Harold and Kumar talk about the film

With the 21st century equivalent of Cheech and Chong, Harold and Kumar now back on the big screen for a third time. We have just been sent over a featurette where John Cho, Kal Penn and a very much alive Neil Patrick Harris sit down and talk about the movie.

John Cho and Kal Penn reprise their title roles in “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,” which picks up six years after their last adventure.

Following years of growing apart, Harold Lee (Cho) and Kumar Patel (Penn) have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrives at Kumar’s door on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold’s house ends with the “high grade” contents—and Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree—going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar, through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree takes them through party heaven—and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high.

In UK cinemas now

TV’s Greatest Heroines

December sees the second season of internationally acclaimed Danish drama THE KILLING come to the UK on DVD. The show has been the most talked about television show of 2011, and a large part of that has been the central character Sarah Lund, and her fantastic woolly jumpers. Of course, she’s far from the first iconic heroine in television history, so lets have a look down the best kick-ass females that have been on the box over the years…

Agent Dana Scully – The X-Files
The 90s sci-fi phenomenon that was The X-Files made a star out of Gillian Anderson, who played the FBI paranormal investigator Dana Scully. Sceptical Scully was paired with alien-obsessive Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), and their will-they, won’t-they chemistry was a major selling point of the show. The programme tapped into the zeitgeist of the 90s, and Mulder and Scully spun off into two feature films, an in-character guest spot on The Simpsons, and even immortalised in song by Welsh Britpoppers Catatonia.


Amy Pond – Doctor Who

The time-travelling Doctor’s companions are just as important to the show as the title character. There have been many iconic girls on the show – for instance Sarah Jane Smith (the late Elizabeth Sladen) and Billie Piper’s Rose – but the latest, Amy Pond, might just be the best. Portrayed by newcomer Karen Gillen, Amy is a brash, loud Scots girl who quickly became a fan favourite and even caused controversy in her first episode by wearing a skirt that many thought was too short from teatime BBC1!


Buffy Summers – Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Originally an unsuccessful movie, with Kristy Swanson playing Buffy, creator Josh Whedon re-tooled the character for TV, re-cast with Sarah Michelle Gellar in the title role, and television history was made. The true genius of the show is the way it blends supernatural adventure and a wholly-relatable depiction of teenage (and later early 20s) life.


Xena – Xena, Warrior Princess

Originally appearing as supporting character in the Sam Raimi-produced Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena was meant to be killed off in her third appearance. However, fan reaction was so great that she was given her own show. Lucy Lawless cut a striking figure as the warrior princess and the show gained a loyal cult following, especially within the lesbian community, due to the ambiguous relationship between Xena and her companion Gabrielle.


Wonder Woman – Wonder Woman

DC Comic’s most popular super-heroine made the leap from the page to the screen in 1975, played by Linda Carter. The series did not run smoothly though – an original TV movie (not starring Carter) flopped and series jumped from World War 2 to the 70s between the second and third seasons to cut costs. Despite this though, it still brought Wonder Woman to public attention, and she’s now as well known as Superman or Batman.


Charlie’s Angels – Charlie’s Angels

Three sexy female agents acted as private investigators for the mysterious Charlie, who was never seen on-screen. Six girls in all played the rotating gang of Angels, with Farah Fawcett without a doubt being the most famous. The concept was revived for two films in the 2000s, with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore as the Angels, and a new TV series this year (though that was cancelled after four episodes, so maybe we should keep quiet about that).


Cagney And Lacey – Cagney and Lacey

The mismatched cop buddy team had been a staple of TV police shows for years, but they’d always been the preserve of men. It was a typical chalk and cheese combination – Cagney a career-focus single woman, Lacey a married working mother. The show soon gained critical acclaim and a loyal following, so much so that when it was cancelled in 1983 an early example of a fan campaign was enough to bring it back.


Sydney Bristow – Alias

Initially seen as another “sexy young girl kicks ass” Buffy knock off, Lost and Star Trek supremo J.J. Abrams’ show soon became its own beast. Jennifer Garner starred as Sydney Bristow, a graduate student-come-CIA operative, whose life is turned upside down when she discovers the agency she works for is actually a lot more nefarious than she first thought. She then becomes a double agent for the CIA, entering a web of lies and deceit that grew ever more complicated as the show went on.


Sarah Lund – The Killing
No one would have predicted that a Danish crime drama would become the television break-out hit of the year. But the reason is simple: it is simply that good. While the murder investigation is what drew viewers in, central character Detective Inspector Sarah Lund is the rock that holds the show together. Played by steady resolve by Sofie Gråbøl, she’s become an unlikely style icon, with her distinctive jumpers becoming this season’s must have item. The second season has just hit DVD, and it’s the perfect time to get on-board (if you are already watching then we won’t have to convince you of the show’s quality!).

The Killing Season 2 is on DVD 19th December, alongside the Season 1 & 2 boxset.

The Hobbit finally gets a full synopsis

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of two films adapting the endearingly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The second film will be “The Hobbit: There and Back Again.”

Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for both “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Toby Emmerich and Zane Weiner, with Boyens serving as co-producer.

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. The costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. The score is being composed by Howard Shore.

Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing, being handled by MGM.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the UK premiere

Earlier today saw the UK premiere of Tom Cruise's latest outing of Ethan Hunt. this all happened at the BFI's IMAX cinema on the South Bank. As always, just click on any of the images to see a bigger version.

This is not just another mission.

The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in a global terrorist bombing plot. Ghost Protocol is initiated and Ethan Hunt and his rogue new team must go undercover to clear their organization’s name. No help, no contact, off the grid. You have never seen a mission grittier and more intense than this.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL is in cinemas and IMAX December 26, 2011.

George Takei to the rescue?

Yesterday the great George Takei went on youtube with this piece:

It was to bring Star Wars and Star Trek fans together to attach the common enemy... The Twilight series of books. If you missed what caused this, hopeful, brokerage then the two below pieces from youtube will answer your questions.

William Shatner starts the "debate"

Carrie Fisher answers Shat's comments

More clips with Alvin

Only a few days to go before Alvin and the rest of the gang hits UK cinemas. With that we have just been sent over a final set of clips. These go with the set that was sent over last week.

“Rules”

“Jingle Bells”

On vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship, Alvin, Simon, Theodore and the Chipettes are up to their usual antics, turning the ship into their personal playground, until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a desert island. As Dave Seville frantically searches for his AWOL charges, the ‘Munks and Chipettes do what they do best – sing, dance and wreak havoc. But they’re in for the biggest surprises and lessons of their lives when they embark on an island adventure with their new friend – a castaway who’s more than a match for Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Causing chaos in UK cinemas from December 16, 2011
TM and © 2009 Fox and its related entities. All Rights Reserved. Property of FOX.

See more of Carnage

About a month ago we got to see the trailer for this film as well as one image. Now we have been sent over the poster and four more images.

A showdown between two kids about eleven, in a local playground. Swollen lips, broken teeth... Now the parents of the “victim” have invited the parents of the “bully” to their apartment to sort it out.

Cordial banter gradually develops a razor-sharp edge as all four parents reveal their laughable contradictions and grotesque prejudices. None of them will escape the ensuing carnage.

Hitting UK cinemas from February 3, 2012.