Hugh Jackman, Always a Good (Tuneful) Sport

In so many ways I wish Hugh Jackman could move on from Wolverine, the role that brought him enormous fame but which he has been performing for 14 of his 15 years in motion pictures. That's longer than virtually any TV star performs their signature role. And there are more years to come with at least one more solo film booked after X-Men Days of Future Past. Think of the movie musicals and wide variety of dramas or comedies he could have done in that time! 

But, that said, Hugh Jackman always finds ways to become even more loveable (a tall feat given how adorable he started out) just when you're like 'enough, already!'.

Here he is one the BBC Radio 1's ‘The Matt Edmonson Show,’ performing "Wolverine: The Musical" by mixing his two signature roles (Logan & Jean Valjean) with his best role: himself.

♥♥♥

Say What, Banks on Bike?

Amuse us by adding a caption or dialogue to this still of Elizabeth Banks from Walk of Shame. I'll announce the winner later. After the jump, see the winners of the last few "say whats" and what they won.

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ICYMI

Busy week as usual. Seven highlights, in case you missed them...

Alfre Woodard - we talked to the great actress about her favorite roles from 12 Years a Slave to Passion Fish
Stage Door catfights - Anne Marie finally made it to the classics in her Katharine Hepburn retrospective. This one is deeply pleasureable
LA Confidential - this "Best Shot" edition didn't have the turnout of Eternal Sunshine but it sure was interesting to see this movie again after all these years. Such stellar performances 
Tom vs. Dickie - Jude and Matt were warring again in this Italian edition of "beauty vs. beast" in which both of them are both beauties and beasts. Have you voted yet?
Jai Courtney - the next big thing or the next shrug? 
Women's History Month - profiles of great actresses as real life women 
X-Men Days of Future Past - we yes no maybe so'ed the popular trailer 

DON'T FORGET "Best Shot"
The next three films have been chosen -- legendary bad movie Can't Stop the Music (1980) is our April Fools Day selection so watch it this weekend and join us on Tuesday with YOUR Best Shot.

Later in the season we'll be hitting films from all decades and genres and reputations as we do. (You can see the complete list of previous titles by season or by decade) but the best way to enjoy the series is not by waiting for your favorites to show up but by participating each time and blowing your mind, taste and eyeballs wide open. Sad Side Note: I'm dying to do Ken Russell's The Devils (1971) for this series but it's still very hard to find on DVD. Argh. I don't understand why Criterion doesn't come to the rescue - thank god I saw it at the Walter Reade when I had the chance a few years back.

COMING SOON
Our Annual April Foolish Predictions for the Oscar race won't be as early as usual since we're working on some behind the scenes coding. I'll be on a wee vacation as well from April 3rd through the 7th as well but the rest of the team may well pop in.

25 Years Ago Today... Marquise & Madame

These pictures were literally shot 25 years ago today - Michelle Pfeiffer & Glenn Close at the Governor's Ball for the 1988 Oscars on March 29th, 1989.  

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Cast This: "Magic Mike XXL"

Channing & Pettyfer in the originalThe Magic Mike sequel is gearing up to start filming in the fall. The Playlist reports that Steven Soderbergh's long time first AD Gregory Jacobs will direct so they're keeping it in house and the film will be called Magic Mike XXL a title of which we approve.

What we do not approve of is the rumors that most of the original cast will return. The last film ended with a clear parting of the ways so it makes sense to move on at least to some extent with new characters. Channing Tatum has promised in the past that the sequel will be more like what people were expecting from the first one so I guess that means more of a fleshy spectacle? Anyway, the first film was terrific (and not just for the fleshy spectacle) but this kind of project begs for fresh blood meat, not sloppy seconds you know? Frankly, they should only keep one or two of the players to keep the energy up while the clothes are off.

So, let's pretend they wise up and bring in new players. Last time they went with a mix of 20-40somethings and actors from both TV and film -- they can't be too famous though or they'd pass. But there are literally hundreds of men who would qualify. Here's a few suggestions to diversify a bit to get you started.

Nicholas Hoult, Max Greenfield, Jesse Williams, Kit Harrington, Michael Ealy, Diego Boneta, Harry Shum Jr, Lee Pace. I could go on and on...

And that's basically just eight hot affordable men with some degree of fame (but not huge movie careers ... apart from arguably Hoult) who don't have to do too much training to get in shape for it. Your turn! Who would you love to see dance their (clothes off) ass off with Chan?