Entertainment Express: Chappie, Godzilla, Darren Aronofsky, Stephen King, Beyonce

As Americans head to the polls for their mid-term elections, enjoy these pics of musicians with politicians…

* Let’s talk robots and gangsters, shall we? Hugh Jackman posted a picture of the Chappie poster on his Instagram (he truly is one of my favourites to follow on there), complete with those blocks we used to play with as kids. Today we can expect a trailer for the hush-hush film from District 9‘s Neill Blomkamp, starring Jackman, Dev Patel, Die Antwoord and

* Yesterday was the 60th anniversary of Godzilla‘s debut. The film opened in 1954 on November 3rd, with the beast made from bamboo, cloth, paper and wire – not a visual effect in sight! In a look back at the making of the movie all those years ago in WSJ, Eizo Kaimai talks about creating the model for the Japanese “gorilla whale” for Toho Studios’ film. The reboot released this year made $525 million, and we know there have been many versions and spinoffs, so what an incredible legacy to have been a part of creating.

* Darren Aronofsky has been made the head of the Berlin Film Festival’s jury. It’ll be the 65th anniversary of the fest, next year in Feb, and I still have never been to Germany’s top film fest. The rest of the jury members who’ll be joining the Black Swan director have yet to be announced, but Wim Wenders will be getting an honorary Golden Bear, so we know that much. Certainly other big announcements will be made in the run-up to the fest’s milestone year – as good a reason as any to go this time!

* Stephen King‘s new novel, Revival, comes out next week. NPR broadcast a part of an interview Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross did with him last year, when Joyland was coming out, and it’s fascinating to hear him talk about what frightened him as a child and what frightens him now. His take on religion and God and the supernatural, plus a little tidbit about how The Shining was almost set somewhere else entirely add to the treasures of this great chat.

* Beyonce has announced she’s releasing an old album with two new songs, which has made many people happy. But if you’re looking for new music, how about the latest single from The Hunger Games Mockingjay soundtrack by Scotland’s wonderful Chvrches or Wu Tang’s Ruckus in B Minor from their forthcoming album A Better Tomorrow?