Film & TV
Trailer of the Week: "Promised Land"
Last week saw the premiere of a trailer for perhaps the most culturally relevant film of the year—about an environmental battle for the soul of the small–town American Farm, directed by Gus Van Sant, and titled “Promised Land.” It’s about a kingpin natural gas salesman (Matt Damon) and his assistant (Frances McDormand) who arrive in a farm town to modernize it, only to be met by hesitant residents and an angry farmer determined to fight against his destructive efforts (John Krasinski). What We Love: The film’s construction crew is tremendous and up to the task — not only is the human–interest-oriented Van Sant at the helm, but the screenplay is by Damon and Krasinski, with a story by Dave Eggers. The cast is great, also featuring Hal Holbrook, whose elderly, gravelly drawl is the best of the voiceovers. The scenery — panoramas of rolling pastures, horses trotting in wooden corrals and a Main Street with awning-ed buildings, miniature models of which would compliment any model train set — is gorgeous. And the plot is thoughtful, topical and passionate. What We Don’t: Even though there hasn’t been a film that deals so directly with the American conflict between industry and homesteads, the trailer looks fairly cliché. Everyone’s an archetype: Damon is a good–hearted hero with a questionably moral vocation, and Krasinski is a funny, likable antagonist.
Review: A Wrinkle in Crime
JGL thrills as a younger Bruce Willis in “Looper”
...Is That It?
You might think that the whole point of making a high concept, animated movie would be to explore all of the plot’s driving forces.
Review: "Pitch Perfect" Hits a High Note
“Glee: The Movie" is probably what you'd expect of “Pitch Perfect,” the new college comedy from director Jason Moore and “30 Rock” writer Kay Cannon.
Street Skypes with the Stars!
Street interviewed Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, and the rest of the cast of “Pitch Perfect” to hear a little more about their time in the world of college a cappella.
Trailer of the Week: Lincoln
Last week, a trailer came out for a new Spielberg film that focuses on President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Trailer of the Week: On the Road
The first trailer for the movie adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s timeless novel premiered this summer, and it’s chock–full of cars, sex, drugs and Kristen Stewart.
The Perks of Being Directed by the Author
Stephen Chbosky’s cinematic adaptation will please fans of his novel and coming–of–age dramedy suckers alike.
Right on the (Bent) Button
Penn’s only film production club shows prowess of aspiring filmmakers
Moviemaker Profile: Rayne Harris
Junior Health and Societies major Rayne Harris spent a month on a movie set this summer in Seattle, working as a producer’s assistant.
Recap: Summer Box Office 2012
Despite high expectations and a few blockbusters, Hollywood underperformed this summer.
Bachelorette is Girls Behaving Badly
Let’s get this out of the way right now: "Bachelorette," the new indie rom–com from writer–director Leslye Headland, adapted from her play of the same name, is not "Bridesmaids." Yes, the two do share a similar “B” title, and both center on the upcoming nuptials of the protagonist’s BFF.
The Final Frontier
Digital premieres of films like "Bachelorette" go viral before ever hitting theaters.
Moviemaker Profile: Kevin Hudson
Kevin Hudson, a junior English major and literary chair of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, spent five weeks in Sweden and France this summer making a film.
Video-On-Demand Hidden Gems
These are some of the best movies that can be found in the “independent” section; none have received a wide theatrical release.
Trailer of the Week: Cloud Atlas
Following the first mind–blowing trailer released online in July, a two and a half minute theatrical trailer for The Wachowskis’ ("The Matrix" series) upcoming epic drama "Cloud Atlas" has hit the web.
Review: the Amazing Spider-Man
This Spidey stops just short of soaring
Review: Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's newest is not quite a masterpiece, but it's too good to fail
