Valkryie Archives - The Playlist

Amazing

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:42:00 +0000

“When I was a kid, I always wanted to kill Hitler.” — Tom Cruise during the “Valkyrie” junket speaking to MTV.

You gotta love the shit that comes outta that guy’s mouth sometimes. Genius. Where’s his Cerberus-like PR people when you need them?

Continue reading Amazing at The Playlist.

MGM Banning Film Critic(s) From ‘Valkryie’?

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Uh oh, is the ugly hand of Tom Cruise or his notoriously prickly and defensive handlers raising its head?

The Bryan Singer-directed MGM film, “Valkyrie” is screening in New York this week to press and some critics are already being preemptively banned.

Fox 411’s Roger Friedman said yesterday that he was “banned” from seeing the film. Patrick Goldstein then called United Artists/MGM marketing chief, Michael Vollman who claimed, Freidman “just wasn’t invited…screenings are a privilege, not a right, and indicated a desire to be open-minded and not telegraphed his intentions ahead of time, we would’ve acted differently.”

Goldstein notes that he doesn’t “like the idea of studios banning writers from screenings, since judging from the state of my frosty relations with a couple of studios right now, it’s quite possible that, ahem, I could be next.”

Jeffrey Wells doubts that would happen to him because of his political position in the movies world and says, “I know, having experienced a few temporary freeze-outs by some major distributors in my time.”

All we know is that critics getting banned for not liking a film they are hired to critique is nonsensical fascism, but the power of Cruise is unrelenting and people around him act accordingly (either out of fear or because they’re explicitly instructed).

Continue reading MGM Banning Film Critic(s) From ‘Valkryie’? at The Playlist.

First ‘Valkyrie’ Review Says Film Takes Off Eventually, But “Never Really Soars”

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Variety’s Tom McCarthy naturally has the first “Valkyrie” review. It sounds a lot like what we all expected. The Tom Cruise-starring, Bryan Singer-directed thriller is not the disaster some foretold, but it’s not exactly 1st-rate either.

“After a long takeoff, “Valkyrie” finally takes flight as a thriller in its second half but never soars very high. Bryan Singer’s long-awaited account of the near-miss assassination of Adolf Hitler by a ring of rebel German army officers on July 20, 1944, has visual splendor galore, but is a cold work lacking in the requisite tension and suspense.

Continue reading First ‘Valkyrie’ Review Says Film Takes Off Eventually, But “Never Really Soars” at The Playlist.

MGM Decides Against Dec 12 Critics Screening For ‘Valkyrie’; Have They Given Up On Award Season?

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:06:00 +0000

God, “Valkyrie” has taken such a beating in the press, we actually feel bad for Tom Cruise and director Bryan Singer. 1) for Singer because people are hating on the film because of Cruise’s involvement and 2) cause Cruise, alien Scientologist leader or not, he is probably a fairly personable guy, right?

MGM pulled its December 12 critics screenings which makes the film ineligible for awards from the New York Film Critics Circle or National Board of Review.

Continue reading MGM Decides Against Dec 12 Critics Screening For ‘Valkyrie’; Have They Given Up On Award Season? at The Playlist.

Tom Cruise A Joke In ‘Valkyrie’?

Seth Valentine — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:31:00 +0000

Well, it looks like MGM might be out of luck this time. Their Tom Cruise/Nazi vehicle “Valkyrie,” which has been the subject of a massive and shifting marketing campaign, might not live up to the lofty expectations. In fact, this one might end up being more the hilarious comedy we had hoped for and less the thriller as which it’s currently being sold. According to the folks over at The Scoop (via /Film), Cruise’s performance in the film is anything but thrilling.

Continue reading Tom Cruise A Joke In ‘Valkyrie’? at The Playlist.

Anatomy Of A Marketing Campaign: ‘Valkyrie’ Or How To Make Tom Cruise Seem Less Repellant In An Eye Patch

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:02:00 +0000

Ah, the marketing of Tom Cruise’s “Valkryie,” as directed by Bryan Singer. Look we know all films go through marketing to rate their appeal with audiences, but every story that comes out about this film just sounds reptilian and calculated. Sure, that’s exactly what marketing is probably like, but do we need to hear about it?

It sure doesn’t help the film, that’s for sure. It makes it sounds like the Church of Scientology calibrated the 1.21 gigawatts to make sure all our minds would be in order.

Continue reading Anatomy Of A Marketing Campaign: ‘Valkyrie’ Or How To Make Tom Cruise Seem Less Repellant In An Eye Patch at The Playlist.

Clueless Yokels In Nevada Get First Look At Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’; Oscars Here We Come!

Rodrigo Perez — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:32:00 +0000

Clueless audiences in Nevada were given a free screening to Tom Cruise’s/Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie,” but most of them had no clue that they got the first taste of a coveted movie that doesnt’ come out for four months. “They liked it,” sources said. Whoa, strike up the Oscar derby! “Most people said it was a suspense thriller.”

Let’s hope it’s somewhat thrilling for their sake, we just finished the script and were left duly unimpressed, unintentionally funny bad screen directions aside.

Continue reading Clueless Yokels In Nevada Get First Look At Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’; Oscars Here We Come! at The Playlist.

Michael Moore Finds Inspiration In Radiohead; Puts ‘Slacker’ Movie Online For Free

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:49:00 +0000

Claiming he’s been influenced by the music industry tactics of people like Radiohead and Neil Young, filmmaker Michael Moore will put his newest film, “Slacker Uprising” online for free. The doc follows the director’s 62-city tour during the 2004 election that tried to rally younger voters out of their political apathy and general laziness. The film will be available for free beginning September 23. To be fair Michael, Radiohead did give you the option to pay nothing, but also charged like $80 for the deluxe version (and In Rainbows was barely worth $8 bucks!) and all Neil did was stream the unlistenable Living With War before its proper release, but ok, fine.

Continue reading Michael Moore Finds Inspiration In Radiohead; Puts ‘Slacker’ Movie Online For Free at The Playlist.

The Playlist’s Fall Film Schedule PT.2, Nov-Dec, Let’s Do This Again!

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:23:00 +0000

Alright, you were here yesterday to read The Playlist’s picks for the first half of the fall season (Sept-Oct), you don’t need much of a refresher. The fall line-up are the films that generally matter (at least from North American films) and the Oscar race is officially on. Many trailers here are not available, fyi, but links in the titles where applicable and or sometimes just contextual.

NOVEMBER 7

“Role Models”
David Wain of “Wet Hot American Summer” and “The Ten” fame directs this comedy about two energy drink reps (Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd) forced to enroll in a community service program where they mentor two young boys.

Continue reading The Playlist’s Fall Film Schedule PT.2, Nov-Dec, Let’s Do This Again! at The Playlist.

Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’ Shuffled Back To Oscar Season & December Release

Spencer Martin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:10:00 +0000

With the movement of the “Valkyrie” release date from the back burner date of February 23rd to the prime-time slot of December 26th, it seems as though studio execs believe in Tom Cruise once again. Was it the successful parody of Hollywood excess in Ben Stiller’s comedy, “Tropic Thunder?” (that hasn’t even been successfully tested by the pubic yet) Will the pleebs forget the whole bat-shit crazy thing and embrace him as a leading man again?… Or is it maybe just that director Bryan Singer is just done with the film ahead of schedule now that summer reshoots are over?

Continue reading Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’ Shuffled Back To Oscar Season & December Release at The Playlist.

Louis Leterrier Won’t Have Jack To Do With ‘Superman Returns’ Sequel

Rodrigo Perez — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:13:00 +0000

A few weeks ago “The Incredible Hulk” director Louis Leterrier was doing some mouth breathing and he sort of suggested that he might have something to do with the next Superman film that DC Comics and Warner Bros. are trying to figure out what to do with next (“Superman Returns” director Bryan Singer appears to still be attached… for now).

Anne Thompson spoke to Legendary Pictures producer Thomas Tull, who goes 50/50 with Warner Bros.

Continue reading Louis Leterrier Won’t Have Jack To Do With ‘Superman Returns’ Sequel at The Playlist.

If An Actor – Who Plays A Super Hero – Farts In The Woods; Everybody Hears Right?

Rodrigo Perez — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:32:00 +0000

The sequel to “Superman Returns” is ready, right? Or so says Supe/Clark Kent actor Brandon Routh.

“I know, they’re busy writing a script and then I trust we’ll be starting next year, early next year. That’s my timeline anyway.”

Yeah, that’s Routh’s timeline alright, cause he’s just loaded with other projects, huh? Our timeline is that we’re going to sellout and be rich next Thursday if anyone here is into random, vaguely-informed pronouncements as well.

Continue reading If An Actor – Who Plays A Super Hero – Farts In The Woods; Everybody Hears Right? at The Playlist.

Ben Stiller & Reese Witherspoon Sign On For New Cameron Crowe Romantic Comedy Adventure

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:07:00 +0000

After flubs like “Vanilla Sky” and “Elizabethtown,” is Cameron Crowe trying to return to the bread and butter of “Jerry Maguire”? Ben Stiller and Reese Witherspoon have signed on for a as-yet untitled romantic comedy adventure that Columbia won bragging rights to after an intense bidding war. Shooting is supposed to shoot in January and plot details are being kept under wraps, but we assume since the “Garden State”-like navel gazing of “Elizabethtown,” went nowhere with audiences, that this one will attempt to be a bit broader and welcoming like ‘Maguire.” The film is being produced by Scott Rudin, the Academy Award-winning producer of “No Country For Old Men.” [Variety]

Remember that untiled “trip to the moon” project Doug Liman (“Jumper,” “Mr.

Continue reading Ben Stiller & Reese Witherspoon Sign On For New Cameron Crowe Romantic Comedy Adventure at The Playlist.

Nevermind The Bullocks, Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’ Film Is Fine People, Just Fine!

Rodrigo Perez — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:54:00 +0000

It’s a conspiracy witchunt! Please disregard the rumors! Please disperese, there’s nothing to see here! Tom Cruise’s “Valkyrie,” is doing fine, no really. Despite being bumped straight out of Oscar season contention, the producers behind the film insist you’re ignorant and, “It’s all good.” “Anybody trying to dismiss us or write us off doesn’t understand the business,” United Artists chief Paula Wagner says sounding much like a scary and dogmatic Nazi herself. “Nothing is going to stop us.” [New York Times]

Roger Ebert won’t be attending Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival.

Continue reading Nevermind The Bullocks, Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’ Film Is Fine People, Just Fine! at The Playlist.