Archive: August 2009 (61-70 of 386)

Aug 26 2009 12:34 PM ET

EW Picks: Today's best in pop culture

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Movies DVD: Duplicity
A pair of corporate spies (Julia Roberts and Clive Owen) try hide their love affair while working for competing companies in a classy romantic thriller from director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton). Read our review

TV Crash Course series premiere (ABC, 9 p.m. EDT)
Crash-test dummies get a well-deserved rest thanks to this game show in which contestants compete to see, for example, who can drive a car onto the back of a flatbed truck the fastest. Oh, did we mention that the truck is moving? And that they have to speed through bouncing barrels to get to it? Frankly, we can’t wait to see the footage in which contestants explain to their HMO how they hurt their neck deliberately flipping a car while driving it through fire. More on ‘Crash Course’

Music Humbug, Arctic Monkeys
The cheeky Brits took on Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford as co-producers of their third album. So does the result sound like QOTSA’s raw rock or SMD’s booming electro? Probably not quite like either. Read EW’s review of the Monkeys’ Lollapalooza set

Books Blood Promise, Richelle Mead
Another day, another vampire book. This time, it’s the fourth book in Mead’s Vampire Academy series. Pick it up to see if it has bite. Read about more vampire authors

Tech Web game: “Lock ‘n’ Roll”
If you’ve ever played the brain game Set (you know, “if two are, and one isn’t…”), Lock ‘n’ Roll is going to hit those same pleasure synapses: there are colors, there are numbers (in Set, it’s shapes, but go with it), there are slots, there’s the unbelievable, burning desire to keep playing all the time…. Play it

Click here for more of this week’s picks, or check out an overview of more TV, movies, music and more debuting this week.

Aug 26 2009 12:28 PM ET

Must List: We pick 'Batman: Arkham Asylum,' you pick...?

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Filed under: Videogames and tagged: ,

At EW.com, we’re often accused of beating products and properties to death. If it’s not too much Megan Fox, it’s too much Mad Men or District 9; it’s always something that we smother with simply too much attention. But hello, there’s a reason for that: Some stuff is simply fantastic! Prepare to hate me for suggesting videogame Batman: Arkham Asylum, which hits stores this week to RAVE reviews, as our latest Must. While making the best Batman game ever wasn’t so huge a challenge, the Asylum team did one better and simply made a great GAME — combining elements of stealth, action, and platform genres — one that’s in serious contention for “Game of the Year” honors. Bat-tastic!

As they’re wont to do, the tables now turn and we hand over YOUR chance to nominate (and defend; defense is key) a must-watch/play/read/check out/do entry from the world of popular culture. Don’t forget your e-mail address, in case we decide to use your submission in the magazine! Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27 at noon ET.

Aug 26 2009 11:25 AM ET

'America's Got Talent' recap: The final 12 perform

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Week four of the semifinals, guys. Five spots left. Twelve acts in contention. What’s it gonna be?

My television was having all kinds of technical difficulties last night, which means that only this morning was I able to catch the performances on NBC’s website. And just the performances, too — no judges’ reactions, no pre-show interviews. America’s Got Talent minus the bells and whistles…which maybe isn’t the worst thing ever? What you’ll read below is strictly a response to the talent on display, and nothing more. RAW.

(It will also be shorter than usual. I’ll make it up to you with a dissertation tomorrow, I’m sure.) READ FULL STORY »

Aug 26 2009 10:50 AM ET

'Jennifer's Body': Behind-the-scenes tease

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: , , ,

One day after the soundtrack for ‘Jennifer’s Body’ hit stores (I really meant Amazon; what is a “store”?), we get a chatty lil’ behind-the-scenes featurette with interviews from director Karyn Kusama, screenwriter Diablo Cody, and stars Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. The way Fox rattles off her character’s fairly dire afflictions as if they’re annoying roadblocks preventing her from completing a difficult math assignment — “the demon overtakes my body…I start eating boys at my high school…” has really amped up my suspense for September 18!

Anyone else obsessed with the finger gusset on Fox’s cheerleading uniform? It adds a certain aesthetic I don’t think the film could do without.

Aug 26 2009 10:37 AM ET

Senator Ted Kennedy's words, work endure

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Filed under: News and tagged: ,

Edward M. Kennedy, a champion of progressive causes from the floor of the Senate for 47 years, succumbed to brain cancer on Tuesday. The youngest son of America’s most famous political dynasty, the Senator from Massachusetts had been the voice of his family ever since his emotional eulogy for his slain brother, Robert, in 1968.

Kennedy was an invaluable ally and respected opponent to 10 presidents, notably President George W. Bush, who teamed with the proudly liberal Senator on education legislation but clashed over the war in Iraq. In his later years, he became caricatured (The Simpsons’ Mayor Quimby), but his pace never slowed. Kennedy visited The Daily Show in 2006 to promote his book, America Back on Track, and the then-75 year-old was as charming and feisty as ever. Love him or hate him, his impact on modern America is beyond debate.

Aug 26 2009 10:16 AM ET

'House' uses 'Snakes on a Cane' campaign to suck us in

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Does a show as popular as House need a trying-to-be-viral marketing campaign? Fox thinks so: This summer, the network has been pushing a “snakes on a cane” campaign to promote the upcoming season of the doctor-heal-thyself drama. Rather than use strictly traditional methods, the campaign has included ads that don’t mention the name of the show — or that it’s for a show at all. Oooh, tricky. Now Fox has rolled out a five-second ad that confirms the logo does indeed refer to everyone’s favorite Princeton-Plainsboro grouchypants.

The caduceus/cane icon is much more effective than the “snakes” line, just given how dated the joke is, which is why it’s all the more impressive that Mr. Hugh Laurie himself sketched the original design. Hurray, another entry for my “Hugh Laurie Is Awesome” scrapbook!

The new season kicks off Sept. 21, and I for one am duh-hesperate to see what House looks like on the inside of a loony bin. Are you with me, PopWatchers?

Aug 26 2009 07:00 AM ET

Double Vision: Julianna Margulies and Famke Janssen

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Filed under: Television and tagged: , ,

Good-Wife-Famke-Janssen_lI’d assumed it was only the early-morning, refusing-to-wear-glasses-yet version of myself who momentarily got super psyched to “see” that Famke Janssen has a new show on CBS this fall. But no! My colleagues Michael Slezak and Missy Schwartz just admitted to experiencing similar double takes of the poster for ‘The Good Wife’ that’s popped up all over the city lately, while wearing their glasses. And now I am wearing my glasses and it sure wasn’t just a dream! Aw, we’d love it if Famke could be a series regular in the September-premiering courtroom drama — CBS should consider an out-of-nowhere Single White Female plot line should ratings suffer right away.

What you want to get out of this post is that Julianna Margulies and Famke Janssen look alike, and that everyone who works at EW is a four-eyed delusional weirdo, two “trends” which have been evident for quite some time. It’s summer; you shouldn’t have to work for it, you know?

Read more: Michael Ausiello’s press tour diary from ‘The Good Wife”s panel

Photo Credit: Famke Janssen/Retna Ltd.

Aug 25 2009 11:58 PM ET

'Idolatry': Is Lil Rounds gutsy, or just plain crazy?

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Filed under: American Idol and tagged: , , ,

Yes, that’s the exact question I posed to Lil Rounds, the American Idol season 8 finalist who’s been closing her current tour set with a cover of Beyoncé’s iconic “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Press play below to hear Lil answer (after she stops giggling, of course) and to find out about the perils of belting while dancing, the ease of singing without fear of Simon Cowell, and the joys of shoe-bedazzling. (In other news, you all know this means there will be an Anoop Desai Idolatry interview comin’ atcha in about 24 hours, yes? And also: Follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak! Fun!)
Aug 25 2009 06:24 PM ET

Ryan Seacrest can act!

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Filed under: American Idol and tagged: , ,

I feel like Ryan Seacrest is much more natural in Ben Stiller’s latest cry for Twitter followers than he was in Knocked Up. Am I wrong?

Ben, you’re welcome to use me for my 323 followers. Follow me at @EWMandiBierly.

Aug 25 2009 06:00 PM ET

Julia Stiles: Homeless are 'liberated from the conventions of fashion.' What!?

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I would list 10 things I love about Julia Stiles, but I don’t have the energy to try to justify the existence of A Guy Thing and Down To You. With that in mind, I’ll just cut to the chase: one reason I love Julia Stiles is this parody video, which takes a jab at several of the so-called celebrity “designers” (yes, you, Lindsay!) who’ve unleashed their ill-advised visions on the world. Not only does the video prove that Stiles is best when delivering that acerbic wit of hers, but I have to give the girl props for supporting the journalists: “People say that the newspaper industry is dying, but I say it’s living. Living on your body.” Watch the parody below to see Stiles’ eco-friendly invention of shants, and think about how much this makes up for The Omen.

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