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DVD Review: ‘Flu’ Is A First Rate Korean Thriller For The ‘Contagion’ Set

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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The DVD cover art for Flu, a Korean disaster/thriller released last week via CJ Entertainment, gives a rather ominous view of the narrative’s proceedings. Although a gas masked individual holding hands with a little girl as they walk through apocalyptic streets does tell a part of the story, filmmaker Sung-su Kim (The Warrior) effectively balances his ambitious visual design with a more personal view of several individuals who are trying to survive the outbreak.

Kang ji-koo (Hyuk Jang) is a well intentioned rescue worker who, after helping out a seemingly unthankful Dr. Kim (Soo Ae), falls in love with her charmingly distant attitude. Kang’s chances at romancing Dr. Kim, who’s attempting to find the cure for an avian flu that hits the Seoul suburb of Bundang, seem absolutely impossible. That is, until Kim’s absolutely adorable daughter Mirre (Park Min-ha) enters the picture and becomes the de facto soul and spirit of the storyline.

Placing a cute child in peril obviously pulls on the heart strings of many a viewer, and although Sung-su Kim knows how to mount a disaster flick, it’s Mirre’s own perseverance, as well as the growth Kim and Kang’s bond, which gives Flu a refreshing, humanistic tone.

Of course, this isn’t a family drama, and you’re looking for a bit of mass hysteria and a bit of bloodletting, this movie also delivers in spades.

The DVD’s special features includes 9 minutes worth of deleted scenes and two featurettes on the making of the film. One of the featurettes specifically deals with Kim’s work with the actors, so you’ll essentially watch a bunch of b-roll footage and cast interviews, which is perfectly fine if you loved the movie.

The second featurette is a must watch, especially if you want to check out how the director worked with the visual effects artists in crafting the movie’s action sequences. Storyboards are also juxtaposed with how the scenes actually came to fruition, so if you’re into how the CGI complimented Kim’s vision, this segment is a total keeper.

I really enjoyed Flu’suse of humor and family drama, as it infused this disaster flick with an extra level of brevity and a slight touch of gravitas.

If you want to win a free DVD of Flu, check out my post on Hollywood Outbreak and click here to enter.

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‘Divergent’ Actor Tony Goldwyn Strives for Diverse Career

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Getting a job in show business is an arduous task, and actually staying involved in the industry takes a ton of hard work and dedication. Tony Goldwyn’s breakout performance in Ghost may have been an initial boon to his career, but after playing villain after villain would have made for a one-dimensional resume. Although most people these days know Goldwyn for his work on the runaway hit ABC series Scandal, the actor is also a successful TV and film director (he helmed the acclaimed 2010 drama Conviction).

“I think we all can relate to the idea of being pigeonholed as one thing,” said Goldwyn, who can currently be seen in the new film Divergent. “We struggle in life to be seen, to be known, and to connect with other people. We’re all multi-faceted, so the notion of being one thing – we just naturally chafe against. Certainly in our industry, I’ve experienced having commercial success in one kind of a character and for years that’s what you do and you spend a lot of energy trying to branch out or break away. The most satisfaction (I’ve had) in my career, and the reason why I’m still around, is because I’ve constantly mixed that up.”

Click on the media bar below to hear Tony Goldwyn talk about breaking the chains of being pigeonholed. Co-star Ansel Elgort, who will also be seen later this year in The Fault in our Stars, also chimes in why he loved taking part in Divergent:

Starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet, Divergent is now playing nationwide.

‘Divergent’ Author Veronica Roth on the Importance of Sixteen

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Divergent (Summit Entertainment)

Even though Veronica Roth has achieved success as a writer at an early stage, she understands that having a controlling hold over one’s work, especially with a novel as prodigious as Divergent, is really not in the cards. So instead of getting neurotic and overly possessive of one’s material, why not shepherd the process through the right channels?

“From the second the book hits the shelves, it stops belonging to the person who wrote it and it starts belonging to the people who read it,” said Roth, who’s very happy with the film’s outcome. “So I was pretty well practiced in letting it go a little bit which I think is a good thing. There’s no way that they can be exact replicas of each other. They’re different mediums and they should communicate in different ways. My anxieties were very much assuaged by the people I chose to hand it over to.”

The narrative, set in a dystopian Chicago, centers on 16-year-old Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) who, along with her fellow teenagers, must choose which faction she will belong to for the rest of her life. To keep the peace in society, individuals must place their own factions (they are broken down into Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite) above their families. When one tests for being a “divergent,” meaning a person who can easily blend into all of these categories, they are immediately deemed a threat to the current, law-abiding environment.

In the clip below, Veronica Roth talked about why she chose sixteen as the required age to choose one’s faction in Divergent:

Even if the film is a huge success, don’t expect Roth to turn into a screenwriter anytime soon. “Writing is what I love to do,” she adds. “I don’t make movies. It’s been wonderful to be a part of this, but at my core I”m just somebody who wants to write novels.”

Starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James, Divergent is now playing nationwide.

‘American Idol’ Recap – MK Nobilette “Proud” of Top Ten Finish

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Although MK Nobilette may have been eliminated last night from American Idol, she thankfully has a big picture view on her experience with the program. It’s a positive and determined attitude that should aid in her fledgling career as a music artist.

“I think one of the points of American Idol for me is that you do the show to make fans and to represent you and your music,” said Nobilette, who performed Pink’s ‘Perfect’ during this week’s competition. “I think (with) some people it’s to win American Idol. For me, I’m a musician and I want to make music and that’s what this whole thing was about. Now I have a fan base and I hope they stick with me, because I’m going to stick with them.”

Click on the media bar below to hear Nobilette talk about the greatest piece of advice she’s received during her American Idol run.

As for getting eliminated, Nobilette is taking everything in stride. “Top ten was my goal,” added the singer. “I’m proud of myself. I’m happy. I think I should be upset, but I’m not at all. This is already a huge deal. What’s the point in being upset about something amazing, you know?”

I truly love her rendition of John Legend’s “All of Me.” If you haven’t checked it out, here goes:

http://youtu.be/hoQSJaC8R78

‘Chicago Fire’ Star Jesse Spencer Is “Thankful” For Acting Career

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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It was great news today for three NBC dramas, as Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Grimm were all renewed through the 2014-15 season. Buoyed by a stellar cast which includes Eamonn Walker, Monica Raymund, Lauren German, Taylor Kinney, and Jesse Spencer, Chicago Fire heads into its third year next season.

Spencer had previous success before on television thanks to his long run in House, and even with all that steady work, he understands that nothing in show business should ever be taken for granted.

During a Television Critics Association interview with Spencer last year, he talked about his career. “As an actor, (it) can always be over tomorrow,” said Spencer, who plays Lt. Casey on the show. “It can happen to anybody. However, I believe that I can have a long running and successful career. I like what I do. I’ve really enjoyed my work, and I’d love to have more and more challenges as life goes on, and I’m thankful for what I have.”

Click on the audio below to hear Jesse Spencer talk about why he doesn’t take his job for granted:

This week’s episode, “When Things Got Rough” continued to set the table for the Rebecca Jones (Daisy Jones) arc, as she finally discovers that her firefighting days may be over thanks to her dad. Do you think Rebecca will weather the storm and stay with Chicago Firehouse 51, or is it the end for Ms. Jones? Feel free to comment below!

Chicago Fire airs Tuesday nights (NBC, 10 pm et/pt).

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IOS Review: ‘Hip Hop Trivia Starring Murs’ Is Worth A Spin

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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Growing up in the 1980s, I fashioned myself a hip-hop head, but the recent iOS release Hip Hop Trivia put me in my place. The game is hosted by revered indie hip hop artist Murs, who essentially serves as the de facto Pat Sajak in these proceedings.

Although you won’t be buying vowels with Hip Hop Trivia, place a finger on your screen to spin the wheel. Categories featured on the wheel include East, West, Midwest, South, Mainstream, Old School, New School and Underground. Obviously the Mainstream questions are the easiest ones to answer, and although I did embarrass myself with a slew of wrong answers (especially with the Underground section), I currently have over $113,000 in my hip hop bank account.

The goal is to reach $24,000 within eight rounds, and the faster you answer a question, the more money you’ll receive. For example, I was quick to the trigger with this Grey Album question, and I took home $2,000 for my troubles.

Multiplayer mode is also offered, as gamers will take turns using the same device to figure out who’s the true hip hop expert. It’s a great feature to have for players who both love this genre, and with the plethora of categories available on the wheel, there are enough variety of questions to keep things interesting.

Since my personal bank roll is a bit light these days, I love landing on the Big Money slot. Once the wheel stops at this section, you will spin another wheel to get immediate cash, and it’s a definite aid in reaching your 24K goal by the eighth round.

For just $0.99, hip hop fans will be able to test their knowledge of the art form, and as a simple Q&A game interspersed with commentary from Murs, it’s not such a bad deal. Towards the end of your round Murs tells fans to check back for further Hip Hop Trivia updates. Hopefully this rapper is true to his word, as more questions, and some added bonuses (maybe the chance to unlock a Murs song?) could seriously increase the app’s creative value.

HipHopTrivia4Until then, Hip Hop Trivia is still a fun enough title to download, especially since once in a while, you’ll hit the jackpot. Even if it’s just a fiscal fantasy with my iPad, a wheel bonus cash reward isn’t something to complain about.

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Hip Hop Trivia: Version 1.01, Size: 242 MB, Rated 12+, Digital Dreams Entertainment LLC. $0.99 Compatible with iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch

As for Murs, he recently talked about his track “Everything” (from the 2008 album Murs for President), which he performed at South by Southwest:

 

 

 

‘Money Talks’ Star Steve Stevens Is A “Master Closer”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

March Madness is here, and this college basketball tourney translates into frenzied spending time for gamblers. For tips on how to spend your hard earned cash, CNBC may have the answer (that is, if you’re a betting man). The reality series Money Talks has sports handicapper  Steve Stevens (aka Darin Notaro) ruling the roost with his Las Vegas based consulting agency VIP Sports. The goal for Stevens is to offer sage advice to his high powered clients so both sides prosper in the process.

Although the house always win rule should almost always apply, Stevens sees a certain science with betting. “Before I go into the day, there’s a set amount of games that I’ll play,” said Stevens, who was born and raised in Sin City. “I’ll either play one, or on the weekend I’ll play three. I’ll never play two. I’ll never play four because there’s a certain statistic of how you can hit playing three games and how you hit playing one game. You have better odds at playing three than you do at two. You have a better chance of winning at one than you do at two. It’s a formula to strategize the numbers. It’s a strategic and multi-billion dollar business and numbers are a very big part of it.”

During a recent interview with Stevens, I asked him why he considers himself a “master closer.” click on the video for Stevens’ answer:

Matthew Morrison On Glee’s 100th Episode: “It’s Been Quite A Ride”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

The 100th episode of Glee airs Tuesday night, and for Matthew Morrison, his first scene on the show was opposite late actor Cory Monteith (when Will Schuester accused Finn Hudson of having weed in his locker).

With an impressive milestone achieved, Morrison can now appreciate 100 episodes worth of hard work. “Five and a half years later, here we are,” said Morrison. “It’s been quite a ride. We’ve had extreme highs and terrible losses as well, but it’s been a ride. We are such a family, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Glee (FOX, CR: Adam Rose)

Emmy winning actress Jane Lynch has experienced a huge character arc as Sue Sylvester, a woman who’s known for her manipulative tendencies. Due to various tragedies and personal defeats over the seasons, Sylvester has show a welcome vulnerability that has endeared her to the New Direction crew as well as Mr. Schuester.

“One of the things about Sue is that she’s in the process of mellowing and realizing that she doesn’t have to wage a battle to get what she wants,” said Jane Lynch. “Now that she’s the principal, she’s actually genuinely concerned with the welfare of the school.”

Click on the media bar and listen to Jane Lynch give her take on Glee’s continued popularity:

Airing Tuesday night on FOX (8 pm et/pt), Glee’s 100th episode will also feature Chace Crawford as Quinn’s (Dianna Agron) new boyfriend.

http://youtu.be/Pvy9MtfLFkw

Gillian Anderson Describes ‘Crisis’ As An “Unbelievable Page Turner”

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Premiering tonight on NBC (10 pm et/pt), Crisis centers on a group of kidnapped Washington, D.C. students who are the victims of a conspiracy plot that’s aimed at the president of the United States and a high powered executive named Meg Fitch (Gillian Anderson). Dermot Mulroney is Francis Gibson, a “slightly disgruntled CIA analyst” who is one of the adult chaperones that accompanied the teenagers, and Lance Gross is a wet behind the ears Secret Service agent tasked with protecting the President’s son.

“One of the great things about these characters is they all have a personal connection to the story, even as the story gets more wilder and extravagant,” said Mulroney, whose TV work includes a recurring role on New Girl and the HBO series Enlightened. “That’s the dramatic pull of the story, so as actors we would always bring our imagination and parts of our personal life to the character.”

The show was created by writer/director Rand Ravich, whose skills at crafting complex characters is evident in his previous TV series Life, a show which featured inspired work from Damian Lewis (Homeland) as a wrongly imprisoned cop whose surprisingly positive outlook masks his true intentions.

In the video below, Gillian Anderson, who describes tonight’s pilot as a total page turner, talked about what drew her into the world of Crisis:

 

Theo James Channels Paul Newman Swagger With ‘Divergent’

By
Greg Srisavasdi
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0

Theo James, along with the rest of the Divergent crew, has been doing their share of press these days, and the British actor received his share of YouTube notoriety (and we mean that in a good way) earlier this week by swallowing a raw egg on the Late Show with David Letterman. Since Sylvester Stallone and Letterman each downed two eggs earlier in the evening, the affable James was more than ready to follow suit.

It’s these type of appearances, but most importantly his much talked about role as Four in Divergent, which should see a huge uptick in James’ promising career. Displaying an easy charm that’s matched with a rugged sensibility, the actor is definite leading man material.

During a recent press conference held in Los Angeles, the actor, whose previous film credits include You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger and Underworld: Awakening, talked about making smart choices with his future roles now that Divergent is on his resume. 

“I don’t think I’ve experienced it too much to be honest at the moment,” said James, who also headlined the CBS series Golden Boy. “The press tour we just did was interesting because suddenly we saw some of the fandom, but I don’t think perceptions of me has changed massively.”

“I think it will be important for me as I go on, because there are potentially three films, to make choices that are, as much as I love the character, to make smart choices that are different from him and the world that he everyone else in the film inhabits.”

In the following audio clip, Theo James talks about what makes Four a unique, masculine protagonist (he mentions Paul Newman in his response).

Divergent, co-starring Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now), opens March 21.

If you haven’t seen the egg swallow sequence on Letterman, check out the video below:

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