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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
25 Blockbuster Threequels: Did They Sink Or Save Their Franchises?
- By The Playlist Staff
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- May 2, 2013 3:04 PM
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- 35 Comments
A lot's been written over the years about sequels -- when they go right and bring us a welcome return to characters and themes we'd flocked to see the first time out and, more often, when they do not, and instead deliver diminishing returns in everything except box office terms. But what of the second sequel, the so-called "threequel"? It's a franchise entry that presents its own specific challenges -- is it the conclusion to a trilogy (like "The Dark Knight Rises") or just the continuation of a franchise (such as "Die Hard With A Vengeance")? Does it have lost ground to make up after a disappointing second entry ("Mission: Impossible 3") or are expectations at an all-time high following a mark II triumph ("Return of the Jedi")? This weekend, we all get to see whether "Iron Man 3" rises to or sinks beneath its particular set of challenges -- you can read our judgement here -- but it's a situation with pitfalls Marvel head Kevin Feige, for one, was fully aware of.
Is WB Thinking Of Revisiting 'The Dark Knight' Trilogy? Studio Confirms Christopher Nolan Not Doing 'Justice League'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- April 11, 2013 3:35 PM
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- 8 Comments
Hoo boy, just as one rumor is put firmly in the ground, enough room is given for more to crop back up, so take a take a deep breath and get ready to geek out...
David Cronenberg Says His Novel May Arrive In 2013, Talks Working With Robert Pattinson, 'Map To The Stars' & More
- By Drew Taylor
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- January 3, 2013 12:00 PM
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- 0 Comments
This week, David Cronenberg's polarizing "Cosmopolis" hits DVD and Blu-ray. Based on the Don DeLillo novel of the same name, it follows a young financial titan (Robert Pattinson) who cruises around in his super-stretch limo while he encounters various friends and lovers and comes under fire from a deranged assassin (played memorably by Paul Giamatti). After making a string of decidedly more commercial (or at the very least palpable) films, it's Cronenberg back in his very weird sweet spot full of bizarre sex, equally bizarre violence, and very long monologues delivered with aplomb by Pattinson.
David Cronenberg Clarifies Comments About 'Dark Knight' Series, Questions Comic Book Movies As Cinematic Art
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- January 2, 2013 1:55 PM
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- 55 Comments
Last summer, David Cronenberg caused a bit of an uproar among fanboy circles when it was reported that he said Christopher Nolan's best film was "Memento," and by comparison, his Batman films were "boring." Of course, this caused quite the heated reaction on the interwebs, but with his own "Cosmopolis" hitting home video his week, we got a chance to sit down with Cronenberg and we couldn't help but ask him about that minor controversy. And while he chalks up some of it to his words being taken out of context, he's still not convinced of the potential of the comic book movie genre.
The Top 10 Most Pirated Movies Of 2012 Include 'Project X,' 'Mission: Impossible 4,' 'Dark Knight Rises' & More
- By Edward Davis
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- December 27, 2012 3:01 PM
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- 3 Comments
3 high school seniors throw a birthday party so boss it apparently got shared/downloaded almost 9 million times -- apparently making it the #1 pirated movie of of 2012. Congratulations to the filmmakers and studio not seeing a penny of those grosses? They don't need it, right? Torrent Freak compiled a list of the most shared movies on BitTorrent in 2012. Leading at number one is “Project X,” the Todd Phillips-produced/Warner Bros.-distributed party comedy that actually features no stars (in fact if the average pleeb can name an actor in the cast off the top of their head without the aid of Google, hats off to them).
2012 The Year In Box Office: Hits, Flops And Secret Successes
- By Gabe Toro
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- December 27, 2012 2:15 PM
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- 4 Comments
So we’re completing a year of record domestic box office returns, but it’s impossible to ignore that the international market is a hefty player, taking a bigger overall chunk of the pie. It’s not good enough for a picture to perform in America – if it doesn’t grab more than half its share from international crowds, it’s not a complete success. The proliferation of franchises and 3D have turned most American films into our most in-demand export, and it’s changed the box office landscape immensely.
Watch: Michael Caine Reveals Alfred's Backstory In 'The Dark Knight' Trilogy, Compares Christopher Nolan To David Lean
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- December 21, 2012 11:38 AM
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- 1 Comment
"The Dark Knight Rises" may be on home video for your viewing pleasure, with plenty to dig into among the extras, but that doesn't mean there still isn't more to discover about the film. The promotion for the movie continues and over at the Warner Bros. UK YouTube channel, they've thrown up an interview with Michael Caine (aka Alfred) and there are some choice revelations that will please diehard fans.
MTV Names 'The Dark Knight Rises' The Best Film Of 2012
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- December 14, 2012 9:44 AM
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- 8 Comments
Okay, we've had the lists from the high brow movie magazines, the exclusive critics groups, various newspapers and magazines, but what about one from somewhere that has a bit of pulse on what the folks are actually seeing at the multiplex? Well, MTV has dropped their top ten movies of the year, and while some may balk at the populist list, we gotta give them credit for highlighting a couple of overlooked movies.
Time Magazine Names Michael Haneke's 'Amour' The Best Film Of 2012
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- December 11, 2012 4:35 PM
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- 20 Comments
While "Zero Dark Thirty" seems to be the movie to beat at the moment, another picture is slowly gaining momentum. The punishing yet beautiful "Amour" is not only poised to be a major player in the Foreign Language category at the Oscars, but many think it could sneak into the Best Picture race as well. And indeed, Time magazine seems to be in love in with it.
'The Dark Knight Rises' Makes AFI's Top 10 Of The Year, But No Sign Of 'The Master'
- By Kevin Jagernauth
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- December 10, 2012 3:36 PM
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- 19 Comments
More rankings! As Oscar prognosticators puzzle, fret and worry over each top ten list that drops, a few patterns are becoming clear -- firstly, everyone loves "Zero Dark Thirty." And secondly, it looks like outside of a couple of categories, Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" won't be making much of a mark on the Oscar race. And indeed, the AFI shut it out entirely.
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