- Twilight's First Official Photo and Why I'm Passing
- Rumor: Matthew McConaughey Possibly Captain America - Blasphemy!
- Sound Off: Iron Man - What Did You Think?
- Must Watch: Second Full Trailer for The Dark Knight!
- Donnie Darko Getting an Unnecessary Sequel?! (May 9, 2008)
- Pirates' Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie! (May 9, 2008)
- Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back? (May 9, 2008)
- Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down! (May 8, 2008)
| Speed Racer | 8/10 |
| Iron Man | 10/10 |
| Iron Man | 9/10 |
| Baby Mama | 7.5/10 |
Donnie Darko Getting an Unnecessary Sequel?!
When I wrote about the rumor of Matthew McConaughey being considered as Captain America a few days ago, I really thought there was nothing worse that I could ever report. I was wrong. Today we've come across some news courtesy of Screen Daily announcing the development of a sequel to Donnie Darko titled just S. Darko. Why is this so bad? The original films creator, Richard Kelly, is not involved in any way, shape, or form, and it's being developed entirely on its own by a completely new creative team. While I wouldn't have a minded a sequel if Kelly were to be doing it, this is a disaster in the making. There is really no way anything good can come of this! Right?!
Kevin's Review: The Fall - A Perplexing Descent into the Amazing
There's a point in Tarsem Singh's second feature film where crippled, thirty-something Roy Walker asks five-year-old Alexandria, "Are you trying to save my soul?" Such a weighty question put to such a naive child makes for a truly confusing, yet beautiful scene - a sequence that speaks as much to the writer-director's talents as to his shortcomings in The Fall. The question is dim and tragic, fitting with the film's portrayal in the trailer. The Fall seemed a brilliantly dark children's tale of adventure, with visuals that would make National Geographic jealous. While the cinematography simply blows you away, much of the story grows into a much less stimulating experience.
Pirates' Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie!
In a very exciting announcement today, Universal Pictures has officially signed on Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy director Gore Verbinski to direct and produce an adaptation of the video game BioShock. We've talked about it a lot before, including mention of Guillermo del Toro's interest, but now the movie has ended up in the hands of Gore himself. I can't even begin to tell you how overjoyed I am to hear this news! It is believed to be the biggest Hollywood deal for a video game movie since the Halo adaptation fell apart a few years ago. Be prepared to see the city of Rapture come to life soon enough. This is definitely going to be a defining moment for video game movies!
Start Your Engines - First Seven Minutes of Speed Racer!
In one final desperate attempt to get everyone out of their seats and into theaters this weekend to see Speed Racer, Warner Brothers has released the entire uncut first seven minutes of the movie. Not only does this really introduce you to the colorful world that The Wachowski Brothers have dreamt up, but it really gives you just a small glimpse of the fun you'll have in theaters. I saw this for a third time last night at the midnight show with a bunch of friends and not a single one of them didn't like it. In fact, all of them absolutely loved this movie, even the ones who went in with low expectations. Do yourself a favor and go out and see Speed Racer this weekend - I really do believe most people will find it worthwhile entertainment.
Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back?
Although I've never actually seen anything with the character, Buck Rogers is a name that I'm inherently already familiar with. Buck is a fictional character who first appeared in 1928 as a venerable pilot who awakens in the 25th Century and battles evil. IGN initially broke the news that the classic character was getting a live action revamp from Nu Image/Millennium Films, the same company that revived Rambo and Conan. While it was later confirmed as unofficial news, their original report stated that Frank Miller was in considerations to direct - although officially the studio is still considering other directors, too. However, it was confirmed that a live action Buck Rogers revival is definitely in the works.
Must Watch: Trailer for Our SXSW Fave The Promotion
The first trailer for Steve Conrad's indie gem The Promotion has arrived. Both Ken and I saw this at the SXSW Film Festival in March and loved it! It is easily one of the funniest movies of the year that you won't forget by the end of the day and is destined to become a cult classic. Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly star as two assistant managers at a corporate grocery store both battling for the same job - the manager of a new grocery store soon to be opened. This two hit it off perfectly as competitive businessmen and they rival the chemistry of Peter Gibbons and Bill Lumbergh in Office Space. There is so much good humor in this that I can't stress enough how important it is you watch this trailer!
Rant: So THIS is Why New Line Cinema Went Under!
This will probably the one-and-only time you'll ever hear me talk about Sex and the City, but that's because it's a worthwhile discussion. We all know that New Line Cinema "went under" or, should we say, fell apart back in February, and in turn was folded in under Warner Brothers. Leading up to that official announcement, I kept speculating about its demise, including a specific article back in December titled Is This The Death of New Line Cinema?. In it, I claimed their terrible marketing was why their films have continued to fail and yet again we have another prime example of their incompetence. Although this new marketing campaign for the Sex and the City movie might actually be handled by Warner Brothers by now, I'm utterly confused by their idiocy when it comes to poster design! The movie will still succeed - but can they seriously be this blind?
Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down!
As we all know, New Line Cinema folded in under Warner Brothers back in February, which also meant the converging of both of the studios' independent divisions: Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse. In a "surprising move" today, Warner Brothers president and COO Alan Horn announced that it was shutting down both WIP and Picturehouse instead of combining them under one banner. This is definitely a sad day for everyone at both indie studios, especially since I have a good friend who works at WIP. The status of films in development and set for release from both studios has yet to be decided, but initial speculation shows that they may just get distributed by Warner Brothers on a whole. It sounds like to me WB is becoming the real powerhouse in Hollywood now.
John Waters is Back - Directing Fruitcake with Johnny Knoxville!
Legendary quirky director John Waters is returning to the director's chair! Waters hasn't directed a film since 2004's NC-17 rated A Dirty Shame, but will be returning this year with a film called Fruitcake. Get this - not only does it have a wacky concept (see below), but it's Christmas children's movie! Both Johnny Knoxville and Parker Posey have joined the cast, but not too much else has been revealed. While I'm not a closet John Waters fan by any means, it is actually intriguing to see him return… I think? I've got to ask - is he still a good director or did he just have a few good one-timers and that's it? Because I think you need to hear the concept for this new Fruitcake movie and decide for yourself what to make of it.
Kevin's Review: Then She Found Me - Helen Hunt's Happy Start
Where has Helen Hunt been? The 44-year-old actress was a hot property during the late nineties and around the millennium, but she's largely laid low since then. She's now starring as the lead in Then She Found Me, which serves as a bit of a return for her to the mainstream, as well as her debut as a director. She did one thing right from the start as a virgin behind the camera: cast Bette Midler. If ever there were a chick-flick tractor beam for adults, it's Midler and her undying cred from Beaches. Wrap this around a sentimental mother-daughter movie about modern day life and love, and you have guaranteed box office gold. Let's hope so. Then She Found Me is a great directorial first for Hunt that manages to touch on an impressive number of grown-up dramas, while keeping the comedy as pure accessory, resulting in a grounded and very likable film.
First Look: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush!
We already talked about the casting announcements and shared the comparison photos with you, but now it's time to actually see Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush. The two are the frontrunners in Oliver Stone's biopic on on our 43rd President title simply W. I'm still baffled that we're even seeing this movie get made when Stone himself makes statements like this: "Bush may turn out to be the worst president in history. I think history is going to be very tough on him. But that doesn't mean he isn't a great story." Are you daring enough to take a glimpse at the newly reformed Brolin and Banks?
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starring in 500 Days of Summer Together
Two of my favorite actors joining a romantic comedy together - what a joyous occasion! Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star together in an upcoming independent movie titled 500 Days of Summer for Fox Searchlight. Not much has been revealed yet: the story centers on Gordon-Levitt who falls hopelessly in love with Deschanel, a girl who doesn't believe in love. Music video director Marc Webb is making his feature film debut with a screenplay by newcomers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber (who's only other work was on the upcoming Pink Panther 2). Shooting starts next Tuesday in Los Angeles and I'll be sure to keep my eye on this.
Official First Look: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
Well, it's not exactly the very first look - there has been many quick citizen photographers in San Francisco - but moreso the first official photo of Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay big city official that was elected in 1977 and then assassinated in 1978. Milk's story is being adapted for the big screen by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester), titled just Milk, which just finished filming and is due out November 26th later this year. Here's the photo straight from EW.com with a few more new details.
Speed Racer Review - A Vibrantly Entertaining Live-Action Cartoon
The Wachowskis have amazed again and shown us a world we'll only ever see in their imagination. Speed Racer is yet another visual revolution, but this time it's for kids, too. It's everything you'd imagine a live-action adaptation of the classic cartoon series would be, stylized and glorified in ways only the Wachowskis could dream up. After seeing it twice I confidently say that Speed Racer is the most entertaining and mind-blowing kids movie this year. At just over two hours, Speed Racer is longer than most kids' movies, yet it's still an exciting thrill ride from start to finish.
First Trailer for Animated Igor Movie
The first trailer for Igor has finally debuted online after originally showing at the New York Comic Con. Igor is an animated movie starring John Cusack as the voice of Igor. In a world filled with mad scientists and evil inventions, one talented evil scientist's hunch-backed lab assistant has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist himself and winning the annual Evil Science Fair. Remember Arthur and the Invisibles? Didn't think so. Unfortunately Igor is destined to also get swept under the rug this fall after it hits theaters. It also features the voices of Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard, and even Jay Leno! Wait - maybe I'm wrong, maybe this will be good, but who knows - could this be the next Nightmare Before Christmas?
First Look: G.I. Joe's Complete Cast - General Hawk, Destro, Duke, Baroness, Ripcord, and More!
Screw those leaked photos that hit a few weeks ago, we've got some brand new never-before-seen photos of G.I. Joe's Destro, Heavy Duty, and Storm Shadow. Unfortunately we did not get invited to the set of G.I. Joe like these other sites, but instead we've got these to share with all of you. These are definitely the first hardcore photos from the movie, with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty in action, Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow with his blades drawn, and Christopher Eccleston as Destro just… standing there. My interest in this movie is defintiely growing every day because of photos like these and past news like this. I definitely have a feeling this is going to be one badass movie next summer!
Ellen Page Cast as Jane Eyre Next
As many know, I love me some Ellen Page, ever since she surprised audiences as the adorable little psycho in Hard Candy. Her role in Juno was equally impressive, but obviously on the other end of the spectrum. As for Smart People, she seemed to channel her Juno performance a bit, which is to say she delivered the familiar beyond-her-years intelligence and jokes. So I've started to wonder whether she's in fear of typecasting, since she plays the whip-smart young adult with a surprising degree of confidence and sophisticated humor so naturally. Page's recently announced project puts those fears to rest a bit, but now I wonder how well she'll pull this off. Producers of The Other Boleyn Girl are working with the BBC on yet another adaptation of Jane Eyre for which Page will play the lead.
Slick New Poster for Star Wars: The Clone Wars
In addition to yesterday's poster for X-Files: I Want to Believe, another slick new poster has debuted - this time for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Thankfully I'm actually able to talk about this movie since it is getting a theatrical release this August. While I am mildly excited to see Star Wars return again to the big screen, I'm not even remotely as close to excited as I am for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. However, let's get back on topic. This poster looks both well-designed and epic enough to capture my attention and slap fans in the face as a reminder that this animated movie is coming to theaters in a few months. Enough pointless banter, let's check it out!
Worth Watching - May 7: Trailer for Noise Starring Tim Robbins
THINKFilm is releasing a new indie movie called Noise starring Tim Robbins. Also starring alongside Robbins are Bridget Moynahan and William Hurt. Get this - the movie is about a guy in New York City who can't stand car alarms so he makes it his mission to attack every car he can. He calls himself "The Rectifier" and leaves his superhero-like calling card in every car that he destroys each night. Yes, it's a radical idea, but it's got an indie touch so it might not be that bad. Well, the trailer makes it seem not that bad, but I'm not sure I'd say it really looks that good either. Take a look for yourself - seem like a fun flick to you, too?
Theater Hopper - May 7: Passion and Relief
Theater Hopper is a webcomic about all things movies written and illustrated by Tom Brazelton. Starring Tom, his wife Cami, and friend Jared, Theater Hopper perfectly captures Tom's feelings and reactions to recent and upcoming movies in a way that will easily have you laughing every day. Updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, this is the webcomic that every movie-lover out there can't miss! Wednesday's comic has been posted below.