MOVIE REVIEW: Pitch Perfect 2

Pitch Perfect 2
Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam DeVine, Skylar Astin, Katey Sagal

By: Nevra Azerkan
Rating: [The Breakdown]

 

 

It seems only yesterday that I was writing the review for the new out-of-nowhere hit, Pitch Perfect. At that time I got to see an early screening. This time around, I attended the Los Angeles premiere at the Nokia Theater at L.A. Live. Most of the cast was present to unveil the film to the anxious Los Angeles crowd.

We see the return of our favorites Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and even to some capacity Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Anna Camp and Ben Platt. There’s a new addition of Hailee Steinfeld, who become a new Bella, as well as special appearances by Katey Sagal and David Cross. Elizabeth Banks not only stars in the sequel, but she was also given the director’s chair.

With Pitch Perfect we left off with the Bella’s holding auditions for next year’s class. So we see a few new additions, but they are mostly in the background. The group is invited to perform for the President of the United States and things turn for the worse when Fat Amy flashes everyone during their cover of “Wrecking Ball.” The Bellas are no longer able to perform, recruit or perform at their scheduled events. Those gigs end up going to a German aca-group that you will either find to be fierce or funny, but most likely both. In order to get the Bellas back in commission they make a deal: win an international aca-competition that no American team has ever won and be reinstated.

Of course hilarity is bound to come crashing through with this bunch and it does in spades. Sequels are always tricky, but Pitch Perfect 2 nails it. Storylines are focused on Beca and her internship with a music producer and Fat Amy’s love/hate relationship with Bumper. A nice surprise was how they were able to bring back Aubrey (Anna Camp) and make it seem natural. There’s also cameos from Pentatonix, Jimmy Kimmel, Rosie O’Donnell, Rosie Perez, Snoop Dogg, six members of the Green Bay Packers and The Voice coaches, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Pharrell Williams, and Blake Shelton.

Pitch Perfect 2 is a blast and should not be missed. The ending was left open-ended and I had hoped they would leave it there, but Pitch Perfect 3 has already been announced and has a release date of July 21, 2017. Kendrick and Wilson have both signed on, so we will have to wait and see if they can pull off a creative way to keep their characters involved. But for now we can enjoy that they’re back, pitches.

 

MOVIE TRAILER: Pitch Perfect 2

They’re back, pitches! The first full trailer for Pitch Perfect 2 has been released and it is aca-awesome! All of our favorites seem to be back for the sequel where they will now be competing in the world championships of a cappella. Crazy shenanigans are a given and amazing remixes should be anticipated. Get pitch slapped when Pitch Perfect 2 hits theaters on May 15, 2015.

Pentatonix Join Pitch Perfect 2 Cast

Two of my favorites are joining forces: Pitch Perfect and Pentatonix. It was revealed to EW that vocal group, Pentatonix would be joining the cast of the upcoming Pitch Perfect 2 movie. Rejoice, aca-nerds! The group is set to play a rival group to the Barden Bellas and have already filmed their part. This sequel is going to be aca-awesome. Too bad we will all have to wait until 2015 to see it.

EVENT REVIEW: The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles

The Night that Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles
Featuring: Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Eurythmics, Pharrell, Brad Paisley, Dave Grohl, Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh,  Gary Clark Jr.
January 27, 2014
LA Convention Center
Los Angeles, CA

By: Nevra Azerkan

Rating: [The Breakdown]

The Beatles made their US debut on the Ed Sullivan show 50 years ago this February 9^th, the same day this special will air. That appearance has become one of the most iconic in music history. Many have tried to replicate it, but it is impossible. Being a HUGE Beatles fan, this was one concert I was dying to see. Paul AND Ringo, TOGETHER—and not like the Grammys. Instead, they would be performing classic Beatles hits. Can we say, EPIC?

MOVIE REVIEW: Pitch Perfect [@pitchperfect]

Pitch Perfect
Directed by: Jason Moore
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks

By: Nevra Azerkan
Rating:

[The Breakdown]

When I first saw the trailer for Pitch Perfect I was so anxious for its release. With Glee and NBC’s The Sing Off showcasing amazing groups like, Pentatonix, a flick like this was surely to happen.

Pitch Perfect is loosely based on the book by Mickey Rapkin, how close it follows that storyline I’m not sure. But my main concern was the casting. You need some amazing talent to pull this off. Anna Kendrick is one of my favorite new actresses. From Twilight to Up in the Air to now Pitch Perfect, she can do it all. Most people don’t know she actually comes from a Broadway background, so what you hear is really her and she brings it. We all are getting to know and love Rebel Wilson, who we cannot forget from Bridesmaids. This girl shines as Fat Amy with her hilarious delivery of some of the best lines in the film. Skylar Astin is definitely a breakout star in this with his quirky, but cute charm and his contagious charisma.

The movie begins with Beca (Kendrick) on her first day of college where her father also happens to be professor. She’s clearly not pleased being there and would rather be in Los Angeles becoming a famous DJ. She attends the student fair and soon meets two of The Barden Bellas, an all-girls acapella group, who try to recruit her. She turns them down, but ultimately joins to get her dad off her case. During this time, she meets Jesse (Astin) who ends up joining The Treblemakers, the all-male acapella group on campus, reigning champs and rivals of The Bellas. Jesse and Beca end up working together at the college radio station and soon begin spending a lot of time with each other until she abruptly pushes him away. She continues doing performances with The Bellas until she has had enough of their “plan”, which is mostly losing against The Treblemakers because their songs are outdated, and tries to get them to take some risks. This isn’t taken well, but once everyone comes to their senses, Beca leads the Bellas in their new direction and gets them to the regional competition. She and Jesse are no longer speaking as The Bellas and The Treblemakers prep for the competition and…well, it’s pretty obvious how the rest goes.

It’s a simple plot, but it is carried out very well. The actors all fit their roles perfectly and the best part of it all is the song renditions and mash-ups. After all, one goes to see a movie with acapella groups battling it out to hear the songs. From the trailer, the “riff-off” with “No Diggity”, originally by Blackstreet, had me sold. In the film, the mash-up of “Just the Way You Are” (Bruno Mars) mixed with “Just a Dream” (Nelly) really had you rooting for The Bellas. Their finale mash-up, “Price Tag” (Jessie J), “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (Simple Minds), “Give Me Everything” (Pitbull) “Just the Way You Are” (Bruno Mars), “Party in the U.S.A.” (Miley Cyrus) and “Turn the Beat Around” (Vicki Sue Robinson), was hands down the highlight of the film. Random mix of songs, but how they managed to get them to blend so well together was aca-awesome.

Pitch Perfect is such a fun and refreshing film that you can overlook any flaws that it may have (like the random departure of the former lead singer of The Treblemakers and his moment with Fat Amy left hanging). It’s about sitting back and watching the excitement on the screen and they don’t just bring it, they sing it.

SECOND WAVE OF CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES ADDED TO “TEEN CHOICE 2010” AIRING MONDAY, AUGUST 9, ON FOX

The next wave of nominees has been announced for TEEN CHOICE 2010 airing Monday, Aug. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.  New categories include Choice Movie Scene Stealer, Choice Celebrity Fashion Line, Choice Web Star, Choice Smile, Choice American Idol Alum, Choice Country Song and Choice Country Album.  GLEE and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” lead the second wave of TEEN CHOICE 2010 nominees with 9 nominations each.

Fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day for all of their favorite TEEN CHOICE 2010 nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com.

Hosted by Katy Perry, TEEN CHOICE 2010 celebrates the hottest teen icons in film, television, music, sports and fashion. This star-studded two-hour event will feature appearances by David Archuleta, Kristen Bell, John Cena, Miranda Cosgrove, Zac Efron, Victoria Justice, Jim Parsons and Shailene Woodley.  Additional performers, presenters and nominees will be announced soon.

Following is the list of categories and nominees for the next wave of TEEN CHOICE 2010 nominees:

MOVIES

Choice Movie: Liplock

Russell Brand and Jonah Hill, “Get Him to the Greek”

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, “The Proposal”

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, “The Last Song”

Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift, “Valentine’s Day”

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

Choice Movie: Fight

Sean Combs vs. Russell Brand and Jonah Hill, “Get Him to the Greek”

Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle vs. The Hammer Drones, “Iron Man 2”

Logan Lerman vs. Jake Abel, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

Mia Wasikowska vs. The Jabberwocky, “Alice in Wonderland”

Sam Worthington vs. Stephen Lang, “Avatar”

Choice Movie: Hissy Fit

Jessica Biel, “Valentine’s Day”

Sean Combs, “Get Him to the Greek”

Miley Cyrus, “The Last Song”

Giovanni Ribisi, “Avatar”

Vince Vaughn, “Couples Retreat”

Choice Movie: Chemistry

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, “The Proposal”

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, “The Last Song”

Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift, “Valentine’s Day

Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum, “Dear John”

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

Choice Movie: Male Breakout

Quinton Aaron, “The Blind Side”

Jesse Eisenberg, “Zombieland / Adventureland”

Liam Hemsworth, “The Last Song”

Aaron Johnson, “Kick-Ass”

Logan Lerman, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

Choice Movie: Female Breakout

Gemma Arterton, “Clash of the Titans”

Alexandra Daddario, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”

Chloë Grace Moretz, “Kick-Ass”

Taylor Swift, “Valentine’s Day”

Mia Wasikowska, “Alice in Wonderland”

Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer

Sean Combs, “Get Him to the Greek”

George Lopez, “Valentine’s Day”

Kellan Lutz, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

James Marsden, “Death at a Funeral”

Mark Wahlberg, “Date Night”

Choice Movie: Female Scene Stealer

Dakota Fanning, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

Ashley Greene, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”

Anne Hathaway, “Alice in Wonderland” / “Valentine’s Day”

Anna Kendrick, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” / “Up in the Air”

Betty White, “The Proposal”

TELEVISION

Choice TV: Personality

Nick Cannon

Simon Cowell

Cat Deeley

Mario Lopez

Ryan Seacrest

Choice TV: Breakout Show

“Community”

“Life Unexpected”

“Modern Family”

“The Vampire Diaries”

“Victorious”

Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer

Hilary Duff, “Gossip Girl”

Bethany Joy Galeotti, “One Tree Hill”

Katerina Graham, “The Vampire Diaries”

Shenae Grimes, “90210”

Amber Riley, “Glee”

Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer

Chris Colfer, “Glee”

Johnny Galecki, “The Big Bang Theory”

Simon Helberg, “The Big Bang Theory”

James Lafferty, “One Tree Hill”

Matthew Morrison, “Glee”

Choice TV: Female Breakout Star

Dianna Agron, “Glee”

Nina Dobrev, “The Vampire Diaries”

Sarah Hyland, “Modern Family”

Bridgit Mendler, “Good Luck Charlie”

Mae Whitman, “Parenthood”

Choice TV: Male Breakout Star

Ken Jeong, “Community”

Kevin McHale, “Glee”

Rico Rodriguez, “Modern Family”

Mark Salling, “Glee”

Paul Wesley, “The Vampire Diaries”

Choice TV: Parental Unit

Rob Estes and Lori Loughlin, “90210”

Bethany Joy Galeotti and James Lafferty, “One Tree Hill”

Lauren Graham, “Parenthood”

Bruce and Kris Jenner, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”

Mike O’Malley, “Glee”

MUSIC

Choice Music:  Single

“Nothin’ On You,” B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars

“Can’t Be Tamed,” Miley Cyrus

“Your Love Is My Drug,” Ke$ha

“Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga

“California Gurls,” Katy Perry

Choice Music: Hook Up

“Airplanes,” B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams

“I Like It,” Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull

“Telephone,” Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé

“If We Ever Meet Again,” Timbaland featuring Katy Perry

“We’ll Be A Dream,” We the Kings featuring Demi Lovato

Choice Music: Breakout Artist – Male

Justin Bieber

B.o.B

Jason Derülo

Drake

Nick Jonas and The Administration

Choice Music: Breakout Artist – Female

Miranda Cosgrove

Selena Gomez and The Scene

Ke$ha

Demi Lovato

Nicki Minaj

Choice Music: Love Song

“When I Look At You,” Miley Cyrus

“Stay,” Nick Jonas and The Administration

“Catch Me,” Demi Lovato

“Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever),” Muse

“The Only Exception,” Paramore

Choice Music: R&B Track

“In My Head,” Jason Derülo

“Beautiful Monster,” Ne-Yo

“Rock That Body,” The Black Eyed Peas

“Rude Boy,” Rihanna

“OMG,” Usher

Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track

“Hello Good Mornin,” Diddy-Dirty Money featuring T.I.

“Find Your Love,” Drake

“Love The Way You Lie,” Eminem featuring Rihanna

“Wavin’ Flag,” K’naan

“Carry Out,” Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake

Choice Music: Rock Track

“You and Your Heart,” Jack Johnson

“All The Right Moves,” OneRepublic

“Ignorance,” Paramore

“Breakeven,” The Script

“Hey, Soul Sister,” Train

Choice Music:  Country Song

“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

“The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert

“Water,” Brad Paisley

“Fifteen,” Taylor Swift

“Undo It,” Carrie Underwood

Choice Music: Album – Pop

“My World 2.0,” Justin Bieber

“Animal,” Ke$ha

“The Fame Monster,” Lady Gaga

“Here We Go Again,” Demi Lovato

“The E.N.D.” The Black Eyed Peas

Choice Music: Album – Rock

“Leave This Town,” Daughtry

“To The Sea,” Jack Johnson

“The Resistance,” Muse

“Brand New Eyes,” Paramore

“Save Me San Francisco,” Train

Choice Music: Album – R&B

“Jason Derülo,” Jason Derülo

“The Element of Freedom,” Alicia Keys

“The ArchAndroid,” Janelle Monáe

“Rated R,” Rihanna

“Raymond vs. Raymond,” Usher

Choice Music: Album – Rap

“B.o.B Presents the Adventures of Bobby May,” B.o.B.

“So Far Gone,” Drake

“Relapse,” Eminem

“The Blueprint 3,” Jay Z

“Battle of the Sexes,” Ludacris

Choice Music: Album – Country

“Doin’ My Thing,” Luke Bryan

“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum

“Fearless,” Taylor Swift

“Play On,” Carrie Underwood

“The Foundation,” Zac Brown Band

FASHION AND BEAUTY

Choice Male Hottie

Zac Efron

Taylor Lautner

Kellan Lutz

Robert Pattinson

Ian Somerhalder

Choice Female Hottie

Jessica Biel

Megan Fox

Scarlett Johansson

Kim Kardashian

Katy Perry

Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon- Female

Miley Cyrus

Selena Gomez

Lady Gaga

Eva Longoria Parker

Katy Perry

Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon-Male

Russell Brand

Jonas Brothers

Ashton Kutcher

Taylor Lautner

Justin Timberlake

Choice: Celebrity Fashion Line

“Sean Jean,” Sean “Diddy” Combs

“Miley and Max,” Miley Cyrus and Max Azria

“House of Harlow,” Nicole Richie

“L.A.M.B.,” Gwen Stefani

“William Rast,” Justin Timberlake

MISCELLANEOUS

Choice Twit

Ellen DeGeneres

Kim Kardashian

Ashton Kutcher

George Lopez

Ryan Seacrest

Choice Web Star

Greyson Chance

Shane Dawson

Fred Figglehorn/Lucas Cruikshank

iJustine

Charles Trippy

Choice Videogame

Band Hero

Green Day: Rock Band

Halo 3

New Super Mario Brothers Wii

The Sims 3

Choice Smile presented by Invisalign Teen

Miranda Cosgrove

Zac Efron

Victoria Justice

Taylor Lautner

Cory Monteith

Choice Activist

Leonardo DiCaprio

Eva Longoria Parker

Shakira

Jessica Simpson

Justin Timberlake

Choice American Idol Alum

David Archuleta

Kelly Clarkson

Chris Daughtry

Jennifer Hudson

Carrie Underwood

Most Fanatic Fans

David Archuleta

Justin Bieber

Miley Cyrus

Glee Cast

Twilight Cast