Dark Knight Viral Campaign Continues

If you went to whysoserious.com (the joker themed viral marketing site for The Dark Knight) over the weekend, you would have found coordinates (longitude and latitude) for the various starting points of a Joker themed scavenger hunt in cities around the globe.

The scavenger hunt took the participants all around the city, eventually leading them to the location of a theater that had a special screening of the newest Dark Knight trailer. One lucky participant in each city even got to keep a 35mm copy of the trailer (a very cool souvenir).

Yesterday the first grainy video of the trailer was leaked online.

Today a "Jokerized" version of the same trailer was leaked. This is seriously cool, this is the first time I can remember a "hacked" trailer. The dual viral marketing campaign (Joker & Harvey Dent character based) for this film is pure genius!

Which One Is The Biggest Phallic Symbol?

This picture of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt was taken in Washington D.C. a day after the duo appeared at the fucking White House Correspondents Dinner.


Aaaaand I'm moving to Canada.

Trailer Watch: Catch Up Edition

Due to missing last week's Trailer Watch I am going to do a speed round this week with multiple trailers:

Hancock
The lone blockbuster to come out on July 4th this is year star the Independence Day movie king Will Smith and surprise surprise it's a superhero movie. Well actually it's more like an anti-superhero superhero movie. Smith plays a cranky vagabond begrudging superhero who is in need of an image makeover. The special effects look good and it has the potential of being funny (Will Smith + Jason Bateman = Funny).


Young People F-cking
A movie about young people fucking...go figure. This movie was so popular at the Toronto Film Festival you would have assumed it was about hockey.


Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
A new full length trailer for the next installment of the Narnia films. This trailer definitely makes the film appear to be darker than the first Narnia film. One interesting note on these movies; production has already begun on the third installment The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, but Disney has made no mention of anything beyond that (there are 7 books in the series). In fact Disney has already ramped up their efforts on another multi-film franchise, which pretty much shows they have no faith in the Narnia movies.


Henry Poole Is Here
A dramedy starring Luke Wilson as Henry Poole, a guy who becomes locally famous when believe start to believe they can see an image of Jesus on the side of his house. The movie follows Poole as he learns to deal with his new found fame and faith. The movie reminds me of another quirky dramedy, Stranger Than Fiction, which I really enjoyed.


Hamlet 2
At $10 Million this was the big sale at Sundance. Hamlet 2 is an irreverent comedy about a high school drama teacher looks to motivate his students and save his department by writing a sequel to Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Steve Coogan plays the Dana Marsch, the drama teacher in question. Marsch is a character who is keenly aware of the heroic teachers in films like Dangerous Minds & Lean on Me, in fact he truly believe he is one of them...but he is not. I am a fan of any movie in which Amy Poehler says "The so called Supreme Court can suck my balls!". I should also mention that Hamlet 2 is written by the same people who worked on Team America: World Police and many many South Park episodes, so you know what to expect.

A Sex Tape Classic

I was M.I.A. for a few days. During that time many different things went down including (but not limited to):

• The revelation that Britney Spears has been filming her year long tailspin and the videos will no doubt sell for millions (and that maybe the joke is on us).
• Amy Winehouse being entrusted with the well being of another living being. Even for a minute this is a bad idea. Don't believe me? Check out this picture for proof.
• Ashlee Simpson getting knocked up, NOT being preggers, and being preggers all over again (more on this in a bit).
  

My favorite story however is that there is a Marilyn Monroe sex tape, and that's not even the best part. The tape was allegedly made by the FBI!!!

"The footage appears to have been shot in the 1950s. When it came to light in the mid-'60s, then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover had his agents spend two weeks futilely trying to prove that Monroe's sex partner was either John F. Kennedy or Robert F. Kennedy, according to declassified agency documents and interviews, Morgan said. The silent black-and-white flick shows Monroe on her knees in front of a man whose face is just out of the shot. He never moves into the shot, indicating that he knew the camera was there, but Monroe never looks at the lens..."

He never shows his face? If I was getting head from Marilyn Monroe I would want everyone to see me and my giant shit-eating grin, because I would be getting head from Marylin Monroe. In fact there would be plenty of footage of me...It would be me high-fiving everyone I see, because I got head from Marilyn Monroe.

The 16mm film of Monroe was reportedly sold to an unnamed businessman for $1.5 Mil. The man who bought the film has stated that it will not be released.

I guess we are just have to settle for for a video of Lindsay Lohan dressed up as Marilyn (again) getting anal from one of the American Gladiators while her face is buried in the crotch of a tranny.


As I mentioned earlier, it was reported at the beginning of the week that Ashlee Simpson was pregnant. Yesterday Ashlee's life partner Pete Wentz got all emo on us and threw a hissy fit until we all believe that Ashlee was in fact not pregnant. Today it is being reported again that she is indeed preggers.

Personally, I am firmly entrenched in the "Not Pregnant" camp because two vagina's don't make a baby. On the other hand, if you told me Pete Wentz was knocked up I'd probably believe you.

Chances are she used the word pregnant as some sort of retard slang and someone overheard and overreacted. For example; "I got a flat tire yesterday, I was soooo pregnant about it!" or "My sister's lips are pregnant" or "I hate Pete Wentz, why won't he just fade into inevitable obscurity already?"...ok that last one was me, but you get the point.

Trailer Watch: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is the latest salvo in the Judd Apatow dominance of Hollywood. FSM stars Jason Segel, who plays a guy who goes on vacation to get over his recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend (Fanboy favorite Kristen Bell), only to find out she is staying at the same resort with her new beau. I'm sure heartfelt hilarity ensues. From the looks of it FSM will continue in the proud tradition of The 40 year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Superbad.

FSM also has one hell of a supporting cast; Mila Kunis (!), Russell Brand, Bill Hader, Jack McBrayer (!!), Jason Bateman, and the Apatow Players -- Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, and Carla Gallo. In the BA* years this movie would have been starring Ben Stiller and his "Frat Pack" buddies, so I'd have to say upgrade.



I'm really expecting Jason Segel to follow in fellow Apatow disciple Seth Rogen's footsteps and blow up once this movie is released on the 18th. I have been a fan of his all the way back to when he played Eric, the obsessive ex-boyfriend of Lizzie (Carla Gallo), on "Undeclared". He was hysterical in Knocked Up and currently he stars on "How I Met Your Mother", one of my favorite sitcoms. Segel also recently announced that he has a new Muppets movie in the works, which, if done right and with the right people (I'm assuming he will tap guys like Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, etc. to take part) could be awesome.

Dios Mio!

Venezuelan "President" Hugo Chavez has banned The Simpsons from airing in his country because he is a crazy asshat. Ole' Chuckles Chavez claims the cartoon is "inappropriate" for children.

What did they replace this "inappropriate" show that was tainting the minds of the Venezuelan youth with?

Baywatch: Hawaii.

¡Viva el Hoff!

Way Behind on NBC "In-Front"

Last week NBC held a mini-Upfront, or what they are now calling "In-Front" (they did theirs ahead of the other networks and gave it a cute name). In case you are unaware an upfront is where networks roll out their new schedules for the upcoming year.

Let's check out what NBC has day-by-day.

Sunday
During the fall Sundays on NBC is a good new/bad news situation. Good news - Sunday Night Football! Bad news - The return of the John Madden/AlMichaels announce team. I'm dumber just thinking about it.
After the football season two new shows, "Merlin" and "Kings", will bookend "Medium" in the 9pm slot. Bet you can't guess what Merlin is about. Give up? "Merlin" is about a young Merlin and Arthur in Camelot. Don't know much about this one yet, but could be interesting. Will keep an eye out. The other show, "Kings", is a modernized version of the King David Bible stories. Other than IanMcShane being attached, I could care less.

Monday
"Chuck" and Heroes" will return in the fall to their normal time slots. The 10pm slot in the fall will be "My Own Worst Enemy" the new show starring Christian Slater. Slater plays a suburban father/spy. The catch is Slater's character has a split personalities separated by a "wall". When the wall deteriorates, Slater becomes his own worst enemy. Crazy Christian Slater = Awesome.

In the Spring the 10pm slot will be filled be another new show called "The Philanthropist" about ...and I'm not kidding here...swear to God this is true....a vigilante philanthropist. Unless Bill Gates is being hired out to clip those that have done society wrong, I'm tuning out.

Mondays will also have it's fair share of "Deal or No Deal" and more "American Gladiator" with philandering (which is completely different than philanthropy) host Hulk Hogan.

Tuesday
starting at 8pm "The Biggest Loser" returns for back-to-back seasons (Fall & Spring). If you are not into fat bodies why not try dead bodies at 10pm when "Law & Order:SVU" returns to its normal time slot for another year.

In the 9pm hour we have "Kath & Kim", an Aussie import starring Selma Blair playing the daughter to Molly Shannon's mother (If you do the math, Molly Shannon would have to had given birth at the age of 8). "K&K" is Exec. Produced & Directed by PaulFeig who, I just recently learned, is one of those guys in Hollywood I really respected but never knew their name. Feig is the creator of the Apatow produced "Freaks & Geeks" and has directed episodes of "Undeclared", "Arrested Development", "30 Rock", "Mad Men", "Weeds", and "The Office". I'm gonna giveFeig the benefit of the doubt and give this show a chance.

Wednesday
There is no good reason to watch the Peacock on Wednesdays this fall. It is a veritable shit storm of crap TV. Fucking "Knight Rider" and "Lipstick Jungle" with even more "Deal or No Deal" shoved in between.

In the Spring NBC's televised Colonoscopy lets up a bit. The original "Law & Order" takes over at 10pm.

In the Summer NBC brings us a new reality show called "Shark Taggers". The show is literally about a bunch of marine biologists the follow around and tag sharks. It's shark fever, catch it! "Shark Taggers" will be followed by "Paint Drying" & "Grass Growing". Fuck Wednesdays.

Thursday
Almost all of the favorites are coming back. Regular episodes of"My Name is Earl" & "30 Rock" and then more of those hour long episodes of "The Office"*. Not really sure why they are doing the hour episodes again as it really diluted the show and threw off the pacing. But not to worry, the hour long episodes won't last all season. When "The Office" returns to its normal 30 minute format NBC will fill the second half hour with prime time episodes of "SNL" focused entirely on politics. The 30 minute political SNL's will be comprised of sketches and mini-Weekend (Weekday?) Updates. I love this idea, it has got to be one of the best NBC has ever had.

"ER" returns for a 19 episode last hoorah. Once "ER" takes its final bow it will be replaced by "Celebrity Apprentice". Whatever.

* Did you know "The Office" is gonna have a spinoff? Not sure what it's going to be yet, but I have heard from a trusted source that it does not involve any main characters and possibly focuses on the warehouse guys. All I do know for sure is that it is the same creative team behind "The Office" so I will give this the benefit of the doubt as well.

You might have noticed that there is no "Scrubs" mention. Well as far as NBC is concerned "Scrubs" is done. There is a chance the remaining episodes will find a home on ABC, but nothing has been announced.

Friday
Friday is where TV shows go to die. "Crusoe", a new take on the old Robinson Crusoe story, has been stranded here (get it?). "Crusoe" is obviously gonna be crap and won't last long. After "Crusoe" (until its inevitable cancellation) will be even even more "Deal or No Deal". No Deal please.

In January is the triumphant return of "Friday Night Lights". FNL season 3 will run first on DirecTV and then on NBC. I'll take what I can get.

Saturday
SNL.

Between now and the Fall season NBC is planning webisodes of shows like "30 Rock", "Chuck", and "The Office". Also new 30Rock360 with Jack Donaghey.

Don't forget new episodes of "30 Rock" and "The Office" tomorrow night!

Charlton Heston Dead at 84

Screen legend and former president of the NRA, Charlton Heston, died due to undisclosed causes over the weekend. The acting icon, who was either 83 or 84 depending on who you ask (because apparently accurate record keeping 80 years ago was too much to ask for), had reportedly been suffering from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's Disease for a few years.

Charlton Heston was best known for his starring roles in classics like Ben Hur, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, Omega Man, Earthquake, and Airplane 75.

Please allow me now to be the 1,095,873,000th person to make the following joke...wait for it....waaiit for it....We can finally pry that gun from his cold, dead hands!

New Dark Knight Stills!

New stills from The Dark Knight have hit the webs. These pictures further prove that this movie is going to redefine the meaning of awesome. Enjoy.

(click to enlarge the images)

As you might be able to tell from the pictures and trailers it appears Christopher Nolan and Co. have brought the Bat out the dark, so to speak. It seems there will me a lot more of the next Batman film taking place during the day, a departure from previous Batman movies.

Rick Roll'd

I am about nine months behind the "Rick Roll'd" pop culture phenomenon. In case you dont know, Rick Roll'd is when you are tricked into watching the video for Rick Astley's unbearably catchy"Never Gonna Give You Up". Getting "Rick Roll'd" most commonly happens when someone sends you a link claiming to be something other than Astley.

From what I can tell the trend started in gaming forums where gamers would click on links for "exclusive footage" of new top secret games, the new Grand Theft Auto for instance, and instead get "Rick Roll'd".

"Rick Roll'd" can also be used in a more general sense to describe any deception or trick. For example: "Elliot Spitzer had us all Rick Roll'd with his tough stance on prostitution. Dude really loves hookers!"

I don't know why but I find this to be fucking hysterical.

Consider yourself Rick Roll'd!

American Teen Poster Seems Eerily Familiar

American Teen, a documentary about 5 seniors and their "cliques" in a small Indiana high school, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past year and garnered rave reviews. Director Nanette Burstein received a directing award and the film was nominated for a grand jury prize. It was purchased by Paramount Vantage at the festival and will surely be the "hot" documentary of 2008.

Last week a new catchphrase and poster for American Teen were released:

They were five total strangers, with nothing in common, except the school they went to. A heartthrob, a princess, a jock, a rebel and a geek. Before the year was over, they broke the rules. Bared their souls. And changed in ways they never dreamed possible.

(click to enlarge)

Look familiar?

(click to enlarge)

That's right...it's almost a carbon copy of the The Breakfast Club. Check out the side by side comparison put together by the good folks over at firstshowing.net.



Obviously they are trying to tap into the nostalgia of The Breakfast Club (and fellow John Hughes films), but isn't that promotional tactic a bit self limiting? Unless you are a kid of the 80's and grew up on the "brat pack" movies, do you really feel nostalgic about these films? Are kids these days even aware of The Breakfast club? If they are, can they identify with it they way the 80's generation does? I seriously doubt it.

Add this "Breakfast Club for the next generation" with the announced "Beverly Hills 90210 for the next generation" show in the works, and the rumored NKOTB reunion and we may be on the verge of a nostalgia revolution. Time to break out my old Hypercolor t-shirts and Kriss Kross albums.

In honor of this blatant rip off I thought it might be fun to do a Brat Pack then & now:

Emilio Esteves

Then

Now



















Ally Sheedy
Then















Now



















Judd Nelson
Then


















Now (Yikes!)




















Demi Moore
Then












Now














Andrew McCarthy
Then















Now




















Anthony Michael Hall
Then



















Now




















Molly Ringwald
Then















Now



















Rob Lowe
Then













Now



















Rob definitely aged the best..unless of course crazy is your thing, then give Judd a call.