Quentin Tarantino is at the Cannes Film Festival where the weather is lovely. I know this because (a) IT’S CANNES (!!!) and (b) he’s just filmed an introduction to a new clip from his forthcoming World War II exploitation epic Inglourious Basterds and it looks just gorgeous. (Jealous? Me? Get outta here.) The ever-chatty Tarantino’s introductory yakking actually lasts longer than the footage and his Brad Pitt-starring film, which screened earlier this week in France, has received some hellacious reviews. But I rather liked the cut of this clip’s jib. Check it out and tell us what you think.
Archive: May 2009 (121-130 of 467)
May 21
2009
01:44 PM ET
May 21
2009
01:30 PM ET
'Glee': Josh Wolk's Pop Culture Club is gonna debate you in three-part harmony
Before I criticize Glee, I need to admit something right off the bat: I don’t like musicals. Or at least I don’t like happy-time musicals. If someone is singing and dancing with a huge smile on his or her face, it wipes the smile right off mine. My parents used to take me to a lot of musicals when I was a kid, and instead of raptly wishing I was up there, a-hoofin’ and a-tappin’ with the ensemble, I often found myself intently staring at the Playbill, mentally ticking off the listed songs to gauge just how many more I had left before we could all go home.
This might explain why, when I saw the big musical number set to Amy Winehouse’s "Rehab," I wished for the quiet relief of a heroin coma. The ironic juxtaposition of dark song to happy dancing somehow just made it worse.
Maybe it’s not fair of me to judge this show, since it’s predicated on the love for a genre of which I had been blissfully unaware: show chorus, which is glee club, but with jazz feet in addition to jazz hands. They found a way to make something that annoyed me even more annoying. It’s as if a scientist found a way to make a mosquito laugh like Fran Drescher.
I tried to judge the show on its own merits, I really did. I enjoyed the take on high school politics, but it got demerits for being done against a chorus of horribly derivative characters. The glee club included a Tracy Flick type; a brassy Jennifer-Hudson-in-Dreamgirls type who is telling you she’s not singing backup; a gay prima donna who loves fashion; a reluctant singing superjock who looks, acts, and, I assume, smells like American Pie‘s Chris Klein; and a hybrid nerd: He’s not just a dweeb, he’s also in a wheelchair! (Why didn’t they put tape on his glasses to complete the hat trick?) The last member of the troupe, however, was an Asian punk, which is new—It must have taken all the restraint in the world not to make her a member of the Math Team.
And stomping around on the outskirts was the ever-employed Jane Lynch, doing her usual tough-talking, overconfident-boob shtick. Don’t get me wrong, I love Lynch and her shtick. I don’t need to see her stretch, in the same way I never want to see Fred Willard doing anything but Fred Willard. But she is omnipresent these days, so seeing her do her thing here only underscored the fact that I’d seen everything before. And heard everything: “Don’t Stop Believing?” Really? This song is to movies and TV now what "Walking on Sunshine" was about ten years ago.
The reviews for this show have been glowing, and my indifference to it puts me in a very small minority at EW. But while I admired the show’s energy, and smiled at a few lines ("Isn’t that kind of dangerous?" jock Finn asks when his fellow footballers are going to flip over a porta potty with the nerd inside. "He’s already in a wheelchair," says another), I didn’t find anything revelatory about the show. It was just the Breakfast Glee Club.
The most pressing problem I have with this show is, What’s going to happen in episode 7? Hell, what’s going to happen in episode 2? Will the series follow their quest to win Nationals, giving them a big number a week and learning a little bit about themselves along the way? And please tell me there won’t be a "I’m gonna make it out of this town!" subplot for everyone. Will’s speech about how only half of the school will go to college, and "maybe two will leave the state to do it" was incredibly bizarre—this town looked like Sherman Oaks, but suddenly he’s acting like it’s Dillon, Texas. Or is this one of those Dust Bowl glee clubs?
But what do you think? Is my strong aversion to singin’ and dancin’ clouding my judgment? If I had only learned to love Oklahoma, would I be counting the days until Glee resumes in the fall?
Before I open the argument gates (which I do by unlocking the contretemps lock and then flipping the kerfuffle latch), let me give next week’s assignment: I hate to go back-to-back Fox on you, but let’s watch Mental, the new series about a "radically unorthodox" psychiatrist; it airs on Tuesday at 9, but will be available on Fox.com after that. I’ve seen it, and have some strong opinions, but won’t bias you ahead of time. But just remember: he’s radically unorthodox! Only watch if you can handle radical unorthodoxy! By which I mean, if you watch House, Eleventh Hour, Lie to Me, The Mentalist…
May 21
2009
12:00 PM ET
Clip du Jour: Bunny Terminator!
Need to catch up on your John Connor mythology before you see Terminator Salvation? Starz has the perfect primer: a NSFW-ish speed-synopsis of the original Terminator. Depicted by cartoon bunnies. Totally hare-raising.
Created for Starz by cartoonist Jennifer Shiman, these Bun-O-Vision shorts have a Ritalin-like Ren & Stimpy vibe. My personal fave is bunny Die Hard, and I only wish these 30-second clips would keep going and going and going.
May 21
2009
10:00 AM ET
Quote of the Day: 'The Darjeeling Limited' edition
"I love you too, but I’m gonna mace you in the face!" — Jack L. Whitman (Jason Schwartzman), trying to break up the fight between his brothers Francis (Owen Wilson) and Peter (Adrien Brody) by repeatedly macing them in the face, in Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited
May 21
2009
07:49 AM ET
Kris Allen talks Queen, Adam Lambert, and, oh yeah, winning 'American Idol'
Kris Allen may have looked bone tired at the end of his nearly year-long marathon to take the American Idol crown, but he was nothing but chatty when EW spoke with the champeen one-on-one in the post-finale "Winner’s Walk." With his mother and wife patiently waiting on a nearby bench, Allen gamely talked about why he’s still surprised he’s done as well as he has on the show, when he and Adam Lambert learned they would be rocking out with Queen, how he formed his lasting bond with the glam rocker, and which Oscar winners nearly brought him to tears.
You seemed really surprised up there when Ryan announced you won.
Always. [Smiles] I’m always surprised, man. For me, making it through each week — everyone is so talented, and, I don’t know, to make it through each week is crazy.
People kept referring to you as the dark horse. When you got to the Top 36, we’d barely seen you. Did it add any pressure, or make it easier, being the perpetual underdog?
For me, it was kinda nice. That’s kinda who I am, and having the spotlight on me would’ve been weird. That’s me. I’m that laid back guy. I stick my head behind everyone else and every once and a while peek out and say, "Hello!" [Chuckles]
So you’ve just won American Idol. You’ve obviously got tremendous musical talent. You know what kind of artist you want to be. You’ve got a beautiful wife. You’re very good looking. You’ve got an amazingly supportive family. From all I can tell, you’re a really nice guy. I just gotta know, what is wrong with you?
[Laughs] Um, I am the biggest procrastinator in the world. Yeah. That, and I’m not the cleanest person in the world.
That’s just terrible.
I know, right?
It’s unforgivable.
Maybe there’s other stuff, but I won’t say anything. [Grins]
addCredit(“Ray Mickshaw/American Idol/Getty Images”)
May 21
2009
07:43 AM ET
Adam Lambert after the 'American Idol' finale: 'I'm really happy for Kris'
Adam Lambert looked the picture of contented calm after coming in second to presumed underdog Kris Allen during last night’s two-hour American Idol finale, although that could’ve just been due to the scant five hours of sleep he’d had the night before. The guy’s been, in a word, busy. (One example: Before he talked to EW one-on-one in the post-show "Winner’s Walk," he was waylaid by judge Paula Abdul, who couldn’t wait another second to give Lambert some pricey looking jewelry, as well as a big hug and several cheek kisses, as her parting gift.) Lambert was so busy, in fact, he was only able to speak with EW briefly before he was moved along to the next step in his long post-Idol PR parade, so be sure to check back at EW.com next week for Lambert’s interview with a fuchsia-haired Michael Slezak on what is sure to be one of the best Idolatrys of the season.
Lambert did have time, however, to gush about getting to rock out with Queen and KISS, sing the praises of his competition, and address in his own way The Question that’s been on many people’s minds all season.
I want to just get this question out of the way first, something that’s been dangling a bit over you for the whole season: Would you like to put to rest all the speculation about your sexuality?
It’s not dangling over my head. [Laughing] It may be dangling over yours, but it’s not over mine. Yeah, I think speculation keeps things really interesting.
So you don’t want to say anything one way or the other?
Like I said, I think speculation keeps things very, very interesting. [Laughs]
All right. What was it like singing with Queen and KISS tonight?
Oh my god, what an honor. Queen is like one of my all time favorite rock bands, and then to be up on stage with KISS with the pyro and the costumes — I mean, it was a dream come true. It was awesome.
addCredit(“Ray Mickshaw/American Idol/Getty Images”)
May 21
2009
03:08 AM ET
Kris Allen wins 'American Idol': We live-blogged it!
Update No. 1: We have a winner … but for the benefit of our West Coast friends, you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of this post to see who it is. Leave your comments below, and don’t forget to come back tomorrow morning for Slezak’s full recap.
Update No. 2: Due to the massive number of comments on this blog post, which may have caused some browsers to crash, we have paginated them. Look for the "More Comments" link at the bottom of the page to view older posts from readers. Thanks!
Yes, yes, y’all! You’ve weathered Hurricane Kara. You’ve climbed Mount Simon. And soon, it’ll all be over — except for the tears, the confetti, and (gulp) one final rendition of "No Boundaries," the latest in a long list of deeply unfortunate Idol coronation ditties.
UPDATE: We’ll be with you in just a moment…just trying to get through the hurricane, the tornado, and a momentary bout with technology!
7:46 Sorry for the delay, guys! I lost the battle against our new, live-blog technology, so I’m gonna kick it old-school style. After 8 p.m., click through after the jump and keep refreshing to follow along!
7:47 This is my now. And I am breathing in the moment. As I look around, can’t believe the love I see.
7:48 My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt.
7:49 That was then. This is my now.
7:50 Whoops, sorry guys! You all caught me doing my warmup exercises for tonight’s live-blog extravaganza! Really excited…KRADAM FTW! Yeah, that was a fanboy-crazy moment, but along with Allison, these guys are making for about as perfect a finale as you can get, no?
7:55 Just to reiterate: If Adam Lambert is not crowned the season 8 champ, I have to make good on my promise and dye my hair Allison Iraheta red. I fear we’re gonna be in for some Tyra Banks ANTM-style heinousness, people. But Annie Barrett promises she’ll hold my hand while Kristen Baldwin washes in the Manic Panic Electric Flamingo.
7:56 Someone on our message board today wondered if perhaps Kara was thinking about Matt Giraud when she wrote the lyrics to "No Boundaries." Matt, if you’re out there, whatever Kara tells you, you should not go to her home studio to "lay down some tracks."
7:59 Seriously, though, let’s give special thanks to Kara. Without her, Kris and Adam fans would not have a common enemy to unite again and mock without mercy! And you thought I didn’t have anything good to say about the "fourth judge."
8:00 I forgot to go pee before the telecast started. Cannot promise this won’t get haywire at the first Allison-Kris-or-Adam sighting. Or Carly. Or Jason Castro. I need help. Or a lengthy commercial break.
addCredit(“Frank Micelotta/American Idol/Getty Images(2)”)
May 20
2009
10:00 PM ET
'NCIS' season finale: Confused, but amused
I have a feeling there might be some disappointed Tiva fans out there today, but here’s hoping you read our interview with Cote de Pablo in which she flat-out said that there would be no kissing — just gun-wielding anger — in the season 6 finale.
Obviously, we have to start with that ending. If you haven’t watched the episode yet and intend to, FLEE NOW! They gone? Good. So who do you think that is, torturing a nearly unrecognizable Ziva (well done, makeup department) and asking her to "Tell me everything you know… about NCIS"? Is it a member of the terrorist cell in Africa she’s trying to bring down now that she’s back working with the Mossad? Is it a member of the Mossad turning on her? Or is it a member of some other group that I’m not smart enough to identify? I’ve guessed on plots from this show before and failed, miserably, so I’ll leave it to you.
All I’ll say is that I believe Ziva stayed behind in Tel Aviv not just because she doesn’t trust NCIS, but because she also doesn’t trust her father. She needs to figure him out first, because when he betrays you, it involves death. I think she knew Gibbs would leave her behind if she gave him an ultimatum — her or Tony. Her had was there, listening. Assuming Ziva’s dad isn’t behind her torture, will the Mossad and NCIS have to work together to get her out alive? (I’m not entertaining the thought that de Pablo won’t be back for more than the season 7 premiere.) Will Mossad cut and run, proving to Ziva that Leroy Jethro Gibbs is the one person you can always trust? No idea. All I can hold on to is my Abby-like faith in Gibbs. Whatever Vance was trying to accomplish by telling Gibbs that Ziva’s father sent her to kill her half-brother Ari — and that’s the real reason she took Ari’s life to save Gibbs’ four years ago — he won’t fall for it. Unless it’s somehow true, and then he’ll realize that Ziva has changed. Unless she hasn’t. (Even I felt the sting when she told Gibbs that her blown-up apartment wasn’t her home.) I’m so confused, y’all. Let’s move on to why I’m amused….
May 20
2009
09:35 PM ET
'Jon & Kate Plus 8' season 5 premiere sneak peek: Things are looking pretty bleak, kids
It’s no secret (really, no secret) that the Gosselin clan of Jon & Kate Plus 8 have seen their fair share of troubles lately. And with their anticipated fifth-season premiere on May 25 less than a week away, TLC has put up a sneak peak on its website. Yay!(?)
First impression? Things are looking pretty desperate, both in the show’s arc and the look in Jon’s eyes. (Okay, I know it’s sort of hard to feel bad for him and his current predicament, but the minute he opens his mouth, you can sense he’s a pretty unhappy guy.) The kids, who are still as adorable as ever, are celebrating the sextuplets’ fifth birthday, but you can’t help but wondering if this year may feature some drama beyond spilled milk and scraped knees.
While there is a genuinely sweet moment when Jon interacts with his brood while they are in a moon bounce and Kate (who, at one point in the clip states, "My kids are the reason I have always done everything") is up to her usual self by being in control (here, during a game of pinata), there’s nothing about this clip that really makes me want to watch the upcoming season more than I did before. In fact, although I gladly admit that I have been sucked into this show in prior seasons, I’m starting to get a bad taste in my mouth because of all of the scandals surrounding Jon and Kate — they’ve kinda turned me off. What about you, PopWatchers? Does this clip make you want to see the upcoming season more? Or do you feel like me and that 8 is enough already?
May 20
2009
09:03 PM ET
Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Tocantins' (the Finale!)
Okay guys…
Well, I am sorry this is so late, but better late than never…right?
This one will be short and sweet and not all that clever — just the facts ma’am. (Name that show….)
As far as the outcome of the show, I was not surprised. Having sat in on the final tribal council it seemed pretty clear at the time that JT would win. I didn’t expect it would be a total sweep but I think Stephen did himself in when he admitted he wouldn’t have taken JT to the end. Stephen would have been foolish to take JT if given the choice. JT knew that and it poured the "pretend shock and hurt" on thick trying to garner jury votes. It worked.
Final Tribal Councils are quite tricky because the jury is almost always very upset that they are not in the final and so they are looking to get the last word in edgewise. Stephen was a sitting duck next to JT.
No, I don’t feel sorry for Stephen. He played a very good game, but JT deserved to win. In fact, I’d go further and say that JT is one of the best overall players ever to play Survivor. He has it all and he has to come back if there is ever another All-Star season.
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