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Weekend Receipts: Fly, Toruk, Fly
3 hours ago
It's 2010. Things are so much different from how we predicted they might turn out back in 1984 -- a spacefaring future populated by pugnacious Russian cosmonauts resembling Helen Mirren with a permmullet. Back then, the most satisfying narrative experience to come out of a computer was Zork III: The Dungeon Master. Today, it's Avatar, which cast an ominous shadow upon challengers this weekend as it flapped across the billion-dollar mark. Who will tame the mighty Avatar? »
Friday Box Office: Jamesca'meron and Sa'ndrabullock Make History
2 January 2010 11:00 AM, PST
Gather round Hometree, everybody! We've got a special announcement. The Friday box office was a bountiful harvest for two of our most important dreamwalkers: Jamesca'meron, whose Avatar crossed the $300 million mark with no signs of slowing, and Sa'ndrabullock, who saw The Blind Side pass $200 million (and it's still in the Top 5). Surely, their Na'vi tentacle things are plugged directly into the American populace. Here are the full figures: »
6 Favorite Stories of 2009: Kyle's Picks
31 December 2009 2:15 PM, PST
Some of my favorite stories of the year have already been covered in our other year-end wrapups, whether they be lists, videos, or interviews (and truth be told, I've had such a pleasure doing interviews for Movieline that I could easily make post after post about the ones I liked best). At this point, then, when picking out my 6 favorite stories, I'm selecting a random sampling of standouts that hopefully gives a bigger picture of just how eclectic -- and continually rewarding -- Movieline's output can be. »
Our Commenters of the Week Win a Respectable Ranking on a List!
31 December 2009 1:45 PM, PST
Though our commenters may not have a surprise twist ending or a splendid late-night talk show appearance, Movieline freely gifts this week's commenting champions with a number next to their name and a small blurb. Have you ever, in your wildest absinthe fantasies, wished to be one of "The Top 10 S.T. VanAirsdale Zealots of the Decade"? Dream fulfillment approaching. What about a place among "The Top 200 Avatar Jokesmiths of the Millennium"? We'll get you in at #58! Keep in mind that we plucked winners from this week and last week, as both were truncated thanks to the holidays. »
6 Favorite Stories of 2009: Julie's Picks
31 December 2009 1:30 PM, PST
When television historians reflect on this decade, they will certainly not skirt around the fact that 2009 was one of the most disappointing years in the history of the medium. Broadcast networks spent thousands of hours pumping hot air into the controversies surrounding the Gosselins, David Letterman and Tiger Woods, but when you look back on the groundbreaking programming produced, you're left with little more than Snooki and an empty balloon in a cornfield. So follow along as I lead you through my favorite (and the most uplifting) of this year's small-screen developments. »
6 Favorite Stories of 2009: Stv's Picks
31 December 2009 11:00 AM, PST
While 2009 was by no means an especially slow cultural news year (Michael Jackson and John Hughes died, and Tiger Woods may as well have), the amount of stories that really intrigued me was at an unusual minimum. That could just as easily say something about me as it does about the year past, but for now, it's best to accentuate the positive. Hence my favorite stories of '09 -- the curious, the crazy, the thought-provoking and the altogether memorable. »
The Top 10 Films of 2009: Michelle's Picks
31 December 2009 10:30 AM, PST
Wes Anderson and Spike Jonze closed out the last decade (and the millennium) with two of that decade's best films; since 1999, the boom in independent filmmaking that fostered their breakthroughs has either flamed out or blown open the doors, depending on how you look at it. That they both made big budget studio adaptations of children's classics this year can also be seen two ways, but what seems clear is that spirit of regression has provided a sort of temporary refuge, a regrouping point for two of America's best and most innovative storytellers. »
Zero Hour Approaches in Fox/Time Warner Cable Standoff
31 December 2009 9:20 AM, PST
Though year-end battles between Time Warner Cable and its high-profile constituents are no new ordeal, Fox's programming may be pulled from air beginning at midnight tonight thanks to a lack of resolution in their fight with the cable giant for "fair compensation." Again, this means: "Your cable bill is going up -- but the fun is figuring out how much. Blackout party!" The update arrives via a memo sent to employees Wednesday by News Corp. president Chase Carey. »
In Theaters: The White Ribbon
31 December 2009 9:00 AM, PST
Shot in color and then scaled back to a matted black and white, the look of The White Ribbon is rarely one of stark contrasts; rather it is composed from an infinite palette of shades of grey. Everything about the film's masterfully executed aesthetic suggests harmony, order, the absence of extremes, exquisite deliberation; initially a soothing technique -- so pleasing in its symmetries -- director Michael Haneke teases dread and uncertainty from classical form. By the end of 144 unsparing minutes, a sort of seduction has occurred: the frame, again almost oppressively flawless, is filled with the German villagers, neatly arrayed and at perfect attention during their weekly church service. The choir children sing like angels. But did I just see what I think I saw? And what I didn't see? »
What's On: Who Would You Rather Kiss At Midnight?
31 December 2009 8:30 AM, PST
If you're anything like Andy Rooney, you'll be counting down the last hours of 2009 alone and miserable, nursing a single-serving of coffee ice cream and a year's worth of regrets. Fortunately, the usual cast of New Year's Eve television hosts will be available to shout at you from Times Square, throw to firework celebrations in Sydney, Australia and introduce drunken bands fulfilling promotional obligations. If that programming won't cut it, the Lifetime Network is broadcasting its viewers' favorite movie of the year (which happens to star LeAnn Rimes) and MTV will recount the nine biggest stories of the year with the help of the Jersey Shore cast members. Other options ahead. »
General Hospital FrancoWatch: Just Another Candlelit New Year's Eve Alone
31 December 2009 8:00 AM, PST
Kudos to General Hospital producers who have stretched James Franco's handful of days on set into a rich two-month arc full of intrigue and corpse art. That feat meant that in some episodes, Franco's character did not appear at all, while in others his part was limited to mysteriously brandishing a bracelet, shouting meaningfully or shaking a paint can sinisterly for his entire two minutes on screen. Some Franco fans may have felt gypped, wading through an hour of tertiary mob plot just for twenty glorious seconds of Franco...until yesterday, when General Hospital gifted us with the best possible James Franco New Year's Eve scene of all.
Hint: It involves a seductively removed napkin holder and an overplayed Temptations song. »
TV Bites: Your Next Comic Nightmare
31 December 2009 7:00 AM, PST
· Most television viewers are all for reality competitions where the underdog has a chance to win: American Idol, More to Love, Dance Your Ass Off. They can handle bad singing, bad dancing, but bad stand-up comedy is an entirely different animal, especially when NBC is considering bringing back Last Comic Standing, the comedy competition that one Drew Carey endorsed as fraudulent. The one in which producers offset judge voting just so that the morbidly obese or cerebral palsy-afflicted contestants make it to the next round. Most reality shows may be heavily manipulated behind-the-scenes, but please NBC, spare us your fixed Last Comic. If Bill Bellamy needs a network gig that badly, how about you implant him as the hilarious new T.A. on Community, no one will even know the difference. And if you have to bring one show back from that mass peacock grave, how about Kath & Kim? [EW]
Glee goes original, »
Reno 911!'s Thomas Lennon: My Fave Five of 2009
31 December 2009 6:30 AM, PST
Is it 2010 yet? No? Then I guess it's time for another Fave Five! This one comes from Thomas Lennon, whom you might recognize as being the alter ego of Lt. Jim Dangle -- the baddest hoochie-short-rocking officer on the Reno force, from the tragically canceled Reno 911!. (Phooey, Comedy Central. Phooey on you.) Now, here they are, without comment: Thomas Lennon's Fave Five of 2009. Enjoy. »
Hollywood Ink: Fox Triumph Commemorated With Photoshop Failure
31 December 2009 6:00 AM, PST
· For this, the last Hollywood Ink of 2009, it's only fitting that we revel in the little miracles that trade news occasionally tosses our way. But enough about Fox's astonishing December run -- a one-two punch of Avatar and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel that helped lift the studio past the $4 billion global box-office mark for the year. I've been transfixed for much of the last day with the inspired-ish artwork that accompanied this story at The Wrap, which reduces Rupert Murdoch and studio bosses Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos to their golden chipmunk trio. "Failure" might be too harsh a description for this handiwork, but anything that gets one thinking about these guys macking on the Chipettes while Zachary Levi cleans their cages is, frankly, just a pop-culture bridge too far. [The Wrap]
The Weinsteins stand by Nine, Sherlock Holmes trickles down, and more Hollywood Ink after the jump. »
What's On: Launch My Lawman
30 December 2009 5:00 PM, PST
Fierce disciplinarians fill out tonight's TV schedule -- Steven Seagal, Launch My Line's Dan and Dean Caten, and actual psychiatrists all make appearances. It should be a pretty intense lineup if all goes according to plan, though Seagal would likely protest that the Catens do not possess the inner harmony of true archers. The Catens would rightfully counter that Seagal runs funny. »
Another Magic Oprah Ride: Movieline's Year of Lady O
30 December 2009 4:40 PM, PST
It could have been the biggest year of your life -- maybe you finally got attention (and a small jail sentence) for your homemade hot air balloon or sold the network on that Conveyor Belt of Love series that you brainstormed while high on ketamine -- your year will never meet the cloud-grazing highs and mermaid girl-exploiting lows of Oprah Winfrey's. This year alone, the world's most important Chicagoan (that's right Mr. President) traipsed the globe in a campaign to win the Olympics, hosted a Mad Men-themed episode because she could, sought on-air sexual guidance from Jenna Jameson, announced her retirement from broadcast and financed an Oscar-favorite film. Pretty much the only things she did not do were host Saturday Night Live and play beer pong with Jimmy Fallon -- but you better bet your bottom dollar that she could have if she wanted. After the jump, Movieline revisits Ms. »
Moon Director Tweets Displeasure With Studio's Oscar Non-Campaign
30 December 2009 4:20 PM, PST
Obviously Duncan Jones, the director whose excellent debut Moon features an awards-caliber performance by Sam Rockwell, either hasn't read or doesn't share Movieline's position on the value of a non-campaign awards campaign. And today I'm kind of glad about that, because it's way more entertaining (if ultimately depressing) to read his new tweets lambasting Sony for jilting his low-budget baby in its quest for Oscar. »
Twilight's Billy Burke Picks His Fave Five of 2009
30 December 2009 4:00 PM, PST
As Movieline spends so much time telling you what we made of 2009, why not occasionally cede the microphone to others in Hollywood? Actor Billy Burke is the latest to try his hand at a Fave Five -- you may know him from his role as Kristen Stewart's father in the Twilight Saga (though after seeing Feast of Love, I'll always imagine him naked and slapping around Radha Mitchell), and in addition to the upcoming installment Eclipse, he's got the lead in 2010 indies Highland Park and Luster. Still, we're getting ahead of ourselves by looking forward; before 2010 rolls around, what did Billy think were the pop culture highlights of 2009? »
A Movieline Report Card of SNL's Recent Half-Season
30 December 2009 3:00 PM, PST
Whether you think Saturday Night Live's best days lay ahead, ended in 1992, or were over by the time Joe Piscopo came aboard, one thing is for certain: Its best days are not now. Kristin Wiig is forced to resuscitate so many sketches that it seems unfair, and hosts unused to comic material are chosen frequently. Now, Movieline reflects on its SNL coverage and sheds light on the bad, ugly, and slight good of its 35th season. »
Bumps in the Night: Movieline's Year in Late Night TV
30 December 2009 1:30 PM, PST
It was a year chock full of transition for the after hours set; Conan O'Brien moved to Los Angeles to head the Tonight Show, Jay Leno left the Tonight Show to slaughter NBC's scripted programming with a prime time experiment, George Lopez gave TBS an hour long chola makeover and David Letterman flip-flopped between beloved, blackmailed, and back again. So let's take a moment to remember each of those major blows, as well as the head injuries and scuffles that came along with them, after the jump. »
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