Action Archives - Page 13 of 20 - StayTuned Magazine

VOD Spotlight: Jovovich makes “Resident Evil” franchise her own

January 27, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

The Resident Evil films may be based on a video game, but the franchise plays by its own rules and has become famous for unexpectedly killing off major characters without warning. Not so for Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, who now appears in Resident Evil: Afterlife. “Alice is the ultimate heroine,” producer Don Carmody says. “She‘s a combination of Wonder Woman and Indiana Jane and she‘s out there kicking ass and taking names.”

“Chuck”: From Nerd to Super Spy

January 24, 2011 Tom Comi

By Tom Comi Everybody has their guilty pleasures, and mine involves a super geek who is transformed into a super spy overnight. And it’s ironic that Chuck revolves around the protection of government secrets, because this show really Is the best-kept secret on TV. I realize viewers are reluctant to take on a new show several years in, but trust me that this isn’t like Lost or 24 where you can’t jump on the bandwagon mid-run. Here’s a CliffsNotes-like recap for those wanting to give it a try tonight (8 pm ET/PT on NBC).

VOD Spotlight: A long, unlikely journey to the screen for “Takers”

January 18, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

In the crime drama Takers, a gang of high-living bank robbers planning a multimillion-dollar heist find their plans complicated by a tough-guy cop closing in on their operation. Matt Dillon, Paul Walker and Idris Elba star. The story of Takers begins with Gabriel Casseus, an actor who had never written a screenplay before. After a night at Hollywood’s fabled Mann’s Chinese Theater, Casseus was struck by an inspiration. “The idea for the movie came to me complete from beginning to end,” he says. “But I didn’t know how to write a script. By chance, I had read a script written […]

VOD Spotlight: Angelina Jolie shakes up “Salt”

January 4, 2011 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Karl J. Paloucek Ah, the good old days of the Cold War. Back then, we knew who our enemies were. Or did we? And who ever said it was over? Director Phillip Noyce’s Salt plays a shell game with the notions of loyalty, truth and identity against a backdrop of international intrigue.

VOD Spotlight: “The Other Guys” a welcome foray into comedy for Wahlberg

December 28, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

In The Other Guys, Will Ferrell re-teams with director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) for an action-packed comedy about a pair of mismatched New York City detectives who seize an opportunity to grab the spotlight — just like the city’s top cops whom they idolize — when a seemingly dull case turns out to be a massive financial conspiracy. Mark Wahlberg and Eva Mendes also star in the hit film. Mark Wahlberg, the Oscar-nominated actor known for his tough-guy action roles, in a comedy opposite Will Ferrell? This is actually the fulfillment of a desire on both their parts.

VOD Spotlight: An Italian job for Clooney’s “American”

December 28, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Karl J. Paloucek One of the great things about being an A-list movie personality is having the ability to pick your projects. And one of the best things about George Clooney is that he does, with relish. The Ocean’s series; Good Night, and Good Luck; Burn After Reading — the variety says a lot for Clooney’s ability and curiosity. This month, one of his more austere roles comes to the small screen with The American, directed by Anton Corbijn (Control).

VOD Spotlight: DiCaprio’s leap of faith into “Inception”

December 7, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Before he creates a character, Leonardo DiCaprio likes to immerse himself in the facts. Who was this person, before the story started? What was his background? What are his loves, his hates, his fears? In movies set in a specific period, like Gangs of New York or Shutter Island, it means researching the era. If the character’s a real-life one — young Howard Hughes in The Aviator, the FBI chief in the upcoming Hoover — the hunt goes deeper. But when he got the script for Inception — a metaphysical mystery set in parallel dreamscapes debuting Dec. 7 on On […]

Catch the bloody good trailer for “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena”

November 19, 2010 StayTuned Staff

Starz has more extreme gladiator action in store to kick off the new year. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a prequel to the smash hit Spartacus: Blood and Sand, filling in the back stories of popular characters like Batiatus and Lucretia (John Hannah, Lucy Lawless), an ambitious couple who run a house of gladiators in ancient Rome. It also introduces a new character, Gannicus, played by Aussie Dustin Clare. The six-episode saga premieres Jan. 21.

VOD Spotlight: The 7 evil exes of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”

November 9, 2010 Jeff Pfeiffer

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a deft blend of action, comedy and music based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley. Michael Cera plays the title character, a slacker musician in an indie rock band who starts dating the girl of his dreams (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), but must defeat her seven evil exes if he wants to win her heart. Scott’s journey to winning the heart of Ramona involves achieving enough self-awareness, self respect and maturity along the way that he doesn’t become just another evil ex himself. As he fights his way through the “League of Evil […]

VOD Spotlight: A new “Karate Kid” learns from the best

November 4, 2010 StayTuned Staff

By Elaine Bergstrom Ralph Macchio was in his 20s when he played a bullied teen in The Karate Kid. Jaden Smith — best known for his role alongside father Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness —was just 11 when he took on the role in the remake, which makes the bullying his character endures far more painful to watch. But Smith had a pair of allies on his side who aided his transformation in the film: Wu Gang, the stunt coordinator of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, and Chan himself, who plays the role made famous by Pat Morita.