. Though Malick has a knack for enhancing the mood of each scene with stunning visual effects, it's not enough to boost the film. Ultimately, TO THE WONDER warily becomes a very pretty mash-up of emotion that never fully connects with the audience.

Rating: C+

New Images from the Sci-Fi Film, OBLIVION (Starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman)

2013-04-11T21:07:00.003-04:00

You guys already know how much I love my little pint-size action figurine, Tom Cruise, so you won't be surprised to learn that I am counting down the days until I see OBLIVION (his newest sci-fi film written and directed by Joseph Kosinski that I first previewed here).

Universal Pictures just unleashed a heap of new images from the movie you can gawk at below:

Tom Cruise (l) and Morgan Freeman (r)

Cruise

Olga Kurylenko (l) and Cruise (r)

Andrea Riseborough

Nikolaj Koster-Waldau (l) and Cruise (r)

Cruise

Kurylenko

Freeman

Is Morgan Freeman channeling Morpheus from The Matrix? Whatever, who wants to see OBLIVION with me when it opens in theaters April 19th?

DISTRICT 9 Director Neill Blomkamp Releases First Trailer for His Upcoming Sci-Fi Film, ELYSIUM, Starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster

2013-04-10T00:19:00.003-04:00

Someone mentioned on twitter a few days ago that there's been a real meh reaction to many trailers released earlier this year, and I definitely agree. As I've stated before, I've been quite numb watching a few of these trailers, many that seem to pop right out of a generic trailer dispenser by the dozen.

But, I've got to tell you, there's something very intriguing about this new trailer for the upcoming sci-fi film starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, ELYSIUM. Though the background score sounds like it was borrowed from Prometheus, the intensity of the clip truly grabs me. However, the movie is written and directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, who helmed 2009's District 9 (which I did not love). I do appreciate, though, that he seems to not attach himself to the generic, which works in his favor. A little more about the movie below (from Collider):

In the year 2159 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard line government ofﬁcial, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

I'm always down for an exploration of political strife in a futuristic film. And it looks like ELYSIUM may do a good job tackling that, especially with its two A-list stars. Also, when was the last great Jodie Foster film? She's a tremendous actress and deserves roles that show off her range. Damon, however, seems to have a steady stream of decent to amazing films under his belt, and he surely has revived the thinking man action star. In any case, check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Will you watch ELYSIUM when it releases in theaters August 9th?

Actress Erika Alexander Explains Why She Wrote a "Mad Men" Episode With Black Characters

2013-04-09T23:16:00.001-04:00

Teyonah Parris (l) and Elisabeth Moss (r) in "Mad Men"

This is a subject we've talked about a few times on Cinema in Noir, and I hear it's been on many others' minds. It's about adding characters of color to films and on various TV shows. In an often colorless movie or TV series, there's always a question of how the characters of color fit into the equation, and where's their side of the story?

This brings me to the popular TV drama, "Mad Men." If you're a fan like me, you were glued to the tube on Sunday for its sixth season premiere on AMC. In case you're not familiar, the show follows an ad agency in 1960s New York City, and the trials and the complex personal lives of those who work there. The series has been pretty good about detailing the overall gender politics both in the office and at home, but--even though the show is set during this particularly turbulent decade, politically--it has yet to explore more deeply the racial politics outside of the views of the somewhat disconnected main characters on the show. Just imagine how much the show would benefit from the perspective of a character of color.

Actress Erika Alexander

That's where Erika Alexander's interesting new blog entry comes in. A friend sent me a post written by the actress, best known for her TV roles on "Living Single" and "The Cosby Show." In addition to her varied TV work, including upcoming projects through 2014, she has apparently been writing and pitching TV shows left and right in Hollywood for years. And as a self-proclaimed fan of "Mad Men," she recently penned a re-imagined arc for the show, with the addition of principle African-American characters and plotlines.

So I thought this would be something cool to share with you, as an example of how to eliminate tokenism and provide a universally themed arc that utilizes the actors to their full potential and fleshes out their characters' development. It can be done, and done well.

You can find Alexander's full blog post here. And here's her spec titled, "Mad Men Uptown Saturday Night." It's actually pretty good. I'd watch it.

Read it yourself and share your thoughts below.