THIRD HORSE DIES ON THE SET OF "LUCK"

Still from Luck

This saddens me deeply as a true Horse Lover. HBO has halted production on its Horse Racing Drama Series Luck, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, after a Horse was injured and euthanized earlier today.  The Horse was being led onto Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, California by a Groom when it reared and sustained a head injury, resulting in the decision to euthanize it.  Although this incident doesn't appear to be related in any way to mistreatment, the American Humane Association has ordered an investigation, according to the Associated Press.

During the filming of its first season, two Horses were euthanized also as a result of injuries sustained while filming intense racing scenes for Luck, which only recently was renewed for a second season beginning January 2013.  HBO continues to be firm in their stance that they are adhering to safety standards, working together with the American Humane Association and Industry Experts.

Luck, despite drawing modest ratings, has received favourable reviews garnering a score of 75 on Metacritic.

UPDATE (3/14/12): HBO announced that Luck has officially been cancelled. According to a Statement issued on their part today, they state: "While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won't in the future".

(Photo credit: HBO)

DUSTIN HOFFMAN STARS IN NEW HBO SERIES "LUCK"

Still from Luck

What would life be like without HBO? During Breeders' Cup weekend, these Promo Spots for Michael Mann's new series Luck were aired repeatedly and I must admit, it looks pretty damn good. With the Season Finale of Boardwalk Empire creeping-up, Luck will more than ably be filling that void for Fans this Winter.

Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte star in what is sure to be Emmys bait.  And if you might recall, Torontonian Jockey Chantal Sutherland whom I posted about yesterday, appears in six of the Series' completed twelve episodes.  Cannot wait to see this.  I'll pay the extra $20 to add HBO Canada back to my TV Package!

Watch the Promo Spot for Luck in full below:

WARRIOR - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Warrior

Let me first start off by saying that I know v. little about Mixed Martial Arts. Warrior however from Pride & Glory Director Gavin O'Connor sure makes the it look exciting.

The gritty Sports Drama centers around two estranged Brothers, Brendan (Joel Edgerton) and Tommy (Tom Hardy), raised single-handedly by their abused and terminally ill Mother. Brendan abandons his Mother and Tommy at age 16, resulting in strife between the two Brothers. Meanwhile their non-present Father Paddy (Nick Nolte), a renowned Mixed Martial Arts Trainer, after several years of battling Alcoholism, turns his life around fully.

Tommy visits Paddy by surprise one day, harbouring much resentment still towards him. Paddy however is set on repairing his relationship with Tommy, agreeing to take him under his wings after Tommy makes it known he wishes to train as a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter.

Brendan now is a High School Physics teacher, who along with his Wife Tess (Jennifer Morrison) are struggling financially and on the verge of Foreclosure. Deciding to return to his roots as a  former  Fighter in helping ends meet, he is met with little understanding at his School. Despite Tess' reluctance, he then fully delves into training with the help of and old Friend Frank (Frank Grillo) who gets him into fighting form for the biggest test of his life. After being confronted by Paddy, he expresses little interest in reuniting with his Father.

ARTHUR (2011) - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Arthur (2011)

What it lacks in substance, it certainly makes up for in charm. Although I'll admit I have never seen its 1982 predecessor, Jason Winer’s Arthur Remake starring quirky Brit Russell Brand, stands on its own as a modern day Fairy Tale for Big People.

Arthur (Brand) is a spoiled New York City Playboy with unlimited abundances. He has few ambitions in life other than to drink and have fun, with Nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) acting as a Mother-like voice of reason in his life. His distant Mother Vivienne (Geraldine James) for financial reasons, wants him to wed the bossy Susan (Jennifer Garner), Daughter of Construction Tycoon Burt (Nick Nolte). Arthur of course has no affections for Susan and winds up meeting whimsical Storybook Writer Naomi (Greta Gerwig) by chance one day. Already engaged to Susan, Arthur is torn between finally having to grow-up into a Man and also choosing his Woman he will be with forever. Will he follow his heart?

The biggest problem with Arthur’s script is that presumably its most central theme is that of Love, but this however is outshined by the fact Arthur equally is a Late Bloomer’s coming-of-age Tale. Our attentions are divided between Arthur and his dilemma of having two Lovers and also his relationship with his level-headed Hobson. And because the latter relationship is punctuated by the strength of chemistry between Brand and Mirren, the actual Love Story here is insufficiently tended-to.