'Mad Men' Returns in One Week

Only one week left until the new season of Mad Men. AMC's ad campaign reveals almost nothing about the new season (see it here; it's rather awesome) -- but in an interview with the New York Times, show creator Matthew Weiner gave us some clues:

In the new season we see this ultimate self-made man of midcentury America — outwardly confident but hollow at the core — smacked, like the culture he embodies, by the earthquake of the ’60s. “I started off writing the show as a scathing analysis of what happened to the United States,” Mr. Weiner said. “But the more I got into Don, the more I realized this is an amazing place. Something really did change in those years” — the late ’50s and early ’60s. “What would it be like to go to that place?”

He continued: “I’m interested in how people respond to change. Are they excited by the change, or are they terrified that they’ll lose everything that they know? Do people recognize that change is going on? That’s what the show’s about.”

Here's More on Season Three:

Marked for November: Precious - Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire

I encountered Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire earlier in the year when it screened at Miami International Film Festival. I was proofreading a program schedule and only gave a passing glance to the blurb about the hard-luck life of an overweight girl from the city. The blurb was accompanied by the photo above.

Then there were articles in the New York Times and LA Times. A glowing review in the Hollywood Reporter. And Sundance. The movie, then only called Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire, walked away with the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Dramatic Film, the Audience Award, and A Special Jury Prize for Acting (awarded to Mo'Nique).

Below is the synopsis in full, pulled directly from the folks at Sundance. But I warn you in advance, it does no justice. Instead, I suggest you simply watch the TRAILER by clicking here or by going to YouTube. And unless you are completely vapid and without soul or intellect, you'll be floored.

With sheer audacity and utter authenticity, director Lee Daniels tackles Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire and creates an unforgettable film that sets a new standard for cinema of its kind. Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is a high-school girl with nothing working in her favor. She is pregnant with her father’s child—for the second time. She can’t read or write, and her schoolmates tease her for being fat. Her home life is a horror, ruled by a mother (Mo’Nique) who keeps her imprisoned both emotionally and physically. Precious’s instincts tell her one thing: if she’s ever going to break from the chains of ignorance, she will have to dig deeply into her own resources. Don’t be misled—Push is not a film wallowing in the stillness of depression; instead, it vibrates with the kind of energy derived only from anger and hope. The entire cast are amazing; they carry out a firestorm of raw emotion. Daniels has drawn from them inimitable performances that will rivet you to your seat and leave you too shocked to breathe. If you passed Precious on the street, you probably wouldn’t notice her. But when her story is revealed, as Daniels does in this courageous film, you are left with an indelible image of a young woman who—with creativity, humor, and ferocity—finds the strength to turn her life around.

That Glorious Season!

(Photo: Mo'Nique in Precious)

So, it’s that time of year again. Here's my late summer/early fall list of must-see films.

Julie & Julia: August 7
Synopsis: Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell in writer-director Nora Ephron’s adaptation of two bestselling memoirs: Powell’s Julie & Julia and My Life in France, by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme.
(Is there any doubt Meryl Streep and Amy Adams will be nominated… and didn’t you like my play on the word “doubt”?)

District 9: August 14
Synopsis: Genre master Peter Jackson produces this science-fiction film, the directorial debut of Neill Blomkamp. In District 9, South Africa has become a haven for refugees--from outer space. Genre master Peter Jackson produces this science-fiction film, the directorial debut of Neill Blomkamp. In District 9, South Africa has become a haven for refugees--from outer space.
(Won’t get any major acting awards, but it looks interesting. Will probably land effects or some award like that)

Inglourious Basterds: August 21
Synopsis: Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz).
(No awards buzz… just looks like a cool movie)

I Can Be Bad All By Myself: September 11
The Plot: Madea (Perry) delivers three young adults who tried to rob her home to their aunt (Henson), a hard-living nightclub singer who doesn't want the responsibility of parenting the trio. Can Madea's influence, coupled with the arrival a handsome, industrious new tenant (Rodriguez), help April turn a corner in her life?
(It’s a Tyler Perry movie… so far, he hasn’t disappointed his audience)

The Informant: September 18
The Plot: The U.S. government decides to go after an agri-business giant with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, company-man-turned-whistleblower Mark Whitacre (Damon).
(This is directed by Steven Soderbergh)

Coco Before Chanel: September 25:
The Plot: The story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (Tautou) and her rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world..
(This is classic Oscar-bait… Tautou starring in a biopic)

Shutter Island: October 2
The Plot: When a psychotic killer (Mortimer) disappears from a mental institution on Shutter Island, a pair of U.S. Marshals (Ruffalo and DiCaprio) race against the clock in order to track her down.
(More Oscar bait… just look at the cast list. And did I mention Scorcese is the director?)

Where the Wild Things Are: October 16
The Plot: Young, mischievous Max is sent to bed without his supper, but when his bedroom turns in to a magical jungle landscape filled with strange creatures, he embarks on a wild imaginary adventure.
and now here's the trailer!.

The Road: October 16
The Plot: A father (Mortensen) and son (Smit-McPhee) walk for months across a ravaged, post-apocalyptic landscape in search of civilization.

Amelia: October 23
The Plot: A look at the life of Amelia Earhart (Swank), the American pilot who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 on her history-making flight around the world.
(Hilary Swank in serious picture in which her character dies equal Oscar nod if not Oscar win)

Precious - Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: November 6
The Plot: In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen (Sidibe) who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.
I’ve heard talk of this since early in the year since film festivals. Mo’Nique is a sure-fire nod (if not win) for Best Supporting Actress

Nine: November 27
The Plot: Famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.
(Dude, three recent Oscar winners - Daniel Day-Lews, Marion Cotillard and Penelope Cruz - in a single movie!)

Brothers: December 4
The Plot: Sam Cahill (Maguire) returns from being held as a prisoner-of-war in Afghanistan to find that his ex-con brother (Gyllenhaal) has become the man, of sorts, of the household where Sam's wife, Grace (Portman) had been living under the assumption that she was a widow.

The Princess and the Frog: December 11
The Plot: A fairy tale centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans French Quarter during the Jazz Age.
(It’s Disney. Animated nod)

The Lovely Bones: December 11
The Plot: Young Susie watches over her family from heaven as they deal with the aftermath of her brutal rape and murder.
(Stars Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan – two Oscar winners and two past nominees. The trailer is awesome)

Sherlock Holmes: December 25
The Plot: Detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

The Book of Eli: January 15
The Plot: In a post-apocalyptic United States, a lone man (Washington) fights his way across the country in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Why I Did Not Like "Half-Blood" Prince

I guess I should make this plain: It's not that I think Half-Blood prince was an awful film. It's just that David Yates clearly didn't read the book on which it was based and his screenwriter didn't fully understand which elements of the tome were most important to the story. So we get a movie that is untrue to the book series, that breaks the rules established by the author, and ignores elements that are crucial.

Case in point -- The Dursleys. Harry's aunt, uncle and cousin get no play in this movie. The last time we saw them they were taking Dudley to the hospital because he was attacked by a Dementor. Ok, pause. A hospital? And Petunia says nothing about knowing anything about Azkaban. And this time around, they don't even show up, even though it's important to know Harry is living with them specifically because he remains protected while in the home of his aunt, his mother's only living blood relative. The power of her love protects him until he comes of age. This is key.

Absence of the Order. Um, are we forgetting that Sirius Black died last go 'round. I don't think he was mentioned at all in this movie. What the F? Then, when the Death Eaters arrive at Hogwarts, the Order fails to show up. There's no battle, and Greyback doesn't maim anyone. Oh, and Tonks and Lupin are together when the movie starts? Again, what the F? The battle at Hogwarts, Bill Weasley's injury and Fleur's willingness to have him still are what brings these two together. Again, love, a central theme, emerges at the end of the book because love binds and protects, and will ultimately defeat Voldemort.

These are the major flaws... little things bother, like apperating and disapperating -- NO ONE can do this. And the attack at the Burrough -- DID NOT happen and would not happen because the Weasly's are protected with the same kind of magic that protects Hogwarts. They lose that protection in the final chapter when the Minister of Magic is murdered and the ministry falls. That's when they get the warning that the Death Eaters are coming and Harry, Hermione and Ron go on the run. Speaking of Minister of Magic -- where was he?!

I can't imagine what kind of ridiculous yarn they'll pull together to fill the gaps. I imagine Mr. Yates will give us a story only loosely resembling the novels on which his movies are supposed to be based. It will make tons of money. People who haven't read the books (i.e., all of the film critics) will say they're pleased, and I'll probably be dissatisfied as I've been the last two times.

Mr. Ebert, I beg to differ. Transformers Totally Rocks

Even when I don't agree fully with Roger Ebert, I can understand his point of view. Not when it comes to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Mr. Ebert and the rest of the film-reviewing world decided they didn't like this latest Michael Bay film. They didn't understand the story, thought there were too many explosions. The comedy, they said, was sub-par, nonsensical.

I and the rest of the film-viewing world beg to differ. The film raked in $201 million this weekend. I saw it on Sunday, and as I was leaving my noon-time screening at the megaplex, hundreds more people were standing in line. Many for a second time.

"I didn't expect to like it," an elderly woman said on her way out. "But it was good, and it had a lot of chuckles."

"That. Was. Awesome," a little boy told his father.

I agree with the kid.

If you ever owned a Hasbro Transformers toy as a kid, were a fan of the cartoon or enjoyed the first Bay film, you'll most definitely enjoy Revenge of the Fallen.

The Last Airbender: Teaser Trailer

If this trailer is to be believed, M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender is going to be freaking awesome!

The Passing of an Icon -- Reactions

"It's taken me a moment to grasp this ... I understand life and death are part of the same magnificent cycle. But ...I litterally stopped and broke down When I recieved ' that' text . Mike's music lives in my DNA. It's bigger than tabloids...that music shaped me . The freaquency is real My heart and artistry are truly influenced and forever impacted. ..." -- Erykah Badu on Twitter

"His passing will be grieved far beyond that of any other singer, composer, producer, dancer and choreographer, in the history of the world. Indeed, in my very firmest, personal, belief there will never, ever, be another Michael Jackson!" -- Don Cornelius

"Michael Jackson was my generations most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly." -- Russell Simmons

"He was a kind, genuine, and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life." -- Liza Minnelli

"I am so grateful to have worked with the King (and always will be King) of the music industry. He was a gift to the world, he is a bright light and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow." -- will.i.am

"It is extremely difficult. It's an incredible shock to me. I dont have words to say. I will miss Michael. The world will miss Michael. His greatness was perfection. Michael was one of those people who wojldnt stop until he was perfect. And he kept going. I will miss his light. I will miss his star. He upped the standard." -- Donna Summer

"I hope he's remembered as a great musician, and not for the circus sideshow that has become his life over the last several years." -- Jamie Foxx

"My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing." -- Brooke Shields

"This loss has deeply saddened me! It is with a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire JACKSON family particularly Michael's mother, children and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for Him and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer, who in so many ways, transcended the culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten." -- Usher