Movie, music, and television reviews from a select group of bloggers.
'Now You See Me' stars (from l.) Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, and Woody Harrelson. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine also star in the film. (Barry Wetcher, SMPSP/Summit Entertainment, LLC/AP)
Morgan Freeman stars in the magician caper 'Now You See Me' – check out the trailer (+video)
“Come in close, because the more you think you see, the easier it’ll be to fool you,” narrates Morgan Freeman as the veteran illusion debunker Thaddeus in the first trailer for Now You See Me.
That voiceover might bring back memories of Christian Bale’s “Are you watching closely?” from Christopher Nolan’s dueling illusionists film The Prestige – all the more so once Michael Caine shows up. However, this tale of professional do-daring magicians is an old-fashioned heist thriller infused with new life, courtesy of some flashy stage trickery (enhanced via the ‘magic’ of editing/special effects) and high-octane thrills directed by Louis Leterrier (The Transporter, Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans).
Now You See Me revolves around the exploits of The Four Horsemen – a group of Las Vegas magicians renowned for their hi-tech shows and mind-boggling stunts – brought to life by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), Woody Harrelson (Hunger Games) and Dave Franco (21 Jump Street). However, these gifted con artists scale new heights when they pull off a stunt that involves exposing a white-collar criminal (Elias Koteas), ‘magically’ funneling his illicit millions of dollars from his Paris vault and showering their audience with the cash results. But will the Horsemen’s ‘final trick’ be even more impressive (not to mention, lucrative)?
Boaz Yakin (Prince of Persia, Safe) and relative newcomer Edward Ricourt share screen story and co-scripting credit on Now You See Me, with Ed Solomon (Men in Black, Charlie’s Angels) also receiving credit for the screenplay. However, there have been reports that Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec handled script revisions, which is encouraging – given how capable they proved at creating an interesting team player dynamic in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – and also makes sense, as the duo’s former Alias co-showrunners (Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci) co-produced Leterrier’s latest flick.
Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) costars as FBI special agent Dylan Hobbs, the man determined to stop the Four Horsemen in their tracks. Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds) plays Hobbs’ newly-assigned partner; meanwhile, Freeman (as indicated before) is a fellow with insider knowledge that might bring the Horsemen down. But could either (or both) of these mysterious players be secretly in cahoots with the thieving magicians?
If you want the answer, you’ll have to see the film – which, judging by early trailer footage, looks like a well-constructed and exhilarating cinematic thrill ride (though, perhaps one as logic-defying and preposterous as its predecessors).
Sandy Schaefer blogs at Screen Rant.
Alice Eve stars in 'Star Trek Into Darkness.' (Fred Prouser/Reuters)
Alice Eve discusses 'Star Trek Into Darkness' and the role of Dr. Carol Marcus
After months of build-up and downright divisive pre-release speculation, Star Trek Into Darkness has arrived in US theaters. The film has received an overwhelmingly favorable response from critics (read our Star Trek Into Darkness review) and is poised to make big bucks at the summer box office – in spite of high-powered hold-overs like Iron Man 3 along with a surprisingly strong performance from The Great Gatsby.
Last week, we had a chance to chat with the film’s stars, including Alice Eve who plays the much-talked about Dr. Carol Marcus to discuss the latest Star Trek film, her upcoming projects, and what it was like joining the iconic Star Trek movie crew. We’ve already posted our interview with Karl Urban (Dr. ”Bones” McCoy) as well as Simon Pegg and John Cho (Lieutenant Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott and Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, respectively). Make sure to check back in the coming days as we publish further interviews.
NOTE: The following is an abridged (and more concise) version of the interview with Alice Eve. You can read the entire transcript from our conversations with actress by clicking the link below:
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- Alice Eve (FYI: The unabridged version contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the film)
Next to Benedict Cumberbatch’s John Harrison, Alice Eve’s Dr. Carol Marcus was one of the most talked-about new characters prior to the Star Trek Into Darkness release. Fans poured over Eve’s haircut, uniform, and facial expressions in an attempt to figure out her role in the film ahead of time. Director J.J. Abrams even capitalized on fan obsession over the character – using a picture of Alice Eve in her undergarments to hide a viral marketing link.
However, the actress never let all the speculation distract her and, instead, tried to stay focus on the task at hand:
Alice Eve: I don’t follow that because it’s pretty damaging if you get too into that stuff. Obviously I have a bit of an awareness because I go to the internet like everybody else but I don’t get too involved in the details of those conversations just because it can hurt you if you stumble on something that’s not nice [...] Even with the internet aside there’s an element of JJ making an environment where you’re able to feel safe. If you feel safe there’s no fear or pressure. You feel that you’re just there to do your job and serve the movie that everyone’s making. There are thousands of people that go into making a movie like this. There’s us [the actors] but there’s the preproduction, there’s the post production and that amounts to a lot of eyes and ears and minds so you’re just a part of a big journey and a big bandwagon. You take it day by day.
In preparation for her role, Eve went back and rewatched the first season of the classic Star Trek series, along with several of the original films. Like many of the Star Trek reboot stars, the actress wanted to find a balance between developing her own interpretation of Dr. Carol Marcus while paying homage to the version played by Bibi Besch:
Alice Eve: I enjoy any sort of preparation. I love what I do. The process to doing what I do is to research it and to look into the depths of the person. Especially if there’s an established cannon such as there was with Star Trek so I enjoyed that process. That’s the process I enjoy; that’s the creation, that’s the building part of it. That’s why I do what I do.
Elaborating on what exactly she picked-up from Besch’s portrayal, Eve asserted that it was important to include “purpose” and “strength,” elements that are clearly on display in Star Trek Into Darkness:
Alice Eve: I think that when Bibi [Besch] played her in the 1982 films with a real directness, a purpose and a strength. I definitely wanted to bring that to my Carol. But because JJ [Abrams] kind of split the timeline in 2009 it gave us a bit of room for our own interpretation. So obviously that was sort of liberating at the same time it was taking on the hallmarks of who she was as a person [...] She’s very strict with Kirk in the film in ’82… when they have that screen conversation she’s very strict about what she wants Kirk to do and the fact she has information at her disposal so with that information she’s direct to Kirk and I guess pedagogical is the word.
Still, there are major differences in the two versions of the character – most notably the addition of Eve’s English accent. In fact, Abrams was so concerned that the change would be a sticking point (Marcus had an American accent in the original series), he actually shot an expository scene where the character explains her own backstory – a scene that was eventually cut:
Alice Eve: There was one scene that we shot that didn’t make it into the film. That was about me explaining why I had an English accent; my mother moved to England when my father stayed in San Francisco to run Starfleet. I think that JJ felt that plot point wasn’t necessary and that you didn’t question it beyond the first moment. I think that made sense and we had a certain license with the split timeline.
Ben Kendrick blogs at Screen Rant.
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Kate Hudson will star in Zach Braff's new movie 'Wish I Was Here,' according to reports. (Joel Ryan/AP)
Kate Hudson will star in Zach Braff's film 'Wish I Was Here,' according to reports
Kate Hudson has reportedly joined the cast of Zach Braff’s film “Wish I Was Here,” for which Braff is raising funds via Kickstarter.
Hudson will play Braff’s wife in the movie, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Braff will direct the film as he did with “Garden State,” and has written the film’s script with his brother Adam Braff.
Braff was impressed with Hudson’s Oscar-nominated role in the 2000 film “Almost Famous,” according to The Wrap, and the two are now “good friends,” the actor said.
The movie will follow a man named Aidan Bloom, played by Braff, a father and husband and trying to find work as an actor and searching for meaning in his life. After other educational options fall through, he begins to homeschool his children.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will also star “Homeland” actor Mandy Patinkin, “Book of Mormon” actor Josh Gad, and Jim Parsons of "The Big Bang Theory," who also appeared in Braff’s 2004 film “Garden State.”
Braff raised more than $2 million via the website Kickstarter for the film in four days. He has also secured funding for the film from Worldview Entertainment. The film’s total on Kickstarter is currently at more than $2,700,000.
“Garden State,” which was written and directed by Braff, centered on an aspiring actor (Braff) who returned to his hometown for his mother’s funeral. The movie also starred Natalie Portman, Ian Holm, and Peter Sarsgaard.
Hudson’s breakout role is widely considered to be her part in “Almost Famous.” She has also starred in romantic comedies such as “How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days,” “Raising Helen,” “Fool’s Gold,” and “Bride Wars.” She appeared in the film adaptation of the musical “Nine” and has recently guest-starred on the Fox series “Glee” as a tough teacher named Cassandra July.
According to Braff’s Kickstarter website, he hopes to release “Wish” in September 2014.
The Book of War, part of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Biblical Times exhibit. (Courtesy of Israeli Antiquities Authority)
Dead Sea Scrolls: The Boston exhibit lets visitors see one of the greatest treasures of the modern era
A Bedouin goat herder was merely chasing after a stray when he stumbled into a cave and discovered one of the greatest treasure-finds of the modern era.
The ancient manuscripts inscribed in Hebrew dialects that he discovered rolled inside clay pots became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, currently the oldest existing biblical manuscripts since they date from between 150 B.C. and 70 C.E. Now one of the largest public displays of the Dead Sea Scrolls ever is the centerpiece of an exhibit at Boston’s Museum of Science titled “Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times.”
“We are thrilled to bring this world treasure to Boston for the first time,” said Paul Fontaine, Museum of Science vice president of education. “The artifacts and rare texts [in the exhibit] offer a tantalizing glimpse of daily life in ancient Israel, a vital cultural crossroad. The scrolls offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to understand the attitudes and aspirations of a people who lived 2,000 years ago and help us all appreciate a culture that continues to influence our own.”
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The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical text found in the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, in addition to other books not included in the canon such as the Book of Enoch, the Book of Jubilees, and the Testament of Levi. Eleven caves eventually yielded 972 scrolls altogether in early 1947.
The Dead Sea Scrolls “provide a record of extraordinary human achievement,” said Dr. Risa Levitt Kohn, professor of religious studies at San Diego State University. “They teach us about our past and ourselves.”
The majority of the scrolls are nonreligious, Dr. Kohn said, and are comprised of commentary, legal documents, and references to the end times of the world. They reveal an ancient culture finding itself in the struggle between good and evil and provide “a spiritual map of ancient Israel,” she said.
Some of the scrolls have changed hands over the years and at one point, four of the scrolls ended up in the United States. A tiny ad in the Wall Street Journal published in 1954 hoped to bring forth a buyer: "The Four Dead Sea Scrolls: Biblical Manuscripts dating back to at least 200 BC, are for sale. This would be an ideal gift to an educational or religious institution by an individual or group."
And they found one. In a clandestine operation using Prof. Harry Orlinsky, a religious scholar, as a middle man posing as “Mr. Green,” Israeli authorities bought the scrolls for $250,000 the same year.
Since then, the Dead Sea Scrolls have come to America several times, once in 1965 and intermittently since 1993. The most recent, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority, was the Minnesota Museum of Science's exhibit in 2010.
In addition to the fragments of the scrolls – some of which are the size of postage stamp – on display, the exhibit at the Museum of Science contains cultural artifacts, including a 3-ton stone from the southwest corner of the outer wall of the structure known as the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The stone is thought to have detached from the wall during the Roman fighting in 70 A.D.
There are also artifacts once used in ritual worship in homes such as a small clay incense altar, pottery rattles, and fertility symbols represented by female, dove, and pomegranate clay forms. Other items of note: a marble slab engraved with a menorah dating back to the destruction of the second temple and a coin presumed to be similar to the ones used by the money changers driven out of the temple by Jesus.
Exhibit goers can leave a note or prayer near the exhibit that will be sent to Israel.
“Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times” will be on display at the Museum of Science in Boston from May 19 to Oct. 20, 2013.
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Amy Poehler returned to 'SNL' for the May 18 season finale. (Danny Moloshok/Reuters)
Amy Poehler SNL: The former cast member returns for a 'Really!?!' segment with Seth Meyers
Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Amy Poehler returned to the show – and her old “Weekend Update” desk – to contribute to a segment with her “Update” deskmate Seth Meyers.
Poehler and Meyers reprised their “Really!?! with Seth and Amy” routine for a skit on the recent IRS scandal.
Loud cheers in the studio greeted Meyers introducing the segment and Poehler making her entrance. “Are you ready to jump back into it?” he asked Poehler, who then tried out a few different indignant “Really?”s.
“You got it, you got it,” Meyers told her.
The “SNL” head writer, who will be taking over “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon’s job, called the IRS “less popular with Americans than exercise.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Meyers said. “I understand that even if you do your job perfectly, IRS, no one is going to give you a Gatorade shower, but you got to try a little harder.”
“The government only keeps you around to make the DMV look good,” Poehler added.
Meyers and Poehler also called out President Obama for his professed ignorance of what had been going on and tea party groups for being surprised that they were targeted by the IRS.
“One more thing, IRS,” Poehler said. “Please don’t audit me, I just did my taxes and I did them all wrong. I’m really, really, really sorry.”
Meyers has stated that he’ll be returning to “SNL” in the fall and staying for a few months before he takes over for Fallon as “Late Night” host.
Meanwhile, Poehler is currently starring in the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” which just got renewed for a sixth season.
The May 18 season finale of “Saturday Night Live” was hosted by Ben Affleck and was reportedly the last episode for longtime cast members Bill Hader, who has confirmed he’s leaving, and Fred Armisen, who hasn’t publicly discussed his departure but sang a song with lyrics such as “I’ve had a lovely night” at the end of the May 18 season finale. Speculation has surfaced that Jason Sudeikis may be departing as well, but that has not been confirmed.
'The Office' series finale: Was it a satisfying send-off?
After 9 years on the air, The Office bid farewell with an extended, 75-minute long series finale in which Michael Scott (Steve Carell) returned, Dwight and Angela got married, and Jim and Pam exited Dunder Mifflin together, forever, to begin a new life in Austin, Texas. But was the final episode of The Office everything you’d hope it would be? Was it a fitting sendoff?
The finale was essentially split-up into three parts: the catch-up, the wedding and the goodbyes. In the 6 months that had passed since “The Office: An American Workplace” aired on PBS, Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton went through a bit of a shake-up: Dwight fired Kevin and Toby; Stanley retired to Florida; and Creed became a wanted man. The people who had previously departed also saw changes in their lives: Andy became an “Internet sensation” (in the worst sense); Ryan became a single father; and Michael Scott, who made a brief appearance, finally got the cell phone family plan he always wanted, with real children to share it with.
It was the wedding of Dwight and Angela that brought everyone together, though, thanks to Jim and Pam forcing the documentary crew to hold the reunion during the same weekend. But with 75 minutes (including commercials) to burn through in one episode, some storylines stayed longer than they should, while others, like the reunion panel, didn’t receive the time that it deserved. It appeared, though, that the fictional world fell in love with the series in the same way that the real world did.
At Angela and Dwight’s wedding, it was time to reconnect with the characters and relationships that left the series years before, and it was there that the brief return of Michael Scott occurred. His time on screen wasn’t much, but it showed that, wherever he is, whatever he’s doing, he’s happy. Ryan and Kelly, too, are happy (maybe?). Or at least that’s how we last see them, running away together, leaving Kelly’s pediatrician boyfriend, Ravi, to take care of Ryan’s baby, which he quickly turns over to Kevin, who quickly gives it to Nelly. Though things, at times, may have felt a bit forced, everyone got their own version of a happy ending – except Toby.
In The Office series finale’s final act, it was time to celebrate what once was with the actors and their characters: Kevin is happy with the bar that he owns; Oscar is running for the Senate; Daryl is still loving his (not) new job; Pam and Jim are moving onward and upward in their life; and Dwight and Angela are ready to live happily ever after. That is, unless Mose begins sleeping at the foot of Dwight’s bed again.
Anthony Ocasio blogs at Screen Rant.
Is Nicki Minaj leaving the judges' panel? Here, Minaj (second from l.) sits with fellow judges Keith Urban (l.), Randy Jackson (second from r.), and Mariah Carey (r.). (Michael Becker/Fox/AP)
Nicki Minaj: Is she leaving 'American Idol'?
Will first-time judge Nicki Minaj return to “American Idol” after the current season?
No, according to an “insider” report by Us Weekly.
“It's safe to say she isn't coming back to Idol," the person identified as an “insider” said, according to Us Weekly. "She's okay with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway.”
The report on Minaj comes after “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest asked her whether she’d be coming back next year during his radio show on May 9.
“That's a million-dollar question," she said. "I have to say this all the time, but I want people to know it's genuinely from my heart. I love the people on 'Idol.' I genuinely do. If I had to do this all over again, I would have done 'Idol.' Because it's fun, it's laughs.”
The story on Minaj was released soon after Randy Jackson, who had served as an “American Idol” judge since the program’s inception when former judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell sat at the table with him, said he would not be returning next year.
“Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season," Jackson said in a statement to Us Weekly. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry.”
Minaj served on the judges’ panel with Jackson and fellow first-time judges Mariah Carey and Keith Urban. She released her most recent album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” in April 2012 and it was certified platinum, as was her 2010 debut album “Pink Friday.”
This past April, she was named the female rapper who had appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the most times. Her number of titles that have appeared on the chart, 44, is exactly the same as her fellow “Idol” judge Carey.
Ron Weaver dies, leaving legacy as 'Bold and the Beautiful' producer
Ron Weaver, a former producer for the soap opera, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” has died, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
He died in Los Angeles at the age of 75.
Weaver was born in Mishawaka, Ind., and served in the US Air Force Reserve before he went to study under acting teacher Lee Strasberg in New York. He later started working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, holding the title of director of operations and production services for the Children’s Television Workshop, which developed such popular children’s series as “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company.”
He joined “The Bold and the Beautiful,” a CBS soap opera, as an associate producer, then was promoted to senior producer and to vice-president of BBL, Inc., the part of Bell-Philip Productions that focuses on international distribution. Bell-Philip Productions is the company that releases “Bold” episodes.
“The Bold and the Beautiful” debuted in 1987 and has featured characters who appeared on both “Bold” and “The Young and the Restless,” the other CBS soap opera co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Philip Bell. “Bold” followed the Forrester family, who owned a fashion business.
Weaver won three Daytime Emmys for “The Bold and the Beautiful,” three years in a row from 2009 to 2011 when “Bold” received the Outstanding Drama Series prize.
The Daytime Emmy nominations for this year were recently released and Weaver is nominated again via the nod to “Bold and the Beautiful” for Outstanding Drama Series.
He had released his first novel in 2010.
“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Weaver," " Bold and the Beautiful" showrunner Bradley Bell told MSN TV. "Ron was talented, a good friend to all of us, and a 26 year producer of 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' He will be missed, will always be remembered and will forever remain in our hearts.”
'NCIS' stars Sean Murray (l.) and Mark Harmon (r.). (Cliff Lipson/CBS Entertainment/AP)
'NCIS,' 'How I Met Your Mother' and more: Check out CBS's schedule for the fall 2013 TV season
Snap judgments, photos and video to come, but until then, enjoy this first look at CBS’s just announced Fall 2013 Primetime Schedule — with new shows as per usual highlighted in orange — after the jump.
Monday
8PM: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30PM: WE ARE MEN
9PM: 2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30PM: MOM
10PM: HOSTAGES/INTELLIGENCE
Tuesday
8PM: NCIS
9PM: NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10PM: PERSON OF INTEREST
Wednesday
8PM: SURVIVOR
9PM: CRIMINAL MINDS
10PM: CSI
Thursday
8PM: THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30PM: THE MILLERS
9PM: THE CRAZY ONES
9:30PM: TWO AND A HALF MEN
10PM: ELEMENTARY
Friday
8PM: CSI: NY
9PM: HAWAII FIVE-0
10PM: BLUE BLOODS
Saturday
8PM: Crimetime Saturday
10PM: 48 Hours Mystery
Sunday
7PM: 60 MINUTES
8PM: THE AMAZING RACE
9PM: THE GOOD WIFE
10PM: THE MENTALIST
On Hold for Midseason
MIKE & MOLLY, FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES; RECKLESS
'How I Met Your Mother' will return for a final season next year. Here the cast accepts the People's Choice award for Favorite Network TV Comedy. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
'How I Met Your Mother' recap: The season finale includes a big surprise for fans
It may have been a long time coming, but the How I Met Your Mother season 8 finale accomplished the inevitable: it revealed the Mother!
Broadway actress Cristin Milioti, who famously played “Girl” in the stage adaptation of Once, will be filling the role of the series’ title character (above). But her reveal came at the end of the episode. Before that, many important things happened to Ted, Marshall, Lilly, Robin and Barney. Well, mostly to Marshall.
How I Met Your Mother is always at its best when it makes an earnest effort to progress the life stories of its characters and, as expected, the season finale doesn’t disappoint. Ted, who was briefly struggling with his feelings towards Robin, decided that selling his dream house and moving to Chicago would be his best option. After all, Lilly and Marshall are moving to Rome, and Robin – who he may or may not still have feelings for – is marrying Barney. Fortunately, there are a few twists to this finale tale that make sure everyone’s favorite group remains intact.
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Marshall, who was away visiting his mother in Minnesota, received an important phone call that will force a change to his and Lilly’s plans to move to Rome in season 9. After previously having submitted himself to become a judge, Marshall received a call to welcome him to the last remaining spot available for a bench seat. Marshall is going to be a judge! That is, unless Lilly nixes the idea. Meanwhile, Barney and Robin hurt, then help, an obnoxious couple’s relationship – and that’s pretty much all that occurs with them; but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Even though Barney and Robin didn’t receive that much play in this season’s finale, the many episodes that came before it complimented their story nicely, even though a few felt a bit old and familiar. To present the Mother, the producers made use of the strength that Marshall and Lilly’s story holds, to help welcome in the long-awaited, eventually-will-be bride of Ted. After Ted’s emotional conundrum set the stage for some welcomed reflection, Marshall’s joyous news kicked in before everything felt, again, a bit too old a familiar. And then, as if given her own storyline, a familiar yellow umbrella at a NY train station tips viewers off to the Mother’s upcoming arrival. And as the episode comes to a close, the Mother steps up to buy her ticket: “Hi. One ticket to Farhampton, please.”
Though the How I Met Your Mother season 8 finale did feel like it ended a bit abruptly given many stories – and obstacles – at hand, the journey was fulfilling and the Mother was, finally, revealed. Now, producers will have time over the course of their off-season to help craft a tale for viewers to fall in love with this mysterious woman who Ted will eventually ask to be his wife. And that, it seems, is where the real challenge lies.
Anthony Ocasio blogs at Screen Rant.
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