Blu-ray Review “The Big Year”

Director: David Frankel
Starring: Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG / Unrated
Run Time: 100 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

When you have three comedy geniuses like Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson…you get high expectations. This film let’s down on all accounts. The story is lame and honestly boring. I do not actually think there were any jokes in the film. It plays more like a romance between the men and the birds. I also do not understand the point of releasing the film “unrated” when the original film was rated PG. I think it is just a way to cash in at the fact that this was a major flop.

The film is based off a novel written by Mark Obmascik. It follows three bird lovers who secretly compete against one another in order to spot the most birds to obtain the prestigious “Big Year” award. That is really it. No real surprises in the film at all and in fact the payoff is lacking as well. The film has a little heart in it but not enough to make you actually care for these characters. The best part of the film lies in its co-stars like John Cleese, Tim Blake Nelson, Anjelica Huston, Dianne Wiest, Brian Dennehy and Rashida Jones. That is sad with all the amazing talent in the main cast.

This release includes not only a Blu-ray but also a DVD and Digital Copy of the film as well. The theatrical cut and an extended version is also included on each of them. The video on the Blu-ray sharp but the film really doesn’t push it either. There is a great 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track included, which is impressive. The special features are decent and pick up some slack from the film. There is an interesting behind-the-scenes featurette called “The Big Migration”, which is worth checking out. There is also a gag reel, which catches some of the funny missed in the film. Lastly for deleted scenes fans, there is no shortage in this department. There are 14 deleted scenes included, worth a watch but the film honestly felt long enough in the theatrical cut.

Interview with Big Brother’s Adam Poch

Adam Poch was a contestant on season 13 of the reality television show “Big Brother”. Adam quickly became known to his house mates and viewers of the show for his love of Heavy Metal, Bacon and all things “Beverly Hills 90210”. Adam took a few minutes out of his day to talk with Media Mikes about his experience on the show as well as getting to meet Tori Spelling.

Adam Lawton: Were you familiar with the show prior to auditioning?
Adam Poch: I have been a fan of “Big Brother” since the beginning. Thank God around season 6 of the show I got my first DVR, which turned me from a big fan into a huge fan! I was then able to watch every episode. From there I started getting on all the blogs and watching the live feeds as well as the after dark stuff on Showtime. I really like the concept of the show as well. When I saw Evil Dick on season 8, I realized that they could have a rock and roll type guy on the show.  So I thought about trying out.

AL: Had you auditioned for any previous season of the show?
AP: Yes. I had auditioned prior to season 10, however I bombed my audition terribly. I went in and talked about everything but myself. I was too busy at the time to audition for season 11, so the next time I went in was for season 12. I walked in this time and just gave it to them as to what made me unique. My opening line was “My name is Adam and my three passions are heavy metal, bacon and Beverly Hills, 90210”. You could see everyone in the room kind of look at me a little different. I made it all the way to the finals however they ending up not choosing me but they told me to keep trying.  This year I went back and gave them me again. I had some changes in my life since the previous year such as losing a 100 lbs. and having a girlfriend. I think my confidence definitely showed more and they loved everything that had from the previous year but they loved it even more this year.

AL: Having gone through the audition process a few times what was it like?
AP: They have you jump through hoops and answering questions over and over. There were a couple rounds of interviews with different people. For me there were a lot of sleepless nights waiting for phone calls about whether or not I made it to the next round. Open auditions started in April and it’s not until July that the show starts. For someone who got so close last year, I could taste it and there were lots of nights dreaming about how cool it would be to be on the show.

AL: Did you ever become annoyed with having the cameras around literally all the time?
AP: When you sign up for the show you know going in that the cameras are going to rolling 24-7, you really have no place to hide. I was never annoyed with the cameras but I was annoyed that I could never just get away and have a luxury reward. We had the episode where David Hasselhoff came into the house and four people got to watch the show “Same Name”. I was just praying there would another similar competition to watch a movie or television show. It would have been nice to get out of the game for just a bit,as being in game mode all the time did take a toll on me.

AL: You guys are completely locked out from the outside world correct?
AP: I had no idea about anything going on outside of the house. I remember some of the cast wanting to know what was going on with the Casey Anthony trial. Personally, I wanted to know what was going on with the NFL lockout. I knew I would be getting out of the house in September and a Fall without football just isn’t Fall. I also knew I was missing a lot of great concerts while I was in the house. I really missed an entire summer of new stuff. Being blocked off from society is not always a bad thing but you do miss the connection with people.

AL: What was it like living in an elf suit for a week?
AP: For me it was a good time! People weren’t looking at me as a threat because I was an elf. I was just some goofy guy running around the house making people laugh and drinking syrup. I think the suit came at a good time for me because there were lines starting to be drawn deeper in the sand. No one really thought of me as a threat. I was able to stay under the radar and be entertainment for the house. If anyone in that cast had to get the elf suit, I was glad it was me because I feel I rocked it! I actually still have the suit. I saved it to use later in the game if tension started to get high, but I never did get back out as I was afraid it would make people upset rather than happy.

AL: What do you think was the hardest challenge you participated in?
AP: Probably the food competition from week two. Dominic and I were strapped together in an ant contest. The other guys all got matched up with girls who were pretty easy to carry. Dominic and I are not the smallest people in the house. You put the two of us together in an ant costume crawling over picnic items really tore us up. I have a few scars on my knees from that competition. I’m glad I will never have to do that one again. The ski slope challenge was pretty intense, as well as the first part of the final Head of House competition. We were on the beaters churning butter. I had to stand on this small platform with size 13 feet and about 15 minutes in my legs locked up and I was done. I ended up sitting in the pool for another 10-15 minutes because I just couldn’t move my legs.

AL: Did you guys have an idea as what each competition was going to be ahead of time?
AP: We could hear banging and things like that going on outside but we could never see anything. We had no idea what we were doing until the curtain goes up and we walk outside. We would often speculate what we thought we were going to have to do. At certain times we had a pretty good idea what was going to be coming up but we couldn’t be totally sure until we were out there.

AL: Can you describe the Tori Spelling meeting?
AP: Tori who? [laughs]…..I know that I didn’t win “Big Brother” but Tori Spelling came into the house and knew who Adam Pock was. Tori kissed me on the cheek while I was drinking an appletini! I would have blown through $500,000 so fast but the memories of Tori Spelling kissing me while drinking an appletini in the “Big Brother” house are worth way more than $500,000! It really was a dream come true being on the television show. I figured I would meet Tori one day at a book signing or something, but the fact Tori Spelling knows who I am! was the biggest thrill of the summer for sure. She was just as cute and sweet as I expected her to be. I fell in “love” with her character on the show and I watched her other reality shows and I just couldn’t have expected her to be any sweeter.

AL: Any chance we will see you on the show again?
AP: If people want me back on the show, write to CBS and tell them you want the elf/heavy metal teddy bear back on. Right now, I am back to my day to day life. I am back working at my job and have moved in with my girlfriend. I lost so much in three months that I am trying to catch up on things as much as I can. If I was called to be on the show again I would have to seriously think about it. The show was very draining both physically and mentally but I loved it. If things all worked out at that certain point in time I would probably go back. For right now though I am not knocking on any doors to have me put back in the show anytime soon. I give respect to those people on the show who have done back to back summers. It takes a special person to walk through those doors!

For up to date info on Adam head over to Twitter and follow him @heavymetalteddy

Lionsgate Brings “Dead Island” to Life on the Big Screen

LIONSGATE BRINGS DEAD ISLAND TO LIFE ON THE BIG SCREEN

Feature Film Adaptation Of Deep Silver’s Zombie Sensation In Development At The Studio

Santa Monica, CA, September 27, 2011– LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, today announced that it has optioned film rights from Deep Silver to develop a feature inspired by Dead Island, which became a viral media sensation when its haunting, artful trailer launched in February 2011.  The announcement was made by Lionsgate’s co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake.

Dead Island is a global brand first introduced through a teaser trailer that told the story of a family on vacation at a tropical resort who is besieged by zombies.  Told in a stark, non-linear fashion, the wrenching trailer captured worldwide fan attention and unanimous critical praise upon its debut, receiving over one million hits in its first 24 hours online, and nearly 10 million views by two days after its debut.  Wired Magazine, College Humor and G4TV all called it the best video game trailer of all time, with G4TV adding “The Dead Island trailer is the best trailer I have ever seen in my life.  The best video game trailer.  The best movie trailer. The best anything trailer.”  The trailer went on to win the Golden Lion in Cannes at the International Festival of Creativity, the advertising industry’s highest honor, and it was featured by Adweek on their annual list of the World’s Best Commercials.

The video game Dead Island was published by Deep Silver for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.  It was released in the United States on September 6th, 2011 and was the number one selling game both in the U.S. and the U.K. upon its local releases.  The game has sold over two million units to date.

The game centers on vacationers whose island paradise becomes a living hell when a zombie outbreak quickly spreads.  Cut off from the rest of the world, the survivors have only the available materials and the island’s natural “weapons” to protect themselves from the vicious and growing legions of the undead.  In addition to the award-winning trailer and video game, the Dead Island intellectual property will be simultaneously developed by Deep Silver into forthcoming graphic novels, novels and other extensions.

Like the trailer that will serve as its primary creative inspiration, the film DEAD ISLAND will be an innovation of the zombie genre because of its focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling.  Said Drake of the property’s acquisition, “Like the hundreds of journalists and millions of fans who were so passionate and vocal about the Dead Island trailer, we too were awestruck.”  He continued, “This is exactly the type of property we’re looking to adapt at Lionsgate – it’s sophisticated, edgy, and a true elevation of a genre that we know and love.  It also has built in brand recognition around the world, and franchise potential.”

The film DEAD ISLAND is currently in the early development stage with producers attached.  Sean Daniel (THE MUMMY, TOMBSTONE, DAZED AND CONFUSED) will spearhead production through his Sean Daniel Company.  A veteran producer with global franchises under his belt, Daniel is to be joined in producing by Stefan Sonnenfeld, who has been a pioneer in the post production field, using the process as a platform to create a unique visual brand with directors including J.J. Abrams, Michael Bay and Gore Verbinski.  Jason Brown of The Sean Daniel Company and Missy Papageorge for Sonnenfeld’s Sunny Field Productions are executive producing, with Sarah Perlman of Sunny Field Productions serving as co-producer.

Alli Shearmur, Lionsgate’s President of Motion Picture Production and Development is overseeing the project at the studio, with Jim Miller, SVP of Production and Development.  Rob McEntegart, Senior EVP of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, negotiated the deal with Deep Silver’s U.S. attorney Ed Labowitz.

About Lionsgate 

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms.  The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as “Mad Men”, “Weeds” and “Nurse Jackie” along with  the comedy “Blue Mountain State, ” the upcoming drama “Boss” and the syndication successes “Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne”, its spinoff “Meet The Browns”,  the upcoming “For Better or Worse,” “The Wendy Williams Show” and “Are We There Yet?”.

Its feature film business has generated more than half a billion dollars at the North American box office in the past year, fueled by such successes as THE LINCOLN LAWYER, TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY, THE EXPENDABLES, which was #1 at the North American box office for two weeks, THE LAST EXORCISM, TYLER PERRY’S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, KICK ASS and the critically-acclaimed PRECIOUS, which won two Academy Awards®. The Company’s home entertainment business has grown to more than 8% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

For more information visit www.lionsgate.com

About The Game “Dead Island”

Dead Island™, the gruesome zombie action game with RPG elements by renowned developer Techland, combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, character development and customization of a vast array of weapons.  All of these gameplay features are presented in a dark story inspired by classic zombie movies with a gritty and engrossing campaign that can be played with up to four players in co-op mode.

Set in an open world tropical island, hordes of different festering zombies await players around every corner while they embark on a variety of thrilling missions through the holiday resort.  With firearms and ammunition being scarce the player must rely on discovering and utilizing items as weapons for self-defense and fighting off zombie hordes in intense melee combat.  A diverse range of items can be collected and will later serve to transform the player’s ordinary makeshift weapons into serious instruments of destruction.

Dead Island was released worldwide for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Official website: www.deadisland.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/deadislandgame

Twitter: http://twitter.com/deadislandgame

About Deep Silver

Deep Silver, a division of Koch Media GmbH, develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms.  The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds.  Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.  Deep Silver products are designed to equally appeal to pros and beginners, children and adults.

Deep Silver has published more than 100 games since 2003, including own brands like the action role-playing game Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, successful adventures such as the Secret Files series and Lost Horizon, the role-playing game Risen and well-known licenses like the Chernobyl shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and Prison Break: The Conspiracy, the action adventure based on the popular TV series. Deep Silver has announced more upcoming highlights such as Risen 2, the sequel to the hit RPG, and Sacred 3. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com

Koch Media is a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products (software, games and films). The company’s own publishing activities, marketing and distribution extend throughout Europe and the USA. The Koch Media group has more than 15 years of experience in the digital media distribution business, and has risen to become the number one distributor in Europe.  It has also formed strategic alliances with numerous games and software publishers: Capcom, Codemasters, Kaspersky Labs, Paradox Entertainment, Square Enix, Tecmo-Koei, and System 3 etc. in various European countries. With Headquarters in Planegg near Munich/Germany, Koch Media owns branches in Germany, England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, the Nordic regions, Benelux and the USA. www.kochmedia.com

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“”, “PlayStation” and “PS3” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.

 

Concert Review “The Big 4” Yankee Stadium

The Big 4 Yankee Stadium
Date: Wednesday, September 13th 2011
Venue: Yankees Stadium, the Bronx, NY

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The most anticipated concert on the east coast in quite some time took place Wednesday, September 13th in the most unlikely of places. The newly built Yankee Stadium located in The Bronx borough of New York City played host to an announced crowd of 41,454 rabid metal fans who turned out to see The Big 4 which consists of Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica. The concert was a one off show put on by the New York Yankees organization and for each band it was the first time the 4 legends of thrash had shared a stage on the east coast and, only the 2nd time the bands have played together in the United States. The Big 4 had previously played several large shows overseas in the spring of 2010 before rejoining on April 23rd 2001 for a performance in Indio, California. That concert marked the first time the 4 had ever played together in the U.S. In July of 2011 the 4 bands once again flew overseas to perform 5 shows that included a stop at the famous Knebworth Sonisphere festival in the UK.

Growing up with these 4 bands on my bedroom walls it was only natural that I immediately freak out when it was announced that they were touring together. Even though I would have to wait over a year before they reached a venue that was feasible for me to attend it was worth the wait. Though the concert was held mid week it did not deter fans who like myself had waited so long for something like this. Anticipation was high as the thousands of fans waiting to get into the stadium at 2pm slowly made their way through the gates as security was fairly heightened due to the nature of the event. As fans were still filling the massive stadium Anthrax took the stage at 4pm capping off the bands 3 day world wind sweep of the NY area as the Bronx based band was honored with September 14th being marked as “Anthrax Day”. The announcement corresponded with the band’s latest studio release “Worship Music”. Clad in pinstriped Anthrax jerseys the band opened with their newest single titled “Fight ‘Em Till you Can’t” which led into classic tracks such as “Madhouse”, Anti-Social” and closing out with “I Am The Law”. The band was tighter than ever and each member was at the top of their game. After speculation and announcements related to Megadeth’s participation or lack thereof in the concert Dave Mustain and the rest of Megadeth took to the stage and unleashed a variety of classic tunes sprinkled with newer tracks. The set also featured the song “Public Enemy #1” a song that will be featured on the bands upcoming November 1st release titled “13”. Mustain did make a statement to the crowd that despite being advised by Doctors not to play because of a neck injury requiring surgery the band was going to perform at their fullest. As promised the band ripped through songs like “Symphony of Destruction”, “Sweating Bullets” and “Peace Sells”. Slayer would take the stage next featuring Exodus guitarist Gary Holt who is still filling in for Jeff Hanneman who was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis back in February. The band delivered their take no prisoner’s attitude and provided very little banter to the almost capacity crowd who was worked into a frenzy by songs such as “South of Heaven”, “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death” which closed out the bands set. Metallica would take the stage next and delivered the only way Metallica knows how.

The set featured something off almost all of the bands releases. Songs like “Fuel”, Sad but True” and “Cyanide” kicked off the night while setting the stage for songs like “Orion”, “One” and Yankee closer Mariano Rivera’s entrance song “Enter Sandman”. The crowd was a captive audience and upon demand recited every word Metallica front man James Hetfield requested. As with previous Big 4 shows all of the bands who played returned to the stage for a jam session/song. This nights show featured the Motorhead classic “Overkill” and despite a few noted absences by Tom Araya of Slayer and Dave Mustain of Megadeth the jam was phenomenal and was highlighted buy each drummer taking a turn behind Lars Ulrich’s kit to play a verse of the song. Before leaving the stage for the final time Metallica belted out their classic song “Seek and Destroy” which brought a close to a night made in metal history.

Being at the Big 4 will definitely be a highlight of my concert going experiences. The lineup alone is one that probably won’t ever be topped for me. Though I felt that some of the performances were a touch bland and scripted the show was still great. I think the Yankees really made a great move bringing the Big 4 to the NY area and despite fears of riots the organization hung in there and did not pull out of the event. The stadium proved to be a great venue for a concert as it provided a variety of amenities your standard venues just do not have. Surprisingly the sound of the bands playing in a venue not designed for music in my opinion sounded amazing. Though the talks of there ever being another Big 4 event are almost non-existent the event held on September 14th 2011 would be a great one top of the touring history of the Big 4.

Concert Review: “Carnival of Madness 2011” Big Flats, NY

Date: Friday, September 9th 2011
Venue: Tag’s Summer Stage, Big Flats, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Click here to check out our interview with Alter Bridge’s Mark Tremonti

Click here to check out our interview with Theory of a Deadman’s Dean Back

The 2011 Carnival of Madness tour featuring Emphatic, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Alter he small town of Bridge and Theory of a Deadman made its way into Tag’s Summer Stage located in tBig Flat’s, NY on September 9th. The tour now in its second year has previously featured bands such as Chevelle, Sevendust and Shinedown. This year the tour is co-headlined by hard rock heavy weights Theory of a Deadman who in July of this year released their 4th studio album titled “The Truth Is” and Alter Bridge a band that features 3 of the 4 members of multi-platinum selling band Creed.

Upon hearing the line up for this year’s Carnival of Madness tour I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Black Stone Cherry would be making the rounds. After seeing them open for Zakk Wyldes Black Label Society a few years back I was anxious to hear them again. Sadly this did not end up being the case. During sound check the tour crew was notified that Black Stone Cherry would not be able to make the show due to portions of their route being still flooded by the devastating storm the NY/PA area was hit by just days before. At the time this still left the other 4 bands to go on as scheduled….so I thought. Upon returning to the venue for the show the gate was posted with signs stating Emphatic would also not being playing the show. Then to add insult to injury it was announced by the promoter that Adelitas Way also was not able to play. Within the course of 2 hrs. a 5 band line-up was reduced to just its co-headliners and needless to say things were looking pretty grim. However I would like to personally say that both Alter Bridge and Theory of a Deadman stepped up to the plate and hit clutch homeruns which quickly won over the ill tempered crowd. After it was announced that both bands would play extended sets to make up for the other bands being stranded Alter Bridge took to the stage and played a relentless hard rocking set which featured killer dueling guitar solos from front man Miles Kennedy and lead guitarist Mark Tremonti. To close out the night Theory of a Deadman played a hit filled set featuring songs such as “I Hate My Life”, “Low Life” and “Bad Girlfriend”.

Even though the nights show was plagued by transportation issues. Theory of a Deadman and Alter Bridge brought their A games. Though some fans were upset over not being able to see the entire tour lineup I feel TOAD and Alter Bridge made up for it and left fans with very little to regret about sticking around for just two bands.

 

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Save The Date: Lionsgate And Nu Image Throw “The Big Wedding”

All-Star Ensemble Comedy Unspools Stateside October 19, 2012

Santa Monica, CA, August 02, 2011– LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, and Nu Image are thrilled to announce THE BIG WEDDING, a Nu Image / Millennium Films production that Lionsgate will be distributing in the U.S. and the U.K. The announcement was made jointly by Joe Drake, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, Jason Constantine, Lionsgate’s President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, and Avi Lerner, Founder and Co-Chairman of Nu Image, who is handling international sales of the film.

The film, which boasts an all star cast including Robert De Niro, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heigl, Amanda Seyfried, Robin Williams, Ben Barnes and Topher Grace, is currently shooting in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Written and directed by Justin Zackham (THE BUCKET LIST), the film centers around Don (De Niro) and Ellie (Keaton), a long divorced couple being forced to pretend that they are still happily married at their son’s wedding. Among all of their family and friends, the hoax snowballs into a poignant and raucously funny story about the ties that bind.

Nu Image’s Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort and Trevor Short are executive producing, with Justin Zackham, Clay Pecorin, Richard Salvatore and Harry Ufland producing.

“THE BIG WEDDING is a charming, rollicking movie that promises to be an instant intergenerational family comedy classic,” explains Drake of the film’s appeal to the studio. “We are thrilled to be in business once again with Avi and Nu Image,” adds Constantine. “After our success together with action genre films like THE EXPENDABLES and the upcoming CONAN THE BARBARIAN, this film presented a wonderful opportunity to expand our collaborative horizons into the realm of broad comedy.”

“Our relationship with Lionsgate has always been mutually beneficial and one of great respect. A film like THE BIG WEDDING only reinforces that idea and takes our relationship to the next level,” says Lerner. “We know that Lionsgate’s faith in us to deliver on all of the potential of this comedy is well placed.”

Negotiations on behalf of Lionsgate were overseen by Constantine along with Lionsgate’s SVP of Acquisitions Eda Kowan and EVP of Business & Legal Affairs Wendy Jaffe.