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
The 2008 Primetime Emmy Awards are fast approaching! Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be taking a closer look at the nominees in several major categories and offering my guesses for who's most likely to win in these Emmy Breakdowns. Today's category is Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series; click "Start" to see my thoughts, and don't forget to vote at the end!
The movie adaptation, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, will be out on Oct. 3, which is right when we will have completed the book. Plus, this has been on my reading list for a long time, so what better excuse to get to it? You can check out the trailer here.
For those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works: I'll announce a new book each month. Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in September). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.
To find out what Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is all about and to get the first assignment, read more
One of the most interesting pieces of box office news this past weekend was the Labor Day sales bump for Mamma Mia!. The movie was in its seventh week in theaters, but it actually saw its sales go up after several weeks of drops. Getting most of the credit: special sing-along screenings in almost 300 theaters, which alone brought in $1.2 million over the long weekend. Hey, I can understand — who hasn't belted a cheesy ABBA tune or two in their day?
Of course, Mamma Mia! is just the latest in a tradition of sing-along screenings. Hairspray held some sing-along events, there was a popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer sing-along (until it got itself in trouble with Fox), and of course there's the king of all sing-alongs, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Heck, even R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet got some sing-alongs earlier this year. So I'm wondering: Have you ever been to one of these events? Tell me your stories in the comments!
Jenna Dewan walked down the street in Beverly Hills looking extremely chic and poised. Her structured white blazer framed her body perfectly, and paired well over her draped fringe Haute Hippie halter which she wore with denim leggings and over-the-knee brown boots.
Splendid
Peacocks
Christian Louboutin