Film
Kazakhstan’s Tourism Board Embraces Borat’s “Very Nice!” as New Slogan
In a classic example of if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, Kazakhstan has reversed course on its Borat stance. After years trying to distance itself from Sacha Baron Cohen’s satirical character, the country has decided to embrace his popularity by using his catchphrase “Very Nice!” as its new tourism slogan. The Kazakhstan tourism board has unveiled a new series of ads that show visitors exploring all the country has to offer. As they marvel at the natural landscapes, architectural wonders, and delicious foods, each individual declares a satisfied, “Very nice!” Ridiculous accent not included. “In COVID times, when tourism spending is on hold, it was good to see the country mentioned in the media,” the deputy chairman of Kazakhstan’s tourism board, Kairat Sadvakassov, told The New York Times....
The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan Jokes and Drinks in the First Trailer for New Documentary Crock of Gold: Watch
The Pogues had a brief, furious run of success, spurred on by a genius frontman who seemed to have trouble staying hydrated. Now you can get vicariously sauced with the new documentary Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan, available in wide release starting December 4th. From 1984 to 1991, MacGowan and the Pogues explored the punk rock side of traditional Irish music, reinventing both genres in the process. They were appointment viewing whenever MacGowan showed up, which became increasingly rare towards the end of his tenure. In 1990 he was so unreliable that the band couldn’t tour for their album Hell’s Ditch, and in 1991 they gave him the sack. His war on sobriety intermittently continued until 2016, when he detoxed during a lengthy hospital stay. Reportedly, he’s be...
The Craft: Legacy Is an Uneven Love Letter to the Weirdos: Review
The Pitch: Writer and and director Zoe Lister-Jones returns with the long-awaited sequel to 1996’s The Craft. Similar to its predecessor, this story follows three teen witches looking for a fourth to complete their circle. Enter new girl in town, Lily (Cailee Spaeny), whose mother (Michelle Monaghan) has just moved in with her new boyfriend (David Duchovny) and his three teenage sons. What begins as a coming-of-age tale eventually transforms into a mystery with ill-defined stakes. When Witches Go Riding: The Craft has a complicated legacy to reckon with seeing how it not only inspired a generation of girls to explore the occult, but also provided important representation in the casting of Rachel True as Rochelle. In more recent years, however, the film has been re-evaluated for its questio...
Mel Brooks Revisits The Twelve Chairs for Its 50th Anniversary: “It’s One of My Top Favorites”
Comedy and music go hand in hand. Always. Mel Brooks knows how essential this is. He used to be a drummer, after all. Back in his teenage years, he was a student of the great drummer Buddy Rich. There’s a fundamental rhythm to comedy that oftentimes gets overlooked. If the timing of the musicality is off, then the comedy falls flat. That’s why, in so many of Brooks’ films, you will see elements of music. Whether the characters themselves are breaking out into song, or he has composed a title song, or the dialogue itself is particularly snappy and hits you over the head before you even realize what the hell just happened, it’s all in the same family. You cannot have good comedy without some form of music being present. That’s why Mel Brooks is, in some ways, as much a musician as he is a co...
Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast Will Reunite for Halloween Livestream Benefiting Wisconsin Democrats
There’s a rising star in leftist politics, and we don’t mean the California senator or the representative from the Bronx. No, it’s the talent booker for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, who has already put together cast reunions for Veep, Happy Days, The Princess Bride, and Parks and Recreation. Now, the donkeys in the Dairy State have announced a Halloween night livestream featuring music and actors from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Based on the 1973 musical The Rocky Horror Show, the RHPS film arrived in 1975 as an instant cult-classic. The gender-bending comedy took on new life after theaters in Los Angeles and San Francisco arranged midnight screenings with so-called “shadow casts” — groups of live performers who acted out the movie and encouraged audience participation. Wit...
Kanye West Prefers the Star Wars Prequels to the Sequels
It’s not easy listening to Kanye West these days. So, you could imagine our surprise when we found ourselves nodding in approval as he discussed, of all things, the Star Wars franchise during a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. “They said that George Lucas’ prequels are worse than the corporate-made Disney Star Wars,” West digressed. “Like, Revenge of the Sith? We saw how Darth Vader was made! Like, I watched that, like, 10 times during COVID.” He then went on to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi in that film’s climactic battle: “‘Don’t jump Anakin, I’ve got the high ground!’” Naturally, West pivoted to Disney’s recent run of sequels and spinoffs that have all proven polarizing, semi-arguing: “I’m saying even the prequels are better than anything that … And I’m sorry Disney Star Wars desig...
Richard Pryor Biopic in the Works from black-ish Creator Kenya Barris
A new biopic about Richard Pryor is in the works at MGM. black-ish creator Kenya Barris is writing and directing the film in collaboration with the legendary comedian’s widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor. The project was won by MGM after a heated bidding war between various studios. The film will be produced by Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society, Lee Pryor’s Tarnished Angel, and Tory Metzger for Levantine Films. Adam Rosenberg will serve as executive producer. An ensemble crew like that is necessary to do the iconic Pryor justice. The late comic is one of the most beloved stand-up comedians of all time, and he has five Grammy’s, two American Academy of Humor awards, and the first ever Mark Twain Humor Prize award to prove it. Before he died in 2005, he also starred in over 50 movies (includ...
Dave Bautista Slams Trump’s Tough Guy Act in New Joe Biden Ad: Watch
It’s no secret that Joe Biden has outraised the incumbent candidate considerably over the last few month. The surge in funds has led to a major uptick in advertising; just check out how many new ads get uploaded to Biden’s YouTube page daily. Many of those spots feature celebrities like Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Elliott, and Beastie Boys lending their voices to the cause. The latest A-lister to join the Biden train is none other than Drax the Destroyer himself, Dave Bautista. The former WWE star appears in a new ad called “That’s Toughness”. In the clip, Bautista wears a “Freedom” shirt while he explains the difference between acting like a tough guy and actually being one. “It’s easy to lie to people, it’s easy to bully people. That does not make you a tough guy,” he say...
Brad Pitt Narrates Joe Biden’s Latest Campaign Ad: Watch
Brad Pitt (photo by Michael Muller) and Joe Biden (photo by Phil Roeder via the National Archives and Records Administration) With the election just nine days away, the stars are coming out in full force in support of Joe Biden. Brad Pitt is the latest celebrity to tie himself to the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign, as he narrates a new ad for Biden. Premiering during Game 4 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Rays on Saturday, the clip leans heavy into Biden’s message of positivity. Over shots of the candidate meeting a range of supporters, Pitt says, “America is a place for everyone – those who chose this county, those who fought for it – some Republicans, some Democrats, and most, somewhere in between.” The actor goes on to talk about how we’re a...
Dolly Parton Is a Literal Angel in Trailer for Netflix’s Christmas on The Square: Watch
Did you know that, legally, Dolly Parton is the only person allowed to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving? Queen Kringle is taking full advantage this year, having already released her new album A Holly Dolly Christmas in September. Now, Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for Dolly Parton’s Christmas on The Square, in which Parton fulfills her destiny and appears as a literal angel. Oh, did we mention it’s also a musical? Because hark, this herald angel can sing. This twist on Charles Dickens stars Christine Baranski as a modern-day Scrooge named Regina Fuller. Ms. Fuller-herself has plans to evict an entire town, and on Christmas Eve no less. Luckily, an angel in rhinestones appears to try and warm her frozen heart. Will Dolly succeed? Yes, definitely — but then again m...
Donald Trump Calls Sacha Baron Cohen a “Creep” After He Pranks Rudy Giuliani
“Creep” would be an appropriate word to describe Rudy Giuliani after witnessing his antics in the new Borat movie. However, when asked about his personal attorney’s actions in the film, Donald Trump said it was Sacha Baron Cohen who was the “creep.” Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump recalled his own appearance on Cohen’s Da Ali G Show in 2003. “Years ago, you know, he tried to scam me,” And I was the only one who said ‘no way.’” “That’s a phony guy. And I don’t find him funny,” Trump continued. “To me, he was a creep.” On Saturday, Cohen responded to Trump directly. “Donald—I appreciate the free publicity for Borat! I admit, I don’t find you funny either. But yet the whole world laughs at you,” Cohen wrote on Twitter. “I’m always looking for people to play racist buffoons, ...
Shia LaBeouf and Margaret Qualley Bare It All in New Music Video: Watch
Shia LaBeouf and Margaret Qualley bare all in a new music video from Margaret’s sister, Rainey Qualley, a.k.a. Rainsford. The video for “Love Me Like You Hate Me” stars LaBeouf and Qualley as a couple and depicts different stages of their relationship using a split-screen format. At various points throughout, the actors appear fully nude and participate in an artful sex scene. “The 10-minute split-screen film portrays the tenderness and toxicity of a relationship, presented from the dual, and at times conflicting, perspectives of a couple,” a press release notes. “With a gently disorientating structure, the piece builds towards an open-ended resolution that loops back on itself, returning us to where we began.” The video was produced by Shia’s longtime collaborator, British ...
