Jem and the Holograms

I think the record will show that I'm a pretty big fan of Hasbro's cartoons from the '80s, and one of the things I love most about them is how great the soundtracks are. Not just the theme songs, but the incidental music that provides the background for Jem and the Holograms, or that smooth jazz version of the GI Joe theme that plays under the closing credits. Heck, even in the years before More Than Meets The Eye came along and made me stop hating the Transformers, I still had to admit that the music was pretty great. The only problem is that I can't listen to it whenever I want, but now, it looks like that problem might be coming to an end. Composer Robert J. Walsh has confirmed that he's remastering the soundtracks for the Hasbro shows, with plans for Sony to release high-end versions that will include new footage and artwork, too.

It was actually a pretty solid weekend at the box office for movies that weren’t brand new. If your movie was playing in its second, third, or even fourth week, you were fine. If your movie was a new release, you were in for a rough couple of days. While the The Martian, Goosebumps, and more showcased impressive legs, a huge batch of other movies faltered this weekend. At least five major releases fell flat on their faces.

It’s that time again — if you aren’t one of those obsessive compulsive Halloween lovers who have already planned out their costume weeks or even months in advance, chances are you’re scrambling for ideas for what to wear next week. If you also count yourself as a big fan of movies (and you do, which is why you are here), you might find yourself wanting to wear a costume inspired by one of this year’s new releases. Don’t, we repeat, do not be one of those people who buys a costume in a bag at a Halloween super store. There are plenty of ways for you to have a cool movie-inspired costume and show off your creativity without caving in and dressing as Sexy Pizza Rat.

I’m not ashamed to say it; I watched Jem as a I kid. I liked it! It wasn’t so much the glamour and glitter that appealed to me (ditto the fashion and fame). But the idea of this rock star with a superhero-style secret identity seemed really cool, as did some of the details of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, which I assumed (at the age of like five years old) was basically like a documentary.

The first trailer for Jon M. Chu’s Jem and the Holograms has arrived, and as indicated by a few of the photos released yesterday, this take on the classic ‘80s cartoon star is a bit more…serious. There are a couple of moments that promise levity and comedy, like Juliette Lewis’ record exec assuring the girls that it’s not them on that poster — “It’s Photoshop.” This new Jem doesn’t seem truly outrageous at all. She just seems a bit broody.

As the classic theme song tells us, Jem is not only truly outrageous, but her music is contagious — and also there’s glamour and glitter, fashion and fame. You can see some of that courtesy of the first official photos from Jon M. Chu’s live-action version of Jem and the Holograms. And while there are some colorful images and some glittery rock star fashion, there are also a few more subdued photos, which aren’t all that exciting.

There they are: the live-action version of the title band from the upcoming movie of Jem and the Holograms. From left to right that’s Hayley Kiyoko as Aja, Aubrey Peeples as Jem, and Stephanie Scott as Kimber. (What a diss to Shana!) Not pictured: Jem’s earrings, so at this point we cannot confirm that Jem’s holographic computer (and sweet earrings) Synergy will be a part of the film (and if it’s not, I am not interested). Here’s the film’s official plot synopsis:

Well that didn't take long -- 'Jem and the Holograms' has announced the four young actresses that will play the leading roles of Jem and her Hologram bandmates in the upcoming adaptation of the hit '80s cartoon, directed by 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' helmer Jon M. Chu. And although Chu and the production team previously mentioned that casting was open to anyone -- even unknowns -- the four stars are

Of all the potential movie directors Jon M. Chu and producer Jason Blum could collaborate on, a live-action update on 'Jem and the Holograms' is literally the last thing we would have expected. The director of 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' and the producer of the 'Paranormal Activity' series are teaming up to adapt the '80s cartoon series/toy line for the modern age, and we couldn't be more baffled if w