November 25, 2024

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‘Game Of Thrones’ Season Premiere: 11 Burning Questions About ‘Two Swords’

Well — what did you think?

Are you concerned for Arya Stark yet? Are you eager to see how Daenerys repays the Meereenese for the blatant brutality exhibited by the "mile markers" along the road? Are you as turned on by the Red Viper and his paramour as we are?

Those are just a few of our burning questions after watching the . Here are 11 more.

1. Was that really necessary, Tywin?
Okay, we get the fact that you have an "absurdly large" Valyrian sword at your disposal. We understand that it makes sense to make use of said sword now that it no longer has an owner. But melting down Ice into two swords, while practical, was absolutely heart-shattering for fans of the endangered House Stark. And that dire wolf on the flames — that was a step too far, even for cruel, calculated Tywin.

2. "Do you know how many people in King's Landing would love to see the King's head on a pike?"
A lot, Ser Jaime. A lot. Indeed, we can add Jaime to that list, given the way his son, er, nephew, taunted him about "the Kingslayer" and his various misdeeds as a member of the Kingsguard. If your own father, ahem, uncle can't even look upon you with fondness, then you know you're a loathsome son-of-a-what.

3. Why is Cersei so mad at Jaime?
Why is she so mad at her twin lover? Is she really upset that he "took too long" to break out of Stark captivity and return to King's Landing? That seems a bit ... much? It ...

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‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Sequel: What Will Happen Next?

Warning: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" spoilers are ahead!

Captain America has faced the Winter Soldier and lived to tell the tale. But what's next for the star-spangled super-soldier?

Well, we know what's next: Joss Whedon's superhero sequel hitting theaters next year. Chris Evans will be back slinging the shield as Steve Rogers in that film, and we can only guess how "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" will impact the "Avengers" sequel.

But what about rumored to arrive opposite in 2016? What can we expect to see in the third "Captain America" movie, based on how "The Winter Soldier" ends?


For one, we can count on more Winter Soldier. Even though he owns half of the movie's title, the brainwashed Bucky Barnes was more of a prop than a full-functioning character in the "Captain America" sequel. But by the end of the movie, his memories have been restored. He knows who he is, and he's on a mission to find out even more about how he became one of the deadliest spies the world has ever known.

We also know that Steve hasn't given up on his old friend. Black Widow supplies Steve with Russian intelligence that should shine more of a light on the Winter Soldier mystery. He's not alone, either. Sam "Falcon" Wilson signed on to help Steve's search for Bucky. The two are so tightly linked, that it wouldn't be surprising if the next movie is called "Captain America and the Falcon," just like the classic comics.


Then again, never forget about ...

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‘Game Of Thrones’: All The Biggest Moments On ‘Two Swords’

"Game of Thrones" is back! And after the gut-wrenching Red Wedding last season, will the plucky denizens of Westeros ever be the same? Well, no, as we found out on "Two Swords."

The season premiere is one of the show's patented "check-in" episodes, introducing new conflicts and finding out what's up with old characters; but the good news is, it was a doozy. Everything has changed, the dragons are bigger and danger still lurks everywhere.

Here are all the biggest moments from this week's episode:

More Like Hot Open
Each season — just like the books the show is based on — has a cold open that sets up one of the main themes of the year. Here we see Tywin Lannister melting down Ned Stark's sword Ice into two new swords. It's a not so subtle reminder that the Starks have lost, Tywin has burned them down and the Lannisters have won. For now...

Hand Of The Kingslayer
Jaime went through the biggest changes last season, and now we get to see the consequence. He's got a new golden hand, a job as the head of the Kingsguard and a great friend in Brienne. But he's also got a father (Tywin) who wants him to leave for Casterly Rock, a sister/lover who hates him for leaving her alone and a nephew/King/son who mercilessly ridicules him for doing nothing with his life. Poor Jaime. What he does for love.

Enter The Viper
Our biggest new character is Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne. He gets a vastly different, sexposition heavy introduction here versus in ...

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‘Game Of Thrones’: Predictions For Tonight’s Season Premiere

At long last, winter is back.

returns with its fourth season premiere tonight (April 6), reuniting viewers with all of their favorites from all across the Seven Kingdoms: tyrannical Tywin and his Lannister lions, Jon Snow and his fellow watchers on the wall, Daenerys Targaryen and her dragon-fueled army out in Essos, and so many more.

Having peeped the season premiere a little bit earlier than the rest of you, we feel very confident making the following predictions about your upcoming "Thrones" viewing experience:

1. The reason for the episode title, "Two Swords," will give you Red Wedding whiplash.


One Valyrian sword is cool, so two Valyrian swords must be really cool, right? Wrong. The two "new" Valyrian swords introduced in the season premiere are very uncool when you learn where they came from.

2. Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper of Dorne, will be your new favorite character this season.


Really, no one else will come close. Chilean actor Pedro Pascal brings the Red Viper to life with all of the hot-blooded passion and fury that drew in fans of the books on his first appearance. Chances are good you'll like the Red Viper's paramour, too. She's played by Indira Varma, late of "Rome" and "Luther." If nothing else, you'll really like their first scene together.

3. You won't recognize Daario Noharis.


That's because he's played by a new actor in season four. Gone are the days of Ed Skrein's luscious locks and arrogant attitude. Now, we live in the reign of Michiel Huisman as the Second Sons mercenary, ...

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‘Captain America’: What Does The Ending Mean For Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ Sequel?

Warning: major spoilers for "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" are ahead.

Virtually all S.H.I.E.L.D. employees who aren't dead or under arrest are looking for new jobs this weekend. But not Steve Rogers. The super-soldier remains super-employed as one of Earth's mightiest heroes.


Following Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Chris Evans will be right back as Cap in one year, taking center stage in next summer's The superhero sequel sees Rogers reuniting with billionaire playboy philanthropist Tony Stark, occasional giant green rage monster Bruce Banner, thunder-juiced Asgardian warrior Thor, and eagle-eyed sharpshooter Clint Barton.


On top of that, "Age of Ultron" will bring the key "Winter Soldier" duo of Rogers and Natasha Romanoff back together. At the end of the "Captain America" sequel, the two parted ways, with Black Widow deciding to work on a new cover, now that all her previous aliases and classified information has been revealed alongside the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cap, meanwhile, sets off with his new pal Sam "Falcon" Wilson to track down the missing Winter Soldier, now active with his old Bucky Barnes memories.

What new side of Black Widow will we see once she resurfaces in "Avengers" from her post-"Winter Soldier" mission? And will Cap be any closer to finding Bucky when the Avengers assemble against Ultron? And will he bring Falcon along for the fun? We certainly hope so — if "Winter Soldier" proved anything, it's that all Marvel movies could use some Anthony Mackie.


There's also the question of Nick Fury. The former S.H.I.E.L.D. director isn't just ...

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‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Has Already Begun Filming

Wondering when J.J. Abrams will finally get started on "Star Wars: Episode VII," given the dearth of news surrounding the project? Turns out, it's already started shooting.

Speaking with a crowd at the Loyola Marymount School of Film and Television in Los Angeles, Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn dropped a few surprising details about the space-bound sequel.

"We're actually shooting some of it now," Horn said when asked whether filming would begin in May, as expected based on previous comments from director Abrams

This lines up with recent rumors that the film has already started shooting in Cairo, Egypt. It's possible that what Horn might be referring to is second unit shooting, grabbing location shots and B-roll for use in effects-heavy pieces; rather than having a cast on set. But he was mum on any further details of the shoot.

There are two other elements that make this news surprising: we haven't had a formally announced cast; and as far as we knew, the script wasn't done yet.

"It's actually there now," Horn said when asked if the screenplay was finished. "It's all about the screenplay. It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay."

The script is co-written by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a previous draft written by "Toy Story 3" writer Michael Arndt. Though this also hasn't been confirmed, the script reportedly concerns the three original "Star Wars" actors — Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford — passing the torch to three members of the younger generation.

Horn also confirmed that the movie will take place 35 years after ...

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Possible ‘Bond’ Baddie Chiwetel Ejiofor Has A Villainous Past

Is MTV Movie Awards and Oscar nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor going from "12 Years A Slave" to James Bond villain? Allow us to explain in full, while you take the time to escape our cleverly constructed trap.

According to multiple sources — though so far unconfirmed by Sony and MGM studios — Ejiofor is in talks to play the bad guy in Sam Mendes follow-up to "

To fans who only know Ejiofor for his literally tortured, yet heroic role as Solomon Northup in "12 Years," this move might seem a left turn in the actor's career. Yet there's three big reasons this isn't as unbelievable a move as it might initially sound.

First of all, there's the long history of British actors following up their critical acclaim by taking on roles as bad guys in American action films. Look no further than Gary Oldman, who went from playing a key role in "JFK," to portraying Dracula. Or Michael Caine, who has alternated Oscar-nominated roles with appearances in shlock movies like, "On Deadly Ground."

More to the point for Ejiofor, though: he's already portrayed multiple soulful assassins and villains in films already.

In the cult favorite "Serenity," he was The Operative, an unstoppable killer bent on preventing the crew of Joss Whedon's spaceship drama from releasing government secrets throughout the galaxy.

That same year he was a vicious mob boss in "Four Brothers," while the next year in "Children of Men," he was a member of a militant immigrant rights group who nearly kills our heroes.

The third reason ...

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Yes, Pharrell’s Hat Was The Best Thing About ‘Saturday Night Live’

Pharrell Williams was celebrating before his musical performances on "Saturday Night Live" even started. In honor of turning 41, the singer cut into a slice of birthday cake backstage, a chocolate confection decorated with his now-famous high hat silhouette. The night only got sweeter as he rocked studio 8H with two performances.

Pharrell kicked off his first number, taking the stage in his latest uniform of an Adidas track jacket and mainstay "Buffalo Girls" hat (this time in emerald green, which he'd worn for the promos this week). Pharrell urged the audience, "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth." Kids clapped and swayed on the stage behind him, with a few stepping up to show off their breakdancing skills.

For his next number, Pharrell showcased the lead track from his album G.I.R.L. An all-female string section opened the "Marilyn Monroe" song, with legendary composer Hans Zimmer conducting (which may explain all of the other Disney-related sketches by host Anna Kendrick). "What makes you different makes you special," he said toward the camera, reiterating the girl-power theme.

Pharrell held onto his hat for one more appearance, but this time he jumped into a sketch (playing himself). Sitting alongside Kenan Thompson and Taran Killam, the panel judged tryouts for Pharrell's new backup singer. Although Kendrick's version of Rent's "Take Me or Leave Me" solidified her vocal dominance in the night's sketches, once again the headwear stole the show. Pharrell kept his green version from earlier, while ...

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Watch Anna Kendrick Steal Every Single ‘Saturday Night Live’ Scene

Pharrell Williams may have been the musical guest in this weekend's "Saturday Night Live" episode, but host Anna Kendrick stole the spotlight, carrying a ditty during her opening monologue and then keeping the tunes coming through sketches that included '90s raps and childhood favorite Disney songs.

She Really Is A Funny Girl
Kendrick opened the evening so excited to host she could only truly express her feelings through song. Expanding on her musical-theatre background, the star launched into her own version of the classic "Little Town" from "Beauty and the Beast." Other "SNL" castmates chimed in as she ran through a tour of the set, stopping for hair and makeup touch-ups and disturbing a distracted Lorne Michaels before the entire cast gathered onstage to belt out the final introductory notes of a what she called a "magical exciting show."

The Dong Song
Veering from kid-approved tunes, Kendrick appeared as a hot pink fishnet-wearing '90s vixen in a crew of other "SNL" women on an international mission. "Dongs All Over the World" put Ludacris' hoes in different "Area Codes" to shame, as the ladies sang about their plan to do every dong in the world, from the pyramids of Giza to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kendrick showed off her rapping skills while Icona Pop made a cameo onboard the airplane, dressed as the pilots steering the sexual conquest.

Part Of The 'SNL' World
Kendrick went under the sea for this sketch, wearing a long red wig and mermaid fins as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid." Aidy Bryant was a convincing Ursula, who wanted ...

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18 Of Your Favorite Hot Guys Holding Babies

We love a man who knows how to get in touch with his gentler side — and what's more attractive than a guy who loves playing with kids? (OK, a gorgeous hunk rolling around in a pile of puppies could potentially top that list.)

We've scoured the Internet to bring you 18 beautiful, smoldering men who aren't afraid to show their tender hearts for your ogling pleasure. Fair warning, get ready to sweat, squeal and drool over these boys:

1. Chris Pratt
Chris and his son are not only adorable, they're Seahawks fans too!

2. Kellan Lutz
Kellan is pining for one of his own. Definitely daddy material.

3. Zayn Malik
Zayn is probably the hottest Godfather around.

4. Ryan Gosling
What's that sound? The sound of 1,000 ovaries exploding.

5. Austin Mahone
We don't know who Austin's "little buddy" is, but they're a perfect pairing.

6. Usher
Usher is basically Father of the year. When they're not just hanging around snapping selfies, the family is into everything from rock climbing to world-class vacationing. Usher, will you adopt us?

7. Justin Bieber
Justin and little bro Jaxon are seriously the cutest duo on Instagram.

8. James Franco
Fatherhood looks good on you, Franco. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

9. Paul Wesley
All the swoon. Paul you are one hot Uncle.

10. Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo loves his nieces so much, he doesn't ever want to be away from them. Adorbs.

11. Nick Jonas
Watch out Kevin, Nick ...

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