Britt Hayes is a writer, movie lover, and sensible sweater enthusiast living in Austin, Texas. She watches too much TV and never eats her vegetables.
Britt Hayes
The Top 10 Movies and TV Shows of 2014, According to Facebook
It’s that time of the year, when pop culture websites and critics publish their annual Best Of lists and we heap praise on the best and most beloved movies and TV shows of the year. But what about the average moviegoer and TV-viewer? That’s where Facebook comes in. The social media site has released their top 10 movies and top 10 TV shows of the year, based on the most discussed titled of 2014. While some are fairly obvious, the lists might surprise you and inspire you to contemplate the overlap between what’s popular and what’s actually good.
Jake Gyllenhaal’s ‘Southpaw’ Transformation Is Truly Astonishing
When actors transform for a role, we take notice (and most of the time, so does that little golden statue named Oscar). Christian Bale in ‘The Machinist,’ Matthew McConaughey in ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ Charlize Theron in ‘Monster,’ Christian Bale in the ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, etc. Jake Gyllenhaal recently joined the club when he dropped 25 pounds to play the sociopathic Lou Bloom in ‘Nightcrawler,’ and now he’s at it again with his incredible transformation for his next film, Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Southpaw.’
New Netflix Instant Releases — December 2014
It's the holiday season, and what better way to spend your free time than with some new streaming goodies courtesy of Netflix Instant? Whether your curled up with your loved ones or best buddies, or settling in for some much-need you time, Netflix has some awesome new movies and TV shows headed to Instant this December—from new releases to titles you've been meaning to catch up with, tis the season for binge-watching.
‘Jurassic World’ Teaser Promises to Deliver Our First Trailer on Thanksgiving Day
A few days ago, the YouTube page for Universal Spain posted memorable footage of the cup of water vibrating from ‘Jurassic Park’ as a teaser for ‘Jurassic World,’ which seemed pretty curious. But today brings our first official footage from ‘Jurassic World’ in the form of a far more awesome teaser for the trailer, which will hit the web on Thanksgiving day. If that’s not something to be thankful for, what is?
Melissa McCarthy Will Play Tinker Bell in a Movie Which Will Surely Be Magical
Hey, remember that Tinker Bell sketch from 'SNL' a while back, when Aidy Bryant played a bawdy version of the beloved Disney fairy? If only we could have a film version of that. Well, prepare for the next best thing. Melissa McCarthy is set to star in a live-action Tinker Bell film from 'Night at the Museum' director Shawn Levy and 'Neighbors' writer Nicholas Stoller. Magical!
Watch Johnny Depp’s Weird, Drunken Speech at the Hollywood Film Awards
So this is why we don't see Johnny Depp on stage very often (ever?) at awards shows. Last night at the Hollywood Film Awards, Depp introduced the documentary ‘Supermensch,’ about legendary talent manager Shep Gordon, and immediately made it pretty clear that he was not sober-minded. “That's the weirdest microphone I've ever seen in my life,” he slurs—except, you know, it's just a regular microphone.
Michelle MacLaren in Talks to Direct ‘Wonder Woman’ Movie
In what is probably the best rumor of the week already, WB has apparently got their collective studio eyes on Michelle MacLaren to direct their upcoming 'Wonder Woman' movie. MacLaren is best known for her work on television, where she's directed some of the most riveting episodes of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Game of Thrones,' so she knows a thing or two about action and what makes for a compelling, complex character.
Update: ‘Toy Story 4′ Is Officially Happening, Gets a 2017 Release Date
Even though we were told, once upon a time, that Disney and Pixar had no plans for 'Toy Story 4,' it seems that those plans have changed. After a series of short films that kept us up to date with the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear and friends, Disney CEO Bob Iger has just announced that we'll finally be getting a 'Toy Story 4' after all, and it has an official release date and everything.
Freddy Krueger Is Responsible for Mark Hamill’s Casting in ‘Star Wars’
It's hard to imagine Luke Skywalker being played by anyone but Mark Hamill in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, but it very well could have happened. And according to 'Nightmare on Elm Street' icon Robert Englund, better known to audiences as Freddy Krueger, it might not have happened at all had he not once told a teenage boy about the part after coming home from a failed 'Star Wars' audition himself.
‘Minions’ Trailer: The ‘Despicable Me’ Sidekicks Search for a New Master
The first full trailer for 'Minions' has arrived, highlighting the little yellow, gibberish-speaking sidekicks from 'Despicable Me,' who are getting their very own prequel/origin story. Set 42 years B.G. (Before Gru), the lovable little yellow goofballs are on a quest to find their next master after a series of mishaps throughout the years has left them without a leader.
’50 Shades of Grey’ Won’t Feature Any Male Nudity, So Who Is This Movie For Anyway?
One of the great celebratory moments of 2014 was seeing Ben Affleck nude in 'Gone Girl' (and a little bit of Neil Patrick Harris too, if you were paying attention). It's not as if us women are male-nudity-starved, craven maniacs just salivating for a glimpse of wang or something, but with all the rampant female nudity and objectification that permeates pop culture, it's nice to see a little equality. So it's disheartening to hear that Jamie Dornan will not be appearing fully nude in '50 Shades of Grey,' as if that movie needed another reason to be avoided.
‘Avengers 2′ Will Feature Appearances from Heimdall and Loki
Just a little while after we reported the awesome news that Tom Hiddleston's Loki will be featured prominently in both 'Thor: Ragnarok' and both parts of 'Avengers: Infinity War,' we have another 'Avengers' and 'Thor'-related bit of news for you: Idris Elba has confirmed that not only will he be making an appearance in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron,' but so will the mischief-making Loki.