The world being terrorized by blood-crazed maniacs and entire populations running around in blind terror is nothing new, and has been seen on screen countless times before. But what director Marc Forster attempts in this apocalyptic psychological horror is something different.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the World War Z premiere. Photo Credit: Dave Allocca

A film that taps into our primal fears, Brad Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator and seemingly happy stay-at-home dad whose family day out is brutally interrupted when the city erupts into chaos as a full-scale zombie pandemonium ensues.

L-R: Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, Abigail Hargrove as Rachel Lane, and Mireille Enos as Karin Lane. Photo credit: Jaap Buitendijk

Something is causing hordes of people to viciously attack each other. A lethal virus spread through a single bite is turning healthy humans into zombies within 12 seconds of being bitten by an infected host.

Director/Executive Producer Marc Forster on the set 

Gerry, his wife Karen (Mireille Enos) and daughters Rachel and Constance (Abigail Hargrove and Sterling Jerins) are immediately evacuated to a UN aircraft carrier, but their stay on the ship is dependent on Gerry assisting with the investigation into the cause of the plague.

Mireille Enos at the World War Z premiere in New York – Photo by Dave Allocca

With no choice but to comply, he accepts the task that takes him from Korea, Israel to the UK in search of the source of the epidemic. It’s then the action really begins as Gerry witnesses a global pandemic as the infected overwhelm the world’s armies and rapidly topple its governments.

The Times Square at the New York premiere of WORLD WAR Z – Photo by Dave Allocca

A riveting high tension thriller about zombies and the apocalypse, “World War Z” certainly delivers.

Loosely based on the post-apocalyptic horror novel by Max Brooks called “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War,” it is much more thoughtful than your ordinary run-of-the-mill zombie movie.

Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane battles zombies in World War Z. Photo credit: Jaap Buitendijk

Visually dazzling, the zombies swarm like roaches, and hurl their bodies around, jump from corners, buildings and walls all head-first. When they are not provoked, they are stagnant, slow and wandering, but once the feeding frenzy starts, it’s almost like a shark that smells blood and they swarm around their victims like roaches drawn by sound.

Brad and Angelina

With zombie attacks on planes, helicopters, buildings, streets, offices and compounds, the scale of devastation is impressive and the stunts are carefully choreographed and enjoyable to watch.

The infected scale the Israeli walls in World War Z. Photo credit: MPC-London

An involving and genuinely scary epic, there is a lot of attention to detail, heart-pounding action, sweeping shots and shaky frame which all keep the adrenaline going.

An entertaining global apocalypse “World War Z” is gruesome, gritty and great and is certainly worth the hype.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.

categorized under: Hollywood by samantha
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Hundreds of attendees at the Electronic Entertainment Expo gaming convention were treated to a surprise pop-up concert with appearances from the cast of the movie ‘Turbo.’

Snoop Dogg

“Turbo” is a 3D comedy about an underdog snail whose dreams kick into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed.

Michelle Rodriguez

The concert, which was a surprise, featured an original song from the movie’s soundtrack called “Let The Bass Go” from multi-platinum recording artist, actor and entertainment icon, Snoop Dogg/Lion, who also voices the character of Smoove Move in the film.

Michael Pena

Cast members Michelle Rodriguez and Michael Pena introduced Snoop Dogg to stage at Nokia Plaza in L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Snoop Dogg

“Turbo” opens in theaters July 17, and also features the voices of Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Luis Guzmán, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph and Samuel L. Jackson.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.

(Photos by Royalty Image)

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That’s the question Seth Rogen and his directing partner Evan Goldberg answer in their latest comedy “This Is The End.” An alcohol-fueled, potty-mouthed movie which is sure to offend a few, it follows six friends – who just happen to be James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, and Craig Robinson — all playing themselves, who are trapped in Franco’s house as the Apocalypse occurs.

L-r, Jonah Hill, Rihanna and Christopher Mintz-Plasse star in Columbia Pictures’ “This Is The End” (Photo by Suzanne Hanover)

“Everybody knows that we’re friends and we’re always in movies together,” quips Rogen, “and people think they know everything about you based on the characters you play, so we thought it would be funny to play into that and have these characters behave in the way that everybody thinks is what we’re like off-screen.”

The movie begins with a party at James Franco’s house. Rihanna’s there as is Kevin Hart, Michael Cera, and many others, when suddenly, the earth opens up, the Hollywood sign erupts in flames, good folks are beamed up to Heaven and judgment day is declared on earth.

L-r, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill  (Photo by Suzanne Hanover)

There’s only one way to survive an Apocalypse and with everyone around them either dying or being beamed to heaven, it becomes a struggle for survival as Hill, Rogen, Baruchel, McBride and Robinson try to alter their fate. With dwindling supplies and cabin fever, they are eventually forced to leave the house to face their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.

L-r, Craig Robinson, Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel (Photo by Suzanne Hanover)

Made with pain-staking care as though not to defy offence, “This Is The End” is fertile ground for comedy. There’s lots of chemistry among the likeable actors who all bring a unique brand of humor.

“Danny is a delightful sweetheart, but his character is a maniac,” shares Rogen. “Franco in real life is nothing like the way he acts in the movie and Craig isn’t a jerk like his character, but is a guy who carries a towel around to wipe sweat off his face.”

Craig Robinson at the Hollywood premiere of This Is The End – Royalty Image

With ridiculously funny cameos from Emma Watson and Channing Tatum, watching their race for redemption is hilarious.

Even though the movie deals with judgment day and quotes several Biblical passages, there’s extreme profanity and juvenile gross-out gags. But in the end, all that doesn’t make “This Is The End” a bad movie.

Seth Rogen at the Hollywood premiere of This Is The End – Royalty Image

“I hope that people understand that we are taking shots at ourselves by playing such awful versions of ourselves,” adds Hill. “Actors are easy targets to make fun of, so I think it’s good to show a sense of humor about what you do, and try not to take yourself too seriously.”

L-r, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen in Columbia Pictures’ “This Is The End” (Photo by Suzanne Hanover)

“This Is The End” is currently playing in theaters.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.

categorized under: Featured, Hollywood by samantha
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The idea of two forty something year old men interning at a company with a bunch of nerdy teenagers may sound like a recipe for a barrel of laughs, but sadly, humor is one thing that is missing in “The Internship.”

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn - Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Billed as a comedy, the movie follows Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson), two aging salesmen with the gift of the gab whose careers have been torpedoed by the digital world. Trying to prove they are not obsolete, they defy the odds by talking their way into a summer internship at Google, along with a bunch of college students. But gaining entrance is only half the battle. Once accepted, they must join a team and compete with a group of the nation’s tech-savvy geniuses to win a job at the world’s largest Internet innovator.

Owen Wilson, director Shawn Levy, and Vince Vaughn preparing for a scene on the set of The Internship - Photo Credit: Phil Bray 

A rather predictable flick, their teammates consist of other fellow outcasts including a nerd called Lyle (Josh Brener), a home-schooled anxiety-riddled perfectionist called Yo-Yo (Tophit Raphael) and Neha Patel, played by Tiya Sircar, a nice girl with a deceptive naughty streak. Rounding off the cast is Rose Byrne who plays Dana Sims, a Google executive.

Owen and Vince pictured with Google teammates Josh Brener, Tophit Raphael, Neha Patel  - Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Directed and produced by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum,” “The Pink Panther”), it offers a glimpse into Google’s high-tech culture, and plays like a commercial for how great working at the company is.  Instead of humor, we are shown the perks the Google Campus in Northern California offers such as free food for all its employees, saunas, nap pods, massage rooms and the list goes on.

Even a small appearance by John Goodman who plays their sales boss isn’t enough to give the movie the injection of humor it really needs.

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are salesmen whose careers have been torpedoed by the digital world - Photo Credit: Phil Bray 

There are a couple of chuckles here and there, but ultimately, the humor is sporadic and if you’re expecting gut wrenching laughs especially from its two main stars you’re in for a disappointment.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.

categorized under: Hollywood by samantha
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He first starred on screen opposite his famous father in “The Pursuit of Happyness” receiving acclaim for his performance. He followed that movie with a supporting role in “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and a leading role opposite Jackie Chan in the worldwide hit “The Karate Kid.” With the release of “After Earth” in which he battles aliens and evolved animal species, it’s clear the young actor is being groomed to conquer Hollywood. The 14 year-old son of actor Will Smith is the solo star in “After Earth”.

Jaden Smith (Photo by Claudette Barius) 

Produced by Will Smith, his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, brother-in-law Caleeb Pinket and directed by M. Night Shyamalan (“Lady in the Water, “The Village”), “After Earth” stars Jaden Smith as Kitai Raige, a young man forced to navigate the harsh terrain left behind when his spacecraft crashes on the forbidden planet. With no other survivors and his father Cypher (Will Smith) critically injured and trapped in the wrecked ship, Kitai embarks on a perilous journey to signal for help, facing uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash.

Will Smith and Jaden Smith at Columbia Pictures ‘After Earth’ Press Junket (photo by Eric Charbonneau)

“It’s a father and son story,” says Will Smith., whose character takes a back seat in the movie and spends the entire screen time navigating his son through the rugged terrains. “I think that’s what audiences will really connect with – seeing the father try to connect with the son, to teach him, with life-or-death consequences. We have a father trying to command and control his son from a distance, but at the end of the day, once your child goes out of the house, you’ve taught them all you can – they have to learn the rest on their own.”

L-r, Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Trey Smith at the US Premiere of “After Earth” (Photo by SPE Inc. /Dave Alocca)

Based on a story written by Smith as a vehicle for his son, “After Earth” was conceived while Smith and his brother-in-law were watching television together. After making “The Karate Kid,” Jaden and his parents were considering the teen’s next project as they felt it was important for the family to work together again.

Will Smith, left, and Sophie Okonedo star in Columbia Pictures’ “After Earth” (Photo by Frank Masi)

“Jaden and I were sitting around one night, watching TV and talking about how we’d liked working together on ‘Pursuit of Happyness,’ and that we might want to do that again,” shares Will. “As we’re talking about looking for that story, with the news on in the background, Jaden says, ‘Maybe I’m your son, I’m in trouble, and you have to come home from war.’ That turned into an idea of a father and son who go off on a bonding trip to Alaska, and they have to get through the wilderness. It was just fun, an interesting conversation until we juxtaposed the idea of setting the story a thousand years in the future – and then the whole concept of After Earth started to explode in our minds.”

Director M Night Shyamalan and wife Bhavna Vaswani  (Photo by SPE Inc. /Dave Alocca)

Will ended up writing the story eventually turning over the writing reins to Gary Whitta and M. Night Shyamalan who directs the movie. For Jaden, no stranger to movies with immense physical activity, “After Earth” offered new challenges. “I did a lot of work – I had to change,” he says. “I had to get a lot bigger and put on weight so I could look a bit older. I did a lot of parkour and running and training, so I’d be ready to run through the forest and on rocks.” Rounding out the supporting cast of “After Earth” which is currently playing in theaters is Sophie Okonedo and Zoë Isabella Kravitz.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.

categorized under: Hollywood by samantha
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