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Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is developing an animated children’s television series called Skatebirds. Here are the details.

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk has teamed up with Montreal’s Laughing Dragon Studios to develop Skatebirds, an animated TV series aimed at kids aged six to 11. The show will, according to Deadline, “revolve around a group of young skateboard enthusiasts, who just happen to be birds, who flock together to support their hometown and show the world that when they put their feathers together, they can do anything they set their minds to”.

Episodes of Skatebirds will be 11 minutes with expansion into shorter-form formats for platforms such as TikTok and YouTube also planned.

Hawk said of the series “I’m excited to partner up with Laughing Dragon Studios for this unique series. Skateboarding unites communities, gets kids active and builds a sense of self-confidence while providing opportunities that can be limitless. Keep...

One cannot understate the strange cultural dominance Hugh Wilson's 1984 comedy "Police Academy" held over the pop zeitgeist throughout the 1980s. Clearly a child of "Animal House," "Police Academy" was a traditional snobs-vs.-slobs comedy that pitted winking wiseacres against their stern commanding officers at a police school in an unnamed city. I've long had a theory that the "Police Academy" movies take place in Metropolis, the city where Superman lives. With Superman taking care of major crimes, the local police force would likely become complacent, unused to enforcing the law. 

None of the "Police Academy" movies were well-reviewed, recognized by critics as crass, dumb, and low-brow. This is a series that banks on misogyny, offensive stereotypes, and a lot of crotch/sex humor. There is no wit to the "Police Academy" movies. Roger Ebert famously gave the first film zero stars, citing merely how dreadfully unfunny and uninspired it is.

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk is recalling the time he was hired as David Spade’s stunt double in 1987’s Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, but it didn’t go as planned, all thanks to puberty.

During the latest episode of Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast, which he co-hosts with Dana Carvey, Hawk revealed that he initially auditioned for a role in the movie, which follows a group of civilian volunteers who are hired to work alongside police officers to fight crime.

Though he didn’t land a lead role, he said the film’s team decided to hire him as a stand in for Spade during scenes with complex skate tricks and since they are both goofy-footed. The Saturday Night Live alum played Kyle in the movie, a skater who was put in the program as punishment for his crimes.

But once filming got underway, some time...

Before Tony Hawk was a household name with his own skateboard company, video game franchise, and more, he signed on to serve as David Spade‘s stunt double in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time on the project as he was fired for growing a little too quickly.

While appearing on David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast (h/t EW), Tony Hawk discussed his time on Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol and how he came to be booted from the movie. “I went through a growth spurt, from the time we tried out [for the movie] to the time we got there, and so for the first week, they were like, ‘I think that guy is too tall,’” Hawk said. “And I remember the director saying ‘y’know, he’s a pretty good skater but he’s a bad stunt double!

Tony Hawk was fired as David Spade’s stunt double in 1987’s Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.

Spade’s podcast, “Fly on the Wall,” hosted Hawk and revealed his brief tenure as Spade’s skating doppleganger in the film. Hawk was required to double as Spade in scenes with complicated skate tricks.

There was one hang-up with that.

“I went through a growth spurt, from the time we tried out [for the movie] to the time we got there, and so for the first week, they were like, ‘I think that guy is too tall,'” Hawk recalled. “And I remember the director saying ‘y’know, he’s a pretty good skater but he’s a bad stunt double!’ and so then Stacy [Peralta, second unit director for skateboarding] kept telling me like ‘Stay low. Stay low!’ And I go… I was trying, and then they just quietly sent me home. Basically,...

Max’s first full month without ‘HBO’ in its rebranded title has a selection that kicks off summer 2023 in fine fashion. Three of the four iterations of “A Star Is Born,” including the most recent remake starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, are streaming on Max in June. The 1954 and 1976 films land June 1, while the 2018 version arrives June 8.

To prepare for Margot Robbie’s performance in “Barbie” come July, one could watch one of her more intense roles as Tonya Harding in “I, Tonya” (2017). For some lighter summer watches, viewers might consider “Dolphin Tale” (2010), “Grease” (1978), “Hairspray” (2007) or “Tooth Fairy” (2010).

“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” (2023) starring Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault lands at Max after its theatrical release in February this year. Another major theatrical release from 2022, “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022), swims onto the streamer starting June 7.

As for TV series, “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson’s “The Idol,” starring Abel...

HBO Max is no more. In its place are…HBO and Max. Warner Bros. Discovery’s big change to its premier streaming service was simply to take the “HBO” off of the name “HBO Max,” leaving just “Max.” But in announcing its list of new releases for Max in June 2023, Warner is highlighting all of the HBO content anyway. So here is everything you can expect to find on Max (including every new HBO show) this month.

Even though June 2023 is the first full month of Max’s existence without the helpful “HBO” modifier in front of it, literally all of its major original offerings are thanks to the pay cable network. June 4 sees the premiere of The Idol, the controversial TV project starring The Weeknd and written by Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson. After that, season 3 of Danny McBride evangelical comedy The Righteous Gemstones premieres on June 18. That will be...

Max, the new name of HBO Max as of May 23rd, will be adding a new food series with Zooey Deschanel, an animated series set in the world of Gremlins, and the rebirth of Clone High to its streaming lineup in June 2023. The Idol, starring The Weeknd and Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose, arrives on June 4th after dividing the crowd at Cannes, and the much-anticipated third season of Warrior kicks off on June 29th.

Max’s June lineup also includes new seasons of And Just Like That…, Painting with John, and The Righteous Gemstones. Theatrical releases making their way to the streaming service include Avatar: The Way of Water and Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

Series & Films Arriving On Max In June 2023:

June 1

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

A Star Is Born (1954)

A Star Is Born (1976)

Army of Darkness (1993)

Balls of Fury (2007)

Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Big Daddy (1999)

Breach (2007)

Bulworth (1998)

Class Act (1992)

Click...

David Spade first entered the world of stand-up comedy while attending college at Arizona State University. Spade, finding he was making a decent living with stand-up, dropped out of college and took his comedy on the road. He would eventually be "discovered" by a talent scout at the Improv in Hollywood, CA, and subsequently cast as a giggling skateboard punk in director Jim Drake's immortal classic "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol." He was in his early 20s.

From there, Spade went on to appear in a long string of hit comedy films — some of them critically lauded, some not — like "Pcu," "Black Sheep,"...

The post David Spade Returns to Stand-Up With Netflix Special Nothing Personal appeared first on /Film.

Brian Wilson has revealed a North American fall tour, while dropping demos, rarities, and outtakes on his new website.

Following an August show in Long Beach, California, Wilson will head to Huntington, New York on October 5th, wrapping up in Waukegan, Illinois on the 23rd.

Wilson’s new site contains a timeline feature organized by decades spanning from his birth in 1942 to the present. He previewed the launch with a 1995 demo of “Desert Drive,” which appeared on 2004’s Gettin’ in Over My Head. Other demos from the era, written with Andy Paley,...

The critics, so far, have a unanimous verdict: “The Last Days of American Crime,” Netflix’s new sci-fi/heist mashup that features scenes of police brutality and other gratuitous violence, is one of the worst films… ever.

The movie, released on Netflix June 5, has a 0% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, which means none of the 26 critical reviews tabulated by the site were positive. Overall, the site assigned a 2.27 out of 10 rating for the film across reviewers.

“The Last Days of American Crime” joins only 42 other films (with at least 20 reviews) to receive the dubious distinction of getting a Tomatometer goose egg, including Netflix’s “The Ridiculous 6” from Adam Sandler, “Gotti” starring John Travolta, 1990’s “Problem Child,” “Staying Alive” (also starring Travolta) and “Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol.”

The consensus is that, with protests nationwide over the police killing of George Floyd, the timing of the movie’s release is a disaster.

One of the most successful comedy franchises of the 1980s-90s — Police Academy — is, according to actor Steve Guttenberg, ready to make a comeback. Launched in 1984, the original was an admittedly dopey series of films that spanned 10 years and seven adventures. The premise was a simple one: a newly-elected mayor passes a law that the police department must accept all willing recruits. The result? The motliest group of cops you've ever seen, one more dysfunctional than the next. The only true voice of sanity there was Steve's Cary Mahoney, who, over the course of the series, found himself promoted from cadet to officer and, finally, sergeant. Well, according to a recent Twitter posting, we've got a new entry coming. When fan Adam Hirschovitz wrote to him, "Please tell me you're making a new Police Academy film," Steve tweeted back, "Adam, the next Police Academy is coming, no details yet, but...

Not many film franchises get the distinction of hitting number four. It’s even more impressive when they’re actually good. This 4th of July, we’re counting down from worst to best some of the most notable “number four” in their respective franchises.

“Jaws IV: The Revenge”

“I have never seen it (Jaws 4) but by all accounts it is terrible,” star Michael Caine said about the movie. “However, I have seen the house that it built and it is terrific.”

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)

Thank the heavens that “Logan” and “Deadpool” happened.

“Batman & Robin” (1997)

Isn’t this an ice list?

“Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972)

Fans of the “Planet of the Apes” prequels might be interested to see Caesar’s original origins, although the new films do the character more justice.

“Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol” (1987)

Did you know the Razzies had a “Worst Original Song” category?...

Movie posters are there to sell the movie. But some of them sell the movie too well, making you think a bad film will be a really, really good one.

To celebrate those rare moments when the publicity succeeds where the movie doesn't, here are just ten examples of great posters for terrible films.

1. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 57%

The teaser poster for the second coming of Star Wars was screaming-in-the-street exciting when it first hit bus stop billboards. Intriguingly, there's no mention of hyper-annoying sidekicks or intergalactic tax systems anywhere on it. Hmm.

2. Cobra (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 13%

So masculine it made men pregnant, the poster for action disasterpiece Cobra drips with virility. Alas, the film dripped with so much blood that the first cut earned an X rating, forcing reshoots that made an already preposterous plot crumple like a crisp packet in Sly's massive manly fists.

The third season of The Walking Dead ended in much more somber way than last season. It was a much more reflective episode, on the mistakes made along the way by Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Andrea (Laurie Holden) and the Governor (David Morrissey). Tyreese (Chad Coleman) waited it all out and ended up safe in the end and for those expecting a fight to the finish– well, feel comfort knowing that the Governor and Carl (Chandler Riggs) agree with you.

Governor: In this life, you kill or you die… Or you die and you kill.

Like he has all season, the Governor got the ball rolling in “Welcome to the Tombs.” First, he delivered Milton (Dallas Roberts) at the welcome mat of death and opened the door to Zombieland, knowing he’ll eventually go after Andrea. The other was assembling an unexperienced army to storm the prison and kill as many...

Back in 1987, you could watch "21 Jump Street," with newcomer Johnny Depp, on your local over-the-air Fox affiliate for free. Today, there is a movie in theaters called "21 Jump Street," this time with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in starring roles, and you'll have to spend money to enjoy it. As a service to you and your wallet, we answer every question that you could possibly have about the cinematic version of 21 Jump Street. Q: Is 21 Jump Street anything like the Fox television show? A: 21 Jump Street has very little to do with the television show. Though, technically, it can be considered a continuation of that series because the film takes place in the current day and the characters from the original show are not rebooted. Q: So the movie version of 21 Jump Street is considered canon. A: According to Jonah Hill, yes. Q: What about this website of 21 Jump Street...

Success breeds more success and that’s entirely true in Hollywood. A movie that makes money at the box office, will surely get a sequel. About fifteen years ago, the stigma in Hollywood was that they couldn’t make a good sequel. That has elapsed, thankfully, but the new stigma is that all part fours suck. With so many franchises looking to continue that bank roll, and in this economy, anything with name recognition is golden, that stigma might be more than just theory amongst us. It seems like it’s hitting Hollywood’s attention.

[On Jaws: The Revenge] is not simply a bad movie, but also a stupid and incompetent one – a ripoff. – Roger Ebert (here)

But let’s back track, and let’s see these dubious horrible fours. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Batman and Robin. Jaws: The Revenge. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Rocky IV. Alien Resurrection.

0:00 - Intro / Monster Truck Jam / Oatmeal 12:30 - Headlines: Ricky Gervais and the Golden Globes, Anne Hathaway is Catwoman, Tom Hardy is Bane, X-Men: First Class Photos, Schwarzenegger Contemplates a Comeback 43:20 - Review: Buried 1:27:00 - Trailer Trash: Rubber 1:34:10 - Other Stuff We Watched: Kitchen Nightmares, Aliens, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Social Network, Police Academy, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, Police Academy 3: Back in Training, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, I Am Comic, Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock? 2:05:40 - Junk Mail: Name That Movie Response, New Name That Movie, Black Belts and Werner Herzog, Rooney Mara's Eyebrows, Loaning Movies, Female Superheroes and Mad Men, Underrated Directors, Romantic Movies That Aren't Predictable or Tearjerkers, Good Resources for Filmmakers 2:40:30 - This Week's DVD Releases 2:43:20 - Outro » Download the MP3 (77 Mb) [1] » View the show notes...

Time for our weekly look at the new podcasts available at our new “partners in podcast crime” the GeekCast Radio Network. Each week we bring you the highlights from Gcrn, with descriptions and links to each and every episode.

Mwire Police Academy Week Part 2:

Mwire Episode 54 – Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol

Again we continue the spotlight with Citizens on Patrol. Steve’s ultimately favorite film within the franchise. Listen Now.

Mwire Episode 55 – Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach

The guys head out to miami beach as do our friends in the Police Academy. Here we discuss the 5th film in the series, Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach. Listen Now.

The Beast Unleashed Podcast Episode 17

In the 17th episode of Tbu the terrible trio are at it again. With Steve/Megatron bringing the show down this time. Reviews of Cutting Edge and Feral Scream Parts 1 and 2…… strap in...

As Megan Fox ducks out of Transformers 3, what happened when other movie franchises and their personnel parted company?

With Megan Fox's departure from Transformers 3 currently making the news, we look at other actors and directors who have, for one reason or another, left a movie franchise. What happened next, for the franchise and for the person concerned?

Megan Fox - Transformers 3

Who?

A regular fixture in men's magazine listings of desirable women, 2007's Transformers gave Megan Fox her first lead role after several years of small television roles.

Why?

Fox's recent comments in Wonderland magazine can't have done her any favours. "He's like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation," Fox said. "He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is."

While Fox has since claimed that she left the Transformers 3 production voluntarily, it's still widely thought that...

Just when you thought the movie world had lost its ability to surprise, it pulls out the possibility of a Police Academy 8.

A potential eighth instalment of the zany police comedy was confirmed by its star, Steve Guttenberg, who wants to reprise his role as lovable rogue Carey Mahoney.

“We are doing a new movie and it is going to be great fun,” Guttenberg said. “A script is being written and so far it is really great, everyone from the original movies who is still around will return.”

“I know Kim (Cattrall, who starred in the original movie) and Sharon (Stone, who starred in Police Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol) have been asked but they haven’t said yes yet. It would be really great to have them on board.”

But why would they want to get on board???

Steve Guttenberg was one of the biggest stars of the 80s,...

Actresses Kim Cattrall and Sharon Stone are being sought to return to the U.S. police force for a new Police Academy film.

Sex and the City star Cattrall appeared alongside Steve Guttenberg in the original 1984 comedy, while Stone featured in Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol in 1987.

And Guttenberg is hoping to bring both stars back for another movie in the film's franchise - more than a decade after the seventh installment, 1994's Police Academy: Mission to Moscow, was released.

He says, "We are doing a new movie and it is going to be great fun. A script is being written and so far it is really great, everyone from the original movies who is still around will return.

"I know Kim and Sharon have been asked but they haven't said yes yet. It would be really great to have them onboard."...