This first trailer for a new thriller called Passengers starring Anne Hathaway and directed by Rodrigo García (who wrote episodes of In Treatment and has directed shows including Six Feet Under) is puzzling for several reasons. For one thing I haven't heard all that much about it, even though it opens next month. For another, it's difficult to understand what specifically this is about.
Here's the plot as IMDB understands it: "After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire (Anne Hathaway), is assigned by her mentor (Andre Braugher) to counsel the flight's five survivors. When they share their recollections of the incident — which some say include an explosion that the airline claims never happened — Claire is intrigued by Eric (Patrick Wilson), the most secretive of the passengers."
In the preview there is talk of special gifts that the survivors suddenly have and other worlds and stuff like that. I really like the cast, and the premise gives me chills, but there is something kind of off about it. It's almost cheesy, actually, though it also reminds me a little of that show The Nine, which I liked even if nobody else did.
Passengers opens Oct. 24. To check out the trailer for yourself, read more
In charming civic-type news, The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" has been nominated for official Oklahoma rock song, apparently the token indie rock entry in a list that includes the likes of Elvis Presley and, well, Oklahoma. As Pitchfork writes:
"Oklahoma already has an official state song ("Oklahoma," from the musical, natch), a state folk song, and a state country-and-western tune. What they don't have just yet is an official state rock'n'roll song. And that is where you come in."
The state legislature has ordered Oklahomans to vote here before Nov. 15 — though as far as I can tell, anyone can vote, 'cause the computer has no way of knowing whether or not you're an Oklahoman — for whichever rock song you like.
This is a pretty fun idea, so I think we should start thinking of the official rock songs for the rest of the 49 states! For example, it seems to me Washington should probably at least nominate "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana as one of theirs (it seems the Evergreen State only has a state folk song). Maybe something from my 50 Songs for 50 States challenge could get you started.
What do you think? What other songs would you nominate for which states?
Source and Source
I don't think it will be a revolutionary statement that how one feels about Alan Ball's new HBO series, True Blood, will have a lot to do with how one generally feels about vampires. Me, they've never really been my thing; they're OK and all, but the mere mention of fangs wouldn't necessarily get me to tune in. This review, then, is for (and by) the vampire-agnostic.
So here's the takeaway: I don't doubt at all that True Blood could develop into a deeply fascinating series for people at all points on the vampire-fan spectrum. But in the two episodes HBO sent me, the vampire parts were something I just needed to get through so I could get back to Alan Ball's witty writing in the more human realm. The second episode is stronger than the first; I've heard from some critics who got a full batch of five episodes that each one gets better. But the fate of many a TV series has been determined in episode one, and in True Blood's case, that's cause for some concern.
True Blood's protagonist is Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a Louisiana waitress with an unfortunate "gift" for reading people's minds that makes her daily life a struggle to tune out the thoughts of those around her. It's somewhat of a relief, then, when a pale stranger named Bill (Stephen Moyer) settles himself into her bar one night and asks for a drink of Tru Blood, the synthetic blood substitute that has made it possible for vampires to live among humans. Sookie can't read his mind but still quickly figures out that Bill's a vampire; "Am I that obvious?" he drawls in return. Why yes; you just asked for fake blood at a bar at night. It's not hard to guess. For more on the highs and lows of True Blood, just read more
What does an Oscar-winning movie look like when translated onto the small screen, with an entirely different cast and set of stories? That's the question Crash will have to answer when it premieres on Starz next month.
The 2006 Best Picture's producers (including Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco) are on board for the 13-episode series, which features nine new characters with intersecting lives as they travel through Los Angeles. Save for Dennis Hopper, who's playing an aging maverick record producer, the cast features mostly unknown or little-known actors (DB Sweeney and Jocko Sims may be the best-known of the bunch).
When we first talked about the show, most of you said you wouldn't be interested in watching. I'm wondering if any of the new video footage of the show changes your mind. After the jump, you can see a quick preview, but the better taste is the full trailer, which you can see over on the show's website. Leaving aside the issue of whether you actually have Starz, does this look like a show you'd watch when it premieres Oct. 17? To watch the preview, just read more
Normally when '80s remake news makes its way to my computer screen, my knee-jerk reaction is something like, "People! Get some creativity and let that decade rest in peace already!" This morning, however, I read several confirmations that Ghostbusters 3 is in the works and surprised myself by feeling very, very excited.
I think there are several reasons for this including:
- It has a good chance of not sucking, because it's in very capable hands. Two Emmy-nominated writers from The Office, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, have been recruited "to work on a new installment of the 1980s franchise that starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Harold Ramis as bumbling ghost-hunting scientists."
- The Hollywood Reporter also notes that "the original filmmakers, including director Ivan Reitman, and cast are aware of the project and involved in its development." Blessing from original director and cast? Another excellent sign.
- And finally, it appears that we may get the best of both worlds cast-wise. Variety says the idea is to get the old gang back together in some capacity, while the Hollywood Reporter says that while original cast members may appear, the focus will be on a new group of ghostbusters. Either way, all signs point to some infusion of new talent. For example, E! has a quote from Dan Aykroyd implying he would love to have the Apatow comedy troupe involved. This is a good thing, because I'd hate to see the old ghostbusters strapping on their proton packs only to complain about how heavy they suddenly feel. I'd be worried a movie that only reunites the old cast one last time would feel too much like Wild Hogs.
So while there's a lot still up in the air, this news gets a big fat yay from me so far! What do you think? Are you excited for a third installment of this movie, and does it sound to you like it could actually be good? What actors would you want to see in a potential new cast? If you're not as pumped as I am yet, I dug up a little music video that I think might do the trick, so read more
Citizens of Humanity
Luella
Achile