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.

Preliminary Panel Line Up for Comic Con 2010: Glee, Bones, Dexter, True Blood and More

UPDATE: OFFICIAL PROGRAMMING IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE COMIC CON WEBSITE. Be sure to take advantage of the schedule calendar.

It’s almost that time where geeks start freaking out over what panels will be present at Comic Con. If that’s you, get your schedules ready. The shows/movies below are the preliminary panel line up for SDCC 2010. We will be adding more once they are confirmed.

MOVIES

RED: (Thursday, July 22nd 2:15-3:15 / Hall H) Stars Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, and Mary Louise Parker join director Robert Schwentke and Red’s graphic novel writer Warren Ellis as they debut the final trailer exclusively to Comic-Con 2010, before it’s ever in theaters, and answer questions about bringing this well known D.C. Comics graphic novel to the big screen. Based on the graphic novel by Ellis, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren star in this explosive action-comedy in which former CIA top agents become the Agency’s top targets because of the secrets they know.

Tron Legacy: (Thursday, July 22nd 11:15 / Hall H) On the dais will be filmmakers and talent from the film, including director Joe Kosinski, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger as wells as cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen and Bruce Boxleitner. The panel discussion, to be moderated by Patton Oswalt, is set to include exclusive glimpses of the film, as well as a Q & A involving all panel participants, along with special surprise guests.

Drive Angry 3D: (Friday, July 23rd 10:30-11:00 / Hall H) In a Comic-Con exclusive, stars of the film including Nicolas Cage and Amber Heard as well as director Patrick Lussier will debut footage from the high-octane, blood-spattered road trip through hell. In this newest action horror shot in 3D, a vengeful father hunts down the people who brutally killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby.

Megamind

SHOWS

FOX

Bobs Burgers: (Friday, July 23rd 11:00-12:00 /Room 25ABC) Creator/Executive Producer Loren Bouchard (Home Movies) and Jim Dauterive (King of the Hill) will be on hand to introduce animation fans to their hilarious new series premiering on Fox in January 2011. There will be a screening of never-before-seen footage followed by a Q&A.

Bones: (Friday, July 23rd 2:00-2:245 /Ballroom 20) Creator and Executive Producer Hart Hanson and Star David Boreanaz— Hart Hanson and David Boreanaz will be on hand to discuss what went down in season 5 of Bones and the cliffhanger finale as well as what’s in store for Booth and Brennan in an exciting season 6!

Terra Nova: (Friday, July 23rd 3:30-4:30 /Room 6A) Executive Producers Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: Enterprise), David Fury (24, Lost) and Director Alex Graves will reveal a glimpse into the most highly anticipated epic family adventure 85 million years in the making. This new event drama slated for midseason on FOX comes from the brilliant minds of Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, The Pacific) and former News Corporation President and C.O.O. Peter Chernin and follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a part of a massive expedition to save the human race.

Family Guy: (Saturday, July 24th 11:00-11:45 /Ballroom 20) A freakin’ sweet discussion on all things Family Guy with Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green and more!  And don’t miss never-before-seen clips of the third Star Wars parody.

The Cleveland Show: (Saturday, July 24th 11:45-12:30 /Ballroom 20) Join the cast and producers of The Cleveland Show for a sneak peek at Season Two, a live table read of one act of Cleveland’s upcoming trip to Comic-Con and an audience Q&A session featuring Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry, Rich Appel, Sanaa Lathan, and Kevin Michael Richardson.

The Simpsons: (Saturday, July 24th 1:30-2:15) Now entering its record-annihilating 22nd season on Fox, The Simpsons has won 25 Emmy awards, been the subject of a smash feature film in 2007, inspired an awesome ride at Universal Studios and Homer Simpson was just named the greatest television character of the last 20 years by Entertainment Weekly.  Get an insight into the daily doings of this series from Creator Matt Groening, Showrunner Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman and Supervising Director Mike Anderson.

Fringe: (Saturday, July 24th 3:15-4:00 /Ballroom 20) Fringe returns to Comic-Con as Lance Reddick and Blair Brown make their first appearance at the convention, joining fellow series stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble and Jasika Nicole, and executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman for a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation.

Human Target: (Saturday, July 24th 6:15-7:00 / Room 6BCF) executive producer Matthew Miller (Chuck) will join series stars Mark Valley (Fringe), Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies) and Jackie Earle Haley (A Nightmare on Elm Street) for a Q&A with fans and to screen a special video presentation.

American Dad: (Sunday, July 25th 12:30-1:15 /Ballroom 20) See a never-before-seen episode of American Dad in various stages of animation followed by a Q&A session with producers Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker & Matt Weitzman and cast members Dee Bradley Baker, Scott Grimes & Rachael MacFarlane.

Glee: (Sunday, July 25th 1:30-2:30 /Ballroom 20) One year after the cast and creators of Glee came to Comic-con for the first time, the show has exploded with blockbuster ratings, number one albums and a sold-out concert tour. Get an exclusive first look at what’s in store for season 2 from executive producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk along with stars Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Mark Salling, Heather Morris and Naya Rivera, as they share some never-before-seen footage, spill behind-the-scenes secrets and take questions from the crowd.

NBC

The Cape: (Friday, July 23rd, 2:15 / Room 6A)

The Event: (Saturday, July 24th 11:15 / Room 6A)

Chuck: (Saturday, July 24th 10:00-10:45 / Ballroom 20) Join executive producers and co-creators Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl) and Chris Fedak, along with series stars Zachary Levi (Alvin and the Chipmunks), Yvonne Strahovski (upcoming The Killer Elite), Joshua Gomez (Without a Trace), Ryan McPartlin, Mark Christopher Lawrence (The Pursuit of Happyness), Vik Sahay (Good Will Hunting), Scott Krinsky (The O.C.) with Sarah Lancaster (upcoming The Good Doctor) and Adam Baldwin (Serenity) for their usual hijinks – a Q&A to discuss the upcoming season four (made possible by the devoted fanbase) and a special video presentation.

Community: (Saturday, July 24th 3:00pm / Hilton Bayfront) 

ABC

No Ordinary Family: (Saturday, July 24th 3:15 / Room 6A)

Castle: (Sunday, July 25th 10:30am / Room 6BCF)

V: (Saturday, July 24th 2:30-3:15 / Ballroom 20) V series stars Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Morris Chestnut (Boyz n the Hood), Joel Gretsch (The 4400), Logan Huffman (America), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville), Charles Mesure (Xena: Warrior Princess) with Morena Baccarin (Firefly) and Scott Wolf (Go) will join executive producers Scott Rosenbaum (Chuck, The Shield) and Steve Pearlman (Related) for a Q&A session with fans and to screen a special highlight reel from the show’s first season.

THE CW

Vampire Diaries: (Saturday, July 24th 4:15-5:00 / Ballroom 20) The cast and creative team behind The Vampire Diaries return to take a bite out of Comic-Con! Series stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Roll Bounce), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Michael Trevino (Cane) and Matt Davis (Blue Crush) join executive producers/writers Kevin Williamson (Scream) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY) to show fans a fang-tastic season one highlight reel, followed by a Q&A session.

Nikita: (Saturday, July 24th 5:15 -6:15 / Room 6BCF) Come catch a sneak peek screening of this action-packed thriller, and join Maggie, series stars Shane West (ER) and Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass), and executive producer Craig Silverstein (Bones) for an inside look at one of the most anticipated new shows of the fall season.

Smallville: (Sunday, July 25th 10:00-11:00 / Ballroom 20) Tom Welling will join showrunners Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson, as well as series stars Erica Durance, Cassidy Freeman and Justin Hartley, for the show’s panel session. Featuring an exclusive sneak peek at clips from the final season’s premiere episode, the panel will answer fans’ questions and provide a look at what lies ahead on the acclaimed super hero series. Acclaimed writer/producer Geoff Johns (“Smallville,” chief creative officer at DC Entertainment) will moderate.

Supernatural: (Sunday, July 25th 11:15-12:15 / Ballroom 20) Join Supernatural cast members to be announced, executive producers Sera Gamble (Eyes) and Ben Edlund (Angel), and creator/executive producer Eric Kripke (Boogeyman) for an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the highly anticipated sixth season of this thrill-ride series. The panel will answer questions from the audience and also show a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Fifth Season DVD and Blu-ray™ release.

CBS

Hawaii Five-0: (Friday, July 23rd 10:15-11:15 AM / Room 6BCF) Join Executive Producers Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (Star Trek) and Peter M. Lenkov (24), Director Len Wiseman (Underworld), and stars Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) for an exclusive sneak peek at the series and an in-depth discussion on how they plan to marry their genre sensibilities with a classic police procedural.

In addition to the H50 panel – where fans will have an opportunity to win three cast signed collector’s surfboards — there will be autograph signings by the cast and producers at the CBS Booth (# 4129), exclusive giveaways and a chance to win a vacation getaway to the filming location of H50 on the tropical and vibrant island of Oahu.

Big Bang Theory: (Friday, July 23rd 12:45-1:45 / Ballroom 20) Special screening and a Q&A featuring the show’s creators and stars. Resident Big Bang alum Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) will moderate a lively discussion featuring executive producers Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men) and Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg), as well as series stars Johnny Galecki (Roseanne), Jim Parsons (Garden State), Kaley Cuoco (Charmed), Simon Helberg (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story) and Kunal Nayyar (NCIS).

FX

Archer: (Friday, July 23rd 6:00pm/ Room TBA)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: (Sunday, July 25th /Time, Room TBA)

Sons of Anarchy: (Sunday, July 25th 2:45-3:45 /Ballroom 20) Comic-Con welcomes for the first time Sons of Anarchy, with series stars Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman, and series creator Kurt Sutter.

USA

White Collar: (Thursday, July 22nd 2:15 /Ballroom 20)

Psych: (Thursday, July 22nd 3:30 / Ballroom 20)

Burn Notice: (Thursday, July 22nd 1:00 /Ballroom 20)

COMEDY CENTRAL

Futurama: (Saturday, July 24th 12:45-1:30) Join the cast and crew in celebrating Futurama’s triumphant re-return to the airwaves!  World-premiere footage will offer an exciting and informative glimpse of Comic-Con in the year 3010.  Panelists include Executive Producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, cast members Billy West, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal, and Maurice LaMarche, director Crystal Chesney-Thompson, writers Ken Keeler and Patric M. Verrone, and Animation Producer Claudia Katz.

Ugly Americans: (Friday, July 23rd 10:00am / Room 25ABC)
+ Free comedy stand-up show at House of Blues

SHOWTIME

Dexter: (Thursday, July 22nd 6:00pm-7:00pm / Ballroom 20) Moderator Ralph Garman from KROQ’s The Kevin & Bean Morning Show presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of DEXTER that will include an exclusive first-look trailer of the highly anticipated season five premiere.  Featured panelists include series star/Executive Producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), Desmond Harrington (Quinn) and Executive Producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Chip Johannessen (24) and Manny Coto (Star Trek: Enterprise).

HBO

True Blood: (Friday, July 23rd 5:15-6:15 / Ballroom 20) Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy-winning HBO series Six Feet Under), Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley , Deborah Ann Woll, Kristin Bauer van Straten , Denis O’Hare and Joe Manganiello will be appearing on the panel. Moderated by Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly

STARZ

Spartacus: Blood and Sand: (Friday, July 23rd) Fresh from a triumphant first season on the Starz original series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” stars Andy Whitfield (Spartacus), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), John Hannah (Batiatus), Viva Bianca (Ilythia), and Executive Producer and Head Writer Steven S. DeKnight will appear. The day ends with a Spartacus-sponsored late night “Wrath of Con” party where the stars will be in attendance.

AMC

The Walking Dead: (Friday, July 23rd 11:30/ Room TBA)

TBS

Neighbors From Hell: (Friday, July 23rd 12:00-1:00) Executive Producers Pam Brady (South Park) and Mireille Soria (Madagascar) screen a never-before-seen episode of their newly launched TBS animated series, and take questions from the audience along with  their all-star voice cast including Molly Shannon (SNL), Patton Oswalt (My Weakness is Strong, Ratatouille), Will Sasso (MADtv), Kurtwood Smith (That ‘70s Show), David Soren (DreamWorks animation veteran), Kyle McCulloch (Mr. Wong) and Tracey Fairaway (Chicago 8) in Room 25ABC.

TNT

Falling Skies: (Friday, July 23rd 4:45 /Room 6A)

DISCOVERY

Mythbusters: (Saturday, July 24th 7:15-8:15 /Room6BCF) his year, all five MythBusters will be in attendance — the first time they’ve all attended a ‘con together (Kari was on maternity leave last year). The panel  will feature world premiere sneak peeks of upcoming myths and behind the scenes info about the Emmy-nominated show the New York Times called “the best science program on television.”

SYFY

Eureka

BBC

Being Human: (Friday, July 23rd 6:00-7:00 pm/ Room 6A) Creator/writer Toby Whithouse with cast members Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow, Aidan Turner and Sinead Keenan are on stage for a fan Q&A and exclusive inside peek to the new U.S. premiere season launching the same weekend as Comic-Con.  (2:00–3:00pm Being Human signing at the BBC AMERICA booth (#3629) and Thursday, July 22nd 8:00–11:00pm BBC AMERICA U.S. Premiere Screenings of Doctor Who and Being Human / Room 6DE).

Look Around You: (Thursday, July 22nd 5:00-6:00pm / Room 6A) As their BAFTA-nominated show comes to BBC DVD, creators-stars Robert Popper (Peep Show, Hot Fuzz) and Peter Serafinowicz (Couples Retreat, Shaun of the Dead), are on stage to take questions from the fans. (2:30-3:30pm: Look Around You signing at the BBC AMERICA booth (#3629))

CARTOON NET / ADULT SWIM

Adventure Time

Batman: The Brave and the Bold: (Friday, July 23rd 10:30-11:30 / Room 6A) The Caped Crusader swings back into San Diego as Batman: The Brave and the Bold returns to Comic-Con for its third consecutive year with an advance screening of an upcoming episode, as well as a lively discussion with voice of Batman Diedrich Bader (Surf’s Up), executive producer Sam Register (Teen Titans), producers James Tucker (Justice League Unlimited) and Michael Jelenic (The Batman), and voice director Andrea Romano (Superman Doomsday). As a special bonus for fans, the panel will also screen the world-premiere trailer for the upcoming and highly anticipated Cartoon Network/Warner Bros. Animation series Young Justice.

Children’s Hospital: (Thursday, July 22nd 5:00-6:00 / Room 25ABC ) Check out the Childrens Hospital panel and hear from the show’s creative team led by Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and Jon Stern (producer of The Ten and Scotland, PA). They will be joined by members of their ensemble cast of comedic heavyweights, including Lake Bell (How to Make It in America, It’s Complicated), Erinn Hayes (Parenthood, Worst Week) and Rob Huebel (I Love You Man, Human Giant). Childrens Hospital explores the emotional struggles and sexual politics of a group of doctors charged with healthy libidos. Their dedication to their personal lives is relentless, interrupted only by the occasional need to treat sick children. 

Generator Rex

Ben 10

Scooby Doo: (Sunday, July 25th 2:15:3:15 / Room 6BCF) Join supervising producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both Duck Dodgers), producer Mitch Watson (Ben 10: Race Against Time) and art director Dan Krall (Coraline) as they screen a never-before-seen episode of the new Cartoon Network/Warner Bros. Animation series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and take fan questions. Additionally, they will unveil the trailer to Warner Home Video’s upcoming all-new original animated movie Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare and will provide fans with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s forthcoming Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Swamp videogame.

Unnatural History: (Sunday, July 25th 1:00-2:00 / Room 6BCF)Fans will be treated to a premiere screening of a never-before-seen episode, as well as a Q&A with series stars Kevin G. Schmidt (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel), Jordan Gavaris (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Italia Ricci (Greek) and Martin Donovan (Weeds) as well as creator/executive producer Mike Werb (The Mask, Face/Off).

Tower Prep

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Squidbillies

Venture Bros

Robot Chicken

Metalocalypse and Tim & Eric