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.

 

Kelly Clarkson Announces 2015 Piece by Piece Tour with Pentatonix

Kelly Clarkson announced her 2015 Piece by Piece Tour. Joining Kelly on the 36-city tour will be recent Grammy winners and one of our favorite groups, Pentatonix and singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson. Kelly will be touring in support of her sixth studio album, Piece By Piece.

Tickets for the general public go on sale starting Saturday, March 14. For more information on the tour and specific on-sale dates, visit www.KellyClarkson.com. Check out the tour dates below.

PENTATONIX “On My Way Home” North American Tour Dates

Move over Mariah Carey, NSYNC and Michael Bublé, That’s Christmas To Me from Pentatonix has become the biggest holiday album of the season.  The album has topped multiple music charts and their first holiday release, PTXMAS is still holding strong. The group is having an amazing holiday season especially after getting nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella of their hit “Daft Punk” (Congrats!). They will be embarking on a North American tour this coming new year and you can find the dates for the “On My Way Home” Tour below.

2015 North American “On My Way Home” Tour Dates
2/25/15                 Oakland, CA                   Fox Theater
2/26/15                 Oakland, CA                   Fox Theater
2/28/15                 Las Vegas, NV               The Chelsea Theater at the Cosmopolitan
3/1/15                   Anaheim, CA                  City National Grove of Anaheim
3/3/15                   Orem, UT             Utah Valley University
3/7/15                   Minneapolis, MN            Orpheum Theater
3/8/15                   Chicago, IL                      Chicago Theatre
3/9/15                   Chicago, IL                      Chicago Theatre
3/11/15                 Toronto, ON                    The Sound Academy
3/12/15                 Toronto, ON                    The Sound Academy
3/14/15                 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event Center
3/15/15                 Wallingford, CT              Toyota Oakdale Theatre
3/16/15                 Boston, MA                     Agganis Arena
3/18/15                 New York, NY                 The Theater at Madison Square Garden
3/19/15                 Fairfax, VA                      Patriot Center
3/21/15                 Atlanta, GA                     The Tabernacle
3/22/15                 Tampa, FL                       Busch Gardens Tampa | FREE SHOW with park admission
3/25/15                 Houston, TX                   Bayou Music Center
3/26/15                 Austin, TX                       ACL Live at The Moody Theater
3/28/15                 Tulsa, OK                        Brady Theater
3/29/15                 Grand Prairie, TX           Verizon Wireless Theater

 

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.

MUSIC VIDEO: Pentatonix – “Love Again”

Pentatonix released the video for their original song, “Love Again” and it is trippy! For a moment I thought it was a KoRn video. haha. The group is always willing to try new things and this music video is definitely different with the sci-fi theme. The track is a classic infectious pop tune, so if you are a PTX fan, you will for sure be getting down to this track. Have a look and listen to the video above!

Pentatonix Sign with RCA Records

Exciting news for the amazing vocal group, Pentatonix! The quintet just got signed to RCA Records. The group have released three albums, sold out their North American tour and are currently on a sold out European tour. RCA Records released the following statement:

“We are thrilled to have Pentatonix join RCA,” says RCA President & COO Tom Corson.  “Their musicality and special vocal abilities have enabled them to create innovative original songs as well as re-create some of today’s biggest hits. Pentatonix is unique to our business and we look forward to working with them as we take their talents to new and exciting heights everywhere in the world.”

 

A Capella Group, Pentatonix, Star In New Lucky Charms Commercial Airing During The 56th Annual Grammy Awards

The uber amazing vocal group, Pentatonix is starting the new year right! They sold out their 30-date North American Tour and are now teaming up with Lucky Charms for the cereal brand’s 50th Anniversary.

PTX arranged and recorded a new version of the Lucky Charms song and each member will be shown in animated form in the commercial. How awesome is that?!? The ad will premiere during the 56th Annual Grammy Awards telecast this Sunday, January 26^th on CBS. But why wait, when you can watch it above? 🙂

Pentatonix Announce 2014 North American Tour Dates

Pentatonix are heading out on a sold out European tour (crazy!), and they show no signs of slowing down. The group just announced dates for an upcoming North American headline tour that will begin February 4, 2014 and go through April.  All tickets and limited VIP Packages (that include meet & greets, access to soundcheck, exclusive merchandise and even a private performance) are available here.

Their second album, PTX Volume 2 is out now on iTunes. It features a 7-song Daft Punk medley and a mash-up of Swedish House Mafia hits “Save The World” and “Don’t Worry Child”.

Pentatonix Announce the Release Date of PTX Vol 2

A cappella group, Pentatonix will be releasing their second album, PTX Volume 2 on November 5th exclusively through iTunes. It will include their cover of the Swedish House Mafia songs,  “Save The World” and “Don’t Worry Child” as an album-only bonus track. PTX Volume 2 is currently available for pre-order on iTunes with an  immediate download of their cover of “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The album contains 8 new tracks, 3 of which are original songs. You can pre-order the album here.

MUSIC VIDEO: Pentatonix – “Can’t Hold Us”

Pentatonix (PTX) have released a new video of their cover of “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The track will be on their next release PTX Vol 2 which is expected to be released in October. In November, the group will be off to Europe for a fall tour. Tickets are on sale now.

The video is pretty awesome and I’m not just saying that because it was filmed at my alma mater, Mount St. Mary’s College – Chalon Campus. The shots look amazing, but that’s pretty typical for every PTX video. The group managed to turn another cover into a spectacular a capella arrangement that is all their own. I also like how each scene features a different group member in the front and everyone is wearing the style of that person. Subtle, but clever! I can say I always look forward to their next video, but for now check this one out above!