Weekend Movie Forecast: Cop Out Vs. The Crazies
Don’t be afraid to let the opening moments of Cop Out inspire optimism! Why shouldn’t they? not only are you about to watch an homage to ’80s cop buddy movies starring Bruce “Die Harder” Willis and Tracy “Brian Fellow” Jordan, but the very first beat begins with a great “Hello, Brooklyn” subversion. Footage from a helicopter flying up the East River at night shows Manhattan glittering on the left, where most Hollywood helicopter footage inevitably veers. But in Cop Out, just as the downtown bridges come into sight, the chopper fakes left and swings defiantly right into the county of Kings, to the tune of the Beastie Boys’ timeless classic No Sleep (‘Til Brooklyn). It bodes well! sure, this is a mainstream Hollywood movie, but it’s also a Kevin Smith film.
Smith didn’t write it, but considering his recent output, that’s probably for the best. aside from one dull stretch in the middle, during which Bruce Willis delivers an oddly treacly monologue about his daughter, Cop Out is just good, dirty, lowbrow fun. The plot, which isn’t as formulaic as you might expect, follows the duo—both suspended from the NYPD in Act I for their recklessness—as they desperately try to recover a prized baseball card from a cliche Mexican gang. Willis is funny and seething as the reliably mischievous straight man, and Morgan, the black Andy Kaufman, is transmitting from outer space as always, albeit perhaps not as far out as we like to see him go. Seann William Scott co-stars in the Joe Pesci/Leo Getz sidekick slot, and at times he even out-weirds Morgan in his portrayal of a pervy Parkour prowler. And the fourth star here is Brooklyn itself; Windsor Terrace/Greenpoint/Williamsburg residents who aren’t down with Cop out will at least be able to pass the time location spotting. (John Del Signore)
Click on the film stills for more info and reviews on this week’s new releases and repertory screenings, which include Cop out, The Crazies, A Prophet, Formosa Betrayed, Prodigal Sons, Toe to Toe, The Yellow Handkerchief, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Five Easy Pieces, and Point Break.
Categories: Movie and Dining Reviews Tags: brooklyn, bruce willis, chopper, kevin smith film, monologue
Aiken To Deliver Speech At Gay Rights Rally
Pop singer Clay Aiken adds voice for gay rights campaign as gala speaker in NC hometown
February 24th, 2010 Clay Aiken takes NC stage for gay rightsRALEIGH, N.C. — More than a year after disclosing he is gay, Clay Aiken is speaking before a gay-rights event in his hometown.
Simon Cowell girlfriend’s boob-grope snap angers Afghans
February 14th, 2010 LONDON – Simon Cowell’s new girlfriend has enraged her fellow Afghans with a picture that shows her boobs being groped by a gay singing star. in the pic, American Idol make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, 36, can be seen grabbed by singer Clay Aiken, reports the Daily Star.
The 9th Annual Greater new York Human Rights Campaign
February 7th, 2010 more imagesTim GunnThe 9th Annual Greater new York Human Rights Campaign Gala held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Ayla Brown Pictures Become most Searched Topic After Father’s Speech
January 21st, 2010 MASSACHUSETTS (GaeaTimes.com)- the daughter of recently elected Democrat Scott Brown, Ayla Brown became an overnight celebrity, flooded with offers from young men wishing to take her out, all thanks to the acceptance speech of her father. in his speech, Democrat Scott Brown let the whole world know that his daughters are free and “available,” on national television.
Reverend Fred Phelps calls Lady Gaga a ‘slut’
December 26th, 2009 MELBOURNE – Lady Gaga has been branded slut by religious activists known for picketing the funerals of deceased soldiers and vocally opposing rights for gays and lesbians. A press release issued by the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, led by the Reverend Fred Phelps, claimed Lady Gaga was ‘going to Hell’ for allegedly leading a ‘rebellion’ against God, reports the Daily Telegraph.
December 7th, 2009 LITTLE BRITAIN star MATT LUCAS paid tribute to his former partner KEVIN MCGEE at a memorial on Sunday (06Dec09). the actor was joined by Sharon Osbourne, Russell Brand and more than 200 guests at the tribute to the late TV producer, who was found hanged at his Edinburgh, Scotland apartment in October (09).
Washington Civil Rights Concert Tops Greatest Gigs Poll
November 25th, 2009 the March on Washington event in 1963, featuring BOB DYLAN, JOAN BAEZ and folk icon PETE SEEGER, has beaten THE BEATLES’ ED SULLIVAN shows and Dylan’s controversial Newport Folk Festival gig to top a list of America’s greatest concerts in the past 50 years. Elvis Presley’s NBC TV special in 1968, the Beatles at Shea Stadium, the Sex Pistols final show in San Francisco, California and Jimi Hendrix’s show-stealing performance at Woodstock also made the top 10 in Relix magazine’s poll.
Banner Postpones Rally Over Safety Concerns
October 20th, 2009 Hip-hop star DAVID BANNER has postponed a community rally he organised in Chicago, Illinois over safety fears. the rapper’s Heal the Hood Foundation planned to hold the Something’s wrong Community Rally on Tuesday (20Oct09) to raise awareness and develop solutions regarding the city’s youth and gang violence issues.
Francis Defends decision To Join Gay-rights March
October 13th, 2009 JOE FRANCIS has hit back at allegations he only took part in a gay rights march to boost his battered public image – insisting he understands how it feels to be stripped of your civil rights. the Girls Gone Wild founder took to the street of Washington, D.C.
October 12th, 2009 SEX AND THE CITY star CYNTHIA NIXON took to the streets of Washington, D.C. on Sunday (11Oct09) to lead a gay rights march.
Gaga Channels Lennon for Human Rights Rally
October 12th, 2009 LADY GAGA performed JOHN LENNON’s iconic hit IMAGINE to rally support for a gay rights march through the streets of Washington, D.C. on Sunday (11Oct09).
Lady Gaga to take to Washington streets for gay rally
October 8th, 2009 LONDON – Lady Gaga is all set to hit the streets of Washington, D.C. to campaign for gay rights.
Lady Gaga Calls for Supporters in Gay Rally
October 7th, 2009 LADY GAGA is taking to the streets of Washington, D.C. to lead a march in support of gay rights.
Not-so-political rally near Texas Capitol _ this one’s for new Robert Rodriguez film “Machete”
August 27th, 2009 No real rally, it’s Rodriguez movie shot in AustinAUSTIN, Texas — A political rally being staged near the Texas Capitol had nothing to do with real Republicans or Democrats. A stretch of Congress Avenue was closed to traffic Thursday as part of filming for the Robert Rodriguez action movie “Machete,” featuring Robert de Niro.
Following Facebook campaign, actor James Franco pulls out of UCLA commencement speech
June 6th, 2009 Actor James Franco pulls out of UCLA grad speechLOS ANGELES — Actor James Franco says he has dropped a plan to give a commencement speech at the University of California, Los Angeles, a move that may have been prompted by pressure from students. Franco issued a statement saying he canceled his June 12 appearance because of conflicts with preproduction demands for his next film.
Categories: Technology Tags: bran, gay rights, human rights campaign, national television
Tyler Perry's Madea has opened doors for black actors
Want to go?
What: “Madea’s Big Happy Family”
When: 8 tonight and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem
Cost: $56.50 tonight and at 3 p.m. Saturday and $61.50 for the 8 p.m. Saturday show.
For more: Call (336) 725-5635, ext. 8880
Media General News Service
Published: February 19, 2010
Winston-Salem – Tyler Perry is bringing Madea to Winston-Salem.
The prolific actor/writer/producer/director will perform his latest play, Madea’s Big Happy Family, Friday and Saturday at Joel Coliseum. the cast also includes Cheryl Pepsii Riley and Cassi Davis, who have previously appeared in several of Perry’s plays.
Perry first played Madea, a bombastic, no-nonsense grandmother, in the 2000 stage play I Can do bad all by myself and has gone on to reprise Madea on stage, in films and on television. he even wrote a book as the character, Don’t make a Black Woman Take off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Comments on Love and Life. In some productions, she has a minor role as comic relief; in others, she is the star.
Perry was not available for an interview, but last week on his Web site, he told fans that the tour was “going great.”
“I am so happy and blessed to be able to be in front of the people,” he wrote. “We sold out the Kodak in LA, we sold out Madison Square Garden and now I finally get to the South. I am so excited about getting down South!”
According to CNN, his movies have earned more than $400 million to date, and he is the first black producer to own his own film-and-television production studio. last year, Forbes listed his pay at $75 million, and placed him at No. 30 in its “Celebrity Top 100” listings.
“I think that his success is that he appeals to the ordinary African-American in terms of speaking to concerns or issues, tapping into what they like to see, in terms of being entertained,” said Elwanda Ingram, a professor at Winston-Salem State University who teaches courses on African-American literature and culture. Ingram said that she also appreciates that Perry “gives black actors and actresses a chance to work at their craft.”
“It’s difficult for the majority of black actors and actresses to find viable venues to display their skills. You have a few top stars like Denzel Washington and Will Smith, but the majority are struggling.”
Perry’s work has sometimes been criticized for stereotypical depictions of black people, Ingram said.
“There are still positive values that come out of his productions, whether on stage, on screen or on television,” she said. “There is a sense of positivity, despite the fact there may be some stereotypical images in his works. he speaks to family relationships, marital relationships, gender relationships and all of those concerns about family life, with a twist.
“He is very sincere about his craft…. I don’t think initially Hollywood took him seriously, but there is an audience for his plays and for his films.”
Madea’s Big Happy Family is also providing an opportunity for Perry to focus on his work and ease his grief over the recent death of his mother, Willie Maxine Perry, who was a partial inspiration for the character of Madea. she died in December at age 64.
“The love I have been receiving every night is so evident,” Tyler Perry wrote on his Web site. “Every time I leave the stage I realize that the audience, you guys, has helped to ease my grief a little. I just thank you so much, to all of you, who have come through the doors so far to show me your love.
“Thank you. God bless you. I so feel it. It is the truth. You have no idea what you are doing for me. You have no idea.”
Tim Clodfelter writes for the Winston-Salem Journal.
Categories: Wordpress Tags: earrings, joel coliseum winston salem, stage play, television, tyler perry
Nissan and Playstation GT Academy 2010 is go!
SILVERSTONE, UNITED KINGDOM – February 26, 2010: February 2010– Nissan and PlayStation’s quest to unearth real racing talentfrom the virtual world of the successful Gran Turismo race simulation gamesenters a crucial phase today. the 18 winners from across the 17participating countries will gather at the famous Silverstone Circuit inNorthamptonshire, UK. For the next five days they will be put through aseries of gruelling driving, physical and mental challenges in order toselect the two competitors that display the most talent, determination andpotential to succeed as real racing drivers.
The two winners of the Silverstone event will be invited back to the UKto embark on an intensive two-month driver training programme. they willcompete in enough race events to qualify for an international racinglicence while also learning race-craft and technique. following this phase,only one of the drivers will be chosen to compete a full season in theEuropean GT4 Cup series driving a Nissan 370Z GT car alongside AlexBuncombe in the Nissan PlayStation RJN Motorsport team.
On hand at the GT Academy at Silverstone to guide and train thecompetitors will be an international team of experienced race instructorsheaded by Rob Barff. Barff will also act as a judge alongside former F1boss Eddie Jordan, F1 and Le Mans-winner Johnny Herbert, and two-timeNrburgring 24-Hour winner Sabine Schmitz. the panel faces a tough job toreduce the field from 18 to two over the course of the next five days.
During their intensive racing driver ‘boot camp’, thecompetitors will swap their PlayStation3 controls for the steering wheelsof the awesome Nissan GT-R and new Nissan 370Z as well as karts,single-seaters and other cars. From the end of day two, the judges will berequired to make the difficult decision of who must be eliminated from thecompetition.
Commenting on the process, Nissan’s European Interactive MarketingManager Darren Cox said: “So far GT Academy has been a major success.the time trial phase played on the Gran Turismo game was like a hugevirtual group test drive of the 370Z for over 1.1 million people. We havethen had some extremely competitive national finals events run over avariety of race circuits on the game that demonstrated the determination ofthese gamers. We now enter a really fascinating stage to watch how theseguys are able to adapt their obvious talent to being on a real track. Wehave a great group of instructors at Silverstone to deliver the programmeand some fantastic judges to pick our winners.”
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s PS3 Brand Manager mark Bowlesis equally excited about the prospect of Silverstone: “Havingwhittled down 1.1 million to 18 and delivered our gamers to Silverstone, weare looking forward to see if they have what it takes to become real racingdrivers with Nissan. GT Academy is the perfect example of how ‘the game isjust the start’ on PS3 and so I am very excited to watch how thingsdevelop. it is a shame that there can be only two winners. But whateverhappens, we have developed a programme that will ensure that all of thecompetitors have an incredible experience and learn many newskills.”
Categories: News and Events Tags: race craft, racing drivers, silverstone circuit, train, virtual world
movie listings?
does anyone know when they’re going to put pirates of the Caribbean 3 on hbo because I’ve been wanting to watch that movie. thank you.
Categories: Movie and Dining Reviews Tags: caribbean 3, hbo, movie listings, pirates
