Wednesday, November 2, 2011

REVIEW: Punk-Rock Pops Doc Other F Word Good With Kids, Less So With Ideas

“You might say hey, maybe punk rock was never meant to grow up — but it did, so too bad. We’re in uncharted territory,” Bad Religion’s Brett Gurewitz, also the owner of Epitaph Records, says early in Andrea Blaugrund’s documentary The Other F Word. Billing itself as a “coming of middle age story,” this earnest and intermittently lovable look into the lives of prominent punk rockers who’ve gone on to become responsible fathers doesn’t break as much ground as it seems to hope and believe. Punk’s hardly the first counterculture movement to age into less cutting-edge adulthood, though with its roots in the rejection of conformity, of authority and established structures it may be the one most suited to be left to the young, angry and focused on what they don’t want to be rather than what they do. But how these tattooed veterans of mosh pits and countless tours deal with being authority figures in their own families is a question this film treats with great tenderness if little impact — as one bemused punk pop puts it, “How did we go from rebelling against our own parents to becoming parents ourselves?” Blaugrund pulls together a solid assembly of interviewees for The Other F Word (if ones that stretch past the boundaries of punk) — Gurewitz is joined by Fat Mike from NOFX, Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, Everclear’s Art Alexakis, Lars Frederiksen from Rancid, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and plenty of others, including skateboarder Tony Hawk and BMXer Rick Thorne to pipe in from outside of the music world. The main arc of the film is built around Jim Lindberg of Pennywise (incidentally the author of a book called Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life) who finds himself exhausted by the endless loop of touring that’s the reality of band life for most these days, a brutal schedule that allows him to support his family but also keeps him away from them for a large part of the year. He’s placed in a situation in which his obligations to his kids come up against those to his bandmates of 20 years, and at the close of the film he makes the difficult decision to quit. It’s as much the shifting ground in the music industry as the burdens of image and ideology that make life difficult for these mohawked fathers, though it’s this aspect The Other F Word handles least well, touching on complaints about downloads and the reasoning behind putting an album on MySpace that are part of a discussion no one’s even having anymore. But with the idea of making money from record sales gone, touring’s all that’s left, and for a band like Pennywise, that’s no glamorous proposition. We watch Lindberg check into an Econolodge with a suitcase full of antacid and clothes he didn’t have time to toss in the laundry, to at night comb dye into his goatee to hide the gray. The film splashes lyrics across the screen during the lively performance footage, but off stage the interviewees talk of exhaustion with their songs and with the cycle of having to summon enthusiasm each night for each new town. Punk may be best suited to the young and carefree about consequences (“Sometimes you think, ‘Oh shit, should I have tattooed my forehead?’” muses Frederiksen, whose brow reads “SKUNX”), but it’s of course the scenes of these unlikely dads doing typical dad things that’s where the movie sings, from Flea tearing up talking about his daughter to Alexakis singing “The Wheels on the Bus” to his little girl in the car seat behind him to Fat Mike in a zebra-print bath robe spraying toast with — is that I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!? The idea that these men, many of whom came from rough backgrounds and troubled home lives, find such fulfillment and meaning in being better fathers to their kids than their own fathers were to them is touching, especially given how ill-suited to the role many of them at first considered themselves. The heartfelt sincerity of these scenes almost obscures how little there is to The Other F Word beyond them. It’s lovely to see these attempts at punk parenting, but there’s really not much “punk” to them beyond appearances. Even the kids with the liberty spikes have to grow up eventually, or risk being left the oldest guys at the show, hitting on high school girls, developing liver damage and bragging about never selling out while living in their parents’ basement. That this film acts like it’s unexpected to find such paternal dedication amongst these pierced, guitar-playing dudes seems terribly naive. Why would being in a hardcore band preclude you from being a decent dad? You need only flip through the current roster of reality TV to see that far scarier and less-prepared people become parents every day. Follow Alison Willmore on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter. [Photo: TheOtherFWordMovie.com]

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Pixar's John Lasseter Pays Tribute to Jobs at Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter paid out tribute to late Apple co-founder Jobs whilst getting a star round the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday.our editor recommendsJohn Lasseter Discloses About Secret Winery for First TimeDisney Announces Two New Pixar ProjectsSteve Jobs' Dying: Pixar Pays Tribute With Webpage Takeover'Cars 2': How Pixar Used Its Ace Within The Hole on CGI Follow-up Aaron Sorkin States Jobs Asked for Him to produce a Pixar Movie Getting teary, Lasseter appreciated the only real request that Jobs -- former Boss of Pixar and Disney board member -- asked for of him wound up being to "ensure it is great," as reported with the La Occasions. PHOTOS: 10 Memorable Key occasions of Jobs' Career "Without Steve, Pixar wouldn't exist," he mentioned from the organization that has created such considerably and commercial effective films as Toy Story, Cars in addition to their sequels. "These films wouldn't exist. I recognition him." Jobs died March. 5 at 56 after fighting pancreatic cancer. After his dying, Pixar paid out tribute to him on its webpage, posting an image of Jobs between Lasseter and leader Erection dysfunction Catmull relaxing consecutively of seats that appears being inside a cinema. Lasseter -- who received the 2,453rd star round the Walk of Fame, situated before Disney's El Capitan theater -- also thanked his family, his co-employees and Catmull within the remarks. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths More youthful crowd states, in 1964, at 7, he traveled along with his family utilizing their home in Whittier, Calif., to find out Mary Poppins inside the theater. He mentioned he never did not remember travelling Hollywood Boulevard, seeing the celebs round the pavement and sightseeing and tour. Lasseter, who attended the ceremony dressed in one of his signature Hawaiian t t shirts, worn within black blazer over jeans, referred to as "the best recognition you are able to produce.Inch Following a revealing in the star itself, the giddy executive proceeded to lie lower on top from this. PHOTOS: Toy Wars: Fight in the Blockbuster Selling Other sound system incorporated Don Rickles, who voiced employment in Toy Story which is sequels, and John Ratzenberger, who's a part of every Pixar movie to date. Available too for your event were other stars who've given their talents to Pixar movies, including Owen Wilson (Cars), Bonnie Search (Cars), Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille), Emily Mortimer (Cars 2) and Cheech Marin (Cars). Related Subjects John Lasseter Jobs Apple Pixar Hollywood Walk of Fame

Neil Patrick Harris Talks Talking about The Silver Screen With Fiance David Burtka

First Launched: November 1, 2011 6:14 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka reach Art La Contemporary Opening Evening Reception in Santa Monica, Calif., around the month of the month of january 27, 2011Neil Patrick Harris shares his existence and a pair of children twins Gideon and Harper (both 1) with fiance David Burtka, and in a really Harold & Kumar 3-D Christmas, they share something totally new together, too the silver screen. We dont really act together, we just live together which we certainly exist together, like constantly, but acting it absolutely was strange, because we just exist around the different level, Neil told Access Hollywood of David joining the Harold & Kumar franchise, while he promoted the film in the last weekend. And Neil had only praise for David, who comprises a cameo as themselves (getting a twist). Im happy with him but he discovered perfectly inside the movie, Neil, who once again plays a druggie, womanizer version of themselves inside the third installment inside the buddy comedy, told Access. Hes a fascinating guy, Neil added of David. The newest Harold & Kumar installment is at theaters Friday and Neil sees the franchise has put in his stylish factor. H & K stuff introduced a kind of stylish-ness quotient to how people perceived me, In my opinion he mentioned. It made an appearance like for now, I used to be doing more mainstream kind of all-American guy. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

U.K.'s Chelsea takes 'Blackthorn'

"Blackthorn"MADRID -- Chelsea Films, Curzon Artificial Eye's genre label, has acquired all privileges towards the U.K. and Ireland on Mike Shepard starrer "Blackthorn." Chelsea's Daniel Cooper and 6 Sales' Marina Fuentes closed the offer Monday within the run-as much as the American Film Market, which begins Wednesday in Santa Monica. The film is going to be launched within the U.K. the coming year. A built-in cinema theater and film distribution group, Curzon Artificial Eye mixes high-profile art film and crossover pick-ups -- for example "Melancholia" and "We have to Discuss Kevin"-- with choice buys of lesser-known game titles. Created by Arcadia Motion Photos. and Aiete Films, the Mateo Gil-helmed "Blackthorn" reprises the Butch Cassidy legend, imagining the outlaw, performed by Shepard, to possess made it his supposed dying in Bolivia inside a 1908 shoot-by helping cover their the Bolivian military. World preeming at April's Tribeca festival, "Blackthorn" has emerged among Spain's sales hits of 2011. Magnolia Pictures just launched "Blackthorn" within the U.S., where it received reviews that are positive along with a first 24-day $124,289 on limited release. In France, the film continues to be on the 70-print release after Bac Films place it in an August bow. Ascot Elite has acquired German-speaking areas, and Non Stop required Scandinavia. "We're positive our current discussions with Italia, Japan, Latin America along with other areas is going to be closed throughout the American Film Market," stated Marly Abadin, 6 Sales mind of sales. "Blackthorn" makes its last market appearance at early December's Ventana Sur. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Wendy Williams Show to Continue Through 2014

Wendy Williams The Wendy Williams Show has been renewed for two more seasons on Fox-owned stations, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The two-season order is in addition to the daytime talk show's renewal through 2012 back in January. The Wendy Williams Show, which premiered in July, 2008, has prospered on Fox stations, but often struggles in other markets. Check out the rest of today's news "Wendy is delivering a great show every day that stands out from the pack and continues to grow creatively," said Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of the show's production company, Debmar-Mercury. "This season's episodes are fresh, funny and star-studded, and her must-see 'Hot Topics' segments are simply compelling. With viewers, audiences and affiliate stations embracing her show more than ever, we believe that the franchise is still poised for additional growth." This season's shows have seen hot topic guest stars such as Charlie Sheen, Ashton Kutcher and Fantasia Barrino.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Charlie Sheen Disses 'Two and a Half Men;' Reasons Show's Declining Ratings

Season 9 of CBS's Two and a Half Men is five episodes in with Ashton Kutcher as the show's new lead, but Charlie Sheen says he is not happy with the direction his former sitcom is heading.our editor recommends'Two and a Half Men's' Ashton Kutcher vs. Charlie Sheen Ratings: Who's #Winning? 'American Idol,' 'Two and a Half Men' Among TV's Biggest Moneymakers'Two And a Half Men' Premiere Draws Nearly 28 Million ViewersRelated Topics•Charlie Sheen•Ashton Kutcher VIDEOS: Charlie Sheen's Wildest TV Interviews The actor previously applauded Kutcher, saying he was "terrific" in the premiere episode last August. In the past few weeks, Sheen has been on something on an apology tour, taking the stage at this year's Emmy Awards and wishing the Two and a Half Men team "nothing but the best" with their show revamp. It seemed as though Sheen buried the hatchet last month with his former bosses, Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros. Television, when THR reported that the actor and the studio had resolved their $100 million legal dispute. PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Colorful Career Sources had confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Sheen is set to receive an undisclosed lump sum payment in the millions of dollars from Warners, while Lorre pays nothing. In return, Sheen dropped all of his legal claims, and has agreed to refrain from disparaging his former boss in the media. However, Sheen didn't hold back when a videographer approached him in Los Angeles Thursday. Charlie Sheen Calls Chuck Lorre 'Maggot,' Wishes Him 'Pain' in Scathing Open Letter When asked about the show's recent dip in ratings, he said, "People aren't stupid... not all of them." Kutcher is "doing the best he can. I don't think the role is cursed, but I'm extremely disappointed with how they're handling what I left behind." While the season debuted to nearly 28 million viewers, the ratings have gone down week by week, with last week's episode falling 12 percent from the week prior with 14.9 million viewers. Regardless, Two and a Half Men still claims the top spot for the 18-to-49-year-old demographic. Related Topics Ashton Kutcher Chuck Lorre Charlie Sheen Two and a Half Men

Locked-Out National basketball association Stars Explore Hollywood

NBAplayers with time available due tothe league's ongoing labor dispute have found that showbiz provides an chance to fill their agendas.Although some star sports athletes have lengthy maintained production companies or record labels, the lockout provides an opportunity for brand new business.our editor suggests Attacking Young Boys MVP of National basketball association All-Star Celebrity GameJay-Z and Cohorts Prosecuted for $5 Billion Over Brooklyn Basketball Development'Basketball Wives' Scores Slam Dunk in Social Networking Study Earlier in October, NY Knicks starAmare Stoudemirepitched to a number of major systems one half-hour scripted comedy that he's developing with producersJeff KwatinetzandHappy Walters, who's Stoudemire's agent and leader of Rogue Sports, Relativity Media's sports business. In September, the Oklahoma City Thunder'sKevin Durantdecamped to Baton Rouge, La., to experience themself oppositeBrandon T. Jacksonin Warner Premiere'sSwitch, a household comedy dedicated to a miracle twist that transfers Durant's abilities for an passionate fan. Such deals aren't nearly cashing a salary.Shaun Marksof sports business working as a consultant Premier Close ties states the projects are essential for developing sports athletes' brands. "They aren't carrying this out free of charge, but in the finish during the day, Amare Stoudemire doesn't need an additional endorsement deal or two," Marks states. "It is one of the personal brand." Philadelphia 76ers forwardElton Brandis leader of Gibraltar Films, which producedWerner Herzog's 2007 dramaRescue Beginning.Baron Davisof the Cleveland Cavaliers is really a co-founding father of L.A.-based Verso Entertainment, which producedStacy Peralta's 2008 documentaryCrips and Bloods: Produced in America. Davis is investing the lockout concentrating on creating the documentaryAmerican Schlub, which explores the undoing of males's style, and starring inside a pilot for any variety show. Davis, who's focusing on a movie and TV studies minor at UCLA, is also taking acting classes. Whether he'll have enough time to become star from the court remains to appear, but when the National basketball association months are canceled, the projects come with an added benefit. States Marks, "It can also be about keeping these men busy." Related Subjects