An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure. Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home. Each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the deadly terror plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. The widening operation sends the SEALs across the globe as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they engage in an epic firefight with an outcome that has potentially unimaginable consequences for the future of America.
Set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War that tore the Balkan region apart in the 1990s, In the Land of Blood and Honey tells the story of Danijel (Goran Kosti) and Ajla (pronounced Ayla) (Zana Marjanovi), two Bosnians from different sides of a brutal ethnic conflict. Danijel, a Bosnian Serb police officer, and Ajla, a Bosnian Muslim artist, are together before the war, but their relationship is changed as violence engulfs the country. Months later, Danijel is serving under his father, General Nebojsa Vukojevich (Rade erbedija), as an officer in the Bosnian Serb Army. He and Ajla come face to face again when she is taken from the apartment she shares with her sister, Lejla (Vanesa Glodjo), and Lejla’s infant child by troops under Danijel’s command. As the conflict takes hold of their lives, their relationship changes, their motives and connection to one another become ambiguous and their allegiances grow uncertain. In the Land of Blood and Honey portrays the incredible emotional, moral and physical toll that the war takes on individuals as well as the consequences that stem from the lack of political will to intervene in a society stricken with conflict.
In 1980, a young scientist named Victor DeNoble was hired by a major tobacco company. Fourteen years later, he was testifying in front of Congress that, despite the sworn testimony of the industry’s chief executives, nicotine was addictive… and the research he did could prove it. Addiction Incorporated tells the true story of how one of the most important whistleblowers of our time dropped a bombshell on one of America’s most powerful industries- a bombshell that still reverberates today. If you think you know the story, if you think you know the science, and if you think you know Big Tobacco’s next steps, this incendiary documentary will prove you wrong on all counts.
For the young dancers at the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, lifelong dreams are at stake. With hundreds competing for a handful of elite scholarships and contracts, practice and discipline are paramount, and nothing short of perfection is expected. Bess Kargman’s award-winning documentary, First Position, follows six young dancers as they prepare for a chance to enter the world of professional ballet, struggling through bloodied feet, near exhaustion and debilitating injuries all while navigating the drama of adolescence. A showcase of awe-inspiring talent, tenacity and passion, First Position paints a thrilling and moving portrait of the most gifted young ballet stars of tomorrow.
Making the list as the most anticipated film in 2012 comes “The Dark Knight Rises”, the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.
Paramount Pictures unveiled a new company logo that commemorates the studio’s 100th Anniversary in show business. The new logo can be seen on the new Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol. The movie will open in IMAX and standard format screens on Friday, December 16th and in theaters everywhere on December 21st.
The studio’s first logo, a symbol of a rugged, snow-covered peak from the Wasatch mountain range, was created in 1916. The 100th Anniversary logo was created by Devastudios, Inc. Paramount will use the logo throughout its centennial year in 2012. Beginning in 2013, the wording about the 100th anniversary will be removed from the logo, with the rest of the design remaining in use.
Boys will be boys. And if provoked in the right way, parents will become children. Such is the tale of Carnage, the latest film by infamously exiled Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, adapted from the Olivier Award- and Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza. Oscar winner Jodi Foster and Oscar nominee John C. Reilly play the Longstreets, parents of a 15-year-old boy who is injured after fighting with a friend and classmate, the son of the Cowans, played by Oscar winners Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz. What starts as a civil meeting between conscientious parents turns into a war of words where no opponent comes out unscathed in this entertaining social satire.
As the film starts, we see the children on the playground from an objective distance. Although both the teens play the aggressor at one point or another, the Longstreet child is left injured, setting the balance of power for the adults. Later, at the home of the Longstreets, the two sets of parents collaborate on a written summary of the playground incident. The victim’s parents encourage a harsher characterization and the Cowans object. With mild dissent, an alternate depiction is inserted and the Cowans prepare to leave until, in a gesture of goodwill, they are invited back for a slice of pie. The forced cordial nature of their interaction is palpable and over the course of the next 80 minutes, minor every-day irritants creep into their conversation, causing each character’s facade to crumble.
MTV,today announced a weeklong celebration of year in music in which it will name the year’s best artists, songs and performances. For the first time, MTV is pulling together its music powerhouses from MTV News, MTV.com and MTV Music & Talent, to collaborate on three different year end lists: EDM (electronic dance artist of the year), song of the year and artist of the year.
Beginning Monday, December 12, from 8am to 9am ET, during MTV’s morning music hours, AMTV, editors from MTV News, MTV Music & Talent, and MTV.com will take part in a spirited debate, where they will reveal their collective choices for best EDM (electronic dance artist of the year) joined by MTV Iggy (Monday, December 12TH) song of the year (Wednesday, December 14th) and artist of the year (Thursday, December 15th).
55DSL has launched its new casual wear line FW’11, while simultaneously presenting its the true inspiration behind the designs Kids In Italia, an innovative short documentary series about Italy’s young, game-changing artists at work. Serving as both models for the new FW’11 campaign and initial subjects for the Kids In Italia series, are the female DJ duo Giulia From Above and Elisa Bee and popular Italian photographer Lele Saveri.
Giulia Centofante A.K.A. ‘Giulia From Above’ and Elisa Bee are Milan’s rising female DJ duo. In a music scene mostly dominated by males, the two have spun at some of the biggest festivals and parties throughout the world. Kids In Italia goes behind the scenes with the girls leading up to their headlining gig at the Magnolia Club for one of Milan’s most thrilling parties of the year. Keeping the DJ duo’s Magnolia Club set alive, Kids In Italia, in conjunction with 55DSL, have exclusively released a Giulia From Above and Elisa Bee DJ Mix for their Facebook fans to check out.
Jimmy Cliff will release his first studio effort in seven years tomorrow, November 29th. Entitled Sacred Fire EP, it was produced by Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Rancid, The Transplants). Featuring a combination of originals and covers, Sacred Fire EP will serve as a pre-cursor to a new full-length album in early 2012.
Cliff is the only living musician to receive Jamaica’s Order of Merit, the country’s highest honor for achievement in the arts and sciences. In a career that spans nearly fifty years, he has sold more than twenty million albums, with over twenty-five releases to his credit. He has collaborated with countless other legends including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer and Annie Lennox. Bob Dylan has called Cliff’s “Vietnam” the best protest song he ever heard, and a short list of artists who have covered Cliff’s compositions ranges from Willie Nelson and Cher, to New Order and Fiona Apple. In 2010, Cliff was one of six artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cliff will spend the rest of the year touring Europe and putting the final touches on his forthcoming full-length due out for release in April 2012.
Tune in tonight at 12:35/11:35C* to see the reggae legend sit in with The Roots and perform his classic song “The Harder They Come”
