Archive: January 2010 (121-130 of 461)

Jan 22 2010 06:51 PM ET

'Spartacus' premiere: Will sexy gladiators lure you in?

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Filed under: Television and tagged: ,

After an inescapable marketing blitz full of bare pecs and rippling abs, Starz is premiering its loincloth-tastic, 300-esque television series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand tonight. It’s the kind of show that’s easy to promote: You get it, there’s lots of near-nakedness (and, in fact, full-frontal nudity), and it’s about the famous Roman slave. There will be gladiatorial fights and Roman debauchery. And in case it wasn’t clear enough, there will be blood in addition to sand. Having been privy to a screening of it earlier this week, I can tell you that it is also fun. Yes, there’s tons of nudity and sex, and lots of blood-spattering violence (not to mention a lot of people indicating they are ancient Romans by speaking in the third person). But it’s also tightly plotted in a way that lures you in even if you’re the kind of person who prefers her dramas blood-free and present-day (that is, if you’re me).

Starz is even showing the first episode of Spartacus free online to seduce would-be subscribers to the pay channel, a smart move.

So what do you say, PopWatchers: Have you watched online, or are you watching tonight?

Jan 22 2010 06:26 PM ET

Beardless Joaquin Phoenix surfaces for charity

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The world has suddenly embraced beards, and you, Joaquin Phoenix, reappear without yours! What’s going on? At least Phoenix is resurfacing for a good cause, joining Miley Cyrus (singing Lady Gaga) and Liv Tyler to promote non-profit group To Write Love on Her Arms. TWLOHA is campaigning to win $1 million — you can vote for the cause here.

Jan 22 2010 05:27 PM ET

New 'Lost' promo: Fresh footage, a gun-toting Claire, and rewinding the past

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Filed under: Lost, Television and tagged: ,

There’s nothing ABC needs to do to get me more excited for Lost‘s final season, but, well, here they are doing it with a new promo. It might be the only time I’d argue that a TV ad’s hyperbole doesn’t go far enough: “The Television Event of the Year”? The way I’m feeling right now, I’m inclined to go with decade, or even century. (I know I’d be wrong, and that lots of other things qualify, so don’t start arguing that with me here; I’m just quantifying my level of excitement.)

However you say it, I do think Lost has raised its own bar to an unprecedented level, such that the final season — and the finale in particular — could make or break its legacy like no other show’s has. Now, this particular promo isn’t as artsy-cool as many others that have been popping up from across the globe, thanks to the no-spoiler-footage policy Lost has so far maintained. But, lo and behold, there is one frame of new footage here!

In case you missed it, the new scrap of film here is a gun-toting Claire around the 15-second mark. In further proof that Lost possesses mystical powers that turn me into the kind of uber-fangirl I normally am not, I spent quite a bit of time trying to pause the video on the words that flash right around 15 to 16 seconds in, which, to save you the trouble, say: “Everything changes” and “Plant a good seed and you will joyfully gather fruit.” I can’t hold a candle to Doc Jensen in the hard-core analysis department, so I won’t try. But that stuff plus the bit at the beginning where old scenes run backwards (the plane puts itself back together, the fuselage un-explodes) leads me to think that the castaways’ finale gambit to reset the “future” works — i.e., Juliet sets off the bomb and Flight 815 doesn’t crash. Or at least the passengers’ paths are altered significantly.

But what do you think, PopWatchers? Theories? Thoughts? Other freeze-frames? Ideas for what we can do to alter the time-space continuum to make it Feb. 2 already?

(And Lost fans might also want to check out this recreation of the crash in real-time.)

Jan 22 2010 04:40 PM ET

Clip du Jour: Keyboard Dog

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Move over, Keyboard Cat, you’ve got some canine competition:

Even without the keyboard, who doesn’t love a pug in loungewear?

Jan 22 2010 04:22 PM ET

'Cyrus' trailer: John C. Reilly vs. Jonah Hill

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: ,

Is it wrong that I found myself hoping that Cyrus, the “brutally honest comedy” and Sundance entry about a divorcé named John (John C. Reilly) starting a relationship with a woman (Marisa Tomei) whose son, Cyrus (Jonah Hill), creeps him out, turned into a horror film? Hill can look pretty unnerving when he wants to.

With lines like this one from Jonah —  “The light is hitting your hair in this great way. It’s like a crippled tree reaching for heaven” — I’m thinking the laughs will be too plentiful for it to be scary. And that Cyrus will be darker/funnier than Step Brothers.

Jan 22 2010 04:18 PM ET

Site of the day: Dollar Van Demos

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This is pretty cool: Dollar Van Demos is a site with videos of up-and-coming musicians performing in a Brooklyn dollar van (think of it as a low-rent taxi), mingling with real passengers. Six months after the site started, McDonalds is using Joya Bravo and Wordspit — two Brooklyn musicians straight outta the dollar vans – for nationwide commercials.

This week’s singer, Kalae All Day, sounds pretty great too. Check her out:

Jan 22 2010 03:35 PM ET

Another reason to watch 'Caprica': Eric Stoltz

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Filed under: Television and tagged: , ,

My sci-fi loving colleague has some well-thought-out analysis of Caprica, which starts tonight on Syfy. But, hello, Darren!, there’s another reason this non-Battlestar watcher is going to tune in: Eric Stoltz is back on TV. And, at least in the teaser below, he’s playing tennis! And wearing glasses! Be still my heart. Stoltz is one of my favorite actors of the not-quite-Brat-Pack, and he definitely needs a home on TV every week. Who else agrees?

Sound off on your favorite Stoltz moments in the comments. I’m now going to have to re-watch Some Kind of Wonderful this weekend (after Caprica of course).

Jan 22 2010 03:25 PM ET

'Project Runway' alums Christian Siriano and Chris March make us proud

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Filed under: Golden Globe Awards and tagged: , , , , ,

Hurray! There does indeed seem to be life after reality television for the worthy and able. Let us put our proud, fiercely fashionable hands together for Project Runway season 4 castmates Christian Siriano and Chris March, who nearly made me weep with nutty fan pride last weekend when they dressed two ravishing divas for the Golden Globes. Siriano wrapped voluptuous Mad Men beauty Christina Hendricks in a cocoon of ruffled peach silk, while March made Best Actress winner (and perennially brilliant woman) Meryl Streep look stunning in a drapey black gown that showed off her lovely neck and shoulders. Of the two, I have to give it up for Meryl’s look. I adore Christina Hendricks and don’t think she’s ever made a red carpet blunder (hello! she’s hot!), but richer colors suit her better than pastels. In any case, Meryl just looked so very regal and elegant — a veritable reine du cinéma. Plus, that belt! Such a boldly magnifique move! So unexpected!

The boys’ success with these ladies got me thinking about other possible collaborations between Runway alums and stars. What would Uli Herzner design for, say, Amy Poehler? Or Korto Momolu for Chloë Sevigny? (After her Globes’ gown, girl could use some tips, for sure!) And for something completely off-the-wall … Laura Bennett and Lady Gaga?

Who’s your dream match-up? (And if you haven’t already, please do check out my recap of last night’s Runway episode.)

Jan 22 2010 03:02 PM ET

Test: Name the network from these photos

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Filed under: Television and tagged:

These pictures are from two upcoming TV movies starring Brian Austin Green and Eddie Cibrian. Which network will they air on? READ FULL STORY »

Jan 22 2010 02:59 PM ET

PopWatch on Ice: Spiral sequence showdown in Spokane on Saturday night!

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Filed under: Television and tagged: , , , ,

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships continue this weekend on NBC, with coverage of the ladies and ice dancing competitions. The women laced up last night for their short programs. Going in to the free skate, which airs live Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET, 2008 U.S. champ Mirai Nagasu (pictured, right) now has a .43 lead over Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen (pictured, left), who’s making a comeback after four years away from competition. Both skated clean shorts, as did two-time U.S. silver medalist Rachael Flatt who sits in third place. Since I was forced to watch the programs on YouTube without Scott Hamilton’s commentary — NBC will air them Saturday afternoon during its live coverage of the Free Dance starting at 3 p.m. — here’s what I can tell you:

• No one, no matter how much she sells the footwork, needs to skate to “Sing, Sing, Sing.” But maybe that’s just how somehow who had to hear it at every dance recital ever feels. Watch Rachael Flatt’s short program here.

• Sasha Cohen’s costumes are still to die for. The beauty of her dramatic red ensemble was almost too distracting during her performance to ”España Cañi.” The detail on the lace, sequined bodice, the way the skirt moved during her spiral and footwork sequences — I felt the envy of 20 drag queens. Can’t wait to see what she dons for the free skate. Here’s hoping she’s also wearing her Fierce Face. Best in the sport.

•  I would give the edge in the spiral sequence to Cohen, but Nagasu’s flexibility is just as impressive. (Like Cohen, she ended her performance to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack with an I-9 spin. That’s when you pull a straight leg up by your head.) The layback on her spread eagle was breathtaking, as was her toe-point in her sit spin and the soft landing on her jumps. She was confident throughout. But you never know what can happen in the longer free skate…

Below, your weekend figure skating schedule on NBC. Come back to PopWatch on Monday when we review the ladies and ice dancing teams who will join the U.S. men’s and pairs teams in Vancouver. Who are you rooting for?

Saturday, Jan. 23, 3-6 p.m. ET: Free Dance (Live), Ladies Short
Saturday, Jan. 23, 9-11 p.m. ET/PT: Ladies Free Skate (Live)
Sunday, Jan. 24, 4-6 p.m. ET: Recap of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Sunday, Jan. 24, 9-11 p.m. ET/PT: Exhibition of Champions and announcement of U.S. Olympic Team

Photo credit: Cohen and Nagasu: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images (2)

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