POPSUGAR Entertainment

What to Rent Feb 05, 2013

What to Rent: New DVDs This Week

Alex Cross and Deadfall are also available on DVD this week.

by Maggie Pehanick

Alex Cross and Deadfall are also available on DVD this week.

Denzel Washington is up for an Oscar for his performance as Whip, a pilot who miraculously lands his plane during a catastrophe, in Robert Zemeckis's dramatic disaster movie. Though he saves most of the flight's passengers, questions arise when it comes to light that Whip may have been under the influence while commanding the plane. The initial crash sequence may be traumatizing for those prone to flight fear, but once the action ends, the dramatic story gives way for Washington to impress in a subtle performance that can be difficult to watch at times. The DVD comes with featurettes and highlights from a cast Q&A.

77%

Celeste & Jesse Forever

Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones star as exes who still share a special connection after their marriage has dissolved. Their friends (including Ari Graynor and Eric Christian Olsen) find their relationship to be borderline inappropriate, but Celeste and Jesse are determined to stay best friends, until certain circumstances force them to decide to get back together or end their relationship for good. The movie is charming and relatable, and the leads are as endearing as the film's complementary soundtrack.

69%

One more release after the jump.

Box Office Oct 15, 2012

Box Office: Taken 2 Triumphs Over New Releases

Liam Neeson's action sequel Taken 2 took first place at the box office for the second weekend in a row, earning $22.5 million and trumping new films Argo, which took in $20.1 million, and Sinister, which earned $18.3 million.

by Maggie Pehanick

Liam Neeson's action sequel Taken 2 took first place at the box office for the second weekend in a row, earning $22.5 million and trumping new films Argo, which took in $20.1 million, and Sinister, which earned $18.3 million. Hotel Transylvania fell to fourth place with $17.3 million, and Kevin James's MMA story, Here Comes the Boom, earned $12 million and fifth place in its debut. The week's other new release, Seven Psychopaths, took in $4.3 million.

movie reviews Oct 12, 2012

3 Reasons You Might Like Here Comes the Boom — and 3 Reasons You Might Not

Kevin James is known for playing lovable buffoons, but he shapes up (literally and figuratively) to take on a meatier role requiring less joviality and more focus in Here Comes the Boom.

by Maggie Pehanick

Kevin James is known for playing lovable buffoons, but he shapes up (literally and figuratively) to take on a meatier role requiring less joviality and more focus in Here Comes the Boom. He plays Scott Voss, a one-time Teacher of the Year who has inexplicably fallen into a slump, coming in late for class and phoning it in with his students. He is ignited into action when his school loses funding and may have to cut extracurriculars. Scott takes on teaching classes at night, but when his measly paycheck doesn't look like it'll make a dent in the school's deficit, the former college wrestler elects to raise the money by training to be a mixed-martial arts fighter. It's a pretty implausible story, but despite its tepid first half, I was surprised to find myself rooting for Scott by the movie's close. Before you head to the theater this weekend, check out my reasons why this might be the film for you — and why you might want to avoid it.

Why you might like it:

It's Kevin James like you've never seen him before. This is the first time I've seen James play a character that's less than affable. He's cocky yet lazy and he's largely unlikeable for much of the film, and playing against type makes James interesting to watch. It's not just his character that's a departure either; his physical transformation into a legitimately believable fighter is pretty incredible as well.
The fight scenes are intense and well shot. Scott starts out as a small-time fighter in back-alley matches, but eventually works his way up to a professional-level fight in Vegas. This last fight (in which James fights a real-life MMA fighter) comes off as realistic, and that authenticity keeps the audience on their toes.
Henry Winkler is delightful. I'll say it: Henry Winkler is the coolest. Here he's playing Marty, the inspiring band teacher whose job is on the line with the threat of budget cuts. He's quirky but not over the top as he tags along with Scott to his training. His character adds a lot of heart to the film.

To see the reasons why Here Comes the Boom may not be for you, just read more

Salma Hayek at the Here Comes the Boom Premiere | Pictures

Adam Sandler Oct 10, 2012

Salma Hayek Goes Sexy and Strapless For Here Comes the Boom

Salma Hayek attended last night's NYC premiere of Here Comes the Boom.

by Lindsay Miller

Salma Hayek attended last night's NYC premiere of Here Comes the Boom. She wore a lacy, strapless Stella McCartney dress to debut the comedy with her leading man, Kevin James, and friends including Adam Sandler. The film hits theaters this weekend and is Salma's first release since the Summer's gritty Oliver Stone film, Savages. Salma followed up that project with some lighter fare, shooting Grown Ups 2 in June and July. Since then, Salma has been traveling widely with her husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, and their daughter, Valentina. Salma and Francois-Henri attended Paris Fashion Week earlier this month to support some of the fashion houses his company owns, including Balenciaga, where Salma was seated in the front row with fellow actress Kristen Stewart.

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Movies Oct 08, 2012

Movie Sneak Peek: Argo, Here Comes the Boom, and Seven Psychopaths

This weekend at the movies, Ben Affleck hatches a plot to rescue six stowaways in Argo, based on the real events that occurred during the Iran hostage crisis.

by Maggie Pehanick

This weekend at the movies, Ben Affleck hatches a plot to rescue six stowaways in Argo, based on the real events that occurred during the Iran hostage crisis. If that sounds a little intense for you, Kevin James is playing a high school biology teacher who trains to become an MMA fighter in hopes of winning the jackpot and funding his school's extracurricular programs in Here Comes the Boom. Then again, you could also just buy a ticket to gawk at Colin Farrell in Seven Psychopaths. Check out all the pictures and let us know what you'll be seeing this weekend.

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Celeste and Jesse Forever Jul 24, 2012

What's That Song? More Sweet Tunes From Recent Trailers

Back by popular demand, it's music from movie trailers!

by Maggie Pehanick

Back by popular demand, it's music from movie trailers! This time, I bring you the songs that caught my ear from the most recent crop of trailers. Can't find that catchy tune from the Goats trailer? Wondering what that melody was at the end of Celeste and Jesse Forever? Wanna work out to the pumpin' beats in the Jack Reacher trailer but you can't figure out what it is because there are no words? I got you covered. Check out all the trailers and songs and let us know which ones make it to your playlist (they're all on mine).

Photos courtesy of IFC Films, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, and Focus Features

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Comedies Jun 27, 2012

Here Comes the Boom Trailer: Kevin James Is an MMA Fighter

Kevin James shows a whole new (fitter) side of himself in the trailer for Here Comes the Boom.

by Maggie Pehanick

Kevin James shows a whole new (fitter) side of himself in the trailer for Here Comes the Boom. James stars as Scott Voss, a teacher whose school is faced with being shut down due to lack of funding. Scott rises to the occasion and takes it upon himself to raise the money necessary to keep his school open. How? By training to become an MMA fighter and winning a pot o' money, of course!

At first this seems like a straightforward Kevin James comedy, but I quickly realized Here Comes the Boom is a little deeper than Zookeeper. I like that it has a good balance of laughs and heart; I just hope that combination is as consistent in the movie as it is in the trailer. Salma Hayek also stars as Scott's fellow teacher and love interest (if you can wrap your head around the idea of her as an everywoman). The movie is set for release on Oct. 12, and you can watch the trailer after the jump.

Pictures of Salma Hayek Filming Here Comes the Boom

Salma Hayek May 14, 2011

Salma Hayek Wraps Up Cannes and Returns to Boston

Salma Hayek covered up in a robe between takes on Here Comes the Boom in Boston yesterday.

by Lauren Turner

Salma Hayek covered up in a robe between takes on Here Comes the Boom in Boston yesterday. She was back on set following a few busy weeks of traveling that started with an Easter getaway to Miami and ended with her recent visit to France. Salma was joined by Francois-Henri Pinault for the Cannes opening ceremony, and she also got playful with Antonio Banderas while promoting Puss in Boots at the festival this week. She chose to wear Gucci for both of her glamorous appearances, but the actress was a little more dressed down for her latest stint in front of the cameras. Salma started filming the project in April, though she's also been focused on the launch of her new beauty line, Salma Hayek's Nuance, for CVS.

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Pictures of Salma Hayek Filming Here Comes the Boom 2011-04-11 14:01:11

Salma Hayek Apr 11, 2011

Salma Hayek Makes a Sexy Appearance on Set

Salma Hayek was dressed up for another day of filming in Boston this afternoon.

by Lauren Turner

Salma Hayek was dressed up for another day of filming in Boston this afternoon. She worked on a scene for Here Comes the Boom at Logan Airport after arriving in the city with her daughter, Valentina, just last week. We haven't seen Valentina join in on the on-set fun like she did during Salma's last project, which brought the mother-daughter duo to Spain. Salma has more than movies in her future, though, since she's also introducing a beauty line inspired by her grandmother.