Red Band Trailer for Michael Bay's Political Action/Drama, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
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Michael Bay is diverting his attention from robot cars and over-sized turtles to a very serious topic: the attack on an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Immediately, the first question that comes to mind is whether or not Bay can find the proper tone to balance the film's action and dramatic elements. Yes, we all know Bay can handle action (albeit to an over-the-top, extreme level), but can he truly show emotional/psychological subtlety?
Thankfully, there's an actual sense of suspense in this first Red Band trailer for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, alongside the multitude of explosions we've come to express from a Bay film. However, there's too much reliance on the trailer's score and silent shots of John Krasinski (The Office) looking sullen and morose to accentuate the trailer's emotional tone; it just feels too superficial. However, given this is our first look at the film, I'll wait until its release to pass true judgment. The cast also stars James Badge Dale (24), Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black), Toby Stephens (Black Sails), Max Martini (Sabotage), and a reunion between Krasinski and David Denham (The Office's Roy).
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi will be in theaters on January 15, 2016.
Channing Tatum Might Leave Gambit Solo Film
All seemed well for Fox and their X-Men film properties out of San Diego Comic Con '15. After all, they cemented their status at the comic book convention with a great panel showcasing all of their upcoming films (Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, et al) and an epic on-stage selfie. All seemed well and good coming out of the successful panel, but rumor has it that everything might not be as it seems.
Despite lobbying to play Gambit, it appears that Channing Tatum (Magic Mike XXL) might be dropping out of the Gambit solo film due to discrepancies related to his deal. Tatum is also co-producing the film, but there's no word if he'll continue to produce the film if he drops out (though, I'd think it's safe to say he would have no involvement whatsoever if he does, indeed, leave). The news comes just a short month after director Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was announced as director of the film and rumors that Lea Seydoux (SPECTRE, Blue is the Warmest Color) might be cast in the lead actress role.
It'll be a huge blow to Fox and the X-Men film franchise if Tatum exits. While X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool are sure to be bonafide box office successes, a Tatum-led Gambit just could have been the gambit Fox needed to overtake the proper Marvel Studios films. We'll have more information as it becomes available.
[via The Wrap]
Seth Rogen Trips on Drugs in Red Band Trailer for The Night Before
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Finally, a Christmas film that isn't a Christmas film! The Night Before stars Seth Rogen (The Interview), Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For) as Isaac, Chris, and Ethan, three long-long best friends celebrating what might be their last Christmas together. The shenanigans begin to unfold after Ethan gets the trio into a huge Christmas party and Isaac is given shrooms and coke as a present by his wife (Workaholics' Jillian Bell).
The trailer starts off on a high note as the trio play Kanye West's "Runaway" on a large toy piano, reminiscent of Tom Hanks's 1988 film Big, then runs through a litany of jokes, such as Ethan telling Isaac's unborn child that Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with at a family dinner, Isaac tripping on the drugs in a limo and weirding out Chris, and a cameo by Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project) and Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex) praising Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball."
The Night Before reunites the trio of Rogen, Gordon-Levitt, and writer/director Jonathan Levine, who all worked together in 2011's 50/50. The film should also give fans a chance to Mackie's comedic side following his more recent Marvel film appearances. The Night Before will be coming to theaters on November 25th.
[via Rolling Stone]
Trailer for Victoria Teases Entire Film Shot in One Take
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The "trend" of long takes has been growing in recent years thanks to films like Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men and Gravity and, most recently, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). In fact, both Gravity and Birdman were huge hits at the past two Oscars, with each film winning a plethora of awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Director (amongst many others). However, while each film showcased clever editing and long takes, they don't quite push it as far as the upcoming German film, Victoria.
Directed by Sebastian Schipper, Victoria is an action/thriller about a the titular Victoria, a party girl from Madrid visiting Berlin, who gets wrapped up in a crime with a group of men she just met. More importantly, the entire film was shot in one take. No edits, no cuts, no CGI, just a camera rolling non-stop for two and a half hours. The concept is amazing, but so hard to accomplish, especially for an independent film. The trailer, obviously, is cut and edited to set the stage for the film.
The film debuted earlier this year and won a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and Best Feature Film, Direction, Actress in a Leading Role, Cinematography, and Music at the German Film Awards 2015, which is a great sign for the film.
Victoria will be in theaters on October 9th.
Victoria, a young woman from Madrid, meets four local Berliners outside a nightclub. Sonne and his friends promise to show her a good time and the real side of the city. But these lads have gotten themselves into hot water: they owe someone a dangerous favor that requires repaying that evening. As Victoria’s flirtation with Sonne deepens into something more, he convinces her to come along for the ride. And later, when things become more ominous and possibly lethally dangerous for Sonne, she insists on coming along. As the night takes on an ever more menacing character, what started out as a good time, quickly spirals out of control. As dawn approaches, Victoria and Sonne address the inevitable: it’s all or nothing and they abandon themselves to a heart-stopping race into the depths of hell.
[The Weekly Swarm] 7/20 - 7/26
Last week was fun, wasn't it? We had a ton of great content from Pitchfork 2015, including some amazing photos from Vanessa and a stupendous mini video of Chance the Rapper's video from Jeremy. We also published an expose on the CPD's secret agreement with the FBI to purchase cell phone spying equipment from my good friend, Freddy. We also found out that Hulk Hogan is a racist, effectively ending Hulkamania's 30+ year reign. Rumors that LeBron James might star in a Space Jam sequel also came out, but hopefully that won't actually come about. Danielle also reviewed Bojack Horseman Season 2, and while I'm only halfway through the season, I highly recommend it.
You can read all this and more in The Weekly Swarm.
[Review] Go Set A Watchman
[RH Photos] Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
Inside Chicago Police's Secret Cell Phone Spying Agreement with the FBI
Hulkamania Has Finally Run Dry
Trailer for Alejandro G. Inarritu's The Revenant is Astounding
[Review] Felt
New SPECTRE Trailer Reboots The James Bond Iconography
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
Pixar Turns Back Time with The Good Dinosaur Trailer
Riot Fest Chicago 2015 Day Lineups Available
[RH Photos] Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
[RH Video] Chance the Rapper Closes Out Pitchfork Music Festival 2015
Hulu is Considering Ad-Free Subscriptions
WWE Battleground 2015: Results and Match Reviews
The Flash's Season 2 Costume is Comic Book Friendly
Here's the Reason Why The Muppets Are Coming Back to TV
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
[Review] MTV's Scream: Aftermath
[Review] Bojack Horseman Season 2
Hulkamania Has Finally Run Dry
"Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins, be true to yourself, true to your country - be a real American," Hulk Hogan used to say. What happens when your hero turns out to be everything he stood up against?
Throughout the '80s and '90s, Terry Bollea, better known as the larger-than-life Hulk Hogan, was pushed as the face of World Wrestling Federation (as World Wrestling Entertainment was known as back then) at a pivotal time when wrestling was universally praised and reaching a new height in its popularity. During this time, Hogan essentially became the face of American pop culture as Hulkamania ran wild on magazine covers, TV shows, shirts, toys, cartoons, and more.
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However, The National Enquirer, in collaboration with Radar Online, recently got wind of Hogan's racist tirade during "pillow talk" on a sex tape that was recorded several years before clips and images were leaked by Gawker back in 2012. During a conversation about Hogan's daughter, Brooke, the wrestler aired his grievances to his partner, Heather Clem, about her failing career:
I don't know if Brooke was fucking the black guy's son. [...] I mean, I don't have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, fucking n****s. But then when it comes to nice people and shit, and whatever. [...] I mean, I'd rather if she was going to fuck some n*****, I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n***** worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!
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In a surprising response, the WWE has fired Hogan from his contract, removed him from their iconic Hall of Fame, ceased production and sale of his merchandise, and have practically wiped away all mention of him on their website. Removal of other Hulk Hogan, like documentaries and matches housed on the WWE Network, the company's On Demand subscription service, may soon follow. The company released a statement concerning Hogan's firing:
WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.
However, this isn't the first time Hogan has been publicly exposed as a racist. Despite a Shade 45 interview that took place in 2012 in which Hogan very openly and comfortably used the n-word to describe his friendships with various rappers like Birdman and Lil' Wayne and former WWE wrestler Booker T, WWE never went to this level to distance themselves from the very person that helped them achieve success.
For all intents and purposes, this is the end of Hulk Hogan as we know it, especially considering he was essentially the face of American culture at the height of his popularity. There's no turning back from racist tirades, as evidenced in recent years by Donald Sterling, Michael Richards, and Donald Trump, as it ought to be.
And yet, given the landscape of modern American sociology that has been focused on combating racism and other forms of inequality over the past several years, the Hulkster's theme song's claims of him being "a real American" carries with them a sense of irony following the revelation. 30+ years after he transcended wrestling and became an American cultural icon, has Hogan indirectly come to represent the modern white American male in the spotlight?
For his part, Hogan has issued an exclusive apology to People Magazine following the allegations:
Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.
This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise.
I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.
If Hulk Hogan ever returns to the ring, with his hand to his ear in one of his many iconic poses, he should be met with total and complete silence. Hulkamania has finally run dry.
Pixar Turns Back Time with The Good Dinosaur Trailer
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What would have happened if dinosaurs never went extinct? That's the question Pixar wants to answer with their upcoming film, The Good Dinosaur. Of course, like all things Pixar, the film has a fun side to go along with more serious themes, which are on display in this first trailer.
Directed by Peter Sohn (who originally co-directed the film with Bob Peterson before the latter was removed from production due to story problems back in August 2013), The Good Dinosaur is about a young apatosaurus that befriends a caveboy after being separated from the rest of his family. Together, they traverse the wilderness and its various threats.
The film is Sohn's directorial debut, and would have been Peterson's directorial follow-up to Up; don't worry, Peterson is still with Pixar and is currently working on another unnamed film. The Good Dinosaur was originally scheduled for a May 2014 release, but was delayed due to the aforementioned story problems, causing Pixar to lay off 60+ employees. The film's new direction also caused many re-writes and re-casting, with actors like Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader, and Judy Greer removed and/or replaced.
The Good Dinosaur will be crashing into theaters on November 25th.
LeBron James Signs Deal with Warner Bros., Sparks Space Jam 2 Rumors
Space Jam may be a flawed film, but it's strengthened by the nostalgia of people in their mid-to-late 20s, an amazing soundtrack, and came directly in the middle of the Chicago Bulls' '90s dynasty. Of course, the Looney Tunes were at an all-time high in popularity, and who didn't love Michael Jordan back then (outside of Detroit)?
Nobody since has been able to capture Jordan's popularity, but many have come close. One such basketball player, LeBron James, may be the closest to Jordan that we've had since he arrived in the NBA. However, he also has faced a ton of criticism, something that Jordan didn't experience at the same level. Nevertheless, if there were to ever be a Space Jam sequel, LeBron James would be the de facto star... for better or worse.
Yesterday, word came out that Warner Bros. inked a deal with LeBron James for the basketball star to appear in various WB projects spanning film, TV, and online digital content. Warner Bros. released a statement with the announcement that reads:
“LeBron James has one of the most powerful, well-known brands in the world and we are excited to be in business with him and his partner, Maverick Carter, and SpringHill Entertainment,” Warner Bros. CEO and Chairman Kevin Tsujihara said. “The combination of LeBron’s global media presence and Warner Bros.’ unmatched production and distribution expertise is a big win for fans everywhere.”
Last month, it was reported that Warner Bros. filed a new trademark on Space Jam, re-sparking rumors from 2014 that also had LBJ attached to star in the sequel. There's nothing concrete, but the new deal could pave the way for LBJ to lace up against the Monstars. Would you be interested in seeing King James team up with Bugs, Daffy, and the other Looney Tunes?
[via /Film]