Film Review - THE INTERNSHIP ★★½☆☆☆

The Internship is what you get when you trap the R-rated fun of 2005's Wedding Crashers into a noticeably toned down PG-13 re-hash that sorely lacks edgy frat boy charm and bang for you buck wit of its more adult predecessor.

The comedy duo of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson have their work cut out for them each time they re-team on the big screen. Eight years later and still no actual follow-up in sight to Crashers, The Internship plays like a light hearted step-son with Vaughn and Wilson doing what they excel at. But  here they play off each other as new characters who fall within the range of why we love what they typically do. For all intents and purposes, that always isn't in theory a bad thing, but in this case you want a little more push and shove than the restraint we are shown in this outing.

As a pair of washed up watch salesmen Nick (Wilson) and Billy (Vaughn), they learn the hard way from their boss (John Goodman) they have little going for them when their company goes belly up. The sad news is that the increasingly tech savy world prefers to get their time of day from their smart phones instead f devices strapped to their wrists.

Via a Google search, imagine that, the duo fast talk their way to the Google campus for an lowely internship (and the film is all Google glad handing from that point forward). Once there they must mingle and compete with the eager Instagram generation of college kids for the desperate chance of permanent employment within the conglomerate. They are considered aged outcasts and saddled with a group of geek misfits (Dylan O’Brien, Josh Brener, and Tobit Raphael). It's off to do team battle of both tech and physical tasks against both their intern brethren and bigger threat of their pompous British nemesis played by Max Minghella.

And so begins another paint by numbers plotted comedy we have unfortunately seen before from these funny fellows. Nick and Billy suffer through the fish out of water story, but have none of the expected mean streak to give them any advantage. They are for all intents and purposes outmatched. How do the older dudes communicate with their younger team mates? Try using '80s movie metaphors, talking out problems ad nausuem rather than actually working them out, or taking their sheltered asses out for an all night bender of club hopping.

The underdog angle was executed better in Old School, as these kids aren't inherently funny characters, just augmented stereotypes. Wilson and Vaughn's better Wedding Crashers personas had the huge advantage of an R-rating which kept the humor edgy and below the belt. At best The Internship comes off as a family friendly quasi-sequel to Wedding Crashers, from which the first 15 minutes of the movie could be easily be a clean deleted scene from.

There some attempts that work regarding the generation gap humor. The in-studio 20th Century Fox synergy allows some extended X-Men humor at the expense of a professor in a wheelchair, and the obvious befuddlement presented when Billy and Nick participate a game of terra firma-based Quidditch. But the majority of the film is watching the team inevitably bond as they try to win the proverbial Google intern golden goose.

The film over stays its welcome clocking in at nearly 2 hours. There is a trend to bloat comedies past a tight 90 minutes towards a generous 120 or more (Superbad, Wedding Crashers, Knocked Up and Old School are also all guilty as charged) and so suffer with a lagging dark third act turn to set up the inevitable last minute acts of redemption.

Rose Byrne, Will Farrell, John Goodman, Rob Riggle and Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr put in time in supporting roles or cameos of varying degrees. While many of these familiar faces help break up the scenes, it merely adds to the over extended feel of the film.

The Internship is nonetheless harmless fun and plays it too safe on many levels, just squeezing by on the expected laughs which mainly come courtesy of Team Wilson and Vaughn, whose slight variations on their big screen personas effortless come across as second nature. The film has its heart in the right place, taking a bunch of misfits to the school of cool on campus. I think keeping it at PG-13 hindered its prospects, but may help expand its audience.

The Internship opens in theaters on June 7th.

REVIEW RATING: ★★½☆☆☆
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, Josh Gad, Aasif Mandvi, Jessica Szohr
Screenwriters: Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 119 minutes

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New Images From 'The Wolverine' Revealed

A new image of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine has hit the web. Set to hit theaters on July 26th, The Wolverine sees the Oscar nominated Aussie reprise the role of our favorite moody Mutant on the big screen for the fifth time in a film that takes place in the future, and after all the previous entries in the X-Men series.

Here is the official synopsis of the film:

Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.

In addition, director James Mangold (3:10 To Yuma) tweeted this POV image from the editing room of the film. Not much revealed here beyond that they are in the home stretch of post production, but had this to say:

"Late night on @thewolverine. Here is my POV from a couch behind editor Mike McCusker. Last reel."

SOURCE: The Wolverine Facebook Page, James Mangold Twitter

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'The Wolverine' Has A New Teaser Poster PLUS Live Chat With Hugh Jackman From The Set

Check out this very cool back-to-basics teaser one-sheet that has been released by 20th Century Fox for The Wolverine. Care to compare this image to the disappointing photoshopped final poster for the billion dollar grossing The Avengers? Please keep your train on thought 20th Century Fox!

As reported here last week, The Wolverine will in fact be a sequel (and NOT a prequel as previously thought), set after all of the previous X-Men films. 

Directed by James Mangold (3:10 To Yuma), and with Hugh Jackman reprising his signature role as the popular Marvel Mutant, the future setting (in Japan) will allow the film to stand on its own and focus more on Logan's raw animal instincts and immortality.

You can also check out the live online chat below that both Hugh Jackman and James Mangold participated in earlier today from the film's set in Sydney, Australia.

The Wolverine is set to hit the big screen, apparently now in 3D, on July 26th, 2013.

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'The Wolverine' Will Take Place After All Previous 'X-Men' Films, PLUS New Official Image

In an interview with Empire Magazine, director James Mangold revealed that the currently in- production The Wolverine will take place after all the previous X-Men movies, debunking the assumption that its timeline was in between 2000's X-Men and its quasi-prequel 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

"Where this film sits in the universe of the films is after them all," Mangold told Empire. "Jean Grey is gone, most of the X-Men are disbanded or gone, so there’s a tremendous sense of isolation for him."

Up until now, both Mangold and Jackman have been adamant on separating The Wolverine from the previous films, describing it as a stand-alone adventure with no big screen baggage to adhere to.

"We’ve deliberately not called it Wolverine 2 because we want it to be placed and feel like a standalone picture,” Jackman told the Coventry Telegraph in August. “With an all-new cast and setting it in Japan, it’s going to give us a whole new visual aesthetic.”

“The approach to character means we won’t be overloaded with mutants and teams and the like, so it’ll be more character-based. I think in many ways it will feel like a completely different X-Men film,” he said.

If you recall, one of the two post-credits teasers at the end of the 70's set X-Men Origins: Wolverine placed Logan in Japan with amnesia, hinting the next big screen installment would take a major cue from The Wolverine, the iconic '80s comic book storyline by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. But Mangold has now set the record straight that the upcoming film goes beyond all the other X-Men adventures.

"That’s something that for me was very important, that I land in a very specific place in his timeline," Mangold revealed to Empire. "I wanted to be able to tell the story without the burden of handing it off to a film that already exists and having to conform to it. The ideas of immortality reign very heavily in this story and the burden of immortality weighs heavily on Logan. For me that’s such an interesting part of Logan’s character that is nearly impossible to explore if you have a kind of league or team movie."

Mangold's intentional mention of Jean Grey in the interview also gives credibility to the recent reports that Famke Jansen flew to the Sydney set to shoot scenes in the film. With the new timeline in context, it makes more sense now that the telekinetic Mutant could make an posthumous appearance. 

Check out this new picture of Jackman from the film that appears in today's issue of Empire Online, which we previewed yesterday, showcasing the five Hobbit covers. Note that Logan has no Adamantium on his claws here, so obviously there will be flashbacks involved in the film.

SOURCE: Empire Magazine

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FIRST LOOK: Hugh Jackman in 'The Wolverine'

20th Century Fox has released the first official pic from The Wolverine, and it happens to be this bad ass image of a ridiculously ripped Hugh Jackman as the popular Marvel mutant. The second solo film for Logan will be a stand-alone adventure, but picks up somewhat after the conclusion of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which hinted towards a journey to Japan.

"Based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed."

So check out the pic, and then realize its really time to renew your gym membership. 

Directed by James Mangold (3:10 To Yuma), The Wolverine is set to open on July 26th, 2013.

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Home Video Review - CHRONICLE ★★★☆☆

**This review ran originally on February 3, 2012 for the theatrical run, and is being re-posted for today's release on Blu-ray and DVD**

Peter Parker learned through tragedy that “with great power comes great responsibility,” and only through that realization was Spider-Man born. In Chronicle, we learn what happens when super powered high schoolers do not have a life changing epiphany that inspires them to devote their lives to costumed heroics.

Director Josh Trank, in his directorial debut (and also co-wrote the screenplay), effectively adapts the waning POV 'found footage' style of film making to the superhero genre, and borrows familiar themes and imagery from Carrie, Cloverfield, District 9, and Akira.

With the studios pumping out tent pole superhero films more than ever, (Batman, Spider-Man, and The Avengers are all on deck for this summer), the time has never been better to sample a different spin on the genre. Chronicle offers just that, and it's even better when it's a job done well.

The film takes place in a Seattle, where the high school teens can be pretty cruel, especially to an introvert like Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan). He is not only a social pariah obsessed with capturing every moment of the day with his video camera, but finds himself burdened with an abusive father and dying bedridden mother.

During a house party, Andrew is recruited by his estranged cousin Matt (Alex Russell), and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), the popular jock who has it all, to record their underground discovery of a creepy glowing structure. Waking up the next morning, the trio discover they have gained telekinetic abilities as simple result of their close encounter with the object.

Personally I am fine with using scant literal logic to explain off what bestows super powers on mere mortals. A gamma ray overdose makes Bruce Banner Hulk out? Fine. Exposure to cosmic rays gives the Fantastic Four fantastic abilities? Sure. A lightning charged chemical lab bath bestows Barry Allen with super speed to become The Flash? Got it. Here, a mysterious underground crystal of unknown origins suddenly enables these teens to move objects with their minds. Just ignore the fact that they should maybe worry about radiation poisoning first, but that would be a whole different movie altogether.

The fun begins when the boys veer off the path of the Hero’s Journey because they are far more interested in utilizing their powers for pranks and hijinks rather than acts of valor. But when one incident takes things too far, it’s not hard to figure out where the film is headed, and which of the three will snap first when things inevitably go downhill when push comes to shove.

The film hits a high point when flight is added to their checklist of powers. An truly inspired flying sequence hits all the right marks for showing the audience both the thrill and inherent danger of taking to the clouds. It is here that the POV camera truly finds it’s calling. When controlled by Andrew’s mind, it is allowed to float around in the air and releases the film from the limited shooting style of an off-screen character holding the all too familiar shaky camera.

As Andrew’s demons begin to consume him, his powers also corrupt him, and the film turns to the dark side, complete with an explosive FX laden third act that echoes a heavy influence from Akira. Warner Bros. should take note how this climax was done extremely well with clever shooting on a shoestring budget, and be grateful they put their pricey adaptation of the iconic Japanese manga on the back burner.

The brisk 84 minute running time leaves little room for excessive expository chat between the characters, and quickly takes the audience right to the heart of the story, which works well here. The three leads all do all they can with their roles. Dane DeHaan has the standout part as Andrew, who has the most to work with. You certainly believe him as he breaks down under the weight of the circumstances he’s dealt with.

While the found footage genre is getting stale, Chronicle successfully plays around with the shooting concept enough so not to keep it to the standard issue we are accustomed to seeing. While the budget is low (the calling card of this type of movie), every once in a while much like Cloverfield, the film writes an occasional check to the FX house and wows you with impressive sequences.

Chronicle is easily a solid alternative to the current slew of superhero blockbusters where fancy costumes are a given, and the good guys must take on their arch enemies for the greater good of mankind. While setting up a welcome opportunity for sequels, the self contained story it presents will either satisfy you for keeping it to the point, or wishing it addressed the bigger picture.

The Chronicle publicity team at 20th Century Fox sends mysterious "flying people" soaring high over NYC...

REVIEW RATING: ★★★☆☆

Directed By: Josh Trank

Starring: Dane DeHann, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Rated: PG-13

New 'Prometheus' Viral Video Spotlights David

20th Century Fox has released a new viral video to help hype up the highly anticipated Ridley Scott directed Alien-universe set Prometheus. 

Following up on the first clever spot featuring Guy Pearce in a faux TED Talk conference set in 2023 as Peter Weyland (a character whose influence is a driving force in the Alien series), this second video focuses on David, the android character played by Michael Fassbender. Androids in space are a staple in the series, Ian Holm played the artificial Ash in Alien, and Lance Henriksen portrayed Bishop in Aliens. It's no surprise that there would be another human companion featured in Prometheus to give their use additional historical background in the context of the series.

Prometheus is set to hit theaters in 3-D on June 8th, and stars Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Noomi Rappace, Guy Pearce, and Patrick Wilson.

Four New 'Prometheus' Images Surface

Courtesy of HeyUGuys.com, check out the latest four images from 20th Century Fox's highly anticipated Prometheus.

At a recent screening of select 3D footage in London, director Ridley Scott updated the relentless fan debate regarding the film's link to 1979's Alien. According to Scott, the script as it developed “adjusted itself into much larger questions so that it barely contains Alien DNA now.” He confirmed that its only in the final seven minutes of Prometheus that the two films link together. The new images certainly reflect a familiar sci-fi design that was unique to the Alien series, most notably when it comes to the biomechanical look made famous by H.R. Giger.

Official Synopsis:

"Ridley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define. With Prometheus, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race."

Prometheus is set to hit theaters in 3-D on June 8th, and stars Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Noomi Rappace, Guy Pearce, and Patrick Wilson.

 SOURCE: HeyUGuys

Gary Ross Announces He Will Not Direct 'Catching Fire'

The final and official verdict is in: Gary Ross will not direct Catching Fire, the follow-up to the current box office juggernaut, The Hunger Games.

"As a writer and a director, I simply don't have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule," Gary Ross said in a statement regarding why he will not return to direct Catching Fire.

It's another hard lesson for Hollywood as the fierce competition between studios creates a mad rush to meet their announced theatrical release dates ever before all of the crucial and necessary pre-production steps have been sorted out. Too many tent pole films are set to hit theatres these days sometimes even before a director is appointed (i.e. the sequel to Captain America).

Internet rumors have been rampant over the past week concerning whether director Gary Ross would return to helm the next installment of The Hunger Games trilogy, which is set to start shooting in late summer / fall. According to Deadline a decision would be made following Easter Weekend, amid the speculation of 'will he' or 'won't he' stay on board for a franchise that he not only cultivated, but even co-wrote the screenplay with Suzanne Collins, author of the novels. 

In addition, the box office take for the first film starring Jennifer Lawrence has already amassed a worldwide box office gross of over $460 million since its release on March 23rd.

20th Century Fox and Lionsgate also recently came to a truce when it came to sharing Jennifer Lawrence's shooting schedule. While Fox has the red hot actress lined up to reprise her role as Mystique in the sequel to X-Men: First Class, Lionsgate obviously has her lock, stock, and barrel for Catching Fire (and the inevitable third Hunger Games film as well, Mockingjay).

Fox announced that X-Men would commence shooting in January 2013, freeing up Lawrence to film Catching Fire later this year.  

It is too soon to determine if Ross' departure has any affect on the Lionsgate shooting schedule. Big budget films, in theory, should have their director's involvement from the beginning, allowing them ample time to prepare, and at least put their stamp on the film. Ross' replacement now has the thankless task of not only rushing through all the countless necessary logistics to meet a pre-determined shoot date, but be expected to exceed expectations set by the first film's massive box office performance. 

Here is Gary Ross' full statement:

"Despite recent speculation in the media, and after difficult but sincere consideration, I have decided not to direct Catching Fire. As a writer and a director, I simply don’t have the time I need to write and prep the movie I would have wanted to make because of the fixed and tight production schedule.

I loved making The Hunger Games – it was the happiest experience of my professional life. Lionsgate was supportive of me in a manner that few directors ever experience in a franchise: they empowered me to make the film I wanted to make and backed the movie in a way that requires no explanation beyond the remarkable results. And contrary to what has been reported, negotiations with Lionsgate have not been problematic. They have also been very understanding of me through this difficult decision.

I also cannot say enough about the people I worked with: Producer Nina Jacobson, a great collaborator and a true friend; the brilliant Suzanne Collins, who entrusted us with her most amazing and important story; the gifted and remarkable Jennifer Lawrence whose performance exceeded my wildest expectations, and the rest of the incredible cast, whom I am proud to call my friends. 

To the fans I want to say thank you for your support your faith, your enthusiasm and your trust. Hard as this may be to understand I am trying to keep that trust with you. Thank you all. It’s been a wonderful experience."

Lionsgate, in turn, also released a statement:

"We’re very sorry that Gary Ross has chosen not to direct Catching Fire. We were really looking forward to making the movie with him. He did an incredible job on the first film and we are grateful for his work. This will not be the end of our relationship, as we consider Ross to be part of the Lionsgate family and look forward to working with him in the future."

Now let the speculation begins as to who steps in. Lest we forget that Steven Soderbergh directed some second unit scenes for The Hunger Games, but there are also numerous qualified candidates who may jump at the chance (given their availability) to take on a mammoth production set to shoot in several months. The Twilight series changed directors from film to film, with no let up in audience attendance (harsh critical reviews be damned).

Let's hope Lionsgate does not rush to that decision once again simply to meet deadlines, and keep our fingers crossed they do not have Brett Ratner's phone number anywhere near a speed dial button in their time of need.

New 'Prometheus' Spot Teases Full Trailer Debut

To tease the highly anticipated debut on Saturday of the full-length trailer to 20th Century Fox's Prometheus, the studio has let loose a quick spot to keep the anticipation building.

Director Ridley Scott will be front and center for a Q&A on Saturday in Anaheim to coincide with WonderCon 2012. The new look at the prequel to the Alien series will debut online shortly following. There has been so much secrecy regarding this film, it will be interesting to see exactly how much information will be revealed. Thirty minutes leaves a lot of room to pry out some juicy information from the filmmaker, who makes his return to the sci-fi genre with this movie.

From Fox and AMC regarding the Q&A event:

"On Saturday, March 17th at 4 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. EST, legendary director Ridley Scott will premiere the first full trailer for one of 2012's most anticipated films, Prometheus, at the AMC Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA. This invite-only premiere will follow a 30 minutes Q&A session with the iconic director conducted by Prometheus writer/producer Damon Lindelof (Co-creator, Executive Producer and Writer of TV's Lost)."

Until then, enjoy the latest trailer to the trailer. 

Prometheus is set to hit theaters in 3-D on June 8th, and stars Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Noomi Rappace, Guy Pearce, and Patrick Wilson.

New 'Prometheus' Image Revealed & Full Trailer Debut Announced

With 92 days and counting left to theatrical release, 20th Century Fox unleashed an amazing new image from Prometheus, the upcoming prequel to the Alien series.

Following last week's debut of a clever incognito teaser video featuring Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland (owner of the company that sent Sigourney Weaver and company into space in 1979's Alien & 1986's Aliens), the new picture reveals a galactic map of the cosmos being displayed in a tech room that bears the heavy influence of the familiar designs (pay close attention to the walls) seen in the previous films. That signature biomechanical look was designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger and became synonymous with the deadly Xenomorph creatures and the overall aesthetic of the franchise.

Also to note, there is a human right smack in the middle of the globe observing the light show, and in the foreground is what appears to be a rather large chair. All hints so far point to an ancient alien race being introduced that are quite a few times larger than humanity. Rumored to be called the Engineers, as they are responsible for the creating life on Earth millions of years ago. Endless speculation and internet discussions have been running rampant regarding the plot since ties to Alien surfaced, but it looks to be running with a very high concept storyline that has the potential to outshine the straightforward narrative of the films that take place after it.

Fox's official synopsis of the film:

"Ridley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race."

In addition, AMC announced that a new full length trailer for the film will make its online debut following a Q&A with Ridley Scott at WonderCon in Anaheim next weekend.

"On Saturday, March 17th at 4 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. EST, legendary director Ridley Scott will premiere the first full trailer for one of 2012's most anticipated films, Prometheus, at the AMC Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA. This invite-only premiere will follow a 30 minutes Q&A session with the iconic director conducted by Prometheus writer/producer Damon Lindelof (Co-creator, Executive Producer and Writer of TV's Lost)."

 Prometheus is set to hit theatres in 3-D on June 8th, and stars Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Noomi Rappace, Guy Pearce, and Patrick Wilson.