Posts Tagged ‘Ted’

Last night, first time host Seth MacFarlane ushered in the 85th annual Academy Awards with a lot of song and dance. While some of his jokes bordered on the offensive, irking critics who panned his hosting abilities as “classless” and “tasteless,” the ratings were the best for Oscar since 2010 and were up a modest 2% over last year’s show hosted by Billy Crystal.

Choosing MacFarlane for host this year came from a concerted effort by the Academy to  reel in that coveted 18-49 demographic, long considered the most valuable by advertisers. Preliminary reports show the ploy worked–ratings were up 11% among those very viewers.

While MacFarlane’s comedic sense was being both panned and in some cases, lauded, his timing certainly pushed it to the limit, literally. The show lasted more than 3 1/2 hours, though not the longest Academy Awards on record, it did last until after midnight in the eastern time zone, often seen as a big no-no. The honor for the longest telecast goes to the 2002 show, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, which clocked in at 4 hours and 23 minutes.

MacFarlane wasn’t the only notable name representing Hollywood East. Besides the Kent, Connecticut writer and Ted director, Boston’s own Ben Affleck got to take the stage once again as an Oscar winner, nearly 16 years after he first won, along with buddy Matt Damon, for best screenplay in 1997 for Good Will Hunting. This time, he closed out the show, grabbing a second statuette for best picture for his film, Argo, a movie he both directed and starred in.

If you know NACHO, then you know every day is extreme with this guy. Reality sells and so does “Nacho Extreme”. Nacho got his 15 minutes on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” with the former Calvin Klein eight-pack, Mark Wahlberg who recently thanked Kimmel for dipping Nacho live.

Nacho confirmed the powers of his “lead” stomach on Kimmel that night by casually eating two wasabi balls and swigging back three cups of Tabasco! Now that’s some heartburn. Can you feel it Nacho? What a good vibration involving Nacho, Wahlberg,  Fuel TV, and celebrity guests.

This new reality series, “Nacho Extreme” is eating up his extremities. The craft was digested as a kid so we don’t suggest you cooking this up at home. As much as Nacho wanted to spill the beans with HEC and all his Nachettes. He could only confirm that, “Nacho Extreme” is gobbling up Boston right now and will be traveling across the coast.

This isn’t Nacho’s first BBQ either. “The professional movie industry eater” has sizzled on hot sets like The Fighter and spoiler alert, TED which premieres this weekend.  We can’t wait!

Next weekend, if you’re in the North Conway area, look for deets on Nach judging a RIB-OFF! We love reality and Nacho is so tasty! “God Bless”. We will layer you up with more Nachos soon. GO NACHO!

Summertime and the livin’s easy. TED’s on the big screen with Mark Wahlberg. And all the people in the dance will agree that

Lucky’s Lounge is well qualified to represent the rated R flick this Friday Night, June 22^nd.

Don’t look for a sign. Holding is down the stairs. Let’s spin it out on this set Friday night from 6-9pm for free swag and complimentary screening passes for next week’s premiere of Ted!

Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Ted, Seth MacFarlane, were all spotted at the Lounge enjoying some cocktails last summer when filming buzzed through Boston. Ted lit up at the Pubic Garden, Mass Ave, the Minibar on Huntington Ave, and even featured Norah Jones at the Hatch Shell. The flick hired hundreds of Boston extras and even more extra concert goers. This sparks Connecticut native Seth MacFarlane’s first motion picture debut. Go Seth!

It goes something like this. Wahlberg and Mila got this relationship but must deal with Wahlberg’s beloved teddy bear that came to life as the result of a childhood wish. Ted refuses to leave Wahlberg’s side ever since. Can you blame him?

No question Ted has Summer-time heat oozing from it. Boston is jonesing for the premiere June 29th. So join the wild night with Ted at Lucky’s Lounge for some free swag and passes. Don’t forget to like Ted on FB. Plus create a photo using “My Wild Night with Ted” app on FB and send it to [email protected] for additional chances to win. Time to roll the dice. See you at Lucky’s!

Long before he had his Funky Bunch or pictures of him in his skivvies on billboards, and eons before his Oscar nominations, Mark Wahlberg was just a troubled kid growing up on the mean streets of Dorchester. What he learned during those formative years no doubt helped him develop as an actor and a successful businessman, who can now even add a happening burger joint to his list of accomplishments over the course of his 41 years. Pretty impressive for a guy who doesn’t even have a high school diploma. That’s right, Marky Mark recently admitted on an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” that he never actually completed ninth grade, and will be going back to school to receive his diploma via an online program.

Wahlberg told Letterman, “It’s an actual diploma. I’ve got to take up all the courses that I missed, and I’m a little nervous. … They’re going to give me whatever credits I already have, which is probably like one or two. But I’m going to make it happen.”

His latest movie, Ted, which was filmed in Boston last summer, will be in theaters on June 29^th. The film also costars the voice talents of Seth MacFarlane, a Connecticut native, and also marks his directorial debut. It was also recently announced that Wahlberg is in negotiations to co-star with Bill Paxton in Universal’s “2 Guns” also starring Denzel Washington.

As the summer movie season begins to heat up, movie previews, trailers, and teasers are just starting to make the rounds both online and on TV. At least 2 made in Massachusetts movies will be hitting the silver screen this summer, and both were filmed around the Boston area just this time last summer.

First up this June, the Adam Sandler comedy, That’s My Boy, costarring Leighton Meester and “Saturday Night Live” star, Andy Samberg. Originally titled I Hate You Dad, the film has been retitled since it filmed primarily in the Brockton and Peabody area last June (which is not a bad idea considering the movie is being released right around father’s day). The movie follows the story of a teen named Donny (played by Sandler) who fathers a child after sleeping with his teacher, and raises the boy by himself until his 18^th birthday. After being out of each other’s lives for years, Donny reunites with his son (played by Samberg), just in time to ruin his wedding. The movie is rated R and will be in theaters on June 15^th.

Coming out in mid July, Ted is another R rated comedy, starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis, and was filmed in the Boston area throughout most of last summer. Wahlberg plays John, a man whose childhood teddy bear comes to life and becomes his best friend, advising him on all matters in life, much to the chagrin of John’s girlfriend Lori (played by Kunis). The film utilized many areas throughout the city of Boston, including Mass. Avenue, the Public Garden, Minibar on Huntington Avenue, and employed a ton of extras for a concert scene featuring Norah Jones at the Hatch Shell. The movie will hit the big screen on July 13^th.

Could Mark Wahlberg be Avon’s new ‘unofficial’ spokesperson? The actor is currently in negotiations to star in the 20^th Century Fox comedy Avon Man. Hugh Jackman was originally set to star in the project but a scheduling conflict with another of his projects, The Wolverine, led to him stepping away.

The plot of the film centers on a group of men who are laid off from a car dealership. One of the men Walhberg, very reluctantly becomes an Avon salesperson, a job typically held by women. Discovering he has a knack for the job, he ignores his friends’ ridicule, turns on the charisma and becomes a top seller. When the company sponsors a win-big regional contest, Walhberg’s character recruits his unemployed ‘macho’ buddies as Avon ‘ladies’ so they can win the grand prize.

Walhberg and partner Stephen Levinson will be coming on board as producers, along with Gary Foster from Krasnoff/Froster (Community, The Soloist) and John Palermo (Drive, X-Men series). Writer Michael Mullers (Austin Powers, Saturday Night Live) is said to be re-working the script, originally written by Kevin Bisch (Hitch).

Wahberg can be seen in the soon to be released comedy Ted, which was filmed here in Boston. He is also starring with Russell Crowe in the drama Broken City and Michael Bay’s Pain and Gain, with Dwayne Johnson. Other upcoming projects include 2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Lone Survivor, directed by Peter Berg.

And so, another year has passed in Hollywood East, and with it, a ton of projects, developments, and other news items that captured our interest throughout 2011. Let’s take a look back at what made headlines in Hollywood East over the past year.

A bevy of big budget productions pranced their way through the Bay State, bringing with it a steady stream of big name stars. I Don’t Know How She Does It brought Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Hendricks, and “Cheers” alum, Kelsey Grammar. Ted brought Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, and Seth MacFarlane. Here Comes the Boom brought Kevin James, Salma Hayek, and Henry Winkler. I Hate You Dad brought Adam Sandler, Adam Samberg, and Leighton Meester. And finally, R.I.P.D. brought Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, and Kurt Russell.

We were excited to see all the films that debuted this year that filmed in Boston in whole or in part in the past year or two. Films like The Zookeeper, Moneyball, I Don’t Know How She Does It, and What’s Your Number showed movie-goers across the country why the Bay State makes such a beautiful backdrop for major motion pictures.

We were first in line for favorite annual events—the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, the Boston Film Festival, Boston Fashion Week, and others.

Locally made flick like Exhumed and Girlfriend, and showed us that movies don’t have to feature big stars to make a big impact.

There were also updates on the state of the MA film tax credits, with some changes taking place. The Office of Travel and Tourism took over the responsibilities previously looked after by the Massachusetts Film Office, with Lisa Strout taking over for Nick Paleologos.

In more disappointing news, it seems the Plymouth Rock Studios project has been put on permanent hold.

Culled from our own backyard, we spoke to local stars of film, TV, and music. Brighton-based band Gentlemen Hall made us lend an ear and a cheer as we watched these talented youngsters make their live national television debut on the Billboard Music Awards.

We were lucky enough to get invited to a sneak peak of the Footloose remake, and got to talk to home-grown star, Kenny Wormald on how he brought a little bit of Boston to the new version of this 80s cult classic.

Reality TV continues to make headlines year after year. In 2011, we watched with excitement the adventures the infamous “Deathwish Movers” went through each week, and cheered on local stars on “Top Chef: Desserts”, “Chopped”, and the “Expedition Impossible” who did New England proud. The genre even inspired the hilarious web-series, “Real Housewives of South Boston”, which we sincerely hope to see more of in 2012!

The culinary world even captured our attention, with it’s Hollywood East Connections. Our favorite homeboy, Mark Wahlberg, surprised us all by venturing into the culinary world, opening the aptly named Wahlburgers in Hingham. “Hell’s Kitchen” star, Jason Santos, opened Blue Inc., and “Top Chef; All Stars” contestant, Tiffany Faison, opened the ever so cutely named BBQ spot, Sweet Cheeks.

These are just a few of the fabulous and fascinating stories that kept us connected in Hollywood East this year. Here’s hoping 2012 brings with it more excitement in TV, movies, and music across the New England states!

Johnny Depp to star in ‘The Night Stalker’ Remake & Paul Revere project.

★ Johnny Depp to star in Disney movie about Paul Revere.

★ Zookeeper opens in 3rd places its first weekend in theaters.

★ Ben Affleck allegedly lost $400k in poker games to Universal Studios president, Ron Meyer, but seems to be having a fine time with his family.

★ CBS gets caught fudging with Boston’s fireworks shots.

★ Reports say former Celtic star Shaquille O’Neal will be working for Turner Broadcasting.

★ Scenes for the upcoming movie Ted filmed at the Hatch Shell.

★ Boston’s own Chris Evans, the current Captain America, admits to seeking therapy, and gained 15 pounds for his new role.

★ Supermodel Stephanie Seymour calls the police on her son in Connecticut.

★ Matt Damon is bald!

★ Meryl Streep’s daughter gets married in Connecticut.

Here’s your chance to be in TED. The feature flick rolling in our backyards starring native Mark Wahlberg and the beautiful Mila Kunis is seeking NON UNION VOLUNTEER extras for a concert scene shooting THIS Saturday, July 9th at The Hatch Shell on Boston’s esplanade.

The hot to trot cast has been strolling the streets of Mass for months and now will be rocking it out on the Charles River at the Hatch Shell. Sure it’s volunteer but it’s absolutely free! Why not spend a cool Saturday night on the river? The musical guest has not been revealed. But would it be surprising if Mark sent some good vibrations to a hot gig known as NKOTBSB? It seems he’s always loyal to his hometown roots but who knows?

With Subway and Dominos providing munchies, you’ll get a free concert, free food, and if you stick it out to the end, you’ll get a chance to win a 37’ flat screen t.v., signed DVD copies of The Fighter and more.  What’s the catch? Nothing, your in the movie TED for FREE. You need to sign up at Be In A Movie dot com. It’s that easy and no strings attached.

★ Ben Affleck to direct and star in yet another film.

★ One celebrity gossip blogger’s take on the Bruins win.

★ Ted shoot draws crowd in Davis Square.

★ Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet to shoot new movie in New England some time next year.

★ Moneyball, which filmed for a week here in Boston, releases its theatrical trailer.

★ Suffolk University student gets distracted from her studies by “The Jersey Shore” cast while abroad in Italy.

★ Denis Leary to star in new comedy show based on the lives of EMTs.

★ Conan O’Brien documentary catches him laughing about future TBS deal.