2012 Entertainer(s) of the Year

Although we are only in the last week of November, this year's entertainers of the year would be hard to topple.  Here is my list of entertainers of the year (2012): 

1-The Avengers

The biggest box office hit of the year, was the product of numerous contingencies, including Disney, Marvel, the cast, the crew behind the scenes, and of course the ensemble.  Let’s start with the master behind the marketing, Disney.  Disney did an amazing job making sure that everyone of these films connected at the end, and the story tied together to make sure this built up to one large scale event, and the event will continue. 

Enter the comic genius/director Joss Whedon.  Whedon who has written for Marvel before (Astonishing X-Men), was the perfect choice to direct this film; he loves the comic world and transformed the Marvel world’s greatest heroes into tangible well made film.  This man’s vision along with people who worked behind the scenes on the visual effects, sound, and editing constructed one power house action flick!

Once you have a great marketing strategy, an amazing director, and creative team, it’s time for the actual Avengers to Asemble!  Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man (Tony Stark), Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rogers), Chris Hemsworth as Thor,  new addition Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk (Bruce Baner), through is Scar Johannsen as the Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeyes, and you have one solid team.  Then bring back Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the man behind SHIELD, and Tom Hiddleston as the mischievous villain Loki, and you have one great ensemble.

Bringing all of these elements created one of the most entertaining films of the year, and brought a comic book fan’s dreams come true.

2-HBO

HBO has had some good/great years, and depending on their new programming  slate that can push them over the top.  This year HBO also had some of the best original films along with their original series putting this network miles above the rest (as usual).

Game Change, which won the Best Movie/Mini-Series at the Emmy Awards, and also took home the Lead Actress Award (Julianne Moore) and Writing, and Directing prizes.  The film centered around John McCain, and Sarah Palin’s bid for the White House in 2008, and of the all the of all the television films this one was truly the best of the year.

HBO has been focused on successful Drama’s for most of its time, and they have been the most successful for the network aside from Sex and the City, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.  This year HBO proved they can be the king/queen of comedy.  HBO had two hits with audiences, and critics, the shows Veep and Girls.  One of the best parts about these shows being solid for the network is that they are female driven, which is also rare for HBO.

Along with these two new brilliant shows, HBO still has Game of Thrones, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, and Enlightened to help make this one of the best networks on the air because of its wide array of programming.  This may be the best line-up the network has ever had!

3-Channing Tatum

 

The man was a beast at the box office this year, and had three films: 21 Jump Street made 138 million, The Vow made 125 million, and Magic Mike made 113 million.  This is a rare feet, there are no longer stars that bring people to the box office the way they did in the past (or well as many).  Having three films make over 100 million, and be based on the popularity of a star does not happen as often either.  Channing Tatum is one popular guy, with whom both the ladies and men swoon over; he is the leading man of the year.  Tatum was also voted the sexiest man alive by People Magazine, and star of the year by GQ, with all these accolades this guy is unstoppable. 

4- The Ensemble from Homeland

Homeland’s season one had strong popularity, and the ensemble worked well together.  In September Homeland won 4 key Emmy awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama (Damien Lewis), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama (Claire Danes), and Outstanding Writing.  While Danes and Lewis, and the creative team were singled out for their contributions the who ensemble is what makes this show tick.  Brody and Carrie would be nothing without their counterparts.  Brody’s wife (while grating sometimes) plays Jessica well, and she balances out much of the show.  Carrie finds her stability with Saul Berenson a co-worker played by Mandy Patinkin, Hollah!  These four folks along with David Harewood, keep the energy going within this show.  I have to exclude Brody’s children, as they drive me nuts!

 5- Taylor Swift

She may be never getting back together, with whoever she dated :cough Jake Gyllenhaal cough: and he single is one of the catchiest I have ever heard.  Taylor Swift may have to realize that one of these days these break-ups is about her,  but for now as long as she keeps getting dumped, that’s right dumped, she is going to be making lots and lots of money.

Taylor Swift’s album Red sold 1,280,000 copies in its first week, artists do not accomplish these anymore, there are very few who succeed as much as this young lady does on the album sales charts.  Sift has also sold 623,000 digital downloads from itunes of her single “We are Never Getting Back Together.”  These two numbers make her the most entertaining musician of the year!

6- Jennifer Lawrence

From The Hunger Games to Silver Linings Playbook this girl has it all the box office power, and the ability to act circles around everyone.  The Hunger Games was no Twilight, the film was much better, and let Lawrence turn in a great/convincing portrait as one of the most memorable characters in recent films/literature Katniss Everdeen.  After re-watching the Hunger Games again recently I was blown away even in this film that Lawrence gave a solid performance.

Yet she will be recognized for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook come award season, and rightfully.  Lawrence is funny, and heartbreaking within this film, and you feel for her as she finds companionship in a man who is lost within his life, like her.  The award season has not started but Lawrence is an early favorite to win at the Globes, and even to be a favorite in the Lead Actress category at the Oscars.  Lawrence is force to be reckoned with, and there is no stopping this woman!

7- James Bond

This was the 50^th anniversary of this character in film, and there was a special edition box set released, which has been flying off the shelves like gang busters.  Along with this special edition box set, there was of course the main reason this character made the list this year, and that is release of the 23^rd film, entitled Skyfall.  Skyfall, is now the highest grossing bond movie of all time, the film is incredible, and it has taken the character along with his current portrayer Daniel Craig.  During Thanksgiving weekend, Skyfall was going toe to toe with the box office powerhouse Twilight.  The quality of the film along with the strong support has brought this character back on top, metaphorically speaking.

8- Ben Affleck

This was a tough call between Steven Spielberg, and Ben Affleck.  Spielberg’s Lincoln is taking off bigger than anyone would have expected, but it’s this younger director/actor/writer who has captured audiences across the globe with his film Argo.  Affleck is one of the most talented men working today, and Argo is one the best/most entertaining films of the year.  In front of the camera Affleck gave one of the best performances of his career (too bad in this crowded category he will get lost) he was subtle, and yet unnerving with his actions as the CIA agent turned fake producer.  Behind the lens Affleck’s direction was brilliant; he was able to make a film that was thrilling, captivating, and hilarious, three hard elements to achieve within one film, bravo!

9-Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, and Even Peters

While the first edition of American Horror Story aired in 2011, and the cast was brilliant then, but Ryan Murphy brought back a few of the best from season one, proving five folks to be some of the most entertaining folks of 2012.

Together Lange, Quinto , Paulson, Rabe, and Peters and fiercely wonderful as the have taken on new personas in this second mini-series from Murphy.  These are the folks who will most likely return for part III next year, and entertain television audiences once again.  Ryan Murphy has a knack for finding good talent, and using them well amongst his ensemble, and these five actors are some of television’s hardest working folks, proving scary works even on the small screen.

10-Seth MacFarlene and Ted

Raunchy comedies do well these days, and MacFarlene who brings the raunch to television on a weekly basis with Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show is the man to fill these shoes.  MacFarlene has humor, which many would call crude, but he is one of the funniest, and most talented men working today.

MacFarlene toppled the myths that R rated films can’t do well (once again, although people keep forgetting).  Ted the talking bear himself may get more credit than MacFarlene, but the two are one in the same (obviously) and they bring the laughs all the time. 

MacFarlene also took to the stage at Studio 6H with SNL, and was season’s best host thus far; he can sing, dance, and do great impersonations.  With all of these things going for him MacFarlene was asked to be the host of the Academy Awards next year, and incredible honor.  This made me a thunder buddy for life!

Channing Tatum Voted People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive (and GQs Movie Star of the Year

On to a little pop culture fluff.  Channing Tatum was named People Magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year.  After last year's awful snub of Ryan Gosling (the magazine did not want another riot) they picked the right man this year.  Tatum was also in fact the movie star of the year, while his films were not all "Oscar caliber" they were some of the most entertaining, and all made over one hundred million dollars, they were: The Vow, 21 Jump Street, and Magic Mike.  Channing Tatum should also be considered the "move star of the year namely because of his box office prowess, and the mere fact that the G. I. Joe sequel had killed his character off in the the beginning of the film, and had to postpone the re-shoot, to add him back into the film, that shows power.

Tatum joins the following men for People's Sexiest Man Alive title:
1985-Mel Gibson
1986-Mark Harmon
1987-Harry Hamlin
1988-John F. Kennedy Jr.
1989-Sean Connery
1990-Tom Cruise
1991-Patrick Swayze
1992-Nick Nolte
1993-Sexiest Couple Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford)
1994-Hiatus
1995-Brad Pitt
1996-Denzel Washington
1997-George Clooney
1998-Harrison Ford
1999-Richard Gere
2000-Brad Pitt
2001-Pierce Brosnan
2002-Ben Affleck
2003-Johnny Depp
2004-Jude Law
2005-Matthew McConaughey
2006-George Clooney
2007-Matt Damon
2008-Hugh Jackman
2009-Johnny Depp
2010-Ryan Reynolds
2011-Bradley Cooper
2012-Channing Tatum

Magic Mike has abs on the Outside and a Hallow Personality on the Inside

Magic Mike (2 out 5 Stars)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven)

Written by Reid Carolin

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, and Matthew McConaughey

It's opening night and there is a theatre full of mostly straight women, a good amount of gay men, and a handful of straight men that were dragged by their girlfriends sitting in the theatre waiting for this highly anticipated movie.  As the movie started the women in the audience were giggly and awkward as the men started stripping or were taking their clothes off.  This made it seem as though they had never seen a film that exploited male sexuality at such a level, the thing is that they probably have not (but more on that later).  The giggling and chatter died down after a few minutes, and the "plot" started.

The film centers around two men Mike or as he is called on the stage "Magic Mike" (Channing Tatum) and Adam or "The Kid" when he gets on stage.  Mike is an entrepreneur; he wants to do whatever he can to make money so that he create his own business and make furniture.  Mike has has a construction business where he tiles roofs, a few other things, and of course he strips.  Mike meets Adam when he answers an ad on craigslist, don't get too excited it's not not from the men seeking men section, but in the section where people are looking for work.  Adam's naivete leads him into Mike's world of stripping, and Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) gives him a chance at the stage as "The Kid."

Before analyze this film too deeply, there are moments that make this film fun, and Channing Tatum is the most charming leading man of the year; he will have three films that make over 100 million this year.  Tatum has had a meteoric rise this year, and all of his prove that he has charisma, hell the sequel to G.I. Joe film had to be reshot because they initially killed him off, but realized that was a huge mistake. The man can dance too!  I loved watching him twirl, gave me goosebumps. The other men were hot too, but was it worth the hype? No.

People have been talking up this film mainly because of the looks of the men involved and hoping to see a little more of them.  No one talked about the story, and what the film would be about, nor did many people care.  The problem with focusing on the exterior is that this was yes the showed a lot of ass, and there was a lot of gyrating on stage, but nothing that could not be seen in a skinemax film.  In fact they show more but because these men are "famous" people cared more.  I think the interesting thing with this is that rarely do films focus on men's sexuality from this lens.  We often watch films objectify women, but we never get to see this happen.  I enjoyed that there was a role reversal, and I hope this film makes a lot of money, mainly because I want Hollywood to realize even more that there is power in marketing films to a female audience.  The film capitalizes on women, and gay men hoping to see more than they would on the internet.

The problem with Magic Mike is that it has abs on the outside and a hallow personality on the inside.  The film is all style and no substance.  If I wanted to see a movie about beautiful men who get naked I would watch porn, the men are beautiful, I do not have to pay to see them, and they do not last as long. I will admit I know I did not go to see this movie for substance, and I know most of the people I saw the film with went with little to expectations regarding the story.  We go what we asked for.  While the film focuses on the main two strippers, and Dallas (to some extent) the other men Joe Manganiello, Matthew Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, and Kevin Nash are left to play insignificant background players, who are only there as window dressing.

The big question on the table is does the story or substance matter?  Steven Soderbergh tried to make this film more than a joke, and while he made it a fun ride on the stripper pole I do not know what he wanted the audience to take away.  The main message of the film seemed to be do not let success get to your head, but there was no pay off to the message.  Even the ending seemed to prove leave things in a state of limbo.  The film tries to be more than just naked men stripping, and with some great editing that adds to the film there is an attempt to be more than just a quick shiny object to distract from the summer heat, but the film fizzled.

I expected more, I wanted to something from the film.  The movie did not have to be about the substance, but even the dancing left me feeling like one of the films purposes, sexual desire/fantasy or even arrousal for some never happened.  If the film was going to be about the sex make it about that, or if the film was going to try and weave in a strong story then try that, but the film tried to be too much and never found the footing it needed to be something more than an empty thong.

21 Jump Street is Stupidly Hilarious!

21 Jump Street (3 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy withe a Chance of Meatballs)

Written by Michael Bacall (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)

Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube

After a long week of writing about the Academy Awards and some pretty great films I decided I would write my review for this film which I saw last Thursday night.  I do not remember watching the television show which last for about 5 seasons and Johnny Depp, and Holly Robinson Peete.  I honestly think I was too young, and this was not a show my parents watched.

The premise of the film is similar to the premise of the show.  The film centers around two guys Jenko (Tatum) the high school jock and popular guy and Schmidt an Eminem wannabe loser in high school.  The two graduate and leave their high school labels behind as they eventually join the police academy.  While at the police academy they start to utilize each other's strengths and become best friends.  As they start their lives as cops they think things will be like television, but as they are riding bikes patrolling the park they soon realize this is not the case.  When they attempt to catch some drug dealers in the park things go wrong and they are assigned to work in an undercover squad, on you guessed it, 21 Jump Street.  The two are sent back to high school when they realize that high schoolers are different and they have to learn a whole new way of being.

The movie is pretty hilarious, and self aware of how stupid it actually is.  They make fun of the cliches that exist within television shows and films that center around the same type of shows and films.  My favorite running gag is when Hill and Tatum keep waiting for things to explode because they should, and the explosions fail.  Hill and Tatum have good chemistry, they complement each other well, and are both pretty funny.  This is not one of my favorite Hill comedic go arounds, but that is more based on the character.  While Tatum is not a good actor he has proved in this film and his latest job hosting Saturday Night Live that he does not take himself too seriously and is going to milk the work while he still has the body to do so.  

None of these things can hide the fact that the movie is not that great, but be prepared to just sit back and laugh at the stupid humor, and some great cameos by the original cast members from the television show.