He made our list of scary-good actors yesterday, but Jeremy Renner is also on my Must List this week for his spectacular performance in Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker, which opens wide on Friday. As Staff Sergeant William James, head of a bomb disposal squad charged with tracking down and defusing explosives, Renner nails his character's cocky bravado while subtly revealing a kind, caring side. His risk-taking maverick complements the squad's other two members, straight-arrow Sgt. Sanborne (Anthony Mackie) and scared-but-resigned Spc. Eldridge (Brian Geraghty). EW's Lisa Schwarzbaum praised the film as ''an intense, action-driven war pic, a muscular, efficient standout that simultaneously conveys the feeling of combat from within as well as what it looks like on the ground.'' While Mackie and Geraghty also turn in skilled performances, the film belongs to Renner.
Hulu is streaming the first eight minutes of the film, and although Renner isn't in the scene, I've embedded it below anyway. What's on your Must List this week, PopWatchers? List up to three items from current TV/movies/music/books/games/online. Don't forget your e-mail address, in case we decide to use your submission in the magazine. Deadline is Thursday, July 9 at noon ET.
A Very Potter Musical is on my mustlist. It was created and performed by student’s at the University of Michigan and you can watch the entire thing on youtube. Harry Potter as a satire is an absolute must and I cannot get enough of it!
I am pleased that Jeremy Renner is getting the credit he finally deserves! He’s a wonderful actor who is completely believable in every role, no matter if it involves zombies (28 Weeks later) or Colin Farrell (SWAT). He was awesome in The Unusuals and I was greatly upset that showed was cancelled. The man deserves some serious recognition for his work!
New Divide by Linkin Park – Not sure if I’d classify it as an earworm, but it sure is an infectious song, as I was told I was singing along to it today while doing cardio (Awk-ward!)
Every Little Step-One of the most emotional, beautiful movies of the year. If this documentary is playing near you, SEE IT.
Fleet Foxes-An amazing debut from an immensely talented band. Can’t wait for more!
Big Fan trailer-The screenwriter of The Wrestler takes the director’s chair on this story about a fan (Patton Oswalt, who looks fantastic) who might be too loyal.
I can’t believe the viral video, Total Eclipse of the Heart Literal Video Version, hasn’t made the Must List yet. My friends and I have been laughing about it for weeks!
I’m looking forward to “Humpday”. The trailer is charming, the story sounds crazy and director won at Sundance a Special Jury Prize for “the spirit of independence”. What else than that does a good movie need?
Summer’s guilty pleasure: The Bachelorette (including the Tuesday morning review and blog on ew.com). We had such high hopes for Jillian, she seemed somewhat normal, a little quirky Canadian. But then the awesome craptacularness that is Love-Don’t-Come-Eeeeeeasy Wes was cast, and brings the reality-TV to this so-called reality. Must have more!
TV: the MTV show THe STate, lucky us, is coming out on DVD now. I am a huge fan of sketch comedy, I think when it’s good, it’s sublime, and this crew of comics definitely is. They could have invented the term “LOL” because that’s what they always make you do!
Eminem’s recent video for the song “Beautiful” is brooding and like the title, beautiful in really gritty and thought-provoking way. Word. Reminds the viewer that Em excels at both extremes: being hilarious and provocative and also taking a stand on real issues.
alright i’m gonna admit this. REAL WORLD CANCUN. my summer guilty pleasure might be predictable but I need it like the people on the show need their tequila.
500 Days of Summer- A romantic comedy that isn’t one. I’m excited to relivede Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel’s ultimately failed romance in what looks to be one of the most unique films in quite some time.
Blitzen Trapper’s video for “Black River Killer”- Following a long tradition of creepy murder ballads, the Oregon band turns theirs into incredibly cinematic vision in this video. Watch and yearn for the days of good music videos.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- It’s got to be. Harry and his gang are growing up right before our eyes and this book features some of the most visually appealing writing in the series. Can’t wait for the Inferi-infested lake!
Was radio, but now she’s tv! The Wendy Williams Show is my must for the week, no make it the summer. you do not have to be a fan of wendy williams as an outrageous radio star all these years to know she’s going to bring it when her show hits the airwaves, i love her and her big mouth, she has no qualms about speaking truth to ANYONE
David A. Scott’s Literal Videos. Especially his “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Literal Video. Comedy doesn’t come any funnier. Way to go David! The quote from the 1988/89 hit comedy movie “Beatlejuice” says “…everytime I see it, it keeps getting funnier, each and every time…”
Music > Paul Oakenfeld’s new CD. Perfect Vegas. I don’t know how he does it but his music makes me forget all my worries. From what I hear on his site it is also perfect road trip music!
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A Very Potter Musical is on my mustlist. It was created and performed by student’s at the University of Michigan and you can watch the entire thing on youtube. Harry Potter as a satire is an absolute must and I cannot get enough of it!
The new Futurama episodes.
Both Torchwood and Doctor Who are coming back soon with new episodes (but, alas, not full seasons)! I’m in British sci-fi geek heaven.
Hall and Oates ‘Private Eyes’ album. Tombstone Pizza and EW not talking about Twilight or Amy Adams
I am pleased that Jeremy Renner is getting the credit he finally deserves! He’s a wonderful actor who is completely believable in every role, no matter if it involves zombies (28 Weeks later) or Colin Farrell (SWAT). He was awesome in The Unusuals and I was greatly upset that showed was cancelled. The man deserves some serious recognition for his work!
New Divide by Linkin Park – Not sure if I’d classify it as an earworm, but it sure is an infectious song, as I was told I was singing along to it today while doing cardio (Awk-ward!)
Mindy Kaling’s Twitter updates are always self-deprecatingly hilarious.
Every Little Step-One of the most emotional, beautiful movies of the year. If this documentary is playing near you, SEE IT.
Fleet Foxes-An amazing debut from an immensely talented band. Can’t wait for more!
Big Fan trailer-The screenwriter of The Wrestler takes the director’s chair on this story about a fan (Patton Oswalt, who looks fantastic) who might be too loyal.
All Time Low’s new album Nothing Personal. I’m in pop-punk bliss.
-The return of Eureka on July 10
-The STATE on dvd…Finally!
OK so it’s not current but ABC family has reruns of the Gilmore Girls and tonight is the finale. It’s definitely on my must list!
I can’t believe the viral video, Total Eclipse of the Heart Literal Video Version, hasn’t made the Must List yet. My friends and I have been laughing about it for weeks!
The State on DVD!!
I’m looking forward to “Humpday”. The trailer is charming, the story sounds crazy and director won at Sundance a Special Jury Prize for “the spirit of independence”. What else than that does a good movie need?
Summer’s guilty pleasure: The Bachelorette (including the Tuesday morning review and blog on ew.com). We had such high hopes for Jillian, she seemed somewhat normal, a little quirky Canadian. But then the awesome craptacularness that is Love-Don’t-Come-Eeeeeeasy Wes was cast, and brings the reality-TV to this so-called reality. Must have more!
TV: the MTV show THe STate, lucky us, is coming out on DVD now. I am a huge fan of sketch comedy, I think when it’s good, it’s sublime, and this crew of comics definitely is. They could have invented the term “LOL” because that’s what they always make you do!
Eminem’s recent video for the song “Beautiful” is brooding and like the title, beautiful in really gritty and thought-provoking way. Word. Reminds the viewer that Em excels at both extremes: being hilarious and provocative and also taking a stand on real issues.
alright i’m gonna admit this. REAL WORLD CANCUN. my summer guilty pleasure might be predictable but I need it like the people on the show need their tequila.
Even though Michael Jackson molested kids, Thriller is still a great album.
I’m looking forward to seeing The Hurt Locker again. Jeremy Renner is brilliant in the film!
500 Days of Summer- A romantic comedy that isn’t one. I’m excited to relivede Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel’s ultimately failed romance in what looks to be one of the most unique films in quite some time.
Blitzen Trapper’s video for “Black River Killer”- Following a long tradition of creepy murder ballads, the Oregon band turns theirs into incredibly cinematic vision in this video. Watch and yearn for the days of good music videos.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- It’s got to be. Harry and his gang are growing up right before our eyes and this book features some of the most visually appealing writing in the series. Can’t wait for the Inferi-infested lake!
Was radio, but now she’s tv! The Wendy Williams Show is my must for the week, no make it the summer. you do not have to be a fan of wendy williams as an outrageous radio star all these years to know she’s going to bring it when her show hits the airwaves, i love her and her big mouth, she has no qualms about speaking truth to ANYONE
‘Twitter Tracker’ on The Tonight Show: Coco’s comedy treat is the best thing since shredded tweet. OH YEAH!!!
The “Total Eclipse of the Heart” literal video!!! I’ve watched it about 50 times now, and laugh each time.
David A. Scott’s Literal Videos. Especially his “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Literal Video. Comedy doesn’t come any funnier. Way to go David! The quote from the 1988/89 hit comedy movie “Beatlejuice” says “…everytime I see it, it keeps getting funnier, each and every time…”
Music > Paul Oakenfeld’s new CD. Perfect Vegas. I don’t know how he does it but his music makes me forget all my worries. From what I hear on his site it is also perfect road trip music!
Jeremy Renner definitely is a must. Finally a good actor getting the recognition he deserves. Now if only they didn’t cancel The Unusuals…