[Trailer] Iceman 3D
http://youtu.be/tiTjxT3GBWM
A friend of mine turned to Twitter recently to share his praise about Dragon. With nothing to do, I decided to watch the film per his suggestion. Unbeknownst to me, the film starred Donnie Yen, most known for his roles in Ip Man and Ip Man 2, two films fictionalizing the life of Wing Chun grandmaster (and Bruce Lee's mentor), Yip Man. Since Ip Man was released in 2008, Yen has found himself becoming Hong Kong's "it" man, and with good reason.
The upcoming Iceman 3D, a remake of 2008's The Iceman Cometh takes cues from Captain America's origin as the film is about two warriors from Ming Dynasty-era China finding themselves awaked in modern day Hong Kong after being frozen centuries ago. It'll be interesting to see how the film juxtaposes martial arts with modern police tactics as hinted in this trailer. I predict a lot of weapon disarming and the use of guns as blunt weapons. There's also a rumored seven minute fight sequence, which should prove to be awesome.
Unfortunately, the film is slated to be released in Spring 2014. Iceman 3D has had a few script and budget problems, but a trailer release is a good sign that production is on the right track. If you get the chance, I highly recommend streaming Ip Man, Ip Man 2, and/or Dragon on Netflix sometime this week so you can familiarize yourself with Yen's particular form of badassitude.
[Trailer] Don Jon
http://youtu.be/6615kYTpOSU
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of my favorite actors. Anybody that's seen the immaculate Brick knows that Gordon-Levitt's acting range and ability has grown since his days on Third Rock from the Sun. Outside of the acting sphere, he's also a purveyor of arts with his hitRECord initiative which helps writers, illustrators, photographers, and artists of all media to collaborate with one another to create something amazing. With Don Jon, Gordon-Levitt is adding a few extra feathers into his cap.
Don Jon is Gordon-Levitt's written and directorial feature-length film debut. Jon Martello (Gordon-Levitt) is your typical Jersey boy obsessed only with his car, his apartment, his body, his family, girls... and porn. Even after he meets the girl of his dreams (Scarlett Johansson), he just can't kick his porn addiction. I saw the film at SXSW and included it as one of my top films of the festival; it goes beyond typical romantic comedy film conventions. I won't spoil the film, but JGL fans should know that the typical flair he brings to his performances definitely carries into his directing and writing talents.
Don Jon hits theaters on October 18th.
Impolite Society: "Player Sh*t"
Summertime Chi is almost here. With the unfortunate rise in violence comes homie hangouts and honeydips coming out for some much-needed sun. Say what you will about winters in Chicago; it's all worth it once summer comes around. Impolite Society might have their rough side, but the Kimball House-backed group is all about love and the ladies. ELEE X, Blakkass Westley, and Khalfani each dedicate a verse to all of the pretty ladies in the world.
Produced by Fortified Sounds, "Player Sh*t" is probably the most romantic, heartfelt, and emotional song Impolite Society has released. Ladies, get ready to open your hearts for these guys and their love. Don't be surprised if the three pursue R&B careers, renaming themselves as ELEE SEX, Huggingass Westley, and Khalfani (which already sounds like an R&B name).
You can listen to "Player Sh*t" and read the song's release below. If you haven't seen Impolite Society live, you can check them out this Friday at the Double Door.
Salutations,
It's pretty much summertime and shit, right? For a young G in Chicago this time of the year signifies a few things: the gun shit and an increase in general senseless fuckery, festivals, the block parties, and last but never the least, chasing shorties in short shorts :-)
I and my player partners Khalfani and Westley decided to dedicate a song to what we be on, Player Shit. If you can dig it, please share it!
Oh, and if you missed it, peep this collaborative effort featuring Netherfriends, ShowYouSuck and my damn self: Good Vibes [https://soundcloud.com/
In solidarity,
ELEE X
Sony Contemplates Selling Its Entertainment Divisions
During my high school days, Walkmans were still the go-to portable music devices amongst my peers. Just around the time Apple released its first iPods, and before the entire music industry was revolutionized with the focus towards digital releases, CDs were the norm, with Sony being the biggest name in the game with its huge selection of CD, tape, and portable radio players. Of course, a lot has changed over the past decade, with most high school kids probably unfamiliar with the "Walkman" brand. Even outside of music devices, Sony's reputation as the top dog in consumer electronics has dropped a bit with other companies like Samsung and Microsoft rising up to take a chunk out of Sony's hold on the electronics industry.
Nowadays, Sony's largest earnings come from its various entertainment divisions, including Sony Pictures Entertainment (film and TV) and Sony Music Entertainment (self-explanatory). Last week, Daniel Loeb, chief executive of the hedge fund The Third Point that owns the largest stake in Sony at 6.5%, suggested that Sony sell a portion of its Entertainment holdings in order to amass larger profits from the divisions. Loeb's proposed idea would involve Sony selling a 15-20% stake in its Entertainment divisions to existing shareholders, allowing Sony to focus on its electronics division, which includes the aforementioned Walkman line of products. The proposal, Loeb predicts, would result in a 60% boost in share value.
Of course, Sony is reluctant to sell off portions of its most profitable divisions, especially considering Sony Pictures' stance as one of the top TV/film production/distribution studios with franchises like Ghostbusters and Spider-Man, as well as various franchises under Sony Pictures-owned Columbia Pictures (Skyfall, Men in Black, etc). Sony Music, meanwhile, is Bruce Springsteen's label, whereas Sony/ATV Music Publishing holds the rights to The Beatles' and Michael Jackson's catalog along with the Jackson estate.
A board meeting has been scheduled to discuss Loeb's proposal which will determine Sony's official decision on the matter. For now, this is an interesting development that could shape the future of Sony and its various divisions.
[via Bloomberg, via The Verge, via New York Times]
[RH Premiere] JDott Trife: "Homicide"
"I heard them say we done doubled the murder rate/Shit is so crazy, make Obama wanna relocate."
JDott Trife's newest song, "Homicide," preaches the unfortunate truth that many Chicagoans have to face on a daily basis. While the Chicago rapper paints a picture of inner-city life with his lyrics, the video, directed by Sense Hernandez, depicts a day in the life of a young teenager trying to get his come up in the drug-filled streets. Songs like "Homicide" are necessary to provide commentary on the realities of "street" life and the potential consequences that come from it.
Jdott Trife's album, FYF - The Plug, is dropping on June 4th. You can watch the video for "Homicide" and read JDott Trife's thoughts on the song below.
Although the title is very bold and straight forward, "Homicide" is not a song glorifying violence, but simply raising awareness of the current homicides occurring in the inner city of Chicago. The video shows the day in a life of a young teenage boy growing up in an inner-city Chicago neighborhood and how he is influenced by the "Hustler lifestyle" that ultimately leads him to an early demise.
The video was shot and edited by Sense Hernandez of Beast Factory Films.
The song was written by JDott Trife and produced by Nascent & Q.B
"Homicide" is off of JDott Trife's upcoming indie album, FYF - The Plug due out on June 4th, 2013. The project features Astonish, Calliko, Lungz, Blanco Caine, and Bodi Deeder with production from DJ O- ZoNe , Nascent & Q.B, and Wes P.
http://youtu.be/yi5w5UHKPTg
[Trailer 2] The World's End
[yahoo id="movies.yahoo.com/video/worlds-end-trailer-1-201030712"]
Following the first teaser trailer for Edgar Wright's The World's End is the first full trailer, exclusively premiered by Yahoo. The trailer provides more information on the film's premise, plus expands on a lot of the scenes already seen in the initial teaser trailer. As if excitement wasn't already high after the first look at The World's End, this trailer gives a better idea of what to expect from Wright's final film in the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy.
Why are there blue-ink alien/human things? Why doesn't Nick Frost's character drink beer? Why would Simon Pegg's character jump on to a car roof, thinking it would be a good idea? We'll find out on August 23rd.
[via Yahoo]
[Trailer] Man of Steel
http://youtu.be/NlOF03DUoWc
With its June 14th release date fast approaching, Man of Steel just released its final trailer. While it lacks the emotional gravitas of the previous trailer, it does show a bit more of action that past Superman films have lacked. I still have my reservations, both because of Zach Snyder's involvement, but also the weak characterization of the Superman character in general, but the hype has definitely been built up. With Christopher Nolan producing and generally overseeing the project, Henry Cavill could possibly do for Superman what Christian Bale did for Batman.
Of course, that's if the film is essentially flawless... The final trailer for Man of Steel is below, as well as one of the more recent Man of Steel posters depicting Cavill in flight.
[Video] Scheme: "La Clika"
After weeks of hyping it up, Scheme's video for "La Clika" has finally dropped, and it was definitely worth the wait. The bilingual song, produced by Serious, is Scheme's first Spanish and English language song. Backed by a considerable amount of homies (the titular "clika" or clique), Scheme puts on for both Chicago and his Mexican heritage.
You can read the press release and watch the video below.
Scheme and Beast Factory Films present the official video for La Clika. This is Scheme's first official release in Spanish and English; as he proceeds to bridge the gap between both cultures that raised him.
The video for La Clika showcases Scheme with the support of his city of Chicago, as well as glimpses of the Mexican culture he is proud and honored to represent. La Clika is a movement; it doesn't matter where you are, or where you are from. Rep that.
Directed and Edited by Sense Hernandez and Tony Shane
Written by Scheme - Produced by Serious
La Clika - Available NOW on iTunes
Purchase Your Clika Shirt NOW Dimex1.com
http://youtu.be/Lkm9G4OoPlQ
[via Brown Pride]