The Darkest Hour: Causing a head ache

The Darkest Hour
A; Sci-fi
Dir: Chris GorakCast: Emile Hirch, Max MinghellaRatings: Half(1/2)
How could a science fiction action movie that cost $30 million end up looking cheap, stupid and lifeless? To find out, see The Darkest Hour. The film, a sophomore feature by well-known art director Chris Gorak is no more compelling than a pile of bricks. The $30 million apparently has been spent on morphing electric flashlights that fall from the sky and swallow humans. Mostly the film morphs into a block of idiocy.
 

A still from the movie ' The Darkest Hour'

As bad as it gets, which is pretty awful, at least you can say that the film isn't pretentious. Why it has released worldwide in 3D rather than going direct-to-TV is its only mystery. The plot is the usual waffle ” aliens attack the Earth. To its credit, the film starts out well enough. It opens in Moscow instead of in New York, has two moments of thrills and humour, and sets up the premise without insulting our intelligence too much.

Unfortunately it soon resorts to visual aids, eschewing fun in favour of lame one-liners and cheesy Adobe after effects. As the aliens arrive, people start dying in ludicrous and unintentionally comical ways. We don't care. We just want to go back home and have an aspirin.

The characters in the film are a recycled version of every alien invasion movie ever made. Being Russian is no substitute for acting. The usually likable Emile Hirch and Max Minghella deliver performances that are one-dimensional even by the undemanding standards of the genre. The sultry Olivia Thirlby and Rachael Taylor hang around between Hirsch and Minghella's characters, mouthing some of the most clich ©d lines. The aliens, who can be rendered on a Pentium 3 computer, are as frightening as Kestho Mukherjee in a mock angry mood, and just as ridiculous. I hoped the movie would salvage some dignity by killing all the heroes off. That would've earned some respect. Sadly Deus Ex makes an appearance -- you know how it goes. The last two leads are trapped somewhere, facing aliens and certain death. And then someone gives that 'hey presto brilliant idea that could work' look.

But to Beelzebub with the characters and the story, who was the scientific advisor on The Darkest Hour? Besides the aliens' electric circuitry, not one premise in this movie is the least bit digestible. I can suspend disbelief for all kinds of codswallop. But a homemade microwave gun that can quash an entire alien army that travelled eons to get to earth? I'm no scientist, but I am prepared to endorse unabridged b******t only if you dress it up intelligently enough.

The Darkest Hour has a slight edge over other bad sci-fi films -- it is so ineptly directed that it becomes mildly fun to watch after a couple of pegs. The choicest moment is when one of the leads makes plans to counter the aliens, and another interrupts saying 'Be careful! They are out here!', as if no one knows that there are that extraterrestrial beings killing humans out on the streets. Needless to say, The Darkest Hour is the nadir of sci-fi filmmaking. They definitely don't come any worse than this.

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Katy Perry Separation and divorce Russell Brand Switching Away of Their Hollywood Estate

Katy Perry Separation and divorce Russell Brand Switching Away of Their Hollywood Estate

Katy Perry and Russell Brand have agreed ... Katy will stay in the couple's $6.5 million Hollywood Hills mansion and Russell will move out ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the couple tell us ... the moving process is already under way and most of Russell's stuff is already out of the home.

We're told ... the two are on reasonably good terms with each other, considering they just broke up ... and the decision over the house went pretty smoothly.

As we previously reported, the couple purchased the home together just a few months ago. We're guessing if Katy wants to stay in the home long term, she'll most likely have to cut Russell a big, fat check.

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Won't you put the children to sleep 1st?

Won't you put the children to sleep 1st? AnnaLynne McCord and Dominic Purcell's Really provocative beach show... captured on genuine camera by his young kids

Public displays of affection are commonplace, but AnnaLynne McCord may have taken it too far with boyfriend Dominic Purcell.

The 90210 actress straddled and smooched the Prison Break star as the couple took a trip to the beach in Sydney, Australia.

But they failed to mind that Dominic's eight-year-old daughters, Lily and Augustus, were watching their display intently.

Say cheese!: one of Dominic Purcell's daughters snaps his saucy
beach behaviour with girlfriend AnnaLynne McCord

And one of the twin girls was even capturing the entire raunchy event on camera.
She took a a series of photos of her father and his new girlfriend as they kissed and cuddled while scantily clad on the beach.

And the couple looked so besotted with each other that they did not mind who was watching.

AnnaLynne, 24, then challenged her man to a playful wrestle in the sand.

Peek-a-boo: AnnaLynne and Dominic did not seem to mind who was watching their amorous display

Public display of affection: The couple could not keep their hands off each other on their day out

The family day out shows that things appear to be getting serious with AnnaLynne and 41-year-old Purcell, who is 17 years her senior.

And AnnaLynne certainly seemed to be making a good impression on the girls despite her antics, later amusing the whole family by dancing saucily for them.

The TV star showed off her toned figure in a bright turquoise halterneck bikini and took the girls for a dip in the sea.

Gladiators: AnnaLynne challenges her man to a wrestle in the sand

She is visiting her beau in his native Sydney for some quality time together over the Christmas break.

The pair began dating a few months ago, but have had to maintain a long-distance relationship while AnnaLynne shoots 90210 in Los Angeles.

However the amorous display they put on showed that absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

Saucy: AnnaLynne dances provocatively for Dominic and his daughters

The blonde gushed about the benefits of a relationship with an older man when quizzed by Us Weekly magazine recently.

She said: 'We have healthy debates, which I absolutely love. At the very end of the conversation we will both go, 'I respect your opinion. I disagree with you. But I respect your opinion because I love you.

'I'm like the little girl who loves school and love learning, especially from a man who is so intelligent and so worldly, it's nice to learn some things.'

Family fun: AnnaLynne accompanied Dominic and his twin daughters Lily and Augustus to the beach

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Katie Price noticed on night out with ex Leandro Penna

Offering stuff another move? Katie Price noticed on night out with ex Leandro Penna after 'he proposes on Xmas Day' 
New claims that Leandro asked Katie to marry him

They split last year following claims that the language barrier was leading to problems in their relationship.

But it seems Katie Price is giving it another go with Leandro Penna, and started 2012 with her Argentinian ex-boyfriend in a London nightclub.

Leandro was seen carrying Katie into a waiting cab following a 'raunchy' night out with the mother-of-three at the Kassaba Lounge.

Giving things another go: Katie Price was seen being carried out of a London nightclub
by ex-boyfriend Leandro Penna on Sunday night

While the pair's faces could not be seen, Katie was identified by her black furry boots as Leandro's silver jumper was also spotted.

And a source at the nightspot on Sunday night said Katie and Leandro were clearly enjoying each other's company.

The source told the Daily Mirror: 'It was quite raunchy. They kissed on the dancefloor during the night. They were very smoochy with each other.























Destined for each other? It remains to be seen whether Katie and Leandro will properly rekindle their relationship following their night together

Things have been hotting up between them for a few weeks. The party on Sunday had a bikini theme so there were lots of girls in skimpy swimwear but Leo only had eyes for Katie.

'They stayed until about 3am, when Leandro ended up carrying her out to the car.'

And it has also been claimed that Leandro proposed to Katie on Christmas Day.

Katie is quoted by The Sun as telling a friend: 'Leandro came to mine on Christmas Day and asked me to marry him. It was completely out of the blue. I don't know what to do.'

A source claimed to the paper: 'Leandro is desperate to get back together with Katie and doesn't care that she has been out and about with other men since they broke up.

Happier times: Katie and Leandro posing in this cute Twitter photo last year

'He holds a flame for her and obviously believes asking for her hand in marriage will sweep her off her feet. But unfortunately, he doesn't feature in Katie's plans.'

A representative for Katie has said: 'Miss Price is still single.'

Leandro, however, has posted a series of cryptic messages on his twitter page.

He tweeted: 'If someone is stupid enough to get away from you, be smart enough to let it tog.'

Leandro then added: 'Life is short - kiss slowly, laugh loudly, love deeply and forgive quickly.'

Katie and Leandro quickly sparked a relationship after meeting at Elton John's Oscars party in Los Angeles in February 2011, just weeks after her split from second husband Alex Reid.

She was previously married to Peter Andre, with whom she has two children, Junior and Princess, and she is also mother to son Harvey, from her relationship with Dwight York.

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Sherlock and the matter of nudity before 9pm

Sherlock and the matter of nudity before 9pm: BBC below fire for smutty pre-watershed scenes in adaptation of Conan Doyle classic

It's a mystery that Sherlock Holmes himself might struggle to solve – how could the BBC think that these scenes were appropriate for a pre- watershed audience?

Families settling down to watch the Corporation’s latest Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adaptation were shocked to see actress Lara Pulver – playing the great detective’s romantic interest Irene Adler – strolling around with no clothes on a full 25 minutes before 9pm.

The character had already been shown wearing a thong and carrying a whip as she walked into a room containing a woman tied to a bed.

Perching suggestively: Lara pulver as Sherlock Holmes' love interest
Irene Adler in the nude a full 25 minutes pre-watershed

Almost ten million watched the New Year’s Day episode of Sherlock, which was based on the 1891 short story A Scandal In Bohemia.

The first of three new episodes of the series, which swaps the 19th-century setting of the original tales for modern-day London, was shown on BBC1 from 8.10pm.

In the most shocking scene, Miss Pulver wore only diamond earrings, lipstick and heels as she flirted with Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

After perching suggestively on a chair, Miss Pulver – whose updated version of Miss Adler works as a dominatrix – went on to strike him across the face with a riding crop.

Racfy scenes: The nude Irene Adler flirts with Benedict Cumberpatch's Sherlock Holmes

She later tampered with the detective’s phone so that new text messages were announced with a sensual moan.

Viewers yesterday complained that the BBC had gone too far with the raunchy scenes, which were screened in an early-evening holiday slot to maximise ratings.

One wrote on Twitter: ‘Dominatrix?! Watershed anyone? My ten-year-old was watching that.’

Another said: ‘I don’t think the storyline in Sherlock is pre-watershed suitable.’

A third asked: ‘How was Sherlock on pre-watershed with that slut walking round with no clothes on for most of it?!’

The BBC insisted that the scenes were not too racy for the timeslot.

A spokesman said: ‘We’re delighted with the critical and audience response to the first episode, which has been extremely positive, and have received no complaints at this stage.’

The episode, titled A Scandal In Belgravia, attracted an average audience of 8.75million, peaking at 9.5million.

Series co-creator Steven Moffat said he had given Holmes an overtly sexual sparring partner to scotch speculation about a homosexual undercurrent to the relationship between him and Dr John Watson, played by Martin Freeman.

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Kim Kardashian strips in closet to 'test' if pal Jonathan Cheban Is Gay

I got changed and he didn't look': Kim Kardashian strips in dresser to 'test' if pal Jonathan Cheban is gay

To Watch video go below

Any red blooded male might struggle to avert their eyes if Kim Kardashian stripped down in front of them.

Which was clearly what the reality star was thinking as she got changed in front of pal Jonathan Cheban - to gauge whether or not he is gay.

The 30-year-old TV star was in the closet, so to speak, of her New York hotel and decided to carry out the 'test' after Kris Humphries gets her thinking about her friend's sexual orientation.

Striptease: Kim Kardashian gets changed in her closet in front of friend Jonathan Cheban to see if he takes a peek and to assess whether or not he is gay in last night's episode of Kourtney & Kim Take New York

Eyes averted: Jonathan turns away when she gets changed, but Kim later wonders if he was just being polite as opposed to not finding her attractive

Kris is convinced PR guru Jonathan is homosexual - and tells him as much - but Kim is not so sure, saying they have never talked about his private life before.

The results of her little striptease - which aired last night in an episode of Kourtney & Kim Take New York - are inconclusive, however. Jonathan averts his eyes when she strips to her bra.

But later Kim tells Kris: 'I got changed in front of him to see if he would look but he didn't.'

Hugging it out: The reality star quizzes the PR guru about what he looks for in a partner

However, she concluded, he could have just been being polite and courteous.

During their closet encounter, Kim quizzes Jonathan about what he looks for in a partner.

He jokes: 'Light skinned, big ass,' to which Kim jokes back: 'What if we are in love with each other.'

Later, in an apparent bid to prove he is straight, Jonathan goes on date with woman.

Dinner date: Kim and Kris join Jonathan at his apartment for dinner

Look who is here: He invites a girl along who he says he is taking out on a date

Kim and Kris meet her at his home before they go out - where Kris again asks Jonathan about his sexual preference.

While Jonathan remained rather elusive about his sexual orientation, he apparently wanted to prove conspiracy theorist Kris wrong, whose suspicions were alerted after accompanying Kim and Jonathan on a trip to a candle shop.

While Kris sat their looking bored, Jonathan appeared to enjoy perusing all the scented products on offer, which Humphries finds odd.

Whatever the case, Jonathan was last week spotted in Miami soaking up the sun with a mystery brunette where they put on an affectionate display.

Nice to meet you: Kim introduces herself to Jonathan's lady friend

Soaking up the sun: Cheban was spotted last week in Miami with a mystery brunette

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Major 10 Superstar Break ups of 2011

Top 10 Celebrity Breakups of 2011 - as part of the celebrities series by GeoBeats.

10 - Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel ended their on and off 4 year relationship once again.
9 - Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller divorced, all to get back together, then split again.
8 - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver divorced after his affair with a maid became public.
7 - Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz began divorce proceedings, but remain friends.
6 - Eva Longoria and Tony Parker finalized their divorce after 4 years of marriage.
5 - Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris split 4 days before their scheduled wedding.
4 - Kat Von D split from fiancé Jesse James, and claimed he cheated on her many times.
3 - Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian split less than 3 months after their infamous wedding.
2 - Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony mutually decided to call it quits after 7 years together.
1 - Demi and Ashton spilt after a rumor-ridden 6 year union.

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Jennifer Aniston’s beauty tricks exposed!

Jennifer Aniston has always been an example of impeccable style and hardly ever gets it wrong with her looks, both on and off screen.

Turns out, the actress has a range of beauty products that help her maintain her sweetheart looks

 

 Being a hair straightener devotee, Aniston relies on Kerastase Ciment Thermique to protect her hair. The thermo-activated reconstructioning milk has been designed specifically for hair subjected to heat styling.

Taking special care of that famous face, she uses the oil free Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, which contains 60 per cent charged water and seaweed extracts, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Any blemish or dark circle is covered with the moisture-rich and light reflecting Laura Mercier Secret Concealer.

The actress is also a fan of Dr Hauschka products and uses mascara and lip balm from this brand

 Looking away from the face, she keeps her hands smooth with Davies Gate Lemon Made Hand Salve - a thick, buttery and sweet scented product.

Aniston snapped up Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Cream on a visit to Space NK. The light day cream with SPF 15 could be the secret to her ever-young radiant complexion.

Of course, the secret to all beauty always is good skin and the star uses Clean Soft Bath Milk for this purpose.

She is a big fan of this bath milk, infused with pink grapefruit and passion lily it leaves you feeling silky smooth and wonderfully pampered.

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Find a space! Vanessa Hudgens and lover Austin Butler engage in very common poolside smooch time in Miami

A few superstar partners maintain their smooches personal, away from spying sight but Vanessa Hudgens and her lover Austin Butler are obviously not really so self conscious.

The couple were seen smooching up a surprise as during a day by the pool in Miami.

Vanessa, 23, was seen straddling her sweetheart and she couldn't keep her hands or her lips off her man.

PDA: Vanessa Hudgens and boyfriend Austin Butler couldn't keep their hands off each other as they smooched poolside in Miami Beach

Austin,20, also proved to be quite the exhibitionist and was seen wrapping his arms around Vanessa as she sat on top of him.

Perhaps the cocktails the couple had been indulging in had loosened their inhibitions although the couple are no stranger to public displays of affection.

Although given that Austin is underage for consuming alcohol let's hope he had stuck to mocktails.

In full view: The couple had no qualms about making out by the poolside

The look of love? The young couple couldn't help but stare into the others eyes

While Vanessa has an incredible figure the actress had decided to cover up her sexy shape with a pair of oversize denim overalls.

Her 80s-style bib and trousers combination made the High School Musical star appear much larger than she actually is.

However, as soon as she disrobed and revealed her crocheted black one-piece bathing suit, the brunette beauty was a changed woman.

He's mine: The 23-year-old actress was straddled across her man and couldn't keep her hands or her lips off her man

Are you ready for a show? After smooching her man Vanessa was seen climbing up to take off part of her ensemble

That's one way to get his attention: Vanessa was seen slowly taking off her dungarees to reveal her barely-there beachwear

Go on a little more: Vanessa was seen taking off her cover up with a cheeky smile on her face

But the actress ensured that she made the most of her big reveal and almost offered her boyfriend a strip tease as she took off the dungarees in front of him.

All male eyes were on the actress as she took the ugly jean cover-up off to lounge poolside.

Of course, the only pair of eyes she cared about were those of her boyfriend, Zoey 101 star Austin Butler, but given she was stood in front of him she didn't have to worry about catching his eye.

Come here you: Stripping off her to her bathing suit Vanessa lay down next to Austin while the couple were joined by friends

Cool customer: Vanessa managed to tear herself away from her beau to show off her sunglasses

Tender touch: Even with Vanessa sat right next to him Austin had to keep a hand on her back

Her tactics certainly paid off and it was not long before the actress was lying next to her beau as he wrapped his arm around her.

And it appeared the couple's friends were not put off but the PDA and joined the twosome on the bed they were sharing.

Vanessa was seen sitting up talking with her friends but even though she was right next to him Austin was seen putting a protective and lovely hand on her back.

Off for more drinks? After lounging around on the bed Vanessa was seen making a brief exit

Covering up? Vanessa was seen pulling on her denim ensemble to get more drinks from the bar

Leading the party: Vanessa seemed pleased with herself as she sipped on a cocktail closely followed by friends and Austin

The two have been dating since September and appear to be inseparable, having holed up with one another over the holidays.

Austin seemed to appreciate his girlfriend in whatever she wore, boldly announcing via his T-shirt that he was a taken man.

He wore a black V-necked shirt with the words 'Not For Sale' emblazoned on it in white writing.

She and the 20-year-old walked hand-in-hand around the pool before settling down with friends to soak up the sun.

Although her poolside style was hit or miss, her career appears to be going swimmingly.

She has signed on to appear in the crime drama Spring Breakers alongside Selena Gomez, James Franco, Emma Roberts and Glee's Heather Morris.

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