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Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Queen Latifah Channel Disney Icons

Krystal Clark — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:40:08 +0000

Over the past few years, Walt Disney Pictures has been teaming up with celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz to recreate some of their most iconic characters. They get Hollywood’s hottest stars and place them in scenarios from classic Disney films. Some of the previous photos they’ve done included Rachel Weisz as Snow White, Beyonce as Alice in Wonderland, and Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Princess Jasmine and Aladdin.

This latest batch features Tron Legacy stars Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, and Queen Latifah. Take a look…

Oddly enough, Olivia Wilde’s bone structure really lends itself to the Evil Queen. She looks like she was taken straight from a film. The make up artists and costume designers did a great job on her. As for Beauty in the Beast, we thought they’d have Bridges in make up to play the Prince in monster form but this will work. He does have the flowing hair to play the part. Cruz on the other hand, doesn’t look like Belle. Her hair is too tousled. It should be tighter up top (picky we know).

We wouldn’t have even thought of Latifah as Ursula from The Little Mermaid, but she’s another perfect fit. The background is a bit cartoonish for the photo but it works!

What do you think of the latest batch of Disney inspired images? Which is your favorite?

Source: Slashfilm

30 Rock: Season 5 Episode 3: Let’s Stay Together – TV Review

Joseph Oliveto — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:51:23 +0000

“30 Rock“ is at its best when it is less focused on Liz or Jack’s relationship struggles and more focused on making audiences laugh. Last night was a great example of this, with funny guest stars and a consistently clever script.

Read the review and find out why the show needs to keep heading in this direction…

The Players:

Writer: Jack Burditt
Director: John Riggi
Cast: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer, Keith Powell, Scott Adsit, Queen Latifah, Rob Reiner

Episode Title: “Let’s Stay Together”

Diversity, or the apparent lack thereof, is the issue central to last night’s episode of “30 Rock.” Jack is called to address Congress on the future of NBC, but Congresswoman Regina Bookman (Queen Latifah) is preoccupied with the absence of diversity in NBC’s programming. In response to these concerns, Toofer is promoted to co-head writer of TGS, and Tracy is enlisted to create a new program based around the African-American experience. In the meantime, Jenna channels her own mother when she tries to help Kenneth get re-hired as a page.

The Good

Guest Stars: “30 Rock” always manages to score appearances by noteworthy guest stars, and this episode was no exception. Rob Reiner plays himself, albeit an alternate universe version of himself in which he became a Congressman (moments earlier in the episode, Jack remarked that most people who get elected to Congress these days are former celebrities). Queen Latifah earns some genuine laughs as a politician given to breaking off into rambling, passionate speeches about such quintessential American values as “troops” and “pizza.”
Diversity Jokes: A lot of random elements converge at the end of this episode when Congresswoman Bookman is invited to the studio to get a glimpse of NBC’s “racial sensitivity.” Signs indicating that one recycling bin is for “colored” paper while another is for “white” paper lead to a severe misunderstanding when they are placed too close to the restrooms, for example. It’s an easy joke, sure, but it’s still very funny.
Toofer: Usually a secondary character with a couple of lines per episode, Toofer’s role is expanded here. When he is awarded the position of co-head writer, it goes to Toofer’s head, much to the dismay of Liz. It’s just further proof that this show employs many skilled actors, even the ones who don’t get a lot of screen-time.
Let’s Stay Together: Dotcom’s intelligence is once again wasted on Tracy. He pitches a new show for NBC about a struggling African-American family living in Detroit during the 1970s. Named after the Al Green song “Let’s Stay Together,” it serves as a metaphor for the unrest in American society at the time. Tracy’s notes on the idea: “Add a talking dog.”

The Bad:

Jenna and Kenneth: A subplot involving Jenna’s attempts to get Kenneth back into the page program doesn’t amount to much in the way of comedy. Seeing Jack McBrayer perform a bizarrely choreographed dance number is amusing enough, but the process of getting their is fairly boring.

Overall:

A very funny episode that mixes strong writing, solid performances from the entire cast, and some very entertaining guest stars. It’s not an instant classic, but’s probably the most successful of the new season.

Rating: 8/10

“30 Rock” airs on NBC every Thursday night!

Photo Gallery:

Did you think last night’s episode was worthy of our praise? Tell us in the comments!

Just Wright: Movie Review

Justine JC — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:30:30 +0000

Fox Searchlight presents Just Wright, another romantic-comedy, only this time adding a little something for all of you sports fans. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and starring Queen Latifah and Common, the film isn’t exactly what critics would write home about, but it should definitely pull some decent numbers in the box office.

Lets take a look…

The Players:

Director: Sanaa Hamri
Writer: Michael Elliot
Producers: Chase, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere
Cast: Common, Queen Latifah, Paula Patton Phylicia Rasha

Synopsis:

Leslie Wright (Latifah), a 35 year-old, single physical therapist and avid New Jersey Nets fan is never the bride – always the friend. She bumps into Nets star Scott McKnight (Common) at a gas station, and after wooing him with her sports knowledge and mechanical wisdom, Leslie and her attractive, gold-digger of a best friend Morgan score an invite to his birthday party. After Scottie obviously falls for Morgan, he suffers a knee injury just before the playoffs. Leslie is hired as his full-time rehabilitative therapist. I’ll bet you can guess what happens next.

The Good:

Sports Movie: This is no Remember The Titans, people – but who doesn’t feel pumped up after a solid sports movie? My audience sure did. Every fifteen minutes I had to remind myself that, no, I was NOT in a high school gymnasium despite all the teenagers screaming at a movie screen.
The Underdog Gets The Guy: Scottie initially falls for Morgan, who is a total babe, but has the IQ of a plant. She and Scottie share zero interests, and her courting him was clearly an attempt to score the financial benefits of dating a pro athlete. Leslie, the obvious fit for Scottie, is the tomboy and sports fan, but the “chubbier” girl is usually an unlikely choice for a billion dollar franchise ball player. Predictably, we see their business relationship evolve into something deeper. Surprisingly, you are rooting for this relationship – and not solely because it’s suggested in the writing.

The Bad:

Acting: Common knows music, without a doubt. Acting, however, is a little out of his league. Given that this is a romantic comedy, less than stellar performances are both welcomed and excused. Just make us “awww” because we’re anticipating the cheesiness – but Common in no way can carry a film. Latifah, on the other hand, who has a lengthy resume of less than impressive acting experience, was sufficiently over the top for the bulk of the film.
The Writing: Again, it’s a romantic-comedy-sports film… no one should go into this movie with high expectations. But the writing is, in short, atrocious. Elliot tries very hard to “establish” his characters as quickly as possible. By doing so, Scottie along with three other characters announce his “gentlemen” like qualities about 30 times, and Leslie reminds us that she’s “looking for that special man” about every other scene. We get it. Just tell the story.

Overall:

This film has potential to do well in the box-office simply because it’s a sports movie with a love story. Again, if you’re looking for a critically acclaimed piece of work – run. But if you’re looking for some mindless, light-hearted fun and laughable acting – see Just Wright.

Rating: 4/10

Just Wright is in theaters May 14th!

Trailer:

The Academy Award Awards

Andrew Payne — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:00:17 +0000

Okay, so Hollywood’s best and brightest are now at home polishing their statuettes and basking in the afterglow of being appreciated. But what about the show itself? We can’t really go without honoring the best and worst of the actual awards can we?

Here are the First Annual Academy Award Awards…

Worst Pre-Show Moment: When Jess Cagle, the managing editor for Entertainment Weekly, asked Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow and Leslie Man who they would save if there were in Earthquake tonight. A student editor at a high school TV station would have ridiculed a reporter for asking a question that inane. Runner-Up: 21-Year-Old Zac Efron referring to 18-year-old Dev Patel as “A Great Kid”. Who does he think he is? Jack Nicholson? OR… When Jess Cagle didn’t seem to know who Sarah Jessica Parker’s date was. Ummmm, that’s Matthew Broderick.

Best Pre-Show Moment: When Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ran from Tim Gunn like he was carrying a flesh-eating virus. Whatever happened to Chris Connelly on the pre-show? Runner-Up: When it ended.

Best Opening Number Moment: When Hugh Jackman absolutely ripped Benjamin Button to shreds. Exactly. Why did nobody seem to care that he was aging backwards? Runner-Up: Anne Hathaway‘s guest appearance.

Worst Opening Number Moment: When Hugh Jackman started singing directly to people in the audience. That was really awkward. As was having the stage so low. Runner-Up: All the “recession” sets. Did it really like look like they were cheap? Just lame.

Worst Idea from the New Producers: Having five actors come out and individually sing the praises of each nominee. Those moments were absolutely interminable and added nothing to the show except more awkwardness. Runner-Up: The “this is the way a movie gets made” theme idea. Very very cheesy.

Best Idea from the New Producers: The theme may have been stupid but the briskly paced presentation of the smaller categories was welcome. If they hadn’t taken fifteen minutes to present each Acting category the show would have finished in under three hours. Runner-Up: The “This year in. . .” clip montages.

Funniest Moment: Best Animated Short winner Kunio Kato whipping out a Styx tribute by closing his speech with “Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto”. Runner-Up: Tina Fey + Steve Martin = Comic Gold. Why not have them co-host next year?

Least-Funny Joke: Pretty much anything Hugh Jackman said or sang. He was brilliant on the Tonys but they really mis-used him at the Oscars. Runner-Up: Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s faux-yelling at Robert Downey Jr. about stealing roles from “the brothers”. Shouldn’t Cuba be yelling at his agent for bringing him Snow Dogs after he won an Oscar?

Best Unintentional Comedy: Having Christopher Walken sing the praises of Michael Shannon. Pretty sure he’s his illegitimate son. Runner-Up: Anthony Dod Mantle’s hair doing its best Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men impression.

Biggest Opportunity Missed for Unintenional Comedy: Showing mega-bomb Delgo during The Year in Animation montage. Runner-Up: Having Jennifer Aniston say anything positive about Angelina Jolie’s Kung Fu Panda.

Worst Clip/Montage/Musical Number: The ridiculous Best Song montage. The way the producers decided to present that wasn’t just a bad idea, it was insulting to the songs and artists. Imagine if Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova would have been forced to sing 90 seconds of “Falling Slowly” in the midst of that mess. It almost makes you wonder if Bruce Springsteen and Clint Eastwood actually got enough votes for a nomination but the producers insisted The Academy limit the shortlist to three because their haunting and spare songs wouldn’t have fit with the awful little production number they had planned. Kudos to Peter Gabriel for sitting it out, he’s the only who one who retained his dignity following that awful slap in the face of music. Runner-Up: “The Musical is Back!” dance number. Long, boring, and pointless.

Best Clip/Montage/Musical Number: Judd Apatow’s short featuring James Franco and Seth Rogen discussing the year in Comedy. Actually a better movie than Pineapple Express. Runner-Up: The brisk and classy way they presented the Best Original Score nominees. It really seemed like a return of Debbie Allen’s interpretive dance numbers was a possibility for a second.

Death Applause Award Winner: Paul Newman, as expected. Runner-Up: Sydney Pollack

Death Applause Award Loser: Queen Latifah. Do we really need a live singer to go with the montage? How about just the orchestra?

Best Acceptance Speech: Best Sound Editing Winner Resul Pookutty’s classy tribute to his homeland of India. Runner-Up: Heath Ledger’s family.

Worst Acceptance Speech: We all love ya, Kate, but if you say the word Godesses one more time, you’re barred from the Academy Awards forever. Runner-Up: Donald Graham Burt stealing the entire 45 seconds from Victor J. Zolfo after their Best Art Direction win. Share the love, man.

Biggest Upset: Without question it is Departures beating both The Class and Waltz with Bashir for Best Foreign Language Film. It would have been less surprising if Milk had won Best Picture. Runner-Up: Smile Pinki beating Martin Luther King doc Witness for Best Documentary Short Subject.

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Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Queen Latifah Channel Disney Icons

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30 Rock: Season 5 Episode 3: Let’s Stay Together – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Let’s Stay Together”

The Good

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

Photo Gallery:

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Just Wright: Movie Review

The Players:

Synopsis:

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 4/10

Trailer:

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