Posted on Thu, Jul. 31, 2008
What's new in entertainment
By KRISTEN HALVERSON and JAMES FRANKLIN
A look at what's new in movies, music, television, video games and DVDs for the weekend."ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE"
Plain girl Mandy (Amber Heard) transforms into a young woman who bewitches the boys at school in this teen horror film. The changed Mandy is invited to a weekend retreat to party with the popular kids, who start disappearing one by one after they arrive at a secluded ranch. With Anson Mount, Edwin Hodge, Michael Welch and Whitney Able. Directed by Jonathan Levine. Released by Senator International. Rated R.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"Director Jonathan Levine's film displays an intelligence lacking in most teen slasher pics."
-Mark Medley, Globe and Mail
"A partly smart, mostly dumb addition to the teen horror sweepstakes -- smart in how it neatly catches the petty, hurtful, sexy and druggy aspects of high school life, dumb in how it makes absolutely no sense once its resolution is known."
-Todd McCarthy, Variety
"THE MUMMY: THE TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR"
The latest sequel in the adventure-horror franchise has archeologist Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) trying to stop a resurrected Chinese emperor (Jet Li) and his army of undead warriors from taking over the world. With Maria Bello, Luke Ford, John Hannah and Michelle Yeoh. Directed by Rob Cohen. Released by Universal Studios. Rated PG-13.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"There's an important lesson here: Whatever immortal ninja temple guardians tell you, take it with a grain of salt because they tend to exaggerate."
-Phil Villareal, The Arizona Republic
"(I)n a summer when even the latest Indiana Jones movie is a pale copy of its predecessors, who wants to see a second-rate Indy rip-off?"
-Alonso Duralde, MSNBC
"MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN"
A photographer (Bradley Cooper) chronicling the seedier side of New York's nightlife stumbles across a killer (Vinnie Jones) who rides the subways after dark. This killer isn't just a random psycho - he's providing fresh bodies for a master who's even more twisted than he is. With Leslie Bibb and Tony Curran. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. Released by Lionsgate. Rated R.
Official movie site
"SWING VOTE"
Through a strange set of circumstances, an apathetic, beer-swilling loser (Kevin Costner) finds that he'll be the one to cast the deciding vote in the nation's presidential election in this comedy co-starring Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern. Released by Touchstone Pictures. Rated PG-13.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"In this climate, Kevin Costner’s boldly heartfelt new film Swing Vote is strange indeed."
-Armond White, New York Press
"American democracy has rarely looked worse than in this unfunny and undramatic comedy-drama."
-Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
"FROZEN RIVER"
A stark drama about a desperate mother (Melissa Leo) who agrees to help a Native American woman smuggle illegal immigrants across the border, a decision that threatens to get her into even more trouble. With Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott and Michael O' Keefe. Directed by Courtney Hunt. Released by Sony Pictures Classics. Rated R.
Official movie site
What the critics say:
"Should prove thematically and spiritually invigorating for adult audiences with a feeling for the heroism of everyday life."
-Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
"A gripping, beautifully written drama suffused with authenticity."
-Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
VIDEO:"Nim's Island" An intrepid 11-year-old girl who lives on an island with her father coaxes her favorite author, a housebound neurotic, into her world of adventure. Starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. Directed by Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Rated PG. Available August 5."The Killing of John Lennon" Writer-director Andrew Piddington uses Mark David Chapman's own words - gleaned from interviews and court transcripts - as a basis to explore the mind of John Lennon's killer. Starring Jonas Ball, Krishna Fairchild, and Mie Omori. Unrated. Available August 5."Miss Conception" Thirty-three-year-old Georgina's biological alarm goes off, causing her to dump her boyfriend, who is not ready to be a father, and set off on a race to conceive before early menopause catches up with her. Starring Heather Graham, Mia Kirshner, Tom Ellis, and Orlando Seale. Directed by Eric Styles. Released by First Look Pictures. Rated R. Available August 5."My Brother Is An Only Child" An Italian black comedy about two battling brothers, one Fascist and one Communist, with a love triangle thrown in for good measure. Starring Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Angela Finocciaro. Directed by Daniele Luchetti. Unrated. Available August 5."Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" This documentary, directed by Jim Brown, traces the folk icon's life from his itinerent childhood through his storied career, and into his quiet retirement. Released by Genius Products. Rated PG-13. Available August 5."Starship Troopers 3: Marauder" Humans versus great big bugs, volume 3. Starring Amanda Donahoe, Casper Van Dien, and Jolene Blalock. Directed by Ed Neumeier. Released by Sony Pictures. Rated R. Available August 5."Get Smart: Season 1" With the updated movie version still in theaters, the first adventures of the world's dumbest spy debut on DVD. Starring Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, and Ed Platt. Released by HBO Home Video. Not rated. Available August 5.
VIDEO GAMES:Note: Release dates are subject to change without notice."Braid" A puzzle game, "Braid" alters the flow of time in seven different worlds that stand between the player and a princess in need of rescue. Published by Microsoft for Xbox 360. Rated E10+. Available August 6."GRID" Race in several different styles, including drift and circuit racing, across Europe, Japan and the U.S., and create your own racing team. Published by Codemasters for Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Rated E. Available August 5."Monster Madness: Grave Danger" An enhanced version of the game originally released for PC and Xbox 360, this horror-themed third-person shooter accomodates up to four players in a variety of interactive environments. Published by Southpeak for PlayStation 3. Rated T. Available August 7."Little League World Series 2008" Players bat, pitch and field their way from the sandlot to the Series. The game includes eight American and eight foreign teams. Published by Activision for Nintendo DS and Wii. Rated E. Available August 5.
MUSIC:Randy Newman, "Harps & Angels": Newman adopts a New Orleans sensibility for his first studio album since 1999, but his sharp sense of satire remains intact. In stores August 5.Keith Anderson, "C'mon!": Anderson's new album continues where his previous one, "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll," left off. In stores August 5.Conor Oberst, "Conor Oberst": Oberst's second album since his split from Bright Eyes is a mellow, country-rock affair, recorded in Mexico with a group of musicians dubbed the Mystic Valley Band. In stores August 5.Carla Bruni, "Comme Si de Rien N'Etait": This French-language album - the title translates to "As If Nothing Had Happened" - is a chronicle of the singer's romance and marriage to French president Nicolas Sarkozy. In stores August 5.
TV:All times are EDT/PDT.Sunday, August 3"Design Star": In their last challenge, the two finalists work for people in need before the audience votes on the winner. 5 p.m., HGTV."The Venture Brothers": The episode's name is "Lepidopteriot," and "lepidoptera" apparently means "order of insects including butterflies," so that means the Monarch must be involved, and that makes me happy. 11:30 p.m., Cartoon Network.Monday, August 4"I Want to Work for Diddy": The series premiere of "The Diddy Apprentice," in which 13 contestants compete for a job at Bad Boy Entertainment. 9 p.m., VH1.Tuesday, August 5"Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood": Tori's about to pop, and with the house unfinished, the baby might have to go in a bureau drawer. So their friends pitch in to get their pad ready. 10 p.m., Oxygen.Wednesday, August 6"Man vs. Wild": The intrepid Bear Grylls kicks off his intrepid third season. You'd better tune in, or risk missing more naked ice swimming. 10 p.m., Discovery.
BOOKS:Stephanie Meyer, "Breaking Dawn": In the fourth and final book in Meyer's bestselling "Twilight" series, Bella will decide between Edward and Jacob, and between humanity and immortality. In stores August 2.Sherrilyn Kenyon, "Acheron": The latest novel in Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series, "Acheron" tells the story of the leader of the Dark-Hunters, and what happens when he meets a woman who will not be distracted from her forbidden quest. In stores August 5.Doris Lessing, "Alfred and Emily": The latest book from the 2007 winner of the Nobel Prize for literature is a hybrid of fiction and autobiography, and the unsettled feeling she got with the award shows through in her writing. In stores August 5.Stephen Coonts, "The Assassin": Coonts addresses the dearth of upper-class soldiers in his latest thriller, which follows a grieving father leading wealthy group of citizens in their own privately-funded war. In stores August 5.Arthur C. Clarke and Frederick Pohl, "The Last Theorem": A collaboration between two pillars of the science-fiction genre, the novel follows a search for an elusive theorem renowned mathematician Pierre de Fermat hinted at in 1637. "The Last Theorem" turned out to be the last work completed by Clarke, who died in 2008. In stores August 5.
Plain girl Mandy (Amber Heard) transforms into a young woman who bewitches the boys at school in this teen horror film. The changed Mandy is invited to a weekend retreat to party with the popular kids, who start disappearing one by one after they arrive at a secluded ranch. With Anson Mount, Edwin Hodge, Michael Welch and Whitney Able. Directed by Jonathan Levine. Released by Senator International. Rated R.
Official movie siteWhat the critics say:
"Director Jonathan Levine's film displays an intelligence lacking in most teen slasher pics."
-Mark Medley, Globe and Mail
"A partly smart, mostly dumb addition to the teen horror sweepstakes -- smart in how it neatly catches the petty, hurtful, sexy and druggy aspects of high school life, dumb in how it makes absolutely no sense once its resolution is known."
-Todd McCarthy, Variety
"THE MUMMY: THE TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR"
The latest sequel in the adventure-horror franchise has archeologist Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) trying to stop a resurrected Chinese emperor (Jet Li) and his army of undead warriors from taking over the world. With Maria Bello, Luke Ford, John Hannah and Michelle Yeoh. Directed by Rob Cohen. Released by Universal Studios. Rated PG-13.
Official movie siteWhat the critics say:
"There's an important lesson here: Whatever immortal ninja temple guardians tell you, take it with a grain of salt because they tend to exaggerate."
-Phil Villareal, The Arizona Republic
"(I)n a summer when even the latest Indiana Jones movie is a pale copy of its predecessors, who wants to see a second-rate Indy rip-off?"
-Alonso Duralde, MSNBC
"MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN"
A photographer (Bradley Cooper) chronicling the seedier side of New York's nightlife stumbles across a killer (Vinnie Jones) who rides the subways after dark. This killer isn't just a random psycho - he's providing fresh bodies for a master who's even more twisted than he is. With Leslie Bibb and Tony Curran. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. Released by Lionsgate. Rated R.
Official movie site"SWING VOTE"
Through a strange set of circumstances, an apathetic, beer-swilling loser (Kevin Costner) finds that he'll be the one to cast the deciding vote in the nation's presidential election in this comedy co-starring Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern. Released by Touchstone Pictures. Rated PG-13.
Official movie siteWhat the critics say:
"In this climate, Kevin Costner’s boldly heartfelt new film Swing Vote is strange indeed."
-Armond White, New York Press
"American democracy has rarely looked worse than in this unfunny and undramatic comedy-drama."
-Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
"FROZEN RIVER"
A stark drama about a desperate mother (Melissa Leo) who agrees to help a Native American woman smuggle illegal immigrants across the border, a decision that threatens to get her into even more trouble. With Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott and Michael O' Keefe. Directed by Courtney Hunt. Released by Sony Pictures Classics. Rated R.
Official movie siteWhat the critics say:
"Should prove thematically and spiritually invigorating for adult audiences with a feeling for the heroism of everyday life."
-Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
"A gripping, beautifully written drama suffused with authenticity."
-Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
VIDEO:"Nim's Island" An intrepid 11-year-old girl who lives on an island with her father coaxes her favorite author, a housebound neurotic, into her world of adventure. Starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. Directed by Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Rated PG. Available August 5."The Killing of John Lennon" Writer-director Andrew Piddington uses Mark David Chapman's own words - gleaned from interviews and court transcripts - as a basis to explore the mind of John Lennon's killer. Starring Jonas Ball, Krishna Fairchild, and Mie Omori. Unrated. Available August 5."Miss Conception" Thirty-three-year-old Georgina's biological alarm goes off, causing her to dump her boyfriend, who is not ready to be a father, and set off on a race to conceive before early menopause catches up with her. Starring Heather Graham, Mia Kirshner, Tom Ellis, and Orlando Seale. Directed by Eric Styles. Released by First Look Pictures. Rated R. Available August 5."My Brother Is An Only Child" An Italian black comedy about two battling brothers, one Fascist and one Communist, with a love triangle thrown in for good measure. Starring Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Angela Finocciaro. Directed by Daniele Luchetti. Unrated. Available August 5."Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" This documentary, directed by Jim Brown, traces the folk icon's life from his itinerent childhood through his storied career, and into his quiet retirement. Released by Genius Products. Rated PG-13. Available August 5."Starship Troopers 3: Marauder" Humans versus great big bugs, volume 3. Starring Amanda Donahoe, Casper Van Dien, and Jolene Blalock. Directed by Ed Neumeier. Released by Sony Pictures. Rated R. Available August 5."Get Smart: Season 1" With the updated movie version still in theaters, the first adventures of the world's dumbest spy debut on DVD. Starring Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, and Ed Platt. Released by HBO Home Video. Not rated. Available August 5.
VIDEO GAMES:Note: Release dates are subject to change without notice."Braid" A puzzle game, "Braid" alters the flow of time in seven different worlds that stand between the player and a princess in need of rescue. Published by Microsoft for Xbox 360. Rated E10+. Available August 6."GRID" Race in several different styles, including drift and circuit racing, across Europe, Japan and the U.S., and create your own racing team. Published by Codemasters for Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Rated E. Available August 5."Monster Madness: Grave Danger" An enhanced version of the game originally released for PC and Xbox 360, this horror-themed third-person shooter accomodates up to four players in a variety of interactive environments. Published by Southpeak for PlayStation 3. Rated T. Available August 7."Little League World Series 2008" Players bat, pitch and field their way from the sandlot to the Series. The game includes eight American and eight foreign teams. Published by Activision for Nintendo DS and Wii. Rated E. Available August 5.
MUSIC:Randy Newman, "Harps & Angels": Newman adopts a New Orleans sensibility for his first studio album since 1999, but his sharp sense of satire remains intact. In stores August 5.Keith Anderson, "C'mon!": Anderson's new album continues where his previous one, "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll," left off. In stores August 5.Conor Oberst, "Conor Oberst": Oberst's second album since his split from Bright Eyes is a mellow, country-rock affair, recorded in Mexico with a group of musicians dubbed the Mystic Valley Band. In stores August 5.Carla Bruni, "Comme Si de Rien N'Etait": This French-language album - the title translates to "As If Nothing Had Happened" - is a chronicle of the singer's romance and marriage to French president Nicolas Sarkozy. In stores August 5.
TV:All times are EDT/PDT.Sunday, August 3"Design Star": In their last challenge, the two finalists work for people in need before the audience votes on the winner. 5 p.m., HGTV."The Venture Brothers": The episode's name is "Lepidopteriot," and "lepidoptera" apparently means "order of insects including butterflies," so that means the Monarch must be involved, and that makes me happy. 11:30 p.m., Cartoon Network.Monday, August 4"I Want to Work for Diddy": The series premiere of "The Diddy Apprentice," in which 13 contestants compete for a job at Bad Boy Entertainment. 9 p.m., VH1.Tuesday, August 5"Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood": Tori's about to pop, and with the house unfinished, the baby might have to go in a bureau drawer. So their friends pitch in to get their pad ready. 10 p.m., Oxygen.Wednesday, August 6"Man vs. Wild": The intrepid Bear Grylls kicks off his intrepid third season. You'd better tune in, or risk missing more naked ice swimming. 10 p.m., Discovery.
BOOKS:Stephanie Meyer, "Breaking Dawn": In the fourth and final book in Meyer's bestselling "Twilight" series, Bella will decide between Edward and Jacob, and between humanity and immortality. In stores August 2.Sherrilyn Kenyon, "Acheron": The latest novel in Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series, "Acheron" tells the story of the leader of the Dark-Hunters, and what happens when he meets a woman who will not be distracted from her forbidden quest. In stores August 5.Doris Lessing, "Alfred and Emily": The latest book from the 2007 winner of the Nobel Prize for literature is a hybrid of fiction and autobiography, and the unsettled feeling she got with the award shows through in her writing. In stores August 5.Stephen Coonts, "The Assassin": Coonts addresses the dearth of upper-class soldiers in his latest thriller, which follows a grieving father leading wealthy group of citizens in their own privately-funded war. In stores August 5.Arthur C. Clarke and Frederick Pohl, "The Last Theorem": A collaboration between two pillars of the science-fiction genre, the novel follows a search for an elusive theorem renowned mathematician Pierre de Fermat hinted at in 1637. "The Last Theorem" turned out to be the last work completed by Clarke, who died in 2008. In stores August 5.