Much like the oft-compared (even rather brilliantly within the show) The Mentalist, or something like House, after the first dozen or so times our heroes turn out to be right, it would be nice if the rest of the cast opened to the idea that they might be right.

Despite my misgivings about a couple of episodes, you don’t want to miss the next one. With not only LOST‘s Nestor Carbonell, but also Tears for Fears‘ Curt Smith appearing both in person and as theme song re-interpreter, and with a plot that involves Carbonell as “Shawn 2.0,” this one is dripping with potential. Make sure you check it out tonight at 10/9c.

Curt Smith took part in a Q & A to talk about the show recently, and it proved very interesting. Check out that and a couple of previews from tonight’s episode below.

What can you tell us about the Tears for Fears version or the Curt Smith version of the Psych theme song. Obviously it’s become a very popular theme song. It’s a very fun theme song. How did you sort of want to reinterpret it?

Curt Smith: Well taking cues from James primarily I made it as retro as I possibly could with some humor. So basically what we get is the visuals of the, you know, the closing credits and everything which the theme song goes over and then we play with that.

So rhythmically you’ve got to match that so that it all kind of fits in and there’s an explosion and different things. So basically it was a mixture of going back to very old synthesizers and adding some humor to that as well which, it was actually a really enjoyable experience I have to say.

Do you think you’d maybe want to make a cameo in another series or two?

Curt Smith: It depends if I ever get asked. I mean the joy of doing the Psych thing I have to say, is that, you know, I’d met them beforehand, James and Tim specifically. I met Dule when I got up there. But they’re just, you know, a nice bunch of people.

So it actually makes the whole experience easy and enjoyable. And in that sense I didn’t find it particularly hard especially as you say, playing myself. But playing other people, who can tell? But, you know, I’m kind of game for things.

Can you talk about how the guest spot came about for you and what it was like to work on set?

Curt Smith: It initially came about that James and Tim from the show came to a Tears for Fears show at the Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles and then somehow managed to wangle their way backstage. I have no idea but security was very lax that night.

And I was introduced to James in – backstage. And then he said, you know, would you come and do a guest spot on the show? And I thought well why not? The show is amusing. The kind of humor is kind of right up my alley because it’s pretty much chock full of sarcasm.

So it seemed like a good thing to do. And shooting it was really – I actually was tweeting while I was up there and I think I summed it up in one sort of sentence when I said it was like being at a two day frat party which it pretty much was.

PSYCH -- "Shawn 2.0" -- Pictured: (l-r) Curt Smith, Netsor Carbonell as Delcan, Jame Roday as Shawn Spencer, Dule Hill as Gus Guster -- Photo by: Alan Zenuk/USA Network

Psych is really a show that puts so much of their writing talent into trying to create this sort of homage to the 1980s and the music, the films. How comfortable was it for you going into this kind of setting where you already knew I mean your music was loved, it was respected and I mean you were basically surrounded by people who looked up to you?

Curt Smith: Yeah, I mean I think that made it enjoyable. Yes. I mean, you know, I don’t like – I don’t mind my ego being rubbed now and again. You know, I mean they – and, you know, they were a nice bunch of people as well. So filming it was really easy.

You know, I think also what sort of helps is with all of the people on the show, you know, maybe apart from Tim to a certain degree because he does play a character that’s not exactly like him but, you know, what you see on the show is pretty much the way these people are off the show.

So that made the whole experience a lot easier for me. I wasn’t dealing with, you know, seeing a bunch of actors act and then discovering they’re completely different people off the set. They’re really not. They’re pretty much the way you think they are.

Could you talk a little bit about the overall experience of doing Psych and what it means to you?

Curt Smith: I mean like I mentioned, the experience was great. You know, we – I mean I just flew up to Vancouver for two days because the shock/horror is it’s actually not really filmed in Santa Barbara. And, you know, it was just a couple of nights in Vancouver.

The filming side of it – I mean, you know, when you’re actually filming I’ve got to say it was a boiling hot day so that was – that was not that pleasurable that bit of it when you’re sitting in the sun trying not to sweat. But it was – it was kind of easy.

I mean I suppose I’m – I was already used to it with videos before. Although, you know, in a short video you’re normally called upon a lot more often than you are doing one part in a show. So it was an awful lot of sitting around in a trailer waiting to get called.

But I guess that’s the nature and people are used to that. It was – that was a little sort of strange that you spent most of the time doing nothing. But, you know, the filming was great. And as I mentioned earlier, you know, the guys on the show are pretty much that way anyway.

So they’re very easy to deal with. And, you know, the whole thing was pretty pleasurable I have to say. Plus, you know, we all went to dinner afterwards which was nice.

Mad World has been a great song for years and in the last few years it seems like it’s made kind of a comeback being in Donnie Darko and a couple of years ago on American Idol. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the resurgence of that song.

PSYCH -- "Shawn 2.0" -- Pictured: Curt Smith -- Photo by: Alan Zenuk/USA Network

Curt Smith: Well it’s going to get even bigger after tomorrow night when it’s in Psych also. But…

Excellent.

Curt Smith: But it will be the acoustic version of it, not to give the plot away or anything. But I mean it – it’s gratifying I guess. I mean it’s a testament to the strength of the song that it can be done in various different ways and it still has the same, you know, emotional draw.

You know, I like to hear other people’s versions of it providing they’re good. And I think that, you know, Gary Jules’ version was great, Gary and Michael Andrews.

And I think that Adam Lambert kind of did their version of it more than they – he did our version of it which I thought was, you know, pretty cool also. So, you know, I’m good with it.

I was curious if there was a memorable moment or a favorite moment that you had during your time on the set of Psych.

Curt Smith: I mean, you know, I mentioned one earlier, the Dule humping my chair. I guess that, you know, James – Mr. Roday who tends to adlib a lot had a few funny moments.

You know, when he’s looking at me and saying – I don’t know if this one made the cut by the way so, you know, I – whether it’s in the show or not but he’s supposed to be, you know, being the slobbery fan girl when he meets me.

And he said – I think he says it’s you, the fleshy you, which, you know, it’s very hard to keep a straight face when someone says that to you which, you know, was my job at that point in time. But yeah, I mean just it being amusing was the most memorable part of it.

Was this something you did just for fun or will you be pursuing acting?

Curt Smith: Who can tell? I mean I did it for fun. We’ll see what people think tomorrow. I won’t be watching but – I might but I don’t normally like to see myself talking because I’m used to seeing myself sing. I think I do that okay. The talking side I’m not – I guess it’s the same for anyone.

You know, if you ever listen to your voice on an answering machine everyone thinks we sound dreadful. That’s sort of the way I think when I hear myself speak. But – so and then – and in that sense I don’t know. But, you know, we’ll see. We’ll see how it goes and what the response is.

And I mean I did enjoy the experience I have to say. So if it means doing other things and never watching them then maybe that’s a route to go.

RU?

PSYCH Q & A With Special Guest Curt Smith Plus Episode Preview is a post from: Are You Screening?

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The subject might cause some to roll their eyes, but it’s an interesting entry into some real questions, and it looks like a lot of fun. Check out the trailer, and visit the films website – http://www.untie-theknot.com/

I have a good feeling about this one.

Darren (Dax Shepard) and Annie (Katie Aselton) have an enviable relationship built on love, trust and communication-they still enjoy each other’s company and laugh at each other’s jokes. Unfortunately, they can’t remember the last time they had sex.

When a dinner party conversation leads to an honest discussion about the state of their love life, and when a sexy bikini photo shoot leads to crossword puzzles instead of sex, they begin to flirt with an idea for a way to spice things up. The deal: one night of freedom, no strings attached, no questions asked. Could a “freebie” be the cure for their ailing sex life?

And will they go through with it? THE FREEBIE is an insightful and humorous look at love, sustaining relationships, and the awkwardness of monogamy when the haze of lust has faded. The film was produced by Adele Romanski and executive produced by Aselton and CYRUS director Mark Duplass.

RU?

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The past two seasons have started off somewhat rough, giving us both a walk off and the unforgettable invitation for Gordon to step outside. This season leads us in with previews of a group of cheftestants who are apparently a little less willing to take what Ramsay dishes out.

Still, it looks like a well-rounded group, and first show staple “signature dishes” gives us new highs and lows for us to run with. Check out the new contestants, and let me know where you are with this show. Personally, I’d rather jump into more Kitchen Nightmares, but for his fans, I suppose any chance to hear him yell will work.

Where are you on the Hell’s Kitchen meter? Had enough? Excited to jump straight into more? What did you think of the recent finale? Sound off.

Keep in mind, simply for ease of loading, this is split into two pages. Don’t miss the guys on page 2.

Two-Hour Season Premiere Airs Wednesday, September 22, on FOX

Winner To Receive Head Chef Position at L.A. Market and Opportunity To Be Official Spokesperson for Rosemount Estate Wines

Sixteen new aspiring restaurateurs step up to the plate on the piping-hot season premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Wednesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. These culinary contenders will brave not only the heat, but also the sharp tongue of superstar chef Gordon Ramsay as they compete to win a life-changing prize.

Each week, Ramsay puts the contestants through a series of grueling challenges, including baking in the all-new pizza ovens, catering a high school prom, introducing sushi to the HELL’S KITCHEN menu, serving breakfast to hard-working EMTs and celebrating the series’ milestone 100th episode with a black-tie dinner service.

As the chefs are winnowed down, only those who catch Ramsay’s eye will get to advance to the next round. Hoping for the coveted black chef jacket, the chefs will compete against one another, striving to survive another week. Eventually two finalists will compete head-to-head to impress Ramsay and one lucky chef will walk away with a head chef position at LA Market at the JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE and the opportunity to be the official spokesperson for Rosemount Estate Wines.

The members of the Red Team (Women) include:

Sabrina Brimhall

HELL'S KITCHEN: Sabrina Brimhall (El Cajon, CA) Age: 22 Occupation: Prep Chef ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Antonia Boregman

HELL'S KITCHEN: Antonia Boregman (Chicago, IL) Age: 40 Occupation: Line Cook ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Melissa Doney

HELL'S KITCHEN: Melissa Doney (Glens Falls, NY) Age: 31 Occupation: Executive Sous Chef ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Jillian Flathers

HELL'S KITCHEN: Jillian Flathers (Pagosa Springs, CO) Age: 28 Occupation: Sous Chef ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Emily Kutchins

HELL'S KITCHEN: Emily Kutchins (Chicago, IL) Age: 29 Occupation: Executive Chef, Senior Home ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Lisa LaFranca

HELL'S KITCHEN: Lisa LaFranca (Fort Mills, SC) Age: 48 Occupation: Corporate Food Director ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Gail Novenario

HELL'S KITCHEN: Gail Novenario (Wantagh, NY) Age: 28 Occupation: Executive Chef ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Nona Sivley

HELL'S KITCHEN: Nona Sivley (Atlanta, GA) Age: 29 Occupation: Sous Chef ©2010 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

Hell’s Kitchen Season 8 – Meet The Cheftestants is a post from: Are You Screening?

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The second and third seasons had a few moments of interest, even if the biggest tune-in sell was watching people who weren’t any good, rather than watching any “talent” take shape. Now, however, I just don’t get it anymore. Much like the Circus of the Stars of days gone by, the novelty is over, “Stars” is becoming more and more loosely defined, and we are thus at a point where we have to come clean and admit we’re watching ballroom dancing. And, much as we eventually had to say to ourselves, “Wait a minute. I don’t watch any other circus shows. What am I doing?” we are going to have to take a serious look at why we’re tuning in.

We’ve gone from a selection of mostly noteworthy stars, who a good number of people would watch dance only because they would watch them do anything, to a truly odd conglomeration of people who were famous when I was in High School and people who are famous for having no legitimate claim to fame. Well, and a kid from the Disney Channel. I mean no offense to Kyle Massey really (it’s actually a pretty good show), but who are we meant to suppose is going to watch Kyle Massey, Audrina Partridge, The Situation, and Bristol Palin on a ballroom dancing show? I just don’t get this show at all anymore, but I guess you’re out there watching. Let me know your thoughts. Are you watching this show anymore? Are you going to now? What do you think about the choice of stars? Check out the full list below.

All 12 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), with couples either performing the Viennese Waltz or Cha Cha. The couple with the lowest combined judges’ scores and public votes for their performance will be sent home on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) in the season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show.” Music legend Santana and rock band Daughtry are slated to perform.

MICHAEL BOLTON – Michael Bolton has sold more than 53 million records, released 18 studio albums, won multiple Grammys® for Best Male Vocalist and countless other honors, all while selling out arenas worldwide. In 2002 the singer-songwriter earned a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. He has sung with Luciano Pavarotti and Ray Charles, written songs with Bob Dylan, Ne-Yo and Lady Gaga, penned hits for a diverse range of artists, including Barbra Streisand and KISS, played guitar with B.B. King and had his music recorded on a track by hip-hop superstar Kanye West (featuring megastar Jay-Z). Earlier this year Bolton released his latest album, “One World One Love,” featuring his current single, “Murder My Heart,” which he co-wrote with Lady Gaga, and is currently on a worldwide concert tour.

BRANDY – Brandy is a platinum-selling R&B and pop singer, actress, songwriter and record/television producer. In 1994, at the age of 15, Brandy released her eponymous debut album, selling over 6 million copies. Following a major success with “The Boy Is Mine,” a duet with singer Monica, which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, she won a Grammy® Award for Best R&B performance by a duo or group. The accompanying album “Never Say Never” in 1998 sold over 16 million copies worldwide. A series of hit CD’s followed, including “Full Moon,” “Afrodisiac” and “Human,” bringing the star’s sales to over 30 million records to date. While maintaining a recording career, Brandy also gained fame as an actress, starring in several film and TV projects, including the popular UPN sitcom, “Moesha” (1996-2001), the 1997 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella, Double Platinum,” a miniseries co-starring Diana Ross, and the movie “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.”

MARGARET CHO – One of the most successful stand-up comediennes of today, Margaret Cho’s performances have been seen by millions around the world. Having first performed stand-up in her native San Francisco at the age of 16, Cho’s best-selling tours include the off-Broadway hit/concert film “I’m the One That I Want,” “Notorious C.H.O.,” “Revolution” and “Beautiful.” She is also a regular cast member of the hit Lifetime series “Drop Dead Diva.” Other acting work includes her starring role in the sitcom, “All-American Girl,” “Face/Off” and several guest star appearances, including “Sex and the City” and “Ghost Whisperer.” Cho is also a best-selling author whose work includes the book I’m the One That I Want and a collection of essays entitled I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight. RICK FOX – Three-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, actor and producer Rick Fox has appeared in a number of film and television projects, sharing the screen with actors ranging from Whoopi Goldberg to Henry Winkler, Angela Bassett and Shia LeBeouf. Fox’s acting debut came in 1994 in William Friedkin’s “Blue Chips.” Similar roles followed in 1996’s “Eddie” and 1998’s critically acclaimed “He Got Game” (directed by Spike Lee), before Fox’s breakout role on the hit HBO series “Oz.” Since then he has appeared in over a dozen network shows, including “Ugly Betty,” “One Tree Hill,” “The Game” and “Dirt.” In addition he has appeared in such diverse films as “Resurrection,” “Holes,” “Mini’s First Time” and Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns.”

JENNIFER GREY – A beloved actress of both film and television, Jennifer Grey is best known for her starring roles in the iconic movies “Dirty Dancing” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Grey starred as Frances “Baby” Houseman in the award-winning box office hit, “Dirty Dancing,” which is widely considered one of the best dance movies of all time. Some of her other films include the Ben Affleck movie “Bounce,” “Red Dawn” and “The Cotton Club.” She starred in the television sitcom “It’s Like, You Know…” and has made memorable television appearances on such shows as “Friends,” “John from Cincinnati,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and an upcoming episode of the medical drama, “House”.

DAVID HASSELHOFF – Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Most Watched TV Star in the World,” David Hasselhoff is an international superstar across all genres of music, television and film. Hasselhoff got his start in entertainment on the popular soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” and was quickly pursued to play the lead role of the 1980’s cult favorite, “Knight Rider.” But hi fame was really catapulted when he starred in the television phenomenon “Baywatch.” The series ran for 11 years and is still viewed in 140 countries by over one billion viewers every week. Throughout his extraordinary television career, Hasselhoff has also appeared in such feature films as “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” and Adam Sandler’s “Click.” Off screen he has recorded multiple albums — one that has gone triple platinum — starred in the Broadway musical “Jekyll & Hyde,” in London’s West End production of “Chicago” and in “The Producers” in Las Vegas.

FLORENCE HENDERSON – Florence Henderson is a multi-talented actress, talk show host, recording artist, author, Broadway veteran and philanthropist. Her career is as active today as when she first appeared as the “Today Girl” on “NBC’s Today Show,” and as the first woman to host “The Tonight Show.” Henderson has appeared on such popular primetime programs and made for television specials as the critically acclaimed movie of the week for Hallmark entitled “Ladies of the House” and the popular RLTV Network’s “Florence HendersonFlorence HendersonHenderson Show.” She will always be best known in syndication worldwide as “America’s Favorite Mom” and matriarch Carol Brady on the classic hit TV series “The Brady Bunch,” which aired for five seasons (1969-1974), has never been off the air in this country, and currently airs in 122 countries around the world.

KYLE MASSEY – Kyle Orlando Massey stars as Cory Baxter in Disney Channel’s No. 1 hit sitcom, “Cory in the House,” Disney Channel’s first-ever spin-off. He originated the role of Cory in Disney’s “That’s So Raven,” the first show in Disney’s history to produce over 100 episodes. For his work on “That’s So Raven” and “Cory in the House,” Massey received an NAACP Image Award nomination. In addition to appearing in numerous commercials, he starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie “Life is Ruff.” He has a recurring role on the animated series “American Dragon: Jake Long” and sings the main title theme songs on “Cory In The HouseHouse,” “Yin! Yang! Yo!” and performed the title track for Walt Disney Picture’s “Underdog.”

BRISTOL PALIN – Bristol Palin, former first daughter of Alaska, first entered the national spotlight when her mother, former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, was selected to be John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 Presidential election. Bristol traveled the country, alongside her mother, father and siblings on the campaign trail. After giving birth to her son, Tripp, and becoming a single teen mother in 2008, she became a spokesperson for the prevention of teen pregnancy and for other teen issues.

AUDRINA PATRIDGE – After starring in six seasons of the hit series “The Hills,” Audrina Patridge has joined the ranks of young Hollywood as one of the most sought-after and talked about talents on television. Patridge, who aspired to become an actress from a very early age, has been honing her skills with regarded coaches and private acting classes. She made her debut on the big screen last fall in the thriller “Sorority Row.”

MIKE “THE SITUATION” SORRENTINO – Mike Sorrentino has become one of Hollywood’s emerging talents. Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Manalapan, New Jersey, Sorrentino is most known for starring on the hit show “The Jersey Shore,” now in its second season on MTV. He graduated from Manalapan High School and went on to college in NJ. After graduation in 2004, he tried his hand at personal training, fitness modeling and soon after was scouted for an upcoming reality show which would eventually become “The Jersey Shore.”

KURT WARNER – Kurt Warner is the first quarterback ever to participate in “Dancing with the Stars.” In 1999 he emerged from obscurity to lead the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. In that same year, Warner was named the NFL and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. As the ringleader of the “Greatest Show on Turf,” he led the Rams to two additional playoff appearances – including another Super Bowl — and received Pro Bowl honors for three consecutive years (1999-2001). He also earned his second NFL MVP in 2001. Injuries led Warner to move from the Rams to the Giants, and finally the Arizona Cardinals in 2005.

DANCING WITH THE STARS - An all-new lineup of stars will battle each week on the dance floor in the sensational two-hour season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. All 12 couples will dance for the first time on live national television on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), with couples either performing the Viennese Waltz or Cha Cha. The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and public votes for their performance will be sent home on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) in the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show." (ABC/CRAIG SJODIN) BRANDY, DAVID HASSELHOFF, JENNIFER GREY, KURT WARNER, MARGARET CHO, KYLE MASSEY, AUDRINA PATRIDGE, RICK FOX, FLORENCE HENDERSON, BROOKE BURKE, BRISTOL PALIN, TOM BERGERON

RU?

Dancing With The Stars Announces New Season Cast – Does Anyone Care? is a post from: Are You Screening?

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With not only the general vampire similarity, but also the time-honored “good” vampire struggling against his nature (a key in the other big two at the moment), predicting the success of The Vampire Diaries was not an easy call. Once you get into the territory of what may well be perceived as copycat material, it becomes very difficult to judge what the reaction should be, no matter what reaction (as a critic) the material might deserve.

Through the first few episodes, which nevertheless performed well from a ratings perspective, the show plodded along somewhat lamely in its establishment, though there were a few interesting moments. Stefan (Paul Wesley) is your good vampire, and he shows up in the sleepy town of Mystic Falls, mainly because 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) looks exactly like the woman he loved some 150 years ago. Unfortunately, his brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) decides to join in on whatever game we’re playing, and we soon learn that both brothers were in love with that woman all those years ago. Of course, Damon is the “bad” vampire, who feeds on people, thus making him stronger than Stefan, and since Damon isn’t going to leave, the battle is on.

Those first episodes were a bit dull and obvious, even considering the age of the target demographic, but once the show got out of its own way, it started to get interesting. Despite the similarities to everything you’ve seen before, there is a new theory at work, and it is one that is both more and less serious in what it is attempting. You have to get past certain goofy elements, like the vampire on the football team bit, but then the show decides it has to stop introducing you to its story, and actually start having a story, and there really is some meat to the thing.

It might not be that surprising if we consider the track record of the production team, and this is one that shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. There’s a lot of fun thrown into it, and it has a little bit of everything.

The DVD release is loaded for fans, and filled with a good variety of treats.

First, there’s a commentary on the pilot with the creators and director, and it would probably be quite a chore to get many people to believe what an interesting track it is. Of course, that could make it a good or bad special feature, depending on your perspective, because I’m not sure the show’s most rabid fans would necessarily agree with me on what makes a commentary track interesting. Much like the half-hour-ish behind-the-scenes featurette Into Mystic Falls, we get to hear the creative team addressing many of the difficulties with the show, like the looming question of whether or not vampires have been done to death already (ha).

That behind-the-scenes featurette is a solid effort, obviously for similar reasons, which gives you a mixture of interviews and other footage that explore getting the show to the screen while trying to focus on making it stand out. The most interesting part of both these features is the discussion about taking advantage of the popularity of vampires while trying to make something unique.

Next up are some fairly fun, if a bit less interesting, featurettes. When Vampires Don’t Suck! explores the fascination with vampires generally, and gives some good history on the progression of the mythos, including the transformation into a character that people romanticize. The Vampire Diaries: A New Breed of Vampires – Casting the Series takes a quick look at the theories behind the selection, and walks you through the process to a certain extent. The Vampire Diaries: Vampires 101 – The Rules of the Vampire is a quick look at the mythology as contained in the series, including a rundown of what does and does not hurt them.

Especially cool in this release are a downloadable audiobook of The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith, and a collection of the show’s companion webisodes, The Vampire Diaries: A Darker Truth. The webisodes follow a parallel story with a new character, and run somewhat along the lines of the similar webisode feature that came out with Harper’s Island, and others. A new character takes on his own investigation of Mystic Falls and its strange happenings in quick bites that may or may not reveal some of the show’s secrets.

You also get a fair amount of standard issue bonuses, like a gag reel and some unaired scenes.

Overall this is a solid show, all things considered, and the release offers up a good deal of added value.

Own it on Blu-Ray and DVD on August 31st!

Win it!

Leave a comment below and you are automatically entered to win your very own copy of the standard DVD release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected September 21st.

Check out a couple of clips below.

Two vampire brothers – one good, one evil – are at war for 17-year-old Elena Gilbert’s soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all of the residents of Mystic Falls, Virginia, as Warner Home Video debuts The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-ray August 31, 2010. Starring Nina Dobrev (“DeGrassi: The Next Generation“), Paul Wesley (“Fallen”), Ian Somerhalder (“Lost”), Steven R. McQueen, Katerina Graham, Sara Canning, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Kayla Ewell, Michael Trevino and Matt Davis, “The Vampire Diaries” DVD contains 22 episodes of the first season plus over 8 hours of bonus features, including four brand-new featurettes (Into Mystic Falls, When Vampires Don’t Suck!, A New Breed of Vampires and Vampires 101), unaired scenes, gag reel, webisodes and more. The release also includes a bonus downloadable audiobook of The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith, the first book in the bestselling series from HarperCollins that started it all.

“For over a century, I have lived in secret. Until now. I know the risk, but I have to know her.” Dark, brooding, pulsing with bloodlust and transcendent with romance, The Vampire Diaries – which started as a series of must-read novels by L.J. Smith – has become a must-watch television hit. Season One offers unforgettable characters, living and undead. They are vampire brothers Stefan and Damon, one good and one evil; Elena, a double for the beauty both brothers loved some 150 years earlier; plus Jeremy, Bonnie, Matt and more denizens of Mystic Falls, Virginia. All are caught up in a spellbinding web of secrets, passion and terror.

Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. The executive producers are Kevin Williamson (“Scream,” “Dawson’s Creek”), Julie Plec (“Kyle XY,” “Wasteland”), Leslie Morgenstein (“Gossip Girl”) and Bob Levy (“Gossip Girl”).

RU?

Vampire Diaries The Complete First Season DVD Review And Giveaway is a post from: Are You Screening?

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3. Dark Blue The Complete First Season DVD Review And Giveaway

Both shows are coming back, and I don’t think they’ll disappoint. They’ve release new posters, and I thought you might want to take a look.

Did you catch these shows for their first seasons? Let me know what you think of them.

The debut date for the new seasons of the HBO comedy series BORED TO DEATH and EASTBOUND & DOWN have been confirmed. BORED TO DEATH kicks off its second season SUNDAY, SEPT. 26 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), immediately followed by the second-season debut of EASTBOUND & DOWN (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Starring Jason Schwartzman, BORED TO DEATH follows a struggling thirtysomething Brooklyn writer who pretends to be a private detective, solving some cases and making others worse. Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis also star.

Starring Danny McBride, EASTBOUND & DOWN tells the story of a star pitcher whose self-destructive behavior knocks him out of major league baseball, leaving him broke, delusional and desperate to regain his former glory.

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HBO’s Bored To Death & Eastbound And Down Release Season 2 Posters is a post from: Are You Screening?

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The Hunt Begins on Blu-ray and DVD October 19

Including Exclusive Motion Comics That Reveal The Predator’s Back-story

“This planet is a game preserve, and we’re the game.” The ultimate hunters are back when Robert Rodriguez’ PREDATORS arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on October 19th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment with all new special features, bringing you deeper into the Predator universe. Robert Rodriguez also presents a series of exclusive prequel motion comics on the Blu-ray and DVD that take you beyond the movie and deliver a truly one-of-a kind PREDATORS experience. The Blu-ray version, harnesses the power of BD Live to extend the experience even more with exclusive PREDATORS content and interactive entertainment.

Rodriguez’ reboot of the classic Predator franchise redefines fear and suspense while paying homage to the original thriller. Drop into immediate nerve-racking thrills as elite killers find themselves falling out of the sky into the hostile terrain of an alien planet – the home turf of a gruesome pack of hunters. Chosen for their ruthless abilities to hunt humans, they must band together to survive against this race of merciless predators. Starring Adrien Brody (The Pianist) as Royce, Topher Grace (Valentine’s Day), Alice Braga (Repo Men, I am Legend), with Danny Trejo (Heat, Machete), and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix).

PREDATORS 1-Disc Blu-ray Special Features

• Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and director, Nimród Antal
• Motion Comics
  • Moments of Extraction: Robert Rodriguez presents exclusive prequel vignettes voiced by the cast of PREDATORS. Witness the secret adventures that turned our world’s most ruthless killers into the ultimate Predator prey
    • Noland Intro (part 1)
    • Isabelle
    • Cuchillo
    • Hanzo
    • Mombasa
    • Noland Ending (part 2)
  • Crucified
• Evolution of the Species: Predators Reborn
  • Bloodline
  • De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain
  • Intelligent Design: The Hunting Camp
  • Predators as Prey
  • Yuatja Transformed
  • Rite of Passage
• The Chosen Featurette
• Fox Movie Channel presents Making a Scene
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
  • Dead Man’s Parachute
  • Cuchillo and Isabelle
  • Team “Orientated” Group
  • Third Most Wanted
  • Cuchillo Unleashes
  • “Why Are You Here?”
  • “They’re Smarter Than That”
  • Stans and Isabelle Naked
  • “They’re Still Coming”
• BD-Live Extras
  • Exclusive PREDATORS Features
• Live Lookup – Powered by IMDB

PREDATORS DVD Special Features

• Commentary by Robert Rodriguez and director, Nimród Antal
• De-cloaking the Invisible: Alien Terrain
• Motion Comics
  • Moments of Extraction: Robert Rodriguez presents exclusive prequel vignettes voiced by the cast of PREDATORS. Witness the secret adventures that turned two of our world’s most ruthless killers into the ultimate Predator prey
    • Isabelle
    • Mombasa
  • Crucified

In an alien game preserve, Royce (Adrien Brody) and Isabelle (Alice Braga) discover they'€™re the game.

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At any rate, my lateness to the game aside, Danielle Staub of Real Housewives of New Jersey was on PIX11 (CW) in New York, apparently just to “sing.” Her bizarrely bad vocal talents, laughable… I guess “dancing,” and curious entourage flew onto the net, and the ridicule frenzy took off like a shot. It caused at least enough buzz that there was a follow-up with her reaction to the reaction. Both videos are below.

Now, in fairness to the general effort, let’s face it, this is a show by, for, and about… well, you know. And, in fairness to the response to the response, if the reviews of the television show aren’t going to phase her, why is she going to care if people mock her singing?

While certainly a bit of train wreck fun, my question is, why does no one have anything to say about the fact that these things are on the air in the first place? Being willing to sing terribly on TV is one thing, but you can get anyone to do that. Actually putting them on is rather a different ballgame altogether.

Go CW!

 
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images Andrei Jackamets/Bravo

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Real Housewife Of New Jersey Danielle Staub Murders Her Own Song – Then Responds To Online Response – More Importantly, The CW Is Willing To Air Both These Things is a post from: Are You Screening?

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From a unique period in film history, putting out war adventures with a unique derring-do perspective, and starring the unique screen charm of Flynn, this is a collection with a surprisingly varied appeal. Mostly directed by another legend, Raoul Walsh (White Heat, The Tall Men), the set also manages to deliver an effort of style, with Walsh generally aiming at some manner of art in his semi-pseudo-propaganda vehicles.

Taking a look at the Nazi menace from every angle imaginable, whether as an American pilot, Canadian mountie, or Norwegian villager, Flynn gets a shot at a wide variety of characters in his WWII exploits.

WHV is giving fans the opportunity to experience the man Entertainment Weekly named one of the “100 Greatest Movie Stars of All Time” in an adrenaline charged collection of films starring the unforgettable legend, Errol Flynn. Each film will make its restored and remastered debut on DVD for the first time on August 3, 2010 in Turner Classic Movies Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures. Presented by Warner Home Video (WHV), the 5-disc set will include an arsenal of powerful films that celebrate the charismatic and legendary hero who became known to many as “The Baron.” Each disc boasts an impressive array of bonus content and rare footage, some never before available on DVD. The collection includes: Desperate Journey, also starring Ronald Reagan, Northern Pursuit, Edge of Darkness, Uncertain Glory, and Objective, Burma!

Desperate Journey (1942)

American pilots stranded in Germany during World War II fight their way to freedom. Also stars Ronald Reagan as Flying Officer Johnny Hammond. Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Special Features:

Warner Night at the Movies 1942 Short Subjects Gallery:

1. Vintage Newsreel
2. Oscar-Nominated Patriotic Short: The Tanks Are Coming
3. Musical Shorts: Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica School and The United States Army Air Force Band
4. Classic Cartoon: The Dover Boys at Pimento University or The Rivals of Roquefort Hall
5. Trailers of Desperate Journey and 1942’s Murder in the Big House

Northern Pursuit (1943)

Icebound wilds and ice-blooded Nazis! Canadian officer Flynn infiltrates a cadre of Nazi saboteurs, pretending to guide them toward their destination while unraveling their scheme. Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Special Features:

Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery:

1. Vintage Newsreel
2. Wartime Short: The Rear Gunner
3. Musical Short: All-Star Melody Masters
4. Drama Short: Over the Wall
5. Classic Cartoon: Hop and Go
6. Trailers of Northern Pursuit and 1943’s The Constant Nymph

Edge of Darkness (1943)

Resistance fighters battle the Nazis in occupied Norway. Directed by Lewis Milestone.

Special Features:

Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery:

1. Vintage Newsreel
2. Musical Short: The United States Service Bands
3. Classic Cartoons: Hiss and Make Up and To Duck….or Not to Duck
4. Trailers of Edge of Darkness and 1943’s The Hard Way

Uncertain Glory (1944)

A French playboy gets serious when his country is threatened during World War II. Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Special Features:

Warner Night at the Movies 1944 Short Subjects Gallery:

1. Vintage Newsreel
2. Musical Short: United States Coast Guard Band
3. Classic Cartoons: Brother Brat and Russian Rhapsody
4. Trailers of Uncertain Glory and 1944’s The Mask of Dimitrios

Objective, Burma! (1945)

An American platoon parachutes into Burma to take out a strategic Japanese outpost. Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Special Features:

· Commentary by Historians Rudy Behlmer, Jon Burlingame and Frank Thompson

· Warner Night at the Movies 1945 Short Subjects Gallery:

1. Vintage Newsreel
2. Joe McDoakes Comedy Short: So You Think You’re Allergic
3. Classic Cartoon: A Tale of Two Mice
4. Trailers of Objective, Burma! and 1945’s Pride of the Marines

Own it on DVD today!

Win it!

Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered to win your very own copy of the DVD release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected on September 15th.

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TCM Spotlight Errol Flynn Adventures DVD Set Review And Giveaway is a post from: Are You Screening?

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I’m particularly intrigued by where Gemma Jones’ character is going to go on this apparently odd ride. The trailer feels like perhaps Allen is returning to surer footing, and I’m rather hoping to find something to root for in him again.

Take a look, and share your thoughts.

Woody Allen’s You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger follows a pair of married couples, Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) and Helena (Gemma Jones), and their daughter Sally (Naomi Watts) and husband Roy (Josh Brolin), as their passions, ambitions, and anxieties lead them into trouble and out of their minds.

After Alfie leaves Helena to pursue his lost youth and a free-spirited call girl named Charmaine (Lucy Punch), Helena abandons rationality and surrenders her life to the loopy advice of a charlatan fortune teller.

Unhappy in her marriage, Sally develops a crush on her handsome art gallery owner boss, Greg (Antonio Banderas), while Roy, a novelist nervously awaiting the response to his latest manuscript, becomes moonstruck over Dia (Freida Pinto), a mystery woman who catches his gaze through a nearby window.

Despite these characters’ attempts to dodge their problems with pipe dreams and impracticable plans, their efforts lead only to heartache, irrationality, and perilous hot water.

Taking its title from the prediction fortune tellers use to beguile their marks, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, illustrates with wry humor how easy it is for our illusions to make fools of us all.

Trailer

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Wherever you stand on the show’s merits, one thing the show has definitely managed well is the attention to its fans, and that includes the attention given to the DVD releases. Always filled with just the sort of fun and entertainment that will make fans feel they’re getting some actual value from the purchase, the DVD sets have added new spins, a lot of behind-the-scenes, and generally expanded the realm of owning TV shows. That changes a bit with the final season, because there isn’t an avenue for new teases, but this is still a solid release.

Let’s look at the rundown, then I’ll let you in on the special features -

With the release of Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season, audiences can relive every episode in the landmark final season, as the fate of each character and answers to long-pondered mysteries from the previous seasons, are revealed. In addition, the Blu-ray and DVD releases contain hours of never-before-seen bonus footage including deleted scenes; bloopers; an often emotional featurette where cast, crew, writers, producers and other Hollywood notables discuss ending the acclaimed series; a much-anticipated new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse; and much more.

An epic box set for the ultimate LOST fan, Lost: The Complete Collection is a fantastic icon-clad, secretladen, Blu-ray and DVD box set containing every episode, from all six seasons. Additionally, the elaborate release includes over 30 hours of bonus material (from every season), plus one full disc of bonus exclusive to the collection, containing a fascinating array of all-new behind-the-scenes featurettes; documentaries; and a series of unique tours of Oahu with many of the cast as they reflect anecdotes, experiences and emotions of working on the series and living on the island; and more.

Lost follows the lives of crash survivors of Oceanic Airlines flight 815, on a mysterious and apparently supernatural tropical island. Their survival is continuously jeopardized by inexplicable entities, including a polar bear, an unseen monster that wanders the jungle and the island’s malicious occupants known as the “Others”.

Forced to depend on each other to endure, the diverse group of survivors are bound by menacing secrets and complicated interrelationships, with the truth behind each character slowly revealed through the seasons. The series regularly stars Matthew Fox (Jack Shephard), Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austen), Josh Holloway (James ‘Sawyer” Ford), Naveen Andrews (Sayid Jarrah), Jorge Garcia (Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes), Terry O’Quinn (John Locke), Michael Emerson (Ben Linus), Daniel Dae Kim (Jin Kwon), Yunjin Kim (Sun Kwon), Nester Carbonell (Richard Alpert) and Emile de Ravin (Claire Littleton).

LOST: THE COMPLETE SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON – Contents

• Every Sixth Season Episode

• Bloopers and Deleted Scenes

You don’t get a ton of deleted scenes, and I’m not sure that even given the nature of the show these amount to all that much, but real fans will enjoy anything they can get that didn’t make it to air. You might expect that deleted scenes might change things, but these aren’t necessarily the most integral snippets. Still, Lost deleted scenes are a different kind of bonus than normal deleted scenes. The blooper reel is pretty good.

• Audio Commentaries accompany four episodes (LA X, Dr. Linus, Ab Aeterno and Across The Sea)

The commentaries are what they are, and frankly, I don’t want to give much about them away. Possibly the best bonus there is for fans, these are put together nicely, and won’t disappoint.

• The End: Crafting A Final Season – Join the LOST team along with other producers of some of television’s longest running shows as they examine the challenges of ending a landmark series.

The longest bonus, at some forty minutes, this is a behind-the-scenes extravaganza, that runs through just about every angle you can imagine. From interviews with the cast, to wandering the sets, to discussions with the writers and creators. Even for those who aren’t serious fans, this is one of the better behind-the-scenes packages, because it showcases the wrap-up of the journey, both in terms of the show we see, and the people involved in the show.

• A Hero’s Journey – What makes a hero? Which survivors of Oceanic 815 are true heroes? These questions and more are explored.

About ten minutes of exploration of the hero mythos, and how Lost intended to aim at it in its own quirky way. It’s a pretty decent feature with a lot of cast interview footage, and even if you aren’t a big fan, one of the more interesting aspects of Lost has always been the attempt to get “heroic” action out of perhaps the least likely candidates.

• See You In Another Life, Brotha – Unlocks the mysteries of this season’s intriguing flash sideways.

Well, I’m not so sure about “unlocking” exactly, but this ten-minute featurette gives some insight into the theory behind running in this particular direction for the last season.

• ‘LOST on Location’ – Behind-the-scenes featurette showcasing stories from the set, including all-new interviews with actors and crew.

• PLUS: A LOST Blu-ray & DVD exclusive – Go deeper into the world of LOST with a much-anticipated new chapter of the island’s story from Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.

This one is titled “New Man in Charge,” and is basically a short snippet of an episode that never existed. A small bite that gives just that little bit more information that fans will enjoy, especially as it includes something that a great many fans were asking about at the show’s end.

Own it on Blu-Ray and DVD today!

Win it!

Leave a comment below and you are automatically entered to win your very own copy of the standard DVD release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected September 21st.

Bonus entry – Retweet this page using the Twitter button (once) for an extra chance to win.

Below find info on the complete series release, and video clips from the bonuses in both sets.

LOST: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION – Contents

• Every Episode in the Series (Seasons 1 through 6)

• Over 30hrs of Season 1-6 Bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material)

• A unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew as they reflect.

• Exploring the global phenomenon that is Lost, bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego’s famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite.

• A closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters.

• Humorous yet emotional look at every character who died on the series

• 16 hilarious Lost “Slapdowns” featurettes showcasing celebrity Lost fans who confront Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more.

The exciting collectible packaging also includes: a Special Edition collectible ‘Senet’ Game as seen in Season Six, a custom LOST island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a collectible Ankh, and a black light penlight.

Lost S6 – Blooper Reel

Lost S6 – New Man in Charge

LOST: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Packaging Video

Lost: The Complete Collection – Letting Go

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Check out the full list of titles, because these are the sorts of titles you want to pick up, and many of them benefit greatly from the Blu-Ray upgrade. This is also a good list to double-check for things you aren’t familiar with, because if it’s coming up on the cult classic list, it’s probably there for a reason. Especially of note are titles like Kissing Jessica Stein, an underappreciated gem that everyone should give a second look.

Some are so bad they’re good, some are the icons of their genres, and others are just a whole lot of fun; the studio’s Cult Classics includes exploitative, impactful and memorable films that have stood the test of time.

Among the most highly-anticipated releases in the collection is the Blu-ray debut of John Carpenter’s sci-fi adventure Escape From New York. Starring Kurt Russell as soldier-turned-criminal Snake Plissken, the film launched Russell’s career as an action star and continues to earn fans nearly 30 years after its release.

Also premiering on Blu-ray is the dark thriller Kalifornia, starring Brad Pitt as a vicious killer.

In celebration of this very cool mass release effort, I am giving away these two showcase titles on Blu-Ray.

Escape From New York (1981) – New Two-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack

Hailed as “stylish and scary” (Los Angeles Times) and “dark and dangerous” (Newsweek), this fast-paced and furiously entertaining thriller stars Kurt Russell as notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero Snake Plissken. The world is ravaged by crime and the entire island of Manhattan has been converted to a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. But when the U.S. President crash-lands inside, only Plissken can bring him back.

Kalifornia (1993) – New Two-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack

Excitement, adventure and unimaginable terror await on the road to California in this chilling psychological thriller starring Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes.

When urban intellectuals Brian (Duchovny) and Carrie (Forbes) set out on a cross-country trip to research a book about serial killers, they share the ride with a couple they barely know, Early Grace (Pitt) and his girlfriend, Adele (Lewis). Locked in a car hurtling westward, the four travelers struggle to find some common ground. But when they finally do connect, Early’s violent nature abruptly emerges, and the terrified Brian and Carrie realize that they don’t need to go very far to learn about ruthless killers.

To enter-

I am making this one a Facebook Fan Appreciation Giveaway. If you’re already a fan, do nothing! You are already entered. If not, find the Facebook Fan Page and Like Box in the bar at the bottom on the right (which, yes, is too many prepositional phrases in a row), and Like Are You Screening? That simple.

U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected from among all Facebook Fans on September 20th.

Blu-ray + DVD Combo Priced at $24.99

• Escape From New York*
• Fargo*
• Kalifornia

Blu-ray Priced at $19.99

• Robocop*
• The Terminator*
• The Usual Suspect*

Blu-ray Priced at $29.99

• The Boondock Saints*
• Donnie Darko*

Blu-ray + DVD Combo Priced at $19.99

• Rollerball

Blu-ray Priced at $34.99

• This Is Spinal Tap

DVD Priced at $26.98

• The Commitments

DVD Priced at $19.98

• Bubba Ho-Tep
• Return Of The Living Dead*
• The Last House On The Left

DVD Priced at $14.98

• The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension*
• The Beach
• The Believers
• Boys Don’t Cry*
• A Bucket Of Blood *
• Killer Klowns From Outer Space*
• Mad Max*
• Sid & Nancy*
• This Is Spinal Tap Special Edition
• Troll/Troll 2 Double-Pack
• Where’s Poppa

DVD Priced at $9.98

• Kissing Jessica Stein
• Miller’s Crossing*
• UHF

* Featured in the latest edition of The Rough Guide To Cult Movies

Cult Classics Swarm To Blu-Ray And DVD From 20th Century Fox And MGM – Win A Couple Here is a post from: Are You Screening?

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Although, despite critical and ratings difficulties, I did rather enjoy the goofball antics of Harper’s Island. Well, until we found out the real story, and things got downright silly (the pretty obvious secret to the show is that the killer is the only person the show never tried to convince me might be the killer).

At any rate, I’ve always enjoyed his work, and I think a large part of that might be the fact that he has always worked against the grain of his cheery, charming appearance. Not that he, and his roles, haven’t taken advantage of it, but there has usually been some twist to his character, as opposed to simply playing the straight-up “most affable person ever,” that he was clearly born to play… in some respect anyway.

Finally on board with something that: will hopefully get a solid run, is getting a great push, features him prominently, and I actually like (one or two of those before perhaps, but not all of them), the Covert Affairs star is getting yet another push this week with an Auggie-centric episode, “Communication Breakdown.”

The episode focuses on a computer hacker, the CIA’s efforts to get her on their side, and the fact that the Russian beauty is Auggie’s ex-girlfriend. With several angles available, getting the girl is going to be tricky, not least because Auggie is probably the only workable entry to the genius anarchist, and since he dumped her a few years ago, she isn’t likely to play nice. With few alternatives, Auggie gets to go out in the field to try to convince her to come in, and that she might be in a lot of danger.

COVERT AFFAIRS - "Communication Breakdown" Episode1007 - - Photo by Kerry Hayes USA Network

The whole situation is further complicated by the fact that Auggie isn’t completely on board with the CIA’s viewpoint with regard to how to handle things, and it can be somewhat difficult to begin the negotiations with someone who thinks that a hack that can disrupt all forms of communication on at least a citywide scale is the sort of thing that should be made available to anyone who wants it.

Filled with action, and with the interesting twist of having much of that action led by a blind character, the episode is a rather adept examination of one of its main characters, and serves as timely and interesting foundation for further development. Auggie, a rich character already, struggles with the blend of personas he has to create himself out of, and Gorham does nice work with the delivery of not only his lines, but his silences. Having your past catch up to you is tricky enough, but when several parts of your past come together in one series events, and part of your past includes, “back when I could see,” there’s a lot riding on one character in this episode, and he pulls it off nicely.

If there’s an episode you don’t want to miss, this is it, and it’s worth quickly getting acquainted with the series for those who aren’t already fans.

Check out a few videos below.

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Well, we’re closing in on the release of EA Sports Active 2, which will be available for Wii, PS3, and XBOX 360. The most recent news for the line is that David Beckham has been named Brand Ambassador, which frankly is news that is only so exciting, but I wanted to take the opportunity to put the title out there.

Most of the exercise titles we’ve seen rush toward the Wii will be rushing toward the XBOX 360 Kinect, and while a lot of them have solid features, I have found the overall experience with EA Sports Active unbeatable, and I assume the continuation of the series won’t disappoint.

Keep the title in mind, and I’m sure there will be a lot more details soon, but for now check out a quick video that exposes you to a bit of the Kinect abilities. The video is an interview with producer Thomas Singleton. I met him back before the launch of the first title, though he was really involved with a tennis title at the time.

Beckham will act as the franchise spokesperson and will be featured in advertising and retail material across Europe and Australia. EA SPORTS Active 2 focuses on improving muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as improving cardio; it will combine a heart rate monitor and motion tracking data to deliver a fitness experience that achieves authentic, measurable results. EA SPORTS Active 2 will be available on Kinect™ for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3, Wii™, iPhone® and iPod touch® in Europe and Australia on November 19.

“David has always worked hard to stay in excellent shape and has inspired people around the world to make fitness a priority,” says Jens Uwe Intat, Senior Vice President & GM of European Publishing, EA. “We’re excited about this collaboration with David as the high value he places on fitness makes him a perfect fit for EA SPORTS Active 2. We are looking forward to working with him to motivate people everywhere to get active.”

“EA SPORTS Active is impressive and includes many elements that I have seen throughout my football career,” says David Beckham. “I’m excited to collaborate with EA SPORTS who have a great track record in developing authentic and credible sports products and games over the years.”

EA SPORTS Active 2 will ship with the Total Body Tracking system that combines a heart rate monitor and motion tracking data to ensure a workout with accurate tracking and measurable results. Using heart rate data that is displayed on-screen throughout the workout, users will be able to capture the intensity of their workout, allowing them to optimize their performance and reach their fitness goals quicker. Additionally, users will now also be able to track both their workout and heart rate data on the new EA SPORTS Active 2 online* hub; allowing users to track their progress over time and stay motivated. Motion tracking data will provide complete freedom of motion for a deeper workout experience. EA SPORTS Active 2 will make working out simple, effective and will go with you wherever you are.

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Teen whippersnapper Ronnie (Cyrus) is forced to spend the summer with her father, who she marks as the villain in her parents’ divorce. This is rather hard to get behind, as her composer father (Greg Kinnear) is so affable he’s practically mushy. It’s also tricky to play along with in the same sense that everything else in the film is, because I didn’t believe anything Cyrus was trying to portray for a second.

I would be forced to think twice if she delivered the line, “I’m a teenage girl,” and most of the film’s attempts at giving her something worth delivering (such as protecting turtle eggs) are built around lines, attitudes, and situations that, as usual, only serve to make you wonder if Nicholas Sparks has ever actually met any people.

The story surrounds our bitter teen, and the summer-long struggle to overcome… well, whatever she’s bitter about really, and reconnect with her father, while allowing herself to open up to love interest Will (Liam Hemsworth). The reconnection comes by way of the shared love of music, even though Ronnie has turned down her entry to music school… because men are bad, or whatnot.

The film comes at you with all the care and effort of those that know that once we get to put our two names on the poster, the real work is done.

Of course if you’re a big fan of either of those names, it doesn’t really matter what anyone might say, which is the point.

Bonus Features:

The Blu-Ray offers up a decent number of special features, but fans might be hoping for a bit more. There is an audio commentary with director Julie Anne Robinson and co-producer Jennifer Gibgot, and I am willing to hazard a guess that those who enjoy the film will find it incredibly interesting. Largely a detailing of the Sparks fanboy effort the film was in their eyes, I can hardly think of a film that needed a commentary track less. There are also several deleted scenes, and an alternate opening sequence, all with optional director commentary.

Special features on the Blu-Ray and Standard DVD include-

• Set Tour with Bobby Coleman – Audiences will have an all access pass to see how a film is made through the eyes of the new up-and comer and star of The Last Song, Bobby Coleman. This rambunctious eight-year old will bring his fans along as he does everything from interview Adam Shankman and Miley’s security team, to going on a seashell scavenger hunt.

• Making of the Music Video, “When I Look At You” with Miley Cyrus – Go behind-the-scenes of the music video, “When I Look At You”. It will feature recording studio footage, b-roll from the set, interviews with Miley and crew, clips from the film and music video. Audiences will learn how the film’s motif, southern summer romance, is incorporated into feel and theme of the music video.

• Miley Cyrus Music Video: “When I Look At You”

If you have a youngish teen daughter, I’m sure you’ve succumbed to the pressure and bought this already. If not, I can’t really find anything to recommend about it.

Own it on Blu-Ray and DVD!

Win it!

If you’re game, leave a comment below and you will be entered to win your very own copy of the Blu-Ray release. U.S. only. Winner will be selected September 15th.

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With all the strange, interesting, and bad press that followed in the wake of Sasha Baron Cohen’s Borat film, you’re about to get a new look behind the scenes of the production, from the perspective of yet another group duped by the film. While many of the stories that came out the film didn’t evoke a great deal of sympathy, the curious bamboozling of the village of Glod in Romania might deliver a different picture.

Carmen Meets Borat Premieres Sunday, September 5, at 10 PM on Global Voices on PBS WORLD, and it’s worth checking out.

Carmen, a 17 year old girl living in the gypsy village of Glod, located in the remote mountains of Romania, dreams of a future bigger and brighter than the quiet life she is currently living. Working at her father’s store and being courted by a boy she does not love, Carmen believes her only chance of experiencing a life like the ones she watches in Spanish soap operas, is to leave Glod and her family behind. That is, until British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen and his film crew arrive at her village to film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

At Twentieth Century-Fox headquarters

A story about a small community in a big universe, Carmen Meets Borat documents the confusion, optimism, and ultimate changes experienced by Carmen and the villagers of Glod, when they realize the big dreams and money promised to them from Borat, and later an American lawyer, might not come to fruition. Carmen Meets Borat will premiere nationally on PBS WORLD’s Global Voices, an international themed documentary series, on Sunday, September 5 at 10 PM (check local listings). The program will be available for online streaming beginning Monday, September 6, on PBS Video (http://video.pbs.org/program/1478905970/).

When Cohen, in character as Borat, and his film crew land in Glod, the villagers cooperate on what they believe will be a documentary about their village and many, including Carmen’s father and her grandfather, agree to appear in the film. Unfortunately, since none of the villagers speak English, they are unaware that the film Borat depicts the villagers as primitive caricatures supposedly from Kazakhstan.

The release of the film places the town squarely in an unwanted spotlight and leaves the villagers feeling abused and exploited. The atmosphere in the village abruptly changes when American and a German lawyers arrive and persuade Carmen’s father, grandfather and the mayor of Glod to sue 20th Century Fox for 30 million dollars. The villagers begin to fantasize about the possibilities of a landmark lawsuit and how their lives might change for the better. However, many questions remain: will the village win the case? How will the money affect life in Glod? And will Borat himself come to apologize?

Global Voices is produced by ITVS International and began airing on the PBS WORLD digital channel on Sunday, April 26, 2009. This 26-week series brings internationally themed documentaries made by both U.S.-based and international filmmakers to a national audience. This season, the series will feature the U.S. premieres of six documentaries funded by ITVS International, as well as encore broadcasts of other acclaimed ITVS programs. In addition to the PBS WORLD broadcast, select episodes will be available online, post broadcast – via iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, and on PBS’s Video player through http://video.pbs.org.  For the complete lineup and schedule, visit www.pbs.org/globalvoices/.

All photos courtesy Pieter van Huystee

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Carmen Meets Borat Coming To Global Voices Series On PBS World Channel is a post from: Are You Screening?

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Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) is about to enter middle school, and beyond the normal host of dread events that are life in public school for a stature-challenged American, Greg also has best friend Rowley to deal with. Rowley is the textbook example of how to get beat up in school, complete with glowing bicycle, and he’s thwarting any chance Greg has of moving up the school’s popularity scale.

Adding to the stresses of his daily life, Greg’s older brother offer up his own helping of torment and ridicule. With little idea how to muddle through, Greg latches onto any idea that comes along, usually with disastrous results. From wrestling to the school’s updated spin on hall monitors, our hero finds that the dog-eat-dog world is a lot more difficult to navigate than he’d believed, and ultimately that he probably had a lot more going for him than he thought he did.

It’s a fun adventure, with a keen eye toward the mindset and inner workings of not only middle schoolers in general, but the less noticeable ones in particular, and walking the halls with a wild, comic eye is not without its merits. Still, there is some level of the spirit of the books that doesn’t come through, and a good deal of the story feels a bit hollow.

Kids of the appropriate age are likely to enjoy it, but this one falls short of its potential.

The Cheesiest Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features:

The special features are somewhat limited, but include Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages, which is a collection of deleted scenes and other excerpts, Rowley’s Lost Zoo-Wee Mama Cartoons, and a commentary with director Thor Freudenthal and writer Gabe Sachs.

The commentary track focuses almost exclusively on discussion of the translation, and trying to get the look and feel of the film right. We get a sort of deconstruction of elements and scenes, and while a pretty interesting, if standard, effort, it isn’t exactly the commentary one might expect from a children’s film. The rest of the special features are pretty self-explanatory, and the deleted bites deliver a good bit of value.

Overall, the value of the release is probably in direct proportion to the interest one already has in the series. It’s definitely worth a viewing, but everyone who needs to own it already knows who they are.

Own it on Blu-Ray and DVD today!

Win it!

Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered to win a copy of the Blu-Ray release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected on September 15th.

Based on the best-selling illustrated novel by Jeff Kinney, the family comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid arrives on Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack and DVD August 3 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The film chronicles the adventures of wisecracking pre-teen Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life… middle school. Convinced it’s the “dumbest idea ever invented,” Heffley considers junior high school a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment of the cafeteria floor and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties that he must overcome to become popular. His diary – or “journal” – chronicles his thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would be) schoolyard triumphs.

From its origins as a series of online cartoons, Diary of a Wimpy Kid exploded onto the pop culture scene when Jeff Kinney’s first novel was published in 2007. Selling over 30 million copies in print, Diary of a Wimpy Kid spent almost three years on The New York Times’ children’s best-seller list and has been translated into 33 languages.

From director Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs) and producer Nina Jacobson (The Game Plan), Diary of a Wimpy Kid features rising stars Zachary Gordon (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Robert Capron (Bride Wars) and Rachael Harris (The Hangover), as well as Steve Zahn (“Treme”). The Diary of a Wimpy Kid “The Cheesiest Edition” Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack includes the film on Blu-ray, DVD and as a digital copy all custom packaged with additional cartoon pages. Both the Blu-ray and DVD include “Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages”, which bring the diary to life with all-new, never-before-seen hysterical moments not included in the feature film such as a rundown of the benefits of the Cheese Touch, more gross, silly Fregley fun, and Rowley’s lost Zoo-Wee Mama cartoons.

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I was a bit hesitant about this show after the pilot, largely because I wasn’t sure it was exactly clear which directions it was going to aim in a variety of ways. I’m pretty happy with it so far, and stay tuned, because in the next day or two I will have a preview review of the next episode, which focuses a good deal on Auggie.

Chris talked a lot about his character, past shows, and even Twitter. I hope you enjoy. Afterward, check out the preview for that episode, along with a couple of images.

By the way, very recently heard reports that the show has been renewed.

What can you tell us about Auggie and what it’s like bringing him to life?

C. Gorham Well, Auggie is a complicated cat. He comes from a military background and especially coming from Special Forces he’s a specific type of military guy. He’s very driven; he’s very creative and he’s been trained to use his brain before his gun. Being blinded was of course an incredibly difficult and challenging time for him, but I think it changed him in ways that I think were unexpected to him.

It will be interesting at some point to kind of explore what kind of guy he was before he was injured, but he’s definitely changed. In fact, in the episode that airs on the 24th, “Communication Breakdown,” there is some talk, his ex-girlfriend is in the episode and they actually dated before he lost his sight. Him being blinded is completely new information to her and so there is some talk about the type of guy that he was before he was injured as compared to the type of guy he is now.

The character is based loosely on a friend of the show’s creators, Matt Corman and Chris Ord, who was disabled and they talk about how it changed him as a person and how it kind of opened up his life quite a bit in ways that were very unexpected, but in some very real positive ways. I think Auggie has had a very similar experience.

How much effort does it take to stay in character so you don’t do something a blind person wouldn’t do? When they say cut, do you still try to stay in character when you’re having lunch and things like that?

C. Gorham Oh, God, no. It would take far too long. They don’t give me enough time. It’s tricky but we kind of work out all of those kinks during the rehearsal. They give me a little extra time to rehearse these scenes because we don’t really get a chance to rehearse them ahead of time so it all happens right before we shoot. They block out a few extra minutes so that I can figure out the physicality of what we’re doing.

Typically what will happen in a regular scene is the case will rehearse and then we go away and we have stand-ins that come and stand in for us while they finish the lighting. Often I’ll just stay there and keep working on the physicality of what I’m doing and what my actions are during the scene just to make sure that it’s as accurate as I can get it. I’ll just stay all the way through the lighting process and keep working on it.

So I was looking ahead a little bit and I noticed one of the upcoming episodes; I see some photos of Auggie, a little bit of racy photos. I’m wondering what kind of trouble he’s going to be getting into.

C. Gorham Auggie gets into some pretty deep trouble. I think the pictures you’re referring to are from the August 24th episode titled, “Communication Breakdown.” In that episode there is a Russian actor that’s causing trouble and it turns out to be Auggie’s ex-girlfriend. He has to go and try and bring her in and get something from her. He ends up in a lot of trouble because of her. She’s kind of the wrong girl for all the right reasons, if you know what I mean.

Do you ever have any trouble filming those kinds of episodes where I guess you’re scantily clad?

C. Gorham Well, thankfully I had a lot of notice so I could work on it, but really Auggie is former Special Forces and one of the things I did kind of early on is did some research on the Special Forces and the training that those guys go through. I’ve tried to emulate that a little bit, which has meant that I’ve had to get in much better shape than I had been previously. Just in doing the research and working on the physicality for this part did most of the work for me.

How did you land the role of Auggie?

C. Gorham Getting this part was the very traditional audition route. I went in and read. The only kind of unusual thing about it is because of the physicality and kind of the idea that everybody has about blind people or blind characters is I had a lot of the same stereotypes so when I showed up to the audition I had sunglasses on and was ready to go in and rock my Ray Charles.

On the way into the room the casting director told me that they didn’t want sunglasses and I had to take them off and it kind of threw me for a loop, as it did a lot of the guys who were going in, I’m sure. I just kind of had to make something up on the fly. That was a little nerve wracking.

After that I kind of settled into what I was going to do for the audition process. Once I had the part was when the real, the hard work really began as far as getting very serious about doing the proper research so that I could portray not only the character, but his disability as honestly as I can.

What kind of research did you put into that?

C. Gorham I spent a lot of time with the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, the CNIB. During the pilot, a woman named Leslie McDonald came out and worked with me on using a cane, worked with me on sighted lead, which is how you see Piper and Auggie when they’re walking together. You’ll see me holding onto her elbow, that’s called sighted lead, how to do that properly, a lot of just little physical details.

Then I met a man named Randy Fer, who was blinded when he was 20 years old in a car accident. I talked with him and just observed him for not only the physical aspects of his disability, but also we talked a lot about the emotional journey that a person goes through when something that traumatic happens to them and how they come out of it at the end of that journey.

When we pick up Auggie at the beginning of the show he’s gone through that already, he’s not still suffering, he’s not still angry about it; he’s not still feeling sorry for himself at all. The guy doesn’t have an ounce of self-pity in him. Then when we started the series I’ve just continued along those lines meeting with other people who have been blind since birth, other people who have been blinded as adults, spending time at the CNIB building doing training on things like getting around the kitchen and all kinds of little details like that.

In a recent show—I think it was episode Auggie had the interrogation scene—I felt like we saw a little bit of a mad Auggie. Did the character kind of moved towards that, or expand on that because that was like his soldier training sort of thing coming out.?

C. Gorham Yes, you know, we see it occasionally. One of his arcs for this season is that frustration that bubbles up at times of not being able to get out in the field in the way that he would like to, in the way that he used to.

He was very good at it. Clearly he’s limited in his ability to do that now so you see some of that in this Tuesday’s episode you see some of that struggle because he is actually involved in helping some of his old buddies on a mission in the Middle East. You see some of that frustration, but also some of that anxiety and kind of self-doubt as to whether or not he can still really help his guys out in the way that he used to.

In the following week’s episode on the 24th you actually get to see him get out in the field and in many ways he proves that in certain situations he can still very much function at the high level that he would demand of himself.

In Jake 2.0, you were the super spy, you were the action hero. Now you’re the backup. You’re the guy that action hero goes to when he needs help. What’s it like working from that other angle?

C. Gorham It’s a lot of fun. I think if it were a lesser character, if Auggie wasn’t so interesting and the writers weren’t doing such a great job of writing really interesting things for him to do, I don’t know that I would enjoy it that much, to be honest. With this character on this show, and particularly working with this actress, being Piper Perabo, I couldn’t be happier.

In a very practical sense, creatively I’m incredibly satisfied by the work that I’m doing on this show. Also, I’m a dad, I have three kids. I love my wife and having this part gives me the days off that Piper doesn’t get. I use those to spend time with my family that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to.

Would you say Auggie is 50% into his tech job and 50% living vicariously through Annie? How would you rate that?

C. Gorham Auggie loves his job. We should make that very clear. In fact, there is a line in an upcoming episode where he says, I’m a techno-geek that gets to play with all the coolest toys in the sandbox and I get paid for it.

He loves his job. He also loves what he did when he was in the field. In an ideal world he would have that job back where he can meld those two things. Having things the way that they are, he’s said as much in one of the episodes, that sure he harbors some jealousy because he would love to be out there with Annie.

I think there is some conflict between Auggie and Jai Wilcox, Sendhil Ramamurthy’s character in the show for a number of reasons, but one of the reasons is absolutely that Jai gets to go out in the field and he’s running around out there doing the things that Auggie is very confident that he could do better, but can’t anymore.

With Harper’s Island, I know you only received like a script … so in advance so that the cast is surprised. How does it work with Covert Affairs? Do you find yourself surprised when you read the script or do you kind of know Auggie so well now that it all just kind of makes sense for you?

C. Gorham It varies. We’re often surprised by plot turns. We had a conversation with Chris and Matt early on because as a cast you get curious as to what’s going to happen over the course of the season. They really prefer to keep us in the dark, not that we need to be kept in the dark, not that we’re going to spoil anything but they just kind of like giving us the story an episode at a time, like a serial.

There are character things that happen that recur. There are certain characters traits that at this point we’re very solid in what the relationships between the characters are so for the most part when it comes to those relationships we kind of know where they’re going to live. Plot wise we don’t always know very far ahead of time and it’s kind of fun. It’s different than in Harper’s Island because there is not the threat of one of us getting killed off every week.

Do you ever wonder just how much of what happens on the show is similar to how things are in real life in the CIA, the types of story lines, how things are handled, the inner workings that type of thing?

C. Gorham I do wonder. I get the answers to some of those questions and some of them I don’t. We actually make an effort on a lot of the little details on the show we work really hard to make them accurate. For instance, you’ll never see anyone talking on a cell phone within our CIA because in the real CIA no cell phones are allowed.

You’ll never see anyone with a purse or a personal bag because those are not allowed in the real CIA. Instead of garbage cans there are burn bags under all the desks. Those types of details that the way the top secret documents are transferred around the CIA in these bright orange, zip up lockable envelopes, we use the same ones on the show. A lot of those things we replicate and they’re absolutely true.

There are a lot of facts in the pilot that we used that came directly out of the CIA that are true. As far as the missions, I don’t imagine that they work exactly like they do in the show. I’ve been reading a book called Legacy of Ashes about the history of the CIA, kind of boning up on my own knowledge of that organization. I think, while I say that what we do on the show probably doesn’t happen so much in the real CIA, having read that book there is a lot of crazy stuff that’s happened over the decades, so even in saying that sometimes we may actually get pretty close to home and maybe sometimes unintentionally.

I’ve been gathering, from listening to you on this phone call, that your personality is closer to Auggie than say that of your previous character Henry. What do you think are your similarities between you and Auggie?

C. Gorham Well, Auggie, I mean the kind of guy that Auggie is—the kind of guy that goes through the military and makes it into Special Forces and succeeds in that organization has the type of drive and the type of motor inside him that I honestly don’t have. He is a truly extraordinary human being.

I think we have a similar outlook on life, I would say, in that trust is one of the most important attributes that you can have as a person. I think it’s one of the reasons why he and Annie get along so well. They instinctively know that they can trust each other and that their relationship may be the only truly safe relationship that each of them has in that place. That’s one similarity. I can also keep a really good secret.

What would you say the difference is between— I mean you mentioned that you don’t have the same kind of drive with the military, but let’s just say personality or humor wise. What would be the differences between you and Auggie?

C. Gorham We both have a good sense of humor. One glaring difference is that I have very little technical skill when it comes to the computer world and he is a whiz at it. In that arena we are worlds apart.

You’re very active on Twitter and have been for a long time, even before Covert Affairs, and you’re interactive with the fans as well on there. Have you found any sort of difference with your newfound fame almost with Covert Affairs now?

C. Gorham You mean focused on a difference on Twitter?

Yes, on the Twitter part.

C. Gorham I haven’t seen a big difference. I think I have a lot of followers, I guess, but there are many, many people that have hundreds of thousands of followers, so I think that I really appreciate my followers because I feel like I’ve got what I lack in quantity I make up for in spades in quality. There are some really smart people. My followers tend to be smart, they tend to be funny, they tend to be witty, and very rarely do I ever have any problems with anybody that I need to block then. I think I put it on my Facebook page that go ahead and post stuff on here but just keep in mind that I am married, I do have kids, so keep it PG.

I think the vast majority of the time they respect that I have a personal life and I respect their interest in the things that I’m doing, especially in this show. I’m happy to interact and to kind of give them a sneak peek and behind the scenes of what we do and how it works.

What’s been your favorite episode so far to film with Covert Affairs?

C. Gorham That’s an interesting question. There’s been a couple favorites. I guess my biggest episode is “Communication Breakdown” which airs on the 24th. It’s a very Auggie-centric episode. It’s the only episode that I worked every day. It was really satisfying. We got to really explore Auggie in ways that we hadn’t done before. That’s going to come back to haunt me. It was a fun episode. Auggie has a fight scene in that episode and he’s on the run and he’s helping his ex-girlfriend who is kind of the love of his life and so it’s very big. It’s very emotional and exciting and that was a lot of fun.

That being said, we’re working on the season finale right now, and that’s also been a blast and I don’t have any big action scenes in the finale, but there are just some developments and some character development and relationship development between Auggie and Annie in that episode that I think is really strong and interesting.

Before you were in Covert Affairs, you were in a few different shows that were unfortunately canceled before they came to a proper ending. Is there any show that … do you regret most about not having a conclusion?

C. Gorham I did a sitcom called Out of Practice years ago that was just an amazing experience. It was with Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing and Ty Burrell, who is on Modern Family now, and Paula Marshall, Jennifer Tilly, and the writers were Chris Lloyd and Joe Keenan. They’d just come from Fraser and Chris Lloyd is now doing Modern Family. It was a really, really good show and great writing and a fantastic cast. That one I was really sorry to see that one go.

Of course, any time a show ends prematurely it’s tough, but then you move on and I’m really happy that it looks like this show is going to be on for a while. It’s doing very well and I couldn’t be more pleased.

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It’s a pretty good service, especially if you consider that the things you already own are probably the things you want the best version of you can get. They’ve been up for a while, and I haven’t really heard any complaints, and now they’ve added the ability to upgrade your TV DVDs as well. It’s a simple process, and a deal worth checking out.

At this point (I’m pretty sure I’m not missing anything), the available TV titles are-

$19.95

• Smallville Season 8
• Supernatural Season 1
• Supernatural Season 4
• Chuck Season 2
• Fringe S1
• The Sopranos S1

$14.95

• Smallville Season 6
• Smallville Season 7
• Supernatural Season 3
• Chuck Season 1
• Pushing Daisies S1
• Pushing Daisies S2
• Terminator SCC S1
• Terminator SCC S2
• Nip/Tuck S4

Give the service a look over at http://www.dvd2blu.com/.

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From the ability to actually buy Tru Blood, to T-Shirts, jewelry, and coffee mugs, to Apps and iPhone cases, the show is capitalizing on its cult, “cool” status to an extent that boggles the mind. If you have the slightest inclination to show your support, there is something for every taste, and every level of fan. Whether you want to break out the Fangtasia shot glasses, or a Sookie’s waitress uniform, it’s out there waiting for you.

Keeping my eye on such things as I do, I finally have to ask for some thoughts on the subject. Are you a True Blood fan? What is it about True Blood that makes all this branding possible? I mean, you don’t come up with the 400th product unless someone bought a decent helping of the first 399, right?

Now, I like the show, and I actually like the angle of a good deal of the items available. Very soon I’m going to give away several True Blood T-shirts (from among the ones you’re about to see), but before I do, I wanted to get some feedback.

Is all this stuff incredibly cool, or is True Blood running away with itself? Do you want it?

By the way, you can find this stuff at the HBO Shop in NYC and at www.HBO.com/store.

Check out a modest selection of available T-shirts, and let me know what you think of the run on True Blood branded items out there. And, stay tuned for the giveaway.

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As I’ve also said before, I confess that there is a strong argument that this just proof they are picking the right person for the network.

In their defense, the last two winners seem to still have shows, and to be totally honest, Aaron McCargo Jr. isn’t so bad, but the competition show’s positives haven’t been able to reach beyond its own ratings in quite some time.

The latest edition of taunting me with shows and stars I will never see has resulted in Aarti Party. If you’re a fan of any other cooking show on the network, and have an itch for spicing things up, I gather you’ll enjoy this one. Such is what I am meant to believe at any rate.

So, voice your opinion here. Is this show going to be worth watching? After Sunday, come back and discuss.

On her new daytime series, Aarti invites viewers to join her for a playful Aarti Party, where she shares approachable and delicious ways to enhance American favorites with simple but unique Indian influences. Whether she’s sprucing up everyday pulled pork sandwiches and perfectly roasted chicken or taking classic bread pudding and basic red lentils to new heights, Aarti cleverly combines the familiar with the exotic to create mouthwatering meals. No matter the occasion, Aarti Party promises great food and endless fun for home cooks everywhere. For more information, recipes, and videos, visit: www.foodnetwork.com/aartiparty.

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Aarti Party – The New Next Food Network Star Hits Sunday is a post from: Are You Screening?

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Keep it in mind, and get more info at the show’s website here.

Explore stories of men and women who thought they were happily married until the day they uncovered a shocking secret about their spouse that would leave them asking Who the (BLEEP) Did I Marry? From bank robbers to bigamists to spies, these compelling and sometimes startling characters will have viewers shaking their heads in disbelief and wondering how the truths behind these scandalous spouses were kept hidden for so long.

Premiere episodes

Don Juan Down Under

Premieres Wednesday, August 25 at 10 PM

Donna Andersen waited her entire life to find a soul mate. She was a single woman living in Atlantic City in 1996 and looking for love in all the wrong places. One day, her dreams were answered in the form of a dashing, Australian entrepreneur who promised to be the companion she was hoping for. After a whirlwind three-day romance, he proposed, they married six months later, and Donna was happier than she’d ever been. Little did she know that his charming ways were just a mask for the real man her husband would turn out to be – a man who was a bigamist, compulsive liar and a thief who stole thousands of dollars from everyone that crossed his path, including his new wife.

The Defector and the Divorcee

Airs Wednesday, August 25 at 10:30 PM

Ana Margarita Martinez, a Cuban exile living in Miami, was always taught the importance of finding a good Cuban husband. When she met Juan Pablo Roque, she thought she had found her perfect mate. A Cuban defector and a volunteer for the prestigious refugee rescue mission, Brothers to the Rescue, Roque had not only won the heart of Martinez, but of the whole Cuban community in Miami. It was only a year into their marriage when she discovered that her groom was an imposter. Roque had been using his marriage to Martinez as a cover while he secretly worked for the Cuban government – as a spy. But a heartbroken, deceived Martinez didn’t let herself be the victim. She sued the Cuban government for rape, and won $27 million dollars in damages.

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Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry? ID Channel Explores Marriages With Wild Secrets is a post from: Are You Screening?

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Back when I reviewed the show as a fall preview, I disliked it immensely. It tried too hard with its gags, and forced its title down my throat in a way that I found borderline sad. A little bit of trivia you’ll get from the DVD bonus features is that the word “cougar” has never been used in the show, but it didn’t need to be. A fairly boring vanity piece, the show’s best hope was its supporting cast, but little of the writing delivered anything interesting to sink your teeth into.

I reviewed it pretty harshly, and I stand by that review, but somewhere around episode 7, the show changed completely. Working up to Jules’ dumping of her young boyfriend, everything cougar-ish suddenly vanished. Well, except for one semi-frequently recurring character who is older than Jules, and a bit creepy. Her continued inclusion, in fact, actually distances the show even more from its cougar roots.

Taking a sharp 180, the show switched to a kind of ensemble piece. On the bonus features, you’ll also hear one of the show’s creators refer to it as something like Friends in their forties. If you take into account what Friends became toward the very end, you’ll know that isn’t far off at all.

Once that first fling is over, Jules dates men her own age, though she briefly (sort of) tries to date another younger guy, and our focus is on the relationships of our inner circle. Jules has two best friends who don’t like each other, a decidedly flaky ex-husband who is around an awful lot now that they’re divorced, and a “paper buddy” who is slowly becoming part of the neighborhood gang. We progress through a variety of stages, including the complicated affair of Jules’ best friend’s husband trying to remain friends with Jules’ ex-husband, against his wife’s wishes. It sounds more complicated than it is. And yet, it’s pretty complicated.

The show is now about everyone involved equally, with best friends/neighbors Ellie and Andy, played brilliantly by Christa Miller and Ian Gomez, providing most of the show’s best moments.

By episode ten or twelve, you can’t really make sense out of the name, and while you might have heard about the possible name change, and the idea that something more family friendly might help with ratings, I think it might have had something more to do with the basic fact that it is at this point simply confusing.

Perhaps owing to the fact that this just might be rather a vanity piece after all, it seems you can see the point when both Jules and Courteney finally work up the nerve to just say, “It is what it is.” For Jules, who has a lot of that Monica-esque neurotic behavior by the way, she works out that it might be possible to overplan, overthink, and generally try too hard at life as a whole, and moving on in particular. For Courteney, she seems to let this role (perhaps this show, who knows?) settle into something that is itself not trying quite so hard. Not trying to be so funny. Not always “on.” Maybe being hilarious isn’t what this show turns out to be about.

It’s funny. A million times funnier than it was out of the gates, if you ask me, but a different kind of funny. Often a more subtle humor, one that doesn’t feel the need to slap you around with everything, and have the characters provide laughtrack. But, also one that is more brave when it works, such as the reverse intervention, which was a nice touch.

You often hear the yarn about authors being asked why a certain thing happened in a story, and coming back with the reply, “that’s just what happened,” or somesuch. A variety of spins on the idea are attributed to many writers. When you’re an author (I hear tell), sometimes your characters just rebel. You think you’re about to write one thing, and before you know it, an entirely different chain of events are on the page.

Maybe that’s what happened here. The clever, witty, honest characters (especially Ellie and Andy) just weren’t having it, and those in charge were actually smart enough to give the horse its head.

If you tuned out, as I did until someone told me I should check out the new direction, I advise you to catch up before the new season starts. I very honestly think you’ll be glad you did. There are many difficult things to do in the realm of television, but taking a show I can’t stand, and turning into something I’m looking forward to is about the hardest thing there is (statistically speaking).

Bonus Features:

Oddly enough, one of the bonus features is devoted entirely to the show’s shift in perspective. Taming Cougar Town is a short, but interesting look at the de-cougaring of the show. It’s barely five minutes, but it gives the creators a chance to give some perspective on the changes.

You get a series of Ask Barb snippets which feature the only cougar left in the zoo, and her very cougar answers to questions about dating, women, and being a cougar. Somewhat fun, but not something with a lot of meat.

A similar inclusion are the Stroking it with Bobby Cobb bites which feature Bobby sort of randomly babbling innuendos while golfing. While I rather like the character (to a point) in the show, this is a throwaway as a special feature. There’s little enough to it in any case, but it isn’t funny, and doesn’t go anywhere.

On the other hand, the Jimmy Kimmel Live bit Saber-Tooth Tiger Town, which obviously isn’t anything exclusive to the release, is hilarious, and even if you’ve seen it before, it’s worth owning, and a welcome addition. Taking things a few age demographics further, Cloris Leachman takes her turn going on the prowl.

You also get a collection of deleted scenes and bloopers, which are pretty standard.

Overall, this is a pretty nice release. It isn’t loaded with a lot of additional value by way of the bonuses, but there is at least some effort. Assuming you’ve seen any of the episodes past the eighth, this one is worth owning. If you haven’t, make sure to give it the chance to get you there.

Own it on DVD today!

Win it!

Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered to win your very own copy of the DVD release. U.S. only. Winner will be randomly selected September 10th.

Check out some clips.

Golden Globe® nominee* Courteney Cox (Friends) stars in the hilarious hit comedy Cougar Town: The Complete First Season. After spending the last seventeen years as a wife and mother, recently divorced Jules (Cox) has reluctantly waded back into the dating pool and quickly finds herself in over her head.

Now forty-something and single, Jules tackles real-life issues – dating, parenting and friendship. It doesn’t help Jules that her two best friends can hardly stand each other, her ex-husband is hanging around more now than he did during their marriage…and there’s that handsome divorced neighbor that Jules can’t quite get out of her head. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and featuring a cast of television’s brightest comedic stars, Cougar Town struts its stuff in this DVD collection, along with exclusive bonus features and one or two special surprises.

Cougar Town – it’s more than a place, it’s a state of mind.

COUGAR TOWN: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON was created by Bill Lawrence (creator of Scrubs) and Kevin Biegel and also stars Christa Miller (“Scrubs”, “The Drew Carey Show”, “Seinfeld”), Busy Philipps (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”, “ER”), Dan Byrd (“Heroes”, “CSI”), Josh Hopkins (“Private Practice”), Ian Gomez (“The Drew Carey Show”) and Brian Van Holt (“John from Cincinnati”).

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Cougar Town The Complete First Season DVD Review And Giveaway is a post from: Are You Screening?

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With a simple setting and a tone and arc that are driven by conversations, the film plays up its lack of flash in something like an “indie by design” effort.

It looks pretty good actually, if the story comes together, but like all such ensemble struggles, the test is going to be how well the supporting cast delivers.

Let me know what you think.

The Romantics stars Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Elijah Wood, Malin Akerman, Adam Brody, Jeremy Strong, Rebecca Lawrence, Dianna Agron and Candice Bergen

Over the course of one raucous night at a seaside wedding seven close friends, all members of a tight, eclectic college clique, reconvene to watch two of their own tie the knot. Laura (Katie Holmes) is maid of honor to Lila (Anna Paquin), her golden girl best friend. The two have long rivaled over the groom, Tom (Josh Duhamel). Friendships and alliances are tested and the love triangle comes to a head the night before the wedding, when the drunken friends frolic in the nearby surf and return to shore… without the groom. Based on the heralded novel by producer, novelist, director Galt Niederhoffer, THE ROMANTICS is a Zeitgeist love story and generational comedy that breathes new life into the genre and recaptures the camaraderie of youth.

THE ROMANTICS opens in New York and Los Angeles on September 10th, and will expand throughout September.

Check out the trailer below.

For more info, visit: www.theromanticsmovie.com

THE ROMANTICS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theromantics

THE ROMANTICS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/the_romantics

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While every generation has certain unique qualities, we all forget (or haven’t yet realized) that virtually everything is just the same old thing, even the wildly new things. We largely grow up working on the theory that people like Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Voltaire, etc., were all born eighty years old, and set out with the mission of simply arming teachers with implements of torture. It doesn’t occur to us that they might have been speaking to a young generation, suffering through horrendously “real” life because their family was in debtor’s prison, or that they became writers by rebelling against their parents.

Every teen who sneaks out of the house to see a band thinks he invented the idea.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is in fact a somewhat revolutionary effort in the realm of film, and perhaps art… it’s an allegory… that isn’t.

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an averagely nerdy chap in his early twenties. He’s in a band, sees little in his future, and is dating a High School girl largely out of a lack of self-esteem. He soon meets Ramona Flowers, his dream girl, literally. Instantly smitten, Scott finds himself dizzied by the quite natural inability to act or think when it comes to the girl who is too cool for him, and terrifyingly not entirely not interested in him.

With all the charm, and most of the hipster references, his generation can muster, Scott muddles through the initial stages of being aware someone else exists with the studied lack of aplomb that very nearly defines the video, video game (and dare I say, screening) reared youth of today.

Surging forward into the deeper relationship levels of awkwardly walking near each other and so forth, Scott is suddenly attacked while performing with his band, and learns that he must defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes in order to continue their relationship. As the video game metaphor muscles its way in more and more, Ramona’s baggage continues to appear before Scott, attempting to knock him down, demanding to be defeated.

Flying fights, wild techno-rock riffs, power ups, and finishing moves all carry us, and Scott, toward the final boss fight, and the cutscenes (as usual) tell the story. Not only a story about love generally, and the fear and loathing of courtship, but a story about generational confusion, distance, and animosity.

Unapologetically arming detractors with more ammo than they could possibly use, the film is flippant in its destruction of its own media, burying both the seemingly senseless use of pseudo-magical powers by people with no such power, and the lack of any discernible reaction by onlookers underneath a shiny veneer of disinterest in your arbitrary “rules.”

Buoyed almost unbelievably by winsome performances, not only by its leads (who are perfect), but by wonderful supporting turns by: Kieran Culkin, Ellen Wong, and Mark Webber, the film’s only flaw is its anti-marketing marketing. Its meta too-cool-for-schoolness. A fact perhaps a shade too well proved by its box office.

Big, brash, and filled with more fun than your average ten movies, Scott Pilgrim is bursting with the celebrated wit and wisdom of younger generations at large, and nearly cloying in the perpetual perfection of its muse’s feverishly anti-mawk mawkishness.

It’s unclear if we have something here (in form, not “goodness”) like On the Road, Please Please Me, or Candide (for pure smartassness), or just something much more humbly like The Breakfast Club, or Closer (Joy Division), but what is clear is that Scott Pilgrim is like nothing you’ve ever seen before… just like all those other things.

It is rich and complex to a degree only achievable by those things that scoff at richness and complexity, and fueled by the baffling power of an allegory that begins by telling you that the love interest’s exes will be represented by the love interest’s exes. A metaphor built out of a decade of widely accepted misuse of the word “literally.” Which is brilliant.

It also precisely as appreciable, vibrant, and alive to its demographic (of all ages) as this review is, perhaps, not.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Movie Review is a post from: Are You Screening?

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