Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis star in the upcoming movie Masterminds. The film, based on a true story, is directed by Jared Hess, who also gave us Napoleon Dynamite (2004).
Masterminds is based on the story of a real bank robbery that happened in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina, where a bank supervisor stole $17 million and ran off to Mexico. It was one of the largest bank robberies in history. Check out the trailer for the upcoming comedy take on the story.
For more about the real Loomis Fargo and Company heist, check out this video.
Masterminds hits theaters on August 7, 2015. Leave your two cents in the comments.
Although there had been speculation that Kristen Wiig would be leaving Saturday Night Live at the end of this season, up until last night’s season finale, there had been no official announcement. Watching the episode, one might have noticed that there were a number of sketches where Wiig performed some of her regular characters. But it was not until the very end, when host Mick Jagger addressed a graduating class and noted one very special person was going off to be a nun, where viewers slowly began to realize that the payoff was not a big laugh but an emotional goodbye to a beloved cast member. Check it out. [Update May 2015: Unfortunately, the official NBC video that was posted here is no longer available, so below is a video about the Wiig farewell.]
Especially when Lorne Michaels came on for a brief dance, we knew it was a goodbye. There are rumors that Andy Samberg and Jason Sudeikis may be leaving the show too, but those are just rumors at this point (although perhaps Samberg’s goodbye was a sequel to “Lazy Sunday”).
As for Wiig, the music of “She’s a Rainbow” and “Ruby Tuesday” were quite appropriate. How cool is it to get sent off with Rolling Stones songs with Mick Jagger right there? The show has big shoes to fill now that we no longer will see Wiig every Saturday night like we have for the last seven years. But considering Wiig’s big hit with Bridesmaids and that she has a number of projects in the works, we still will be seeing a lot of her. So, it is not goodbye, it is “see you later.” What was your favorite Kristen Wiig Saturday Night Live character? Leave your two cents in the comments.
Last night, Jonah Hill hosted Saturday Night Live, lending his comedy chops to some of this season’s funnier segments. One of the funny bits was his send up of himself and Hollywood egos. Hill, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the excellent serious film, Moneyball (2011), lets a camera crew follow him on the SNL set to illustrate that the nomination has not gone to his head.
The behind-the-scenes clip starts at the 1:45 mark, but you might also watch his monologue that introduces the clip starting from the beginning (well, except for a short commercial NBC makes you watch; if you are at work, turn down your speakers first). The video segment includes a funny exchange with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Kristen Wiig, and if you stay to the end, you will see two-time Oscar-winner Tom Hanks appear on the stage with his awards, “The Kick-Ass Twins.” [2014 Update: Unfortunately, the NBC video no longer works. FYI, If you are looking for Jonah Hill’s more recent appearance on SNL in January 2014, check out this link, which works as of today.] If your sense of humor prefers someone getting hit in the groin, the NBC website has a digital short from the show of Hill repeatedly getting hit by a tennis ball.
What did you think of Jonah Hill’s performance on Saturday Night Live this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.
In case you have been deep in the NFL playoffs or if you live in Iowa or New Hampshire and have been too busy listening to presidential candidates, here is this week’s roundup of some of the stories about music, film, and pop culture that you might have missed.
Kathleen Edwards’s new CD, released later this month, was co-produced by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) w/ guest artists.
For the first time ever, in 2011, digital sales of music topped the physical sale of music.
Grammy-winning musician Youssou N’Dour will run in Senegal’s presidential election next month.
Charlie Louvin’s new memoir recounts Oasis-type disharmony with his brother when the Louvin Brothers toured.
Terry Ardolino, the drummer with NRBQ from 1974-2004, passed away at the age of 56. RIP.
Freddie Milano, one of the Belmonts who sang with Dion on a number of classic rock and roll songs, passed away this week. After Dion left the original Belmonts behind (and a falling out and litigation followed), Milano continued to sing with the group while pursing his education. When he passed away he was working with the less fortunate, helping indigent people detained at Rikers Island jail in New York City. After Milano’s death was announced, Dion wrote a short tribute on his Facebook page, stating how Milano played an important role in his younger life: “We had our ups and downs through the years but that’s how things go in families, even rock-and-roll families. I will always remain grateful for his contribution in 1958 & 59 – may he rest in peace and rock on in heaven.” Milano was known for his great harmonies in the group as shown in this clip of “I Wonder Why.” Milano is the second from the left at the beginning of the song. RIP.
You may also hear and see Milano (on your right) in this performance of “A Teenager in Love.”
— Movies —
This year in movies “might just be the geekiest ever.” — IMDb editor Keith Simanton.
