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The Great Train Robbery (1979)

2008-07-23T09:03:00Z

A history lesson: In 1855, England and France were at war with Russia in the Crimean territory, south of what is now the Ukraine. During the war, payment for the British troops was sent by rail from London. Secured in a double-locked traveling safe that was guarded throughout the journey, this gold traveled to Paris, where authorities discovered that it had been replaced with lead, making this the first robbery to occur on a moving railway train.

And that is the basis for Michael Crichton's 1975 bestselling novel, The Great Train Robbery, which he later turned into a film. Released in 1979, The Great Train Robbery is a classic heist flick, full of snappy one-liners delivered by Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland. Connery pulls off the heroic mastermind Edward Pierce with aplomb, playing a gallant thief whom you can't help but root for -- a Victorian-era Danny Ocean of sorts. Meanwhile, Sutherland is Robert Agar, a knuckle-cracking safecracker who lends his talents to the caper. Their accomplice, Pierce's lover, Miriam (Lesley-Anne Down), is a ready-and-willing distraction when Pierce and Agar need access to a crucial set of keys.

As Pierce says himself, it takes genius, charm, timing, nerve and courage to pull off a robbery like this -- and the cast is perfectly willing to go along. Connery did his own stunts and even fell off a moving train at one point, and Crichton's hair caught on fire during the filming. While The Great Train Robbery's high-velocity conclusion seems a bit slower compared to the special effects we see so often today, this intricately planned caper still stands the test of time.

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Editor

Pitch Black

2008-07-22T09:49:00Z

Today's Hulu Days of Summer entry, Pitch Black, starts off with a bang when a spaceship crashes onto M6-117, a seemingly barren planet. Carolyn Fry (Radha Mitchell), the ship's docking pilot, is the only crewmember to survive impact, but she's joined by her cargo: The few passengers who survived the emergency landing, including a blindfolded and shackled murderer named Riddick. Played by Vin Diesel (of xXx fame), Riddick has glowing eyes that see into the darkness -- very helpful in spotting the vicious monsters who roam the planet at night.

Pitch Black owes a lot to other science fiction films. It draws most notably from Alien, but there's also an element of Jurassic Park: The creepy, night-stalking aliens could be escapees from Michael Crichton's Lost World. But this lower-budget flick proves that recycled components can go a long way. Co-writer/director David Twohy creates a visceral world where the darkness looms, and knowing that those alien monsters could be lurking behind every dark corner builds palpable suspense that just might keep you on the edge of your seat.

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com

Weird Science

2008-07-21T00:00:00Z

Flashback to 1985: perms are big, Cadillacs are pink, and nerds are the pariahs of high school. Luckily, the dorks of Weird Science, Gary (Anthony Michael Hall) and Wyatt (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), have the computer skills needed to dream up a solution to their social-misfit status. The two pool their brainpower to program themselves the perfect woman, Lisa (Kelly LeBrock), and bring her to life.

Lisa is the boys' entree to the in-crowd, and she works her magic to give them makeovers, throw them parties, and clean things up with Wyatt's jerk of a brother, Chett (Bill Paxton). As the boys try to keep up with their girlfriend, they discover that being cool is a lot harder than it seems.

Written and directed by John Hughes, Weird Science is a lot more fantasy-based than other Hughes creations, such as Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, but the underlying themes of teen angst and rebellion remain the same. And though the '80s hair styles, fashion and music aren't exactly timeless, Weird Science is still fun -- particularly every scene featuring Ironman himself, Robert Downey, Jr., playing the cool guy with popped shirt collars and gelled hair.

"We're in,"
Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Hulu Editor

The Rundown

2008-07-18T03:40:00Z

Everyone has a movie that they don't really want to admit is a favorite, and yet, they've watched it over and over and just can't get enough. The Rundown is that kind of movie for me. Call it a guilty pleasure or a frivolous indulgence, but I can't help but LOVE it.

The story is simple: An enforcer with a heart of gold -- and soft spot for gourmet cooking -- takes one last job to win his freedom, and adrenalin-pumping hijinks ensue. But something elevates this little romp to a meaty and satisfying action adventure. In fact, there are five good reasons to watch The Rundown:

No. 1: The Cast
What's not to love? The cast includes Ewan Bremner (Trainspotting), Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a surprisingly likable Seann William Scott, the lovely Rosario Dawson and, of course, Christopher "Can I Get a Little More Cowbell?" Walken. This was The Rock's third film -- it follows his CGI appearance in The Mummy Returns and his first leading role in The Scorpion King -- but more importantly, it's the first time the former pro wrestler shows a commitment to acting. In an opening sequence that's powerful enough to make you sit up and cheer, Johnson proves that the WWE's "People's Champion" doesn't need a paycheck from Vince McMahon; he'll do just fine in Hollywood. And who knew he could be such a graceful fighter?

No. 2: Clever Repartee
The Rundown's script shows great character development, from Beck's internal struggle against his current circumstances to Travis' growth from a self-centered man-child to a more empathetic adult. The actors have wonderful chemistry, and the lighter side of the dialogue is nonstop fun.

No. 3 Capoeira Fight Scene
Beck takes on the smallest, fastest, most hardcore freedom fighters in the jungle.

No. 4: Christopher Freakin' Walken
Don't make us say it again…

Reason No. 5: Masterful Editing and Sweet CGI
The Rundown has many well-crafted moments that really grab you and pull you in. There is a little moment in the climatic scene where an explosion sends a flaming truck tire at Travis' head, and it makes me hold my breath every time. I must admit I've always wondered whether these moments come from a skilled editor, or from the insightful eye of the great Peter Berg.

I just don't know -- but I like it. I think it's the perfect addition to the Hulu Days of Summer, and a classic you'll enjoy again and again as you beat the heat.

Jessica
<ahref>jessica.ivy@hulu.com
Hulu's Adrenalin-Pumping Hijinks Junkie

The Facts of Life

2008-07-17T00:00:00Z

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have The Facts of Life." After spending many of my grade school years watching repeats of today's Hulu Days of Summer addition, The Facts of Life, those lyrics are forever ingrained in my head.

I grew up a latch-key kid of the '80s, coming home from school every day with the TV as my babysitter. I might as well have been under the careful watch of Mrs. Garrett, myself. The girls -- spoiled Blair, tough-as-nails Jo, chubby Natalie and tattletale Tootie -- seemed like older sisters to me.

A spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes (Mrs. Garrett was the Drummonds' housekeeper), the feel-good series lasted nine seasons, long enough for the girls to graduate from high school, change their hairdos countless times, and begin their lives as grown women. In the course of its run, The Facts of Life hosted several guest stars who went on to become famous, including George Clooney (the hair!), Helen Hunt, Molly Ringwald, Seth Green and Juliette Lewis.

While it's the Clooney era I remember best -- and I swear it has nothing to do with his appearance -- I'm excited to go back and relive the third season here on Hulu.

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Hulu's Tomboy with a Heart of Gold

Programming Notes

2008-07-16T18:20:00Z

New this week: Mini episodes of your favorite NBC shows, your favorite news guys return from summer vacation, and Paris Hilton delivers some cheap thrills.

Web Exclusives
The Office team returns with another round of web-only episodes for the summer. While last year's focus was on finding $3,000 that went missing from the accounting ledger, this time Kevin is looking for a loan to fund Malone's Cones. In the first 2-minute webisode, "Money Trouble," Kevin quizzes Oscar on the dos and don'ts of getting a loan.

Another NBC favorite, Heroes, is also running a series of web episodes called "Going Postal." In the first webisode, "A Nifty Trick," a typical postman discovers an extraordinary talent after a run-in with a Doberman.

Back from Summer Break
They're back in the news: Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert return in full episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. Get your dose of the daily headlines, from Indecision 2008 to The Word.

Gaming News
For video game buffs, G4's E3 '08 Live offers coverage of this year's Gamers' Conference. From a hands-on demo of Sierra's Ghostbusters: The Video Game to the E3 trailer for Resident Evil 5, it covers the latest news from this week's E3 conference.

Guilty Pleasures
Finally, here's something about watching starlets meet their maker in slasher flicks. It's even better when that starlet is Paris Hilton or even the pop star Pink. Sure, the scripts aren't the best and the celebs won't be winning Oscars any time soon, but Nine Lives (starring Paris Hilton) and Catacombs (featuring Pink) rely on psychological chills, screams and celebrity appearances for thrills.

Enjoy,
Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Hulu Editor

Fiddler on the Roof

2008-07-16T00:00:00Z

Fiddler on the Roof is one of those movies that just happens to have extraordinary meaning in my life. The first time I saw the play Tevye the Milkman was in Kiev, Ukraine, at the age of nine. My family, like most other Jews in the Soviet Union, had the full writings of Sholem Aleichem on its bookshelf, and I grew up a big fan of the legendary Yiddish writer's work.

My family came to the US as refugees in '91, right around the fall of the Soviet Union. The first film I remember seeing was Norman Jewison's Fiddler on the Roof. Based on the wildly successful musical, which in turn is based on Aleichem's short stories about Tevye the Milkman, Fiddler on the Roof tells the universally relatable story about the milkman Tevye (played brilliantly by Oscar-nominated Topol) struggling to raise his five beautiful daughters and to understand God's will for his "chosen people."

Each of Tevye's three oldest daughters follows a path he hadn't quite envisioned. The oldest, Tzeitel, is in love with the poor tailor Motel. Hodel falls in love with the communist Perchik who's sent to a labor camp in Siberia. Worse yet, Chava falls in love with the Ukrainian peasant Fyedka. In the background, the treatment of Russian Jewry is getting worse and worse, and the village Constable is having a difficult time protecting his Jewish friends. On top of all this, Tevye is barely making ends meet.

Despite the difficulties Tevye faces, he keeps a truly strong spirit and an infectious sense of humor. In one hilarious scene, Tevye and the butcher Lazar argue about Tzeitel, with Tevye thinking the entire time that he's discussing his prized milking cow. More than that, Fiddler on the Roof features truly memorable musical numbers for which it was awarded an Oscar. Two songs in particular, "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Sunrise, Sunset," have become a part of pop culture. The former was most recently sampled by Gwen Stefani, and the latter is often the father-daughter dance in weddings.

So, back to extraordinary meaning in my life. I first saw the play in Kiev as a kid, the film in the US as my first Hollywood movie, and, finally, the musical on Broadway in New York (starring Harvey Fierstein as Tevye) as the first outing with my future mother-in-law. Fiddler on the Roof has taught me valuable life lessons -- new ones each time I watch it -- while at the same time cracking me up and (embarrassingly) inspiring me to sing out loud. I very much hope you enjoy the film as much as I do.

(Not-quite) Anatevka refugee,
Alex
alex.kruglov@hulu.com

The Fall Guy, Season 1

2008-07-15T07:23:00Z

In The Fall Guy, Colt Seavers (Lee Majors) is a Hollywood stuntman by trade, but work in Tinseltown is sometimes hard to come by. Fortunately for him, there's never a shortage of bail-jumping bad guys to hunt down, so he makes extra rent money as a bounty hunter with the help of his cousin, Howie, and a sexy stuntwoman, Jody (Heather Thomas).

Created by Glen Larson (the brains behind Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica and Magnum, P.I.), The Fall Guy is a quintessential '80s show, complete with fistfights, death-defying stunts and a heroic lead -- not to mention a catchy theme song, sung by Majors himself. ("Well, I'm not one to kiss and tell, but I've been seen with Farrah…")

Then there's the truck. Colt's tan and brown GMC 4x4 pickup has a 6-inch lift, 34-inch off-road tires, a roll bar and custom grille. And while it's not the General Lee or KITT, it offers Colt everything he needs for high-speed chases and over-the-top jumps. It even has a hidden compartment -- the perfect spot to stash some weapons or even a criminal.

Meanwhile, the nature of Colt's work offers the opportunity for cameo appearances by all sorts of stars, including The Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno and Charlie's Angels beauty Farrah Fawcett.

If this '80s flashback makes you nostalgic for another show or movie, we always welcome suggestions. You can send an email with your content request to our team at content@hulu.com, and we'll do our best to get it for you.

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Hulu's Unknown Stuntwoman

Casino Royale (1967)

2008-07-14T18:33:00Z

Long before Mike Meyers spoofed 007 as the psychedelic, oversexed Austin Powers, there was 1967's Casino Royale. Not to be confused with the 2006 version starring Daniel Craig, this satiric romp through Ian Fleming's spy stories comes courtesy of an all-star cast: Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, Deborah Kerr, Ursula Andress and Woody Allen, with David Niven as the aging James Bond.

Bond is forced out of retirement when several of his spy colleagues are killed off, and soon enough, he's battling the mysterious forces of SMERSH. The master plan: to create several James Bonds to confuse the enemy and then bankrupt the evil organization. And what better way to stop the bad guys than by taking out Le Chiffre, their baccarat-winning bankroll?

Like the Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman-produced Bond films, this adaptation of Fleming's Casino Royale features a lot of location hopping, sexy female operatives and spy gadgets galore, but there's also plenty of shtick from Sellers and Allen, and an atomic hiccup of a conclusion.

In all, Casino Royale is a campy, silly take on Bond. But what's also fun is the groovy, '60s-fabulous Burt Bacharach soundtrack. It's credited with providing some inspiration for the Austin Powers movies. (Bacharach even makes cameo appearances in all three.)

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Hulu's Secret Operative

P.S. Clues to this week's Hulu Days of Summer are posted on our calendar. Can you figure out what these tiny hints mean?

The Fifth Element

2008-07-11T09:44:00Z

Once in a while, you'll find one of those movies that has something for everyone, a real sci-fi action romantic comedy thriller that you can watch over and over. The Fifth Element is one of those movies. Director Luc Besson (known for such explosive action films as La Femme Nikita and Léon: The Professional) pulls together seemly disparate actors and elements to create a spectacular visual feast and a beautifully crafted movie, giving viewers a two-hour futuristic thrill ride.

Set 250 years into the colorful future, the fate of the world is once again threatened by evil and, as it turns out, only the fifth element can save the planet (because the 240-megaton warheads didn't work). Fortunately, the fifth element isn't air, water, fire or earth, but instead a beautiful alien woman named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich). She unexpectedly drops in on our reluctant hero and weapons expert-turned-taxi driver, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis). Through a clever turn of events and character development, Korben is tasked with saving the world, and he sets off for an exotic planet to find four stones that will save Earth. But this time, evil has help from one of the baddest guys in the universe, Mr. Zorg (Gary Oldman). Zorg lets nothing stand in his way from getting the stones.

Add an over-the-top, flamboyant radio jockey, Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), and a fast-thinking priest, Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm), to the heroic bunch and the excitement doesn't stop until the movie ends.

The Fifth Element also incorporates an amazing score by Eric Serra and an operatic scene that's nothing short of out of this world. Winning seven different international awards, including best director and best special effects, The Fifth Element really delivers a super-green summer movie.

Enjoy,
Mark
mark.forbes@hulu.com
ZF-1 enthusiast

Underworld: Evolution

2008-07-10T09:27:00Z

Today's Days of Summer debut, Underworld: Evolution, picks up where the first Underworld left off. Vampires and werewolves (Lycans) are at war, and vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is leading the fight to stop the release of the original Lycan werewolf, William, from the dungeon he's been hidden in for centuries. She's helped by Michael (Scott Speedman), a vampire-werewolf hybrid who's in possession of a medal that may help unlock the secrets of the two clans' bloodlines.

As the two trace the beginnings of the ancient feud -- Selene outfitted in skintight leather, naturally -- they battle vampires and werewolves alike. Full of bloodthirsty action, intrigue and passion, Underworld: Evolution transports you to a Gothic world full of werewolf gangs and vampire bacchanalia -- just the thing to sink your teeth into this summer.

Go ahead, take a bite.
Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Editor

The Dresden Files

2008-07-09T09:27:00Z

Private detective Harry Dresden has it all: good looks, a growing practice and luck with the ladies. But the thing that makes the Chicago P.I. particularly successful is what also makes him unique. Dresden is a wizard, so he uses magic to help solve cases in The Dresden Files, today's Hulu Days of Summer debut.

I missed this show during its one-season run last year. It's a shame, too, because it has all the things I love in a good paranormal show. Like his counterparts on Buffy, Angel and Charmed, Dresden encounters the seedier underbelly of his city, including ghosts, vampires, werewolves, incubi and even dragons, and he uses spells, a magical hockey stick and good old-fashioned fighting skills to overpower and banish the bad guys to another realm.

Dresden doesn't do it all by himself, of course. He has help from Lt. Connie Murphy, a tough cop who comes to Dresden whenever she encounters supernatural cases; Bob, a dry-witted medieval ghost who serves as his adviser; and Morgan, a warden from the High Council of wizards who's a stickler for rules.

With a magical mix of detective noir and fantasy, plus a pinch of snarky humor, The Dresden Files is a fun escape for this summer. No wonder it's been among the most requested shows from our users, and we know many of you will be happy to see it here on Hulu. Tune in for a spell and share your review on any episode page.

Rebecca
Editor

Programming Notes

2008-07-09T07:11:00Z

This week brings even more classics to Hulu, with a circa-1980s animated feature about some overly intelligent lab rats, a classic Dickens tale and two vintage television shows.

We've also introduced new keyboard shortcuts to make mouse-free viewing a little easier. Now you can press the space bar to pause and resume playing, while hitting the "F" key switches to full-screen mode.

More Movies
The Secret of NIMH is a trip down memory lane, the 1982 animated adaptation of the Newbury prize-winning Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Touching, inspiring and at times a little scary, The Secret of NIMH tells the story of a family of field mice and a society of super-intelligent rats who want to free themselves from their dependence on humans.

Another classic tales comes to Hulu this week: Nicholas Nickleby, based on the Charles Dickens story. It takes us to 19th-century England while a penniless young Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) struggles to overcome the obstacles his scheming uncle (Christopher Plummer) places in front of him. Anne Hathaway (just after her turn in the first The Princess Diaries), Nathan Lane and Alan Cumming are also featured in smaller roles.

More Classic Television
Ann Romano is a recently divorced mom raising her two strong-headed daughters on One Day at a Time. We have the first season of its nine-year run, complete with Schneider, the lovable building superintendent; Julie, the rebellious older daughter; and Barbara, the more mature younger daughter. Like many shows of the mid '70s, it broached sensitive subjects, including birth control, pre-marital sex and suicide.

After leaving WJM-TV, Mary Richards' famously gruff boss, Lou Grant (played by the Emmy-winning Lou Asner), returned to his roots as a newspaper editor in Los Angeles. Like One Day at a Time, Lou Grant touched on the era's hot topics, as well as the ethics involved with journalism. Season 2 is now available on Hulu.

And the winner is…
In case you missed it, Chef Ramsey picked a winner on last night's Hell's Kitchen finale. Did Chef choose the creative Petrozza or the more reliable Christina? Tune in to find out:

Rebecca
rebecca.harper@hulu.com
Editor

Ghostbusters

2008-07-08T08:14:00Z

I'm a child of the '80s. Mike Scott taught me how to throw a Wiffle Ball curveball. Up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A-Select Start would be my secret nuclear launch code if anyone was silly enough to give me that power. Encyclopedia Brown and Which Way books got me through the tedium of long summer car rides, and the only thing that calmed the summer heat in the backseat of the family station wagon was a stockpile of Ecto Cooler juice boxes.

Ecto Cooler was more than just a cold, sugary punch in the brain. It was a way I could bring a part of Ghostbusters, my favorite movie as a kid, with me every day. When I have my first child, there is probably a 50-50 chance that names like Mark and Brian will lose out to Egon, Venkman, Slimer, Gozer or Zuul. All right, the odds are more like 60-40, but you get the point.

In Ghostbusters, we get spectacular, hyper-quotable performances from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. Many of us got to meet Ernie Hudson before his turns in The Crow and Oz, and Sigourney Weaver made us want to learn the cello (or any other string instrument, for that matter).

Ghostbusters is everything that is good and right about the movies. It's part absurd escapism, part science-fiction mumbo jumbo and part mismatched buddy comedy. At heart, it's 100 percent fun and infinitely re-watchable. It's the reason I looked out my window every night before bed to make sure the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man wasn't scaling our house. It's the reason I ruined more than one backpack trying to make my own proton pack and vowed never, ever to cross the streams. And it is the reason I'm the movie buff I am today.

Enjoy Ghostbusters on Hulu, whenever you want. Dogs and cats, living together: mass hysteria, indeed.

Who ya gonna call?
Matt
The Sixth Ghostbuster
(Counting Rick Moranis in the Slimer-driven bus in Ghostbusters II, of course.)

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Season 2

2008-07-07T09:37:00Z

You've asked for it: We've added Season 2 of one of my favorite comedies, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, making the entire run (so far) available on Hulu. Created by Rob McElhenney, the show was a breath of fresh air when it surprised audiences in the summer of 2005. Since then, it has become one of the most innovative comedies out there, ranking up there with 30 Rock and The Office, and often compared to Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and South Park. The Hulu audience must agree -- it's one of the most-watched series on Hulu.

Shot in a pseudo-documentary style with handheld cameras, Sunny revolves around an idiotic trio of nihilist bar proprietors -- Charlie, Dennis and Mac -- who, together with Dennis' sister, Dee, find themselves in ridiculous situations. By the end of each episode, they have learned absolutely nothing, usually making a big mess of things. In the first season, we get to know the gang and get a glimpse of their deadbeat associates, including the inbred McPoyle twins and the lovelorn coffee shop waitress.

Season 2 introduces Danny DeVito as Dennis and Dee's father, Frank. We learn just where their selfish idiocy might have come from: Frank went to 'Nam in 1994 to open a sweatshop, saying "A lot of good men died there." Meanwhile, the siblings try their mightiest to get addicted to crack, Mac sleeps with Dennis' mom, and Charlie gets crippled.

In the second-season finale, we find out how Dennis and Dee, 5-foot-11 and 5-foot-8 respectively, ended up with a father who's barely 5 feet tall. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is irreverent, incredibly offensive and rip-roaringly funny. Get ready for a wild bellyache from laughter.

Alex
Paddy's Pub Regular