The late filmmaker Sidney Lumet leaves behind a half-century's worth of masterpieces (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, The Verdict), misfires (The Wiz, Gloria, Guilty as Sin), and enduring curios (Last of the Mobile Hot Shots, The Group, The Offense). Among that body of work are a few vital lessons any moviegoer would do well to take to heart.
This weekend brings us Soul Surfer, the inspirational true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who continued pursuing the sport even after a shark made off with one of her arms. And while the latest in CG effects allow actress AnnaSophia Robb to appear to be missing a limb for most of the film's running time, Hollywood's fascination with amputees predates such elaborate digital trickery. Check out our favorite limb-lacking characters after the jump, and add your own suggestions in the comments.
In this week's Hanna, 16-year-old knife enthusiast Saoirse Ronan joins the illustrious ranks of the lethal young women who've taken up arms (or fangs, or machine gun-arms) in the movies in the name of raining down righteous fury upon their enemies. Whether raised as assassins or transformed by tragic circumstance, these ten adolescent girls and teens don't take crap from anyone -- and they have the combined body count to prove it. If you run into any of these fierce misses in a darkened alley, let's hope they're on your side.
Last night, Gary Busey stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to talk about this season of Celebrity Apprentice and to, well, act a bit nuts. Because this is Gary Busey and that's what he does. Yet to better understand the essence of the 1978 Academy Award nominee, you need look no further then his other past television appearances. As such, consider this brief history of Busey's more interesting interview antics.
A Three Stooges feature film has long been one of Hollywood's more desirable yet elusive projects in development. As such, it comes with a long, illustrious and occasionally baffling tail of names attached to star. The Farrelly Brothers have ridden this process out for years -- first at Warner Bros. (which picked them up from Columbia), then at MGM, and now at Fox, where their adaptation is finally ready to go... just as soon as the cast is.
To no one's surprise, president Barack Obama formally announced that he will be running for re-election in 2012, complete with a new campaign video. Only, as John Stewart already pointed out, that new video could use some improvement. But fortunately, it's still early! And who better to win over an entertainment-hungry nation than tested Hollywood directors? We've got five great candidates for the job after the jump!
In Source Code, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a man who has traveled back in time (kind of; it's complicated) and has eight minutes to stop a bomb from exploding on a commuter train bound for Chicago. Which probably leaves you thinking: Wait, when did Jake Gyllenhaal become an action star? How did the former child actor and indie darling transform himself into the hero who saves the day?
Finally, after a long, cold winter, baseball's opening day has arrived! OK, fine: it may still be pretty cold where you are, but... baseball! Spring! Renewed hope that this is the year for your favorite team! When it comes to baseball movies, however, your favorite team is likely quite underrepresented. (Unless you're a fan of the Yankees, Indians or Durham Bulls, of course.) But, there's no need to feel sad and disenfranchised on such a glorious day! In an effort to include everyone, here's a list of 30 movies for each and every major league team.
Over the weekend at the Bronx Zoo in New York, a 20-inch Egyptian cobra escaped and slithered off to infamy... on Twitter; a spoof account, @bronxzooscobra, currently has over 150,000 followers, and its proprietor has even been interviewed ("interviewed") by the New York Times. "I just want Justin Bieber to follow me," the "snake" wrote to the Times in an email. With this kind of coverage, why not? And why stop at Bieber -- there's a movie here! Ahead, five famous snakes that could bring life to the tale of New York's most famous (non-Bernie Madoff) snake.
If you're the kind of person who hates reading about bad movies achieving box office success, here's some bad news: Adam Sandler's latest comedy Just Go With It -- which currently rests at a shameful 18 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, has just passed $100 million domestically. Has Adam Sandler, the patron saint of scathing critical responses, actually developed a foolproof formula for turning awful films into multiplex gold?
Denise Richards responded to her ex-husband Charlie Sheen's terribly insulting, unfunny tweet that she's a dog thief who abuses animals with a similar claim: Charlie once took custody of two of her dogs and let one die of malnourishment. Horrible, yes, but this reminds me of two facts: 1) I don't want to see Charlie's name in my newsfeed ever again, and 2) I only want to see Denise Richards' name in my newsfeed if she's revealing great secrets about her five cinematic triumphs. Here are my suggestions.
A tremendous week of news deserves no less a finale than this: The Weinstein Company is going into the video-game business. "The TWC Games label will utilize The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films' strong and recognizable properties, and work with external partners to develop and publish video games for mobile, social, and console platforms," announced a press release, punctuated by Bob Weinstein's observation: "With all of the digital platforms, there are so many opportunities to broaden our audience with compelling, high quality, cost-efficient, video game entertainment." No kidding! But what should come first?
In Sucker Punch, Jon Hamm plays the dual role of a doctor at a mental institution and a "high roller" at a burlesque club. (Seriously, just go with it; it would take 1000 words to explain.) How did Hamm transform himself from bit television performer with a pretty face into a critically acclaimed television actor on the verge of movie stardom?
To top off this day of Elizabeth Taylor commemoration, here are four final videos where Hollywood's finest stepped out to honor the brazen screen star. The toasting celebs range from Taylor's costars and close personal friends to the class of modern stars she inspired. Yes, some moonwalking sneaks into the fun.
When we think back on the late Elizabeth Taylor, we tend think of her major films roles (particularly the two, in BUtterfield 8 and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, that won her Oscars) and, yes, her many husbands. What we don't always think of his just how accessible Taylor was as a movie star. After all, it's not every double Academy Award-winning Hollywood icon who does guest spots on productions as wide-ranging from General Hospital to The Simpsons. So, on a day of remembrance, let's look back at Taylor's eight most memorable cameos from television and film.
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