Entries Tagged as 'Movies'

MGM HD ’80s movie marathon promotes “Hot Tub Time Machine”

ski

1989's Ski Patrol

LOS ANGELES, CA - March 3, 2010 - To celebrate the upcoming MGM release of Hot Tub Time Machine (in theaters March 26), the studio’s high-definition (HD) channel MGM HD will transport its viewers back to the ’80s with a special “HD Time Machine” marathon. Beginning Friday, March 19, movie fans can take in a three-night primetime lineup of movies that truly define the fun and fads of the decade.

The lineup’s centerpiece is the world HD premiere of Class, the 1983 hit that marked the on-screen debut of Hot Tub Time Machine star John Cusack. Shown in crystal-clear HD and the original 16:9 aspect ratio, Class features Cusack alongside ’80s “Brat Pack” icons Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthy in a hilarious story about friendship between two roommates at an upper-class prep school. [Read more →]

TCA: ABC Family announces 2 movie premieres

Burbank, CA (Jan. 12, 2010) — ABC Family’s two upcoming original movies will have spring premiere dates. The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice, starring Francia Raisa (”The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) and Brendan Fehr, will premiere on Sunday, March 14 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT). Business of Falling in Love, starring Hilary Duff, with Matt Dallas, Michael McMillan and Chris Carmack, will premiere on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-10:00PM ET/PT).

In The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice, Francia Raisa reprises her role as Alexandra “Alex” Delgado in film franchise, whose figure skating career came to an abrupt halt after her partner (on and off the ice) became injured. As their love affair cooled, a heart-broken Alex stopped competing and turned to teaching. Enter James Van Behr (Fehr), the smoldering bad boy of speed skating, who has had fiery Alex in his sights as a skating partner ever since he was banned from speed skating. There aren’t many girls who say no to James — Alex may well be the first. However, James pushes her buttons, challenging her like no one else - and her fighting spirit returns. She agrees to be his partner and they begin a grueling practice regimen fueled (and occasionally derailed) by their own tempestuous relationship which heats up as they get closer to competition. But will their passion destroy Alex’s chance to bring home the gold again?

The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice marks the fourth installment of the successful franchise produced by MGM Television. The movie is directed by Stephen Herek and is written by Holly Brix. It is executive-produced by the MGM team of Craig Roessler, Sara Berrisford and Hudson Hickman. [Read more →]

Movies in the forecast for The Weather Channel

storm

"The Perfect Storm"

For the first time in its 27-year history, The Weather Channel will be adding feature films to its programming schedule with a movie series called “The Weather Channel Presents …” Each film shown will have weather as a central part of its story, plot or overall theme. Meteorologist Jen Carfagno hosts the series, introducing each film and providing relevant commentary.

According to Geoffrey Darby, executive vice president of programming, “From the Nor’easter in The Perfect Storm to the tornado that takes Dorothy to Oz, weather has a long history as a film star. Adding films to our Friday night lineup is a great way for us to further demonstrate how weather is an all-encompassing part of our lives that entertains and inspires us.”

During the films, viewers will continue to receive their localized weather forecasts. They can be seen on the lower portion of the screen in addition to any severe weather alerts or warnings.

“The Weather Channel Presents …” film series airs Fridays at 8pm ET, beginning Oct. 30 with The Perfect Storm, a showing that coincides with the 18th anniversary of the actual “perfect storm” that struck New England in 1991, on which the film is based.

Also coming:

March of the Penguins, Nov. 6 (subfreezing Antarctic temps and snowstorms)

Misery, Nov. 13 (snowstorm)

Deep Blue Sea, Nov. 20 (tropical storm)

Zach Braff: Zach Braff is not dead


A rampant Internet rumor on Monday reported that Scrubs star Zach Braff had died after purposely OD’ing on pills. The star himself turned up to quash the rumor, taking time from shooting the new title sequence for Scrubs (“which is a little bit like dying,” he said) to prove he is alive and well. He turns the camera over to pal and costar Donald Faison for his rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which Braff says Faison has agreed to sing at his actual funeral. Someday.

The originator of the rumor says it was all a big misunderstanding.

What to watch this Halloween season

Whether you’re looking for hardcore horror, family-friendly frights, or something in between, here’s a selection of some of the shows and movies to get you in a macabre mood this Halloween season. For more detail on the scary movies listed here, and to search for others throughout the month, visit our online movie database.treehouse-of-horror

GoosebumpsCartoon Network, weekdays at 4:30pm ET through Oct. 29. Episodes from all three seasons of the show that adapted R.L. Stine’s spooky book series for television.

The Othersiders Cartoon Network, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30pm ET; entire week of episodes Oct. 26-30, culminating in special episode Oct. 30 at 9pm ET. Twelve new episodes of this series, in which five young friends investigate haunted locations, air this month. In a one-hour presentation on Oct. 30, the gang visits the abandoned prison Alcatraz to check out reports of ghostly activity. [Read more →]

Five Fabulous Flicks plus one


Catch these films Oct.9-15. All times ET.

Friday, Oct. 9
The Professional
(1994)
Before she became Amidala to the masses, 12-year-old Natalie Portman charmed audiences far and wide with her portrayal of an innocent young girl whose only hope for survival against a corrupt cop (Gary Oldman) who killed her whole family is the hired assassin (Jean Reno) who lives next door. A tender and, at times, funny tearjerker, this is still a shining moment for its entire cast. Oxygen, 8pm [Read more →]

Five Fabulous Flicks to watch Oct. 2-8

enemy-mine_web1All times are ET.

Oct. 2
Enemy Mine
(1985)
The world just seems to be getting more contentious, so this film about a human soldier (Dennis Quaid) marooned on a hostile planet who encounters an enemy survivor (an unrecognizable Lou Gossett Jr. seen in the photo here) is a special treat for believers in tolerance. As human and alien struggle to survive, they forge a bond that proves that even warring species can live together. Encore Drama, 10pm

[Read more →]

Saturday nights “dangerous” again on Syfy this fall

children

The kids aren't all right in Syfy's "Children of the Corn"

By Jeff Pfeiffer

A few months back, we warned informed you that SCI FI Channel’s changeover to Syfy would not impact the “quality” of the network’s original movie franchise. That is to say, you could expect more of the same formula that has made the channel’s Saturday night lineup into what it calls “the most dangerous night of television.” That held true with a few summer films that debuted under the new Syfy branding, and it continues with this fall’s original movie lineup — except perhaps for tonight’s premiere, Children of the Corn.

I can’t speak to the film’s execution, not having seen it, but it is a little different for Syfy at least in regards to the source material. Often these films are based on public domain stories whose authors are either unknown, or are long dead and have no relatives left to sue over wild changes in the plotline. But Children of the Corn is a Stephen King story, so one would imagine the rights weren’t all that cheap. And who knows — maybe it will hold a little truer to the source than usual, and be all the better for it. It certainly cannot be worse than the many failed theatrical and straight-to-DVD attempts at telling this story that have been made. [Read more →]

Five fabulous flicks (plus two) to watch Sept. 25-Oct. 1

remember-the-titans-3Whether you’re looking for something light, something dark, for laughs or depth, this week’s films have something to offer you.

Friday, Sept. 25
Remember the Titans (2000)
An inspiring film about overcoming prejudice and tragedy, Remember the Titans is based on the true story of a newly appointed black football coach who struggles to integrate a high-school varsity team in Civil-Rights-era Virginia. Denzel Washington heads up a terrific ensemble cast that includes Will Patton, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison, and Hayden Panettiere. TNT, 9pm ET

Saturday, Sept. 26
Finding Nemo (2003)
One of the definite high points in the Disney/Pixar canon, Finding Nemo follows the adventure of a fish called Marlin as he goes in search of his son who wandered out to sea and, after being caught, ends up in a dentist’s aquarium in Sydney, Australia. At the same time, Nemo and his newfound friends attempt their own escape. This is one that really is fun for the whole family. Disney Channel HD, 7pm ET [Read more →]

Sterling Knight headlines new Disney Channel movie

sterling

Sterling Knight

Production has begun on a new music-filled Disney Channel original movie called Starstruck, which features Sterling Knight, who has become a star in his own right thanks to his role in Disney’s popular series Sonny With a Chance. Scheduled to premiere on the network in 2010, the film is currently filming in and around Los Angeles at locations such as Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Venice Boardwalk. The film introduces actress Danielle Campbell.

The story follows Jessica Olson (Campbell), a down-to-earth Midwestern girl who literally collides with teen heartthrob and pop star Christopher Wilder (Knight). They end up embarking on a lovestruck adventure through Southern California, but their bond is tested when she returns home and he publicly denies their relationship.

Costarring in the film are Brandon Mychal Smith (also from Sonny With a Chance) as Stubby, Christopher’s best friend; Maggie Castle as Sara, Jessica’s older, starstruck sister; and Dan O’Connor (Malcolm in the Middle) and Beth Littleford as Dean and Barbara, Jessica and Sara’s parents.

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Credit: Bob D’Amico/Disney Channel