Channing Tatum

DVD Review: Catch Up With Animated ‘G.I. Joe’ Before ‘Rise of the Cobra’

BrianTT — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:26:26 -0600

CHICAGO – “Yo Joe!” Before Paramount unleashes “G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra” in theaters on August 4th, 2009, viewers should catch up with the height of the phenomenon with Shout Factory’s “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Season 1.1,” now available on DVD.

DVD Rating: 3.0/5.0

G.I. Joe is the code name for America’s daring, highly-trained special missions force, a group of soldiers defending humanity against Cobra, the ruthless terrorist organization trying to destroy the world. Relive the generation-defining adventures of Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Flint, Lady Jaye, and the rest of the Joe team before you see Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the cinematic reboot of the franchise.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Season 1.1 was released on DVD on July 14th, 2009.
Photo credit: Shout Factory

In the film version, Tatum plays Duke, Marlon Wayans plays Ripcord, Dennis Quaid plays General Hawk, Ray Park plays Snake Eyes, Arnold Vosloo plays Zartan, Said Taghmaoui plays Breaker, Rachel Nichols plays Scarlett, Byung-hun Lee plays Storm Shadow, Gordon-Levitt plays Cobra Commander, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays Heavy Duty, and Christopher Eccleston plays Destro.

The four-disc set of “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” includes 22 episodes of the landmark animated series, running just over eight hours in length. The episodes included in the set aired from September of 1983 to October of 1985 and are largely broken up into multiple-episode arcs that aired originally as mini-series. For example, the first disc includes the five episodes that comprise “A Real American Hero: The M.A.S.S. Device”. The second disc is “The Revenge of Cobra,” and the third “The Pyramid of Darkness”. The fourth disc is untitled but includes seven more episodes.

The first three discs of “G.I. Joe” include the three-part feature “Looking Back With Writer Ron Friedman”. The final disc includes “Knowing is Half the Battle” PSAs, G.I. Joe’s Original 1963 Toy Fair Presentation, Printable “Jungle Trap” Script, and Archival Hasbro Toy Commercials.

Critically, there’s really not much to say about “G.I. Joe”. How can you look back at a formative TV show of your youth with a critical eye? Like a lot of people of my generation, I grew up with G.I. Joe and Shout Factory’s set is like a product pulled from a time capsule of my youth. The technical presentation is a bit so-so and the special features could have been more extensive, but I look forward to the day I introduce one of the shows of my youth to my own son and now I know I can do that with the Season 1.1 set. And knowing is half the battle.

‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero: Season 1.1’ was released by Shout Factory. The show was released on July 14th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Johnny Depp’s ‘Public Enemies’ Delivers Bona Fide Chicago Powerhouse

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:53:26 -0600

CHICAGO – Was John Dillinger an Adolf Hitler-level criminal mastermind or a modern-day Robin Hood superman? In the authentic reality portrayed by the god-like Johnny Depp in the Chicago-filmed “Public Enemies,” he’s a little bit of both for blockbuster filmmaker Michael Mann.

Unfortunately, Depp’s nemesis – special agent Melvin Purvis as played by “The Dark Knight” mainstay Christian Bale – falls flat. Bale rolls through the motions with a monotone and monotonous role that needed the tension of a World War conflict rather than a rubber band.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

The French actress Marion Cotillard, on the other hand, delivers yet another intoxicating performance as Billie Frechette this time in a supporting role. We’re reminded why she ever-so-definitely deserved her 2008 Oscar for so absolutely embodying Edith Piaf in 2007’s “La Vie en Rose”.

Leelee Sobieski is thrown in toward the end as the downplayed character Polly Hamilton in a relatively wasted and unnecessary cameo. In addition, Matt Craven – who you’ve almost certainly never heard of, has no relation to Wes Craven and looks strikingly like Sean Penn – is merely being mentioned in this review for the three aforementioned points of comedy.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Public Enemies” in our reviews section.

Giovanni Ribisi from “My Name is Earl,” “Friends” and the underrated film “Heaven” (that too many people haven’t seen but should rent tomorrow) methodically portrays Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. While John Dillinger was public enemy No. 1 for the FBI, Karpis was the final public enemy to be nailed.

Karpis’ capture catapulted FBI director J. Edgar Hoover – portrayed with spot-on calculation by Billy Crudup of “Watchmen” and “Almost Famous” fame – and the FBI to national eminence. In the “Public Enemies” period piece, J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI both have a tall task: proving to the American government and people that they should exist and are competent crime stoppers.

“Public Enemies” from director Michael Mann stars Johnny Depp, Christain Bale, Marion Cotillard, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, James Russo, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Graham, Bill Camp, Chandler Williams, Branka Katic, Jason Clarke, Christian Stolte and David Wenham. The film, which was released nationwide on July 1, 2009, is rated “R” for gangster violence and some language with a 140-minute running time.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Public Enemies” review.

Christian Bale stars as special agent Melvin Purvis – the nemesis of the legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger – in “Public Enemies” from filmmaker Michael Mann.
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Public Enemies” review.

Slideshow: 36-Image Gallery For ‘Public Enemies’ With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:38:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Just a day after the red-carpet Chicago premiere of the Chicago-filmed “Public Enemies,” Universal Pictures has released to us 36 high-resolution production stills from the highly anticipated film. “Public Enemies” stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Billy Crudup, Emilie de Ravin, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Dorff from director Michael Mann (“Miami Vice,” “Collateral,” “Ali,” “Heat” and “The Last of the Mohicans”).

You can either click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photo credits for this slideshow go to Peter Mountain and Universal Studios.

The “Public Enemies” synopsis can be found below (source):

In the action-thriller “Public Enemies,” acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard in the incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp).

Dillinger is the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the No. 1 target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.

His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone from his girlfriend, Billie Frechette (Cotillard), to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang (later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson [Stephen Graham]) thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate the FBI his bureau of investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first public enemy No. 1 and sent in Purvis (the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI”).

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) who were real gunfighters and orchestrating epic betrayals from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti were Purvis and the FBI able to close in on Dillinger.

See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Video: Watch the “Public Enemies” trailer now!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Writer Wants Channing Tatum For ‘The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse’

BrianTT — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:40:16 -0600

CHICAGO – Channing Tatum, the star of “Fighting” and “G.I. Joe,” may want to brush up on his vampire mythology because Melissa Rosenberg, the writer of “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” wants the muscular leading man to play Riley in the third film in the Stephenie Meyer franchise, “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.

According to E! News today, Rosenberg spoke to the network over the weekend at the Los Angeles Time Book Festival benefit for the Writers Guild Foundation and said, “There’s a very big battle at the end with Riley, and I think Channing would do that so well. And there are some complexities to the character. He really is tragic. He’s a puppet for Victoria [bad-girl vampire played by Rachelle Lefevre]. So he has to break your heart a little bit at the end when he realizes that she doesn’t want him. Channing could do that beautifully.”

Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) faces off with an opponent in the action film Fighting.
Image credit: Phillip V. Caruso and Rogue Pictures

Rosenberg went on to reveal details about “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon,” currently filming under the direction of Chris Weitz in Vancouver. She allays concerns that Robert Pattinson may not play a major role in the film as he doesn’t in the book.

She said, “In the book, he’s actually an enormous presence in [Bella’s] mind. He’s so present in her mind throughout the entire center of the book, so we really played off that, and it kept him alive in a slightly different way, but fans will feel it’s true to the book. You can’t have a Twilight without Rob Pattinson.”

David Slade (“30 Days of Night”) was recently hired to direct “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.

Chris Weitz is currently directing “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Sheen.

“Twilight,” which stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene and Taylor Lautner from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $178 million domestically. This has put the “New Moon” and “Eclipse” sequels into production immediately. The fourth book, “Breaking Dawn,” is sure to follow soon.

Read about Michael Sheen joining “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about the teaser poster for “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about Dakota Fanning in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about DVD release parties for “Twilight”.
Learn how to win a walk-on part in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about Bronson Pelletier in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read our story about the release date of “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.
Read about the new name and logo for “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about why Catherine Hardwicke left the “Twilight” franchise.
Read our story about AnnaLynne McCord auditioning for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Dakota Fanning talking about “New Moon”.
Read our story about the open casting call for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Lucy Hale auditioning for “New Moon”.
See our 2009 Summit release slideshow with “New Moon”.
See our high-quality, 28-image “Twilight” slideshow.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Preview For ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ Video Game

BrianTT — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:15:13 -0600

CHICAGO – The trailer for the video game based on one of this summer’s more-likely blockbusters, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” was released by Electronic Arts this week and we wanted to share. The movie that inspired the game will star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Saïd Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid.

The film is directed by Stephen Sommers. The story is by Michael B. Gordon and Stuart Beattie & Stephen Sommers. The screenplay is by Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett. Based on Hasbro’s G.I. Joe® Characters.

Synopsis:

Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that development is underway to bring Hasbro’s legendary G.I. JOE® brand to all major console and handheld gaming platforms in summer 2009 to coincide with the theatrical release of the G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA live-action movie from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, which opens in theaters August 7, 2009. EA will unveil a “first look” of the G.I. JOE® video game at Hasbro’s Showroom at Toy Fair on February 15-17, 2009 in New York City.

“As Hasbro and Paramount Pictures reignite the G.I. JOE® property this year with an all-new toy line and film, EA is excited to play a major role in bringing this icon of pop culture history to a new generation of enthusiasts through interactive gaming,” said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA Hasbro. “G.I. JOE® offers exceptionally rich storylines and a cast of characters that lends itself incredibly well to creating an over-the-top action adventure video game that will thrill gamers as well as G.I. JOE® fans.”

For fans of all ages, 2009 is gearing up to become another watershed milestone in the timeless franchise by introducing even more new ways to engage, immerse and play within the G.I. JOE® universe. The G.I. JOE® video game will feature an exclusive storyline that picks up where the live-action movie leaves off, allowing players to re-create and re-live the greatest moments from the film, cartoon series and action figure toy line. The game will feature 12 G.I. JOE® characters, each with unique abilities and weapons. Adding to the adrenaline rush will be an intense single-screen co-op mode allowing two players to easily unite as a team in a classic struggle between good and evil as they work together to defeat the powers of the COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE® video game is under development for Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Nintendo DS™, and mobile devices.

“G.I. JOE® has been an icon of action for 45 years,” said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. “EA has tapped the legacy of the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga to create an amazing interactive experience inspired by the movie, comic books, animated series and iconography that we hope will resonate with millions of fans.”

For more than four decades, G.I. JOE® has been one of the premiere brands in the history of boys’ toys. Originating the term “action figure” in 1964, Hasbro’s G.I. JOE® brand ushered in a new play pattern that forever changed the scope of the toy industry. The G.I. JOE® brand made another revolutionary introduction in 1984 with the release of the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA toy line, which introduced a generation of boys to the heroic G.I. JOE® forces, led by Duke, and their epic struggle to defeat the evil COBRA organization. The G.I. JOE vs. COBRA saga featured a diverse cast of characters – both good and evil – that became a part of pop culture through Hasbro’s toy line, an animated television series and best-selling comic book franchise.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 21-Image Gallery For ‘Fighting’ With Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard

BrianTT — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:46:05 -0600

CHICAGO – This 21-image slideshow contains the press images for Rogue Pictures’ “Fighting,” starring Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao, Brian White, and Luis Guzman. Written by Dito Montiel and Robert Munich and directed by Montiel, the film opens on Friday, April 24th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Synopsis: “WSmall-town boy Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) has come to New York City with nothing. Barely earning a living selling counterfeit goods on the streets, his luck changes when scam artist Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) sees that he has a natural talent for streetfighting. When Harvey offers Shawn help at making the real cash, the two form an uneasy partnership.

As Shawn’s manager, Harvey introduces him to the corrupt bare-knuckle circuit, where rich men bet on disposable pawns. Almost overnight, he becomes a star brawler, taking down professional boxers, mixed martial arts champs and ultimate fighters in a series of staggeringly intense bouts. But if Shawn ever hopes to escape the dark world in which he’s found himself, he must now face the toughest fight of his life.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Phillip V. Caruso and Rogue Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

fighting_01: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) tries to charm Zulay Velez (Zulay Henao) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_02: Zulay Henao as Shawn?s girlfriend, Zulay Velez, in the action film Fighting.
fighting_03: Channing Tatum as star brawler Shawn MacArthur in the action film Fighting.
fighting_04: Director Dito Montiel on the set of the action film Fighting.
fighting_05: Zulay Henao as the girlfriend of Shawn, Zulay Velez, in the action film Fighting.
fighting_06: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) and girlfriend Zulay Velez (Zulay Henao) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_07: Director Dito Montiel on the set of the action film Fighting.
fighting_08: Channing Tatum as star brawler Shawn MacArthur in the action film Fighting.
fighting_09: Terrence Howard as the manager of Shawn, Harvey Boarden, in the action film Fighting.
fighting_10: (L to R) Manager Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) gives hard advice to star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_11: Channing Tatum as star brawler Shawn MacArthur in the action film Fighting.
fighting_12: (L to R) Manager Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) argues with star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_13: (L to R) Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) slams opponent Kimo (Dante Nero) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_14: (L to R) Director Dito Montiel and Channing Tatum as star brawler Shawn MacArthur on the set of the action film Fighting.
fighting_15: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) faces off with an opponent in the action film Fighting.
fighting_16: Brian J. White as the nemesis of Shawn, Evan Hailey, in the action film Fighting.
fighting_17: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum, Right) tries to take down his nemesis Evan Hailey (Brian J. White) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_18: (L to R) Manager Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) tries to reason with star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_19: (L to R) Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) dodges a blow from Kimo (Dante Nero) in the action film Fighting.
fighting_20: Channing Tatum as star brawler Shawn MacArthur in the action film Fighting.
fighting_21: Star brawler Shawn MacArthur (Channing Tatum) and girlfriend Zulay Velez (Zulay Henao) in the action film Fighting.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: ‘Public Enemies’ Trailer With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

BrianTT — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:07:11 -0600

CHICAGO – One of our most highly anticipated films of 2009 has to be Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies” and we just had to share one of the best movie trailers in a long time. The film, a lot of which was shot in Chicago, stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, and Lili Taylor. The film opens on July 1st, 2009. Not soon enough.

Synopsis:

“In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) — the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang — later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi) — thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.”

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals — from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti — were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.”

See our 36-image “Public Enemies” slideshow with high-quality stills.
See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Watch more HollywoodChicago.com-hosted A&E videos.
Watch more movie videos on HollywoodChicago.com hosted elsewhere.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Paramount Pictures Releases Flood of New Production Stills For ‘Stop-Loss’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:45:29 -0700

CHICAGO – Paramount Pictures on Monday released a flood of new production stills for the war film “Stop-Loss,” which stars Ryan Phillippe. Directed by relatively new director Kimberly Peirce (“Boys Don’t Cry”), “Stop-Loss” opens on March 28, 2008. While we feature a few new production stills below, continue on to our huge “Stop-Loss” image gallery!

Here’s the film’s plotline:

Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. He tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver (Channing Tatum), who served with him in Iraq.

Along with their other war buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. Then, against Brandon’s will, the U.S. Army orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world. The conflict tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor.

Click here to view our entire new “Stop-Loss” image gallery!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com