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The Playlist
The obsessives' guide to contemporary cinema via film discussion, news, reviews, features, nostalgia, movie music, soundtracks, DVDs and more.Interviews
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Greta Gerwig Talks 'Frances Ha' & Working With Noah Baumbach -
Joel Edgerton On 'Wish You Were Here,' 'Jane' Drama & More -
James Gray On 'The Immigrant,' 'The Gray Man,' 'The Lost City Of Z' And More -
Brit Marling Talks 'The East' & Espionage Thrillers -
Nicolas Winding Refn Discusses 'Only God Forgives -
Justin Lin Talks 'Fast Furious 6' & The Influence Of Altman -
Interview: Noah Baumbach Talks 'Frances Ha' -
Ben Wheatley Talks 'Sightseers,' Violence & More -
Mark Romanek On 'One Hour Photo' & Leaving 'Cinderella'
The Playlist
Review: Potentially Dumb & Fun 'Pain & Gain' Overstays Its Welcome With Unrelentingly Dumb & Unfun Tale
- By Rodrigo Perez
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- April 24, 2013 10:40 AM
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- 5 Comments
Big, dumb, ridiculously over-the-top fun. When all else fails, filmmaker Michael Bay, perhaps one of the most unfairly maligned directors of the last two decades, can make it rain and bring the entertaining thunder like no one else. If not the inventor of the modern day supernova-esque blockbuster, Bay certainly defined it with some of the biggest, loudest, most larger-than-life spectacles of contemporary cinema. While loathed in many circles for several years by critics like Roger Ebert and others for “ruining movies” with his dumbed-downed, stadium-sized, often banal, Bon Jovi-like anthemic films that came with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, Bay’s reputation has improved in recent years with the rise and popularity of vulgar auteurism (a newfound respect or the loud and proud).
Michael Bay's 'Pain & Gain' Flexes With Batch Of New Pics Featuring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson & More
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- April 9, 2013 9:01 AM
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- 0 Comments
At this point, you're either totally stoked to see Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain" or you're not, and if you're not, we're not sure what to tell you. Sure, Bay has spent pretty much the last decade making toy porn for man children, but "Pain & Gain" represents a return to his "low budget" roots (relatively speaking), and brings together a pretty crack cast for an outrageous tale that's based on a true story. What's not to like?
Watch: Red Band Trailer For Michael Bay's 'Pain And Gain' Awesomely Goes After A Twisted American Dream
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- March 26, 2013 7:14 PM
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- 14 Comments
Oh sure, we like to rag on Michael Bay, but considering that it's been eight years since he's made a non-"Transformers" movie, it's also become rather easy. Perhaps we've forgotten he's the same dude behind the immensely popular popcorn spectacles like "The Rock" and "Bad Boys," but no worries, because he's coming this spring with a whole new arsenal of his usual toys in what looks like a movie directed by a can of Red Bull. In other words, it looks sorta awesome.
Benedict Cumberbatch's WikiLeaks Movie Now Titled 'The Fifth Estate,' Will Hit Theaters On November 15th
- By Oliver Lyttelton
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- January 22, 2013 3:12 PM
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- 5 Comments
We're still over a month away from the 2013 Oscars, but consider the 2014 season open, courtesy of DreamWorks. The company (who are leading the field with "Lincoln" this year) have been prepping their WikiLeaks movie, directed by "Gods and Monsters" and "Twilight: Breaking Dawn" helmer Bill Condon, for some time, but it was slightly unclear when it would be hitting theaters. But with filming now underway, they've put their cards on the table, revealing a title, an awards-season release date, and an impressive supporting cast.
Anthony Mackie, Aubrey Plaza, Giovanni Ribisi, Topher Grace & More Are 'A Many Splintered Thing'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- October 2, 2012 2:29 PM
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- 0 Comments
With filming set to begin at the end of the month, director Justin Reardon is now tying down the rest of the cast that will join Chris Evans and Michelle Monaghan in his debut feature. And for his first film, he's getting quite a nice assist on talent.
Anthony Mackie, Jeffrey Wright, Jordin Sparks & Jennifer Husdon To Discover 'The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister And Pete'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- July 23, 2012 5:22 PM
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- 1 Comment
It's been seven years since Anthony Mackie and Jeffrey Wright rubbed elbows in "The Manchurian Candidate" remake, and any reason to bring these fave actors of ours back together is something we'll pay attention to. And lo and behold, an indie film has started shooting today pairing them up, along with a couple of rising singers-turned-actresses.
Anthony Mackie To Play Falcon In 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- July 16, 2012 4:34 PM
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- 1 Comment
Back from San Diego and just getting ready to lay down your weary head for a well deserved nap? Not so fast. It looks like there's one piece of news Marvel didn't have time for over the weekend.
Tim Burton & Timur Bekmambetov Talk The "Superhero Origin Story" Of 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' & Why They Went 3D
- By Gabe Toro
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- June 20, 2012 3:19 PM
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- 1 Comment
When Seth Grahame-Smith began to write the “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” he didn’t let the epiphany of a wacky title affect his dead-serious alternate universe story -- our 16th President, leader of the people by day, and slayer of the undead at night. Though he couldn’t have expected that the premise to catch the fancy of A-List filmmaker Tim Burton, who heard the title and experienced a brief flashback.
Watch: 3 New Clips From 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' Plus Ear Ruining Linkin Park Scored Music Trailer
- By Charlie Schmidlin
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- June 18, 2012 12:59 PM
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- 2 Comments
After its initial run of promotional material consisted of grandiose proclamations set over slo-mo glimpses of bloody vampire killing, three new clips from “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” have surfaced, and… surprise, surprise, more of the same on display.
5 Actors Who Could Play Marvel's 'Black Panther'
- By Oliver Lyttelton
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- June 6, 2012 11:19 AM
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- 76 Comments
For all their success so far, the Marvel movies have, aside from a few smallish parts, been a pretty lilywhite affair to date: only Samuel L Jackson was a significant minority presence in "The Avengers." But signs are that the studio aren't going to keep that up for too long: yesterday, it was reported that the company are actively moving ahead with a movie about "Black Panther," the African prince-turned-crimefighter, and are targeting a release in 2014 or 2015.
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Recent Comments
Wow, posting an anti Pixar article on a site full of Pixar fan boys? You are a braver man than me.
The #1 problem with Pixar? They're not Studio Ghibli.
We still on this? lmao. Mark Waid. I love the dude but he's incorrect. To everyone still
It's the second time you guys do this, Alberto Iglesias is not the composer on the movie,
same, I enjoyed this very much, classic Miike. I think Hideaki Ito did very well in this movie. Art
@PCHONGOR: if by "faux Panavasion" you mean "anamorphic", no. Wall-E quite
Critics know fuck all about the medium. Drew McWeeny once blamed the poor sound in his Hobbit
This is the most condescending piece of writing I've read in years. Dave and Glass have
I liked the solid script, the solid performances, the well motivated villan, but barely made it
With the possible exception of Mulan, none of Disney's princess movies are feminist or