Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Avatar Accusations

I just have to get this rant off my chest. I will probably edit it and make some more comments about it later, but having just seen it. This needs to be said:


I am Sick of hearing all of this "Cameron ripped off so and so" stuff about Avatar. Do your research people. If you are citing Poul Anderson's Call Me Joe, it was done before that by a man named Clifford Simak in a book called City, and also in a book called The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks, and also a story called Manta's G...ift by Timothy Zahn, and a 1985 comic called Timespirits...

And for those citing movies, yes, Dances With Wolves, Delgo, Fern Gully and whatever else you want to lump in with it. I'm not saying it isn't true....we know he has "ripped stuff off" in the past with Terminator and Aliens and blah blah blah.

My point is that rarely are ideas original anymore - and that's fine, what matters is how he CONVEYS his version of this story. Now that is something I will talk about. But let's just drop the whole "ripped off" thing....it is probably true, but a kind of weak argument.


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Posted by SX0T at 9:32 PM | 0 comments  
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Golden Globe Nominations are in



Hey they aren't the Oscars but they sure are fun to watch. Check out the nominees!

Best Picture (Drama)
“Avatar”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Precious”
“Up in the Air”

Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
“(500) Days of Summer”
“The Hangover”
“It’s Complicated”
“Julie & Julia”
“Nine”

Best Actor (Drama)
Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Tobey Maguire, “Brothers”

Best Actress (Drama)
Emily Blunt, “The Young Victoria”
Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabby Sidibe, “Precious”

Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Matt Damon, “The Informant!”
Daniel Day Lewis, “Nine”
Robert Downey Jr., “Sherlock Holmes”
Joseph Gordon Levitt, “(500) Days of Summer”
Michael Stuhlbarg, “A Serious Man”

Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Sandra Bullock, “The Proposal”
Marion Cotillard, “Nine”
Julia Roberts, “Duplicity”
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Meryl Streep, “It’s Complicated”

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
James Cameron, “Avatar”
Clint Eastwood, “Invictus”
Jason Reitman, “Up in the Air”
Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, “Nine”
Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Mo’nique, “Precious”
Julianne Moore, “A Single Man”

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”

Best Screenplay
Neill Blomkampt & Terri Tatchell, “District 9″
Mark Boal, “The Hurt Locker”
Nancy Meyers, “It’s Complicated”
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”

Best Animated Film
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”
“Coraline”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“The Princess and the Frog”
“Up”

Best Original Score
Michael Giacchino, “Up”
Marvin Hamlisch, “The Informant!”
James Horner, “Avatar”
Abel Krozeniowski, “A Single Man”
Karen O and Carter Burwell, “Where the Wild Things Are”

Best Foreign Language Film
“Baaria”
“Broken Embraces”
“The Maid”
“Un Prophete”
“The White Ribbon”

Best Original Song
“Cinema Italiano” from “Nine”
“I Want To Come Home” from “Everybody’s Fine”
“I See You” from “Avatar”
“The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
“Winter” from “Brothers”

I think I'll hold off on my thoughts on the nominees and instead wait and give you my thoughts on the winners... mainly because i've been slacking and haven't seen many of them yet.
Posted by Derek Clem at 2:40 PM | 1 comments  
Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Sorcerer's Apprentice Trailer



That looks surprisingly awesome! Who knew? Plus, did you all catch the broom scene? Very cool.
Posted by Derek Clem at 11:00 PM | 0 comments  
Saturday, December 5, 2009

Star Wars Holiday Special

As much as it pains me to subject people to this monstrosity. Having seen this before, I can assure you that it is one of the worst things your eyes will ever see.

But in time for the holidays, the ENTIRE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL has appeared online. There is no telling exactly how long this will last online (I have a DVD copy), but for those of you who haven't seen it, I suggest giving it at least one view, even if your eyes melt out of the sockets...because this is something that is kind of difficult to see and surely won't be around online for too long.

Enjoy!

Posted by SX0T at 11:23 PM | 0 comments  
Tuesday, November 17, 2009

'New Moon' Becomes Biggest Advanced Ticket Seller Ever!



http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/n/new_moon-13017.jpg

According to Nikki Finke, the sequel has become the top advanced ticket seller ever on Fandango. Twilight was able to make it to the 5-spot, but was never able to bust through the biggie competition like installment number two (part of its success could be due to the film selling advanced tickets beginning in September). What's the biggie competition? The Dark Knight was 4, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince rested at 3, and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith used to be on top. Yes, folks, Stephenie Meyer's vampires are obliterating some of our classic fandom.



Now the question is whether New Moon can break through to the top 100 grossing movies of all time. Twilight wasn't able to grab a spot on the list, making only $383 million, while the lowest spot is Die Another Day with $432 mil. But the first of the series also wasn't trouncing beloved flicks like The Dark Knight. At the very least, I'd presume it gets on the list.

It disturbs me that this film might be breaking some huge records, but with that said. I already have my midnight screening ticket, so I suck.
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Is Peter Parker a Father in Spider-Man 4?


http://top10kid.com/wp-content/uploads/t10spiderman7.jpg

It appears that Sony is on the search for a 2 year old Caucasian toddler with red hair for the upcoming comic book sequel Spider-Man 4. SpoilerTV has intercepted a casting notice for the film, which strangely only features one role, a character named “Toddler Boy”.


Here is the decription from the casting breakdown:


2 or 3 year old boy to play 2 year old, Caucasian with RED HAIR, an adorable toddler with an engaging personality, on set experience preferred. IDENTICAL TWINS ONLY


The fact that they are looking specifically for young boy with RED hair leads many people to believe that the child will be of relation to Mary Jane (played in the series by Kirsten Dunst).

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Posted by SX0T at 12:09 AM | 0 comments  

Watch This: Official Trailer for Jeff Bridges Film Crazy Heart

Crazy Heart Trailer

I just mentioned this film the other day and showed the poster that was released, and now we have a trailer to follow it up with. Check it out.

Fox Searchlight has debuted the trailer for Scott Cooper's Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal as well as Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall


Crazy Heart is both written and directed by actor/filmmaker Scott Cooper, who wrote the script for For Sale by Owner and is making his directorial debut with this film. This was shot last year but hasn't shown at any film festivals. Fox Searchlight will be bringing Crazy Heart to limited theaters starting on December 11th.


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Saturday, November 14, 2009

Check This Out: Official Poster for Jeff Bridges' Crazy Heart



Seen below is Fox Searchlight's official poster for Crazy Heart from the LA Times. The trailer arrives on Monday. Crazy Heart is the latest big Oscar contender, and it already has a lot of support. Jeff Bridges plays a broken-down, hard-living country music singer in a kind of Wrestler-like story.


Crazy Heart Poster


Bad Blake is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean, a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician.

I love Jeff Bridges, and if this movie turns out as it is being described, I definitely see possibility for some Oscar noms in it's future. And this poster is pretty awesome also, gritty, high contrast. I like.
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Posted by SX0T at 9:09 PM | 0 comments  

James Franco’s Daytime Soap Stint Is Fodder For an Art Movie Project

franco_carter


When James Franco’s short stint on General Hospital was announced, I figured it was something he was doing to challenge himself and set different acting boundaries. In any case, I was excited to see how it would turn out.


Movieline spoke to Carter, a guy who has collaborated with Franco on a variety of image-related artistic endeavors. The salient bit is this, with respect to Franco taking the soap gig:


It was an idea that I posed to him, and it’s tied to another film that he and I are working on now. It’s not specifically for another project, because I know that he’s really enjoying the challenge of working on a soap — it’s a very taxing job, and an interesting thing for him to be doing — but it does have to do with another film that he and I are working on.


The intended end result is a feature film that will be scripted, involve other actors and all the traditional stuff that features have. But Carter says it could be “pretty abstract, for a larger audience,” i.e., an audience outside the art crowd. Beyond that, details are sketchy to non-existent. He’s careful to emphasize that Franco isn’t just doing the General Hospital character for a laugh, that it is real work.


Franco’s own statements support that. He talked to Vulture about how much he had to shoot in one day — 65 pages or so!


I’ve worked one day on it. It’s one day of a few. But I think we packed seven episodes of my material in. They gave me a script for the day that was as thick as a film script and that’s what we planned to shoot in a single day. No ad-libbing. If I needed it, they said they had a TelePrompTer, but the regulars didn’t use it so I didn’t want to use it, either.


I'm still a bit confused as to exactly what this means. But I like the dedication and await the results of what this artistic endeavor may bring about for Franco. I have been setting my DVR for General Hospital, just to see what it's like.
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Posted by SX0T at 9:03 PM | 0 comments  

Hell Yes: Damon and Brolin Join the Coen Bros. True Grit

true_grit_damon_brolin


Joel and Ethan Coen are preparing to shoot their own take on the Charles Portis novel that became the John Wayne film True Grit. We’ve known for a month that the brothers plan to give Jeff Bridges the role of Wayne’s character Rooster Cogburn. The drunk, stubborn, eyepatched character won Wayne an Oscar, and I’m excited to see what Bridges does with it. Now we’ve got two more big, great names to add to the cast that is already looking like one of my faves of 2010.

Variety reports that Matt Damon and Josh Brolin are both in talks to join the cast. Damon would be La Boeuf, Glen Campbell’s lawman who, with Cogburn and a 14-year old girl, tracks the man who killed the girl’s father into dangerous Native territory.

Brolin would play Tom Chaney, the killer being tracked by Cogburn and La Boeuf. That’s a nice flip from his role in the Coen’s No Country For Old Men, and a solid bit of casting in general.

A few big roles remain to be cast and/or announced. First up is Mattie Ross, the girl who propels the plot. There’s also Ned Pepper, the leader of the gang Chaney joins up with, originally played by Robert Duvall.

The Coen adaptation of the original novel is said to be more faithful to the text than the existing film. So we’ll likely see Mattie as an old spinster, who in the novel narrates the tale. There are likely to be a few other big differences, too, but I won’t outline them to keep the spoilerish stuff to a minimum.


This just sounds great. An amazing cast, amazing directors, and it seems to be in the same vein as No Country For Old Men. This could be a great film.
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Posted by SX0T at 9:01 PM | 0 comments  

Chris Pine Attached to Ben Affleck Scripted The Blade Itself?

Chris Pine - The Blade Itself

Chris Pine  is attached to the Ben Affleck scripted crime-drama The Blade Itself based on Marcus Sakey's novel of the same name. Aaron Stockard co-wrote the screenplay with Affleck after first writing the script for the actor's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone back in 2007, but apparently it's not in the cards for Affleck to direct.


The Blade Itself follows childhood friends Evan and Danny as they become a duo of petty thievery until a botched pawn shop robbery sends Evan to prison. While Danny turns over a new leaf, Evan bides his time in prison until his release seven years later when he sets out to bring Danny back into a larcenous lifestyle at the risk of exposing his secret past of theft.


I kinda wish Affleck was directing this. He did a bang up job with Gone Baby Gone. I am excited to see Pine taking on a role that is a little bit more dramatic and will show his possible talents off.
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Posted by SX0T at 8:59 PM | 0 comments  

Marvel Studios Starts Shooting Thor in January

thor_art


Marvel Studios will begin shooting Thor in January. With Kenneth Branagh’s tale of the Norse thunder god on schedule and finally about to go before cameras, hopefully we’ll soon see some production design, costumes and other materials. Meanwhile, here’s a rundown of what we know so far.

The movie’s story sees the god of thunder Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions re-ignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.


Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) is Thor, Anthony Hopkins is his father Odin and Natalie Portman is Jane Foster, who in the comics is nurse to Thor’s human alter-ego Donald Blake. Tom Hiddleston is the villanous Loki, Jaimie Alexander is the Asgardian warrior Sif, and Colm Feore is a villain whose identity is being kept secret. Stellan Skarsgard is in the cast, too.


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Thursday, November 5, 2009

54 Years Ago Something Significant Happened, that forever changed time and space.

http://www.thegreenhead.com/imgs/back-to-the-future-flux-capacitor-replica-3.jpgToday, on a most significant day, not only do we have a remembrance of the 5th of November and the Gunpowder Treason and Plot as recognized in the film V for Vendetta,

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

But something else, something possibly even more significant happened today. I am reminded by Wired magazine of today's significance:

On November 5, 1955, Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown hit his head on the side of a bathroom sink. As his headache faded, an image appeared, an idea that would finally make time travel possible: the flux capacitor.

While the tools were invented that day, it took until October 25, 1985 for Doc Brown to put together all the parts for a time traveling automobile. Then finally, at 1:21 a.m. on that fateful autumn day he successfully pulled off the first first temporal displacement.It was a great inventing process that began all those years ago, so let's take a moment to think of our fondest memories of Doc Brown, his Delorean DMC-12, and his time traveling companion, Martin McFly.

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin to Host Oscars


Who's hosting the greatest night in television? That's right ladies and gentleman, reports are coming from every direction saying that this years Oscar hosts will be Steve martin and Alec Baldwin. I'm totally down with this choice. We have Steve Martin who has the experience of hosting the Oscars and Alec Baldwin who is comedic gold right now on NBCs 30 Rock. I think it's a good idea to have a team up so they can play off of each other throughout the night. Also the team up prevents the show from getting stale, as we will have two hosts to focus on during the 18 hour ceremony rather than one. While both of these actors have been in many movies, I like the idea of them being primarily television personalities lately. Even though Hugh Jackman was amazing last year, and I'm in the minority for thinking this, but I've always thought it best to let the movie stars have their night, sit back, and enjoy the show while a comedian or television actor hosts the show. It just seems more fitting to me that they be catered upon by someone from another medium working to make their night comfortable. So all in all, I'm pleased. Very pleased indeed.

Here is what the Hosts have to say in the press release:

“I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin,” said Martin.

“I don’t play the banjo but I’m thrilled to be hosting the Oscars – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Baldwin.
.
Posted by Derek Clem at 7:21 AM | 0 comments  
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Rumor: DiCaprio & Maguire Are Remaking The Third Man?


http://www.lib.washington.edu/media/criterion/images/thethirdman.jpg

Another rumor to chew over this fine Friday afternoon. CHUD is reporting that Canal+ from France is gearing up to remake Carol Reed's 1949 classic The Third Man that starred Orson Welles and Bernard Lee. Apparently none other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire are already cast and helping develop the project. While they say it doesn't have a director yet, the screenplay is being written by Steven Knight, of Dirty Pretty Things and Eastern Promises. Sounds like a lot of great talent, but of course, is a remake of The Third Man even necessary or desired? It's a true noir classic that really can't be topped.


The Third Man is a noir mystery set in Austria's capital city Vienna, devastated and recovering from the World War II. An American pulp writer arrives in Vienna only to find that the friend who waited for him is killed under mysterious circumstances. The ensuing mystery entangles him in his friend's involvement in the black market, with the multinational police, and with his Czech girlfriend. Criterion released a Blu-Ray of The Third Man earlier this year. According to sources, the remake is just going out for bidding now and it always could fall through, though if it's at Canal+, it will probably get funding soon. We'll keep you updated!


WOW. This is pretty ridiculous news. I kinda hope it's true. DiCaprio and Maguire, two of the best actors of this generation teaming up in a noir film by the writer of Eastern Promises! That's pretty crazy, and I think they are both certainly capable of pulling of something like this. I'll be sure to post more news on this if anything else pops up about it.
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Posted by SX0T at 5:30 PM | 0 comments  

Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time International Movie Trailer

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time


Yesterday Walt Disney Pictures released the official movie trailer for Mike Newell’s big screen adaptation of the popular video game Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time. Today a new international cut of the trailer has been found online at TrailerAddict. The trailer features a bit of new footage, and is a completely different edit. This cut seems to be a little less ADD and a little less “trying to be everything.” Unfortunately, it still has the annoying voiceover by Gemma Arterton.

From the team that brought the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy to the big screen, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films present PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME, an epic action-adventure set in the mystical lands of Persia. A rogue prince (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (GEMMA ARTERTON) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.


Set in the mystical lands of Persia, PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME is an epic action-adventure about a rogue prince (JAKE GYLLENHAAL) and a mysterious princess (GEMMA ARTERTON) who race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time—a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.


Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time will hit theaters on May 28th 2010

The film definitely has a Pirates of the Caribbean type of feel to it. I have never actually played the games, although I've heard great things. Actually, I'm quite impressed by Gyllenhaal in this so far also. Sometimes he can be a bit annoying and whiny, but it seems like he may have actually delivered a pretty good performance. I'm interested.



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Posted by SX0T at 5:23 PM | 1 comments  

Stiller/Downey turn down tandem Oscar hosting gig

Or at least that’s what Nikki Finke is reporting.  Roger Ebert quips, “They have Lakers tickets.”  The search continues on.  Steve Martin and Tina Fey are not available.  Hugh Jackman has graciously declined being pigeonholed.

So I ask, WHO?!?!?! WHOOOOOO? IS GOING TO STEP UP?!?!

I still vote for Hanks, O'Brien, or Mr. Patrick Harris. In that order.
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Posted by SX0T at 5:20 PM | 1 comments  

Anthony Hopkins to Play Odin in Kenneth Branagh's Thor!

Anthony Hopkins / Odin

Apparently Odin, Thor's father, will be played by none other than Anthony Hopkins in Marvel's upcoming Thor movie. THR's Heat Vision Blog reports that Hopkins is "in negotiations" to play the Norse god and ruler of Asgard in the adaptation being directed by Kenneth Branagh. We already know that the cast also includes Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder Thor, Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother Loki, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, and apparently Robert De Niro and Jude Law. Talk about a very impressive cast!

Score. Let's just hope he doesn't just play Hannibal Lecter. I feel like Hopkins can turn in great performances and weak ones. Certainly looks the part though. Should be quite fun.

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Posted by SX0T at 5:18 PM | 0 comments  

Joss Whedon Pens An Open Letter to the Terminator Owners

http://media.filmschoolrejects.com/images/joss-whedon.jpg


Joss Whedon has penned a hilarious note to the franchise owners in an attempt to acquire the franchise with a mighty fine $10,000 check. Says Whedon: “That’s four — FOUR! — zeroes after that one. That’s to show you I mean business. And I mean show business.”

He goes on to list the myriad of brilliant ideas he has for the franchise, including  Terminator of the Rings (”Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far… back to when there was dragons and wizards?”), liberal use of Summer Glau, and a throat lozenge for a certain Mr. Bale.

While hilarious, the piece could also be seen as spitting on the grave of the recently departed Sarah Connor Chronicles. It was very clear come last season that Fox was willing to only keep one Friday sci-fi show on the air, and that ended up being Whedon’s Dollhouse. Ultimately, I think Fox made the right choice because Dollhouse has gotten steadily better since the midpoint of season one. Sarah Connor was good campy fun, but Dollhouse has a greater chance of approaching greatness, as episodes like “Epitaph One”  and “Echoes” have shown.


While the letter is certainly in a joking fashion about the whole thing and doesn't even slightly come off as serious, we can't help but hope for something like this. Whedon, a man who writes FOR the fanboys specifically writing the next Terminator? It would certainly blow minds, and probably do a fair job of re-igniting the franchise that many see as dead or on it's final breath (I for the record actually enjoyed Terminator Salvation, sure, it had its problems, but it's Terminator for crying out loud, it is just supposed to be a loud pretty action movie - and let's get it straight right away - NOBODY could outdo Cameron anyway, so stop hoping).
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Posted by SX0T at 5:16 PM | 0 comments  
Friday, October 30, 2009

Netflix Comes to PlayStation 3 in November

netflix_ps3


Microsoft’s Xbox 360 will not be the only gaming platform with the ability to stream movies from Netflix platform for long. After a long period of speculation, the streaming Netflix option will be coming to Sony’s PlayStation3 in November.


The press release says only ‘next month’, so we don’t yet know the official launch date for the service. When it does go live, Netflix subscribers who have at least the $8.99 per month plan will be able to stream movies to the PS3.


While the process won't be as simple for those of you who have Xbox 360's and can already stream directly to the system, the PS3 will require that a Blu-Ray disk from netflix that is special to them be placed in the drive to allow the content to be streamed.

Makes no difference to me, this is something I have been wanting for quite some time.

There are also rumors floating around that the Wii will be the next console to receive this Netflix treatment.

(Request a disc for the service here: http://www.netflix.com/InstantStreamingDisc)


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Posted by SX0T at 11:01 AM | 0 comments  

HOW DID I MISS THIS NEWS (SPECULATION) ?!?!?!

http://www.stuffwelike.com/stuffwelike/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/lizard_comics.jpg

So here's some "less is more" comic book flick news* that may make you feel a little better about Spider-Man 4: Apparently A) there will be only one villain, which would be great, and B) that villain will (finally!) be Curt Connors aka The Lizard. And here's the best part: We don't have to wait for some gimmicky casting ploy, because the franchise already has the excellent Dylan Baker playing the role! Yes, Peter Parker's one-armed college professor will, after waiting patiently through three villain-packed films, get to shed his humanity and terrorize our favorite web-slinger with cold-blooded reptility.


Both MarketSaw and Collider have more information, but of course details are very sketchy at this early point.It's safe to assume that Mr. Raimi considers Spider-Man 3 the weakest of the series, and if the new goal is to simply deliver an old-school mano e mano face-off between a man-spider and a man-lizard, well I'm just fine with that.


*MarketSaw.com seems pretty confident that their source is accurate on this information, but of course we should take it all with a grain of salt until we get word from someone on the production team, and on the record.

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Posted by SX0T at 10:58 AM | 0 comments  

Hugh Jackman OUT, Who Should Host the Oscars This Year Instead?

http://www.gossipcenter.com/files//celeb-gossip/images/photos/hugh-jackman-oscar-host.jpg


Sources say Jackman has declined the job over the past few weeks, and while he won’t rule out hosting future ceremonies, he didn’t want to do it two years in a row.

I honestly think that Jackman was the best host since Billy Crystal. The dude is a big time triple threat and pulled out all the big guns that helped make the last Oscars so memorable. Sure, the show had some other issues, but Jackman was not one of them.

This kind of disappoints me as I was really hoping to see him take a stab at it again.

So now the question remains, who should host the 82nd Academy Awards?


So here are two thoughts for ya, and I'm certainly not the first person to mention these, but I think they reign true as two great choices.

Tom Hanks

Conan O'Brien


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Posted by SX0T at 10:55 AM | 0 comments  
Thursday, October 29, 2009

New Avatar Trailer up Today

A new trailer for James Cameron's Avatar has made it's way online today through Yahoo Movies. The trailer is certainly an epic feast, and gives us a bit more about the story and some of the images we had been seeing show up for quite some time. I am still in a little bit of doubt about this whole "bridging the uncanny valley" business, but one thing is for sure - this movie will be a feast for the eyes and bring about great advancements in the way we experience cinema.

Check out the trailer for yourselves.

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Posted by SX0T at 1:25 PM | 2 comments  
Friday, October 23, 2009

On-Set Photos of Inception

Splash News has quite a few on-set photos of Leo and Ellen Page on the set of Nolan's upcoming psychological mind thriller Inception. They are all pretty standard shots but man, it just gets me more excited for Inception. Not only do the Nolans make great films, but when you put Leo in with that - this is something I'm hoping is quite an experience.


Check out the rest of the photos here

Described as a contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind from "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan. Nolan wrote the original screenplay and hopes to shoot the sci-fi action film in the summer for a release during summer 2010. Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Dileep Rao .


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Posted by SX0T at 11:23 AM | 0 comments  

Marvel's Joe Quesada on Captain America: 'It's Going to Rock'


http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/news/captain-america/CaptainAmerica.jpg
From FirstShowing.net

There's actually more to his quote than just that, but we'll get to that. As a reminder, Joe Quesada is the Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics. Essentially, he's the head honcho of the comics division who has a good say on the movie side of things as well (since he knows all of the characters so well). Quesada recently appeared at a panel at the Big Apple Comic-Con and Comic Book Resources was there to cover his talk. If you're a fan of comics as well, the entire update is worth reading, but I'm specifically pulling out his small update on The First Avenger: Captain America. He doesn't say anything new, but it's a good quote.


Sticking with Hollywood, Quesada offered a brief update on "The First Avenger: Captain America," with which he's had some involvement. "I've seen a couple of outlines and an initial screenplay, and it's going to rock everyone's socks off," he said. "It's very unexpected, the kind of movie it is." Quesada added that "Captain America" sets up "The Avengers" in "a fantastic way" and also mentioned that there is an undisclosed wish list of actors to play the star-spangled superhero.


I am excited for any bit of Cap news that we get, but it also kinda pisses me off that this has been in talks for what seems like FOREVER now and we still don't know who is going to be the face of America! So come on! Give us a bit more! In any case, it sounds like this is going to be quite the film - I'm hoping for a bit more of a period piece than a full superhero film (similar to the opening credits of X-Men Origins: Wolverine).
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Posted by SX0T at 11:14 AM | 0 comments  

The Wolfman Movie Trailer #2

wolfman_trailer_21


There’s a new trailer for Joe Johnston’s remake of Universal’s The Wolfman. The first trailer, I thought was INCREDIBLE, even though it offered us little insight into the wolfman himself. This trailer is definitely darker, and shows off quite a bit more of the gore, effects, and makeup we can expect to see in this movie.

Apple has the trailer in HD, and I really recommend checking it out in that format. The Wolfman is directed by Joe Johnston (of the upcoming Captain America) and stars Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. It opens on February 12, 2010.


My biggest problem with the trailer, and this is being quite picky, is that the transformation doesn't quite look like the pictures we saw quite some time ago from Empire magazine that showed a really hairy, almost full wolf kind of transformation. I'm sure there is a reason for this, but the shots in this trailer of wolfman I think were a little less impressive than the great photos we had seen before. Hopefully it is because we aren't seeing the FULL transformation yet - and not because of some change of plans.


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Posted by SX0T at 11:10 AM | 0 comments  

Hulu Says Goodbye to Free Entertainment

http://www.fasthorseinc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/hulu2.jpg
In what is sure to piss of more people than I can even count, Hulu execs have said that Hulu, sometime near in the future, will no longer be a free service. Some of the details are still a bit sketchy, but the general idea is that there will be some sort of a subscription model as part of their plan.



Broadcasting & Cable reports that News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey says: "It's time to start getting paid for broadcast content online." All about "value," he continues: "I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content. I think what we need to do is deliver that content to consumers in a way where they will appreciate the value. Hulu concurs with that, it needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business."

NewCorp swears that there's no timeline set yet, but "supposes it's at least in 2010." So, as soon as next year, you might have to pay to delight in all things Hulu.

So the real question we are left with, is will you pay for Hulu? Is what they are offering worth you giving up your hard earned money for? I personally find it hard to believe that people are going to so easily convert over to this pay model. Just remember, almost nothing - especially things that CAN make money, even if only a few million, won't remain free. There is too much big business at work here.
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Posted by SX0T at 11:04 AM | 0 comments  

District 9 Director Neill Blomkamp’s Next Sci-Fi Movie Gets The Greenlight

Neill Blomkamp


Media Rights Capital has committed to fund District 9 filmmaker Neill Blomkamp’s next film, an untitled science fiction movie which will be set on another planet. MRC committed to the new project after hearing Blomkamp’s pitch. Details are thin right now, but Blomkamp tells BFDealMemo that the project will “hopefully be commercial”:

“Hopefully, this will be a bit unique, very much a reflection of me. It is absolutely another science fiction film, quite different from `District 9,’ but some of the blending of genres and the tone might be within the same realm.”

At Comic-Con this year, Blomkamp told us:

I’ve got one science fiction idea that I’m absolutely in love with, which I’m pretty sure is going to be my next film. 99% sure…It’s totally original, it’s my own story…It’s set on another planet, but it’s cool. It’s violent, very violent, and very unique hopefully. We’ll see.

The few details we have does not  sound like your typical Hollywood production. Blomkamp says that the film will be more of his vision (”very much a singular film, that comes directly from me”) than District 9, which was a learning experience under producer Peter Jackson, who will not be involved this time around. Bill Block will produce. The MRC deal is big because they are not only giving Blomkamp creative freedom but also an ownership stake in the finished product. That’s a HUGE deal for a filmmaker to get on only his second film.


MRC will be funding the project, which will cost somewhere north of District 9’s $30 million, but not a lot higher. Blompkamp has said that he’s “not particularly interested in massive budget films, or creating huge spectacles that some young directors might be attracted to.”


The filmmaker plans to immediately start writing and prepping the visual effects for the film, which will begin production by the middle of next year. A distributor will be found at that time. Blomkamp definitely has an option to make a District 9 sequel afterwards if that is what he wants.


So what do you think of the promises associated with Blomkamp's next film? Do you think he can truly pull off another sci-fi spectacular? And when do you think we can see him trying something different? I know it's really early on in his "sure to follow" career. But as of right now, he is quite reminding me of someone like a young James Cameron, or a young Ridley Scott. As for if he can live up to that - it will be interesting to see (although I certainly wouldn't want to have to fill those shoes)

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Posted by SX0T at 10:58 AM | 0 comments  
Monday, October 19, 2009

Spike Jonze's We Were Once A Fairytale, Starring Kanye West

jonze_west_fairy_tale

From /Film

Months ago we knew that Spike Jonze would be working again with Kanye West, for whom he’d recently directed the video for Flashing Lights. At the time we heard the new collaboration would be a short film called We Were Once a Fairytale, but we didn’t know if it would be an extended music video, a true short film, or somewhere in between. Now, just as Jonze has had a great weekend with the opening of Where the Wild Things Are, his Kanye collaboration  has been released/leakedm and we can see that it’s definitely in the ’somewhere in between’ realm.

Set vaguely to the tune of ‘See You in My Nightmares’, this depiction of a drunken club night is probably exactly like one of Kanye’s nightmares. In the film, he staggers from one conversation and encounter to another, but here he’s the drunken buffoon (no surprise to many, after the VMA incident) who is making everyone uncomfortable. Eventually there’s some real/imagined backroom sex and then, about halfway through, things actually get weird. How weird? How about vomiting flower petals, strange little rat demons and a little bit of hari-kari.




Spike Jonze is such a badass. If you haven't checked out his compilation DVD of a bunch of his music videos and short films and commercials and whatnot, I suggest you do. See what kind of a genius he really is. And it's only 4 bucks used on Amazon, so you should buy it.

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Posted by SX0T at 6:01 PM | 0 comments  

More Cast Revealed For Shyamalan’s Devil… And Also The Film’s Premise, Maybe?


On Friday, /Film’s Russ Fischer said of Devil, the upcoming Dowdle Bros. film from a story by M. Night Shyamalan and script by Brian Nelson, that “The film starts shooting in Toronto a week from Monday, and that’s all we’ve got. It’s tightly under wraps, and has been for a while. Which, I suspect, really means that there’s some info out there that we haven’t dug up yet.”


Be wary of potential spoilers as you read on.


Hollywood.Com. Here it is, word for word, the films loglines:


A group of people are trapped in an elevator, and one of them is the devil.


In further Devil news, The Hollywood Reporter have rounded up a more comprehensive cast list. As well as Chris Messina they name Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Geoffrey Arend and Caroline Dhavernas. Place your bets now on who will be the eponymous evil. I’m betting on there being a real angel in there too.

I think this may work. A story by Shyamalan, and directing and writing duties going to someone else? Sounds like it could turn out well. Although I'm a fan of almost all of Shyamalan's work.

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Posted by SX0T at 5:52 PM | 0 comments  

Some great new trailers for your viewing pleasure!

It's been a while, but we have some great new trailers that have surfaced online over the past few days that I would like to share with everyone. The first trailer is for

Black Lightning, a Russian film produced by Wanted director Timur Bekmambetov. Timur apparently said at one point that this is the "Russian response [to] Transformers and Batman,"  thanks to Quiet Earth, the first full-length trailer has arrived, unfortunately still in Russian.

The story of a Moscow University student who becomes the owner of a flying car. Not only will he be able to avoid traffic, but he unexpectedly finds himself the city's defender, mysterious fighter against evil.



Black Lightning is co-directed by first-time Russian directors Dmitriy Kiselev and Alexandr Voitinsky, who are both friends of Timur Bekmambetov and who have worked with him previously. Apparently this was made for roughly $8 million dollars, which is twice what they spent to make Timur's Day Watch and Night Watch. Black Lightning will hit theaters in Russia on December 31st, but doesn't have a US distributor yet. We're not sure when it'll be coming to the US, but stay tuned for updates on Black Lightning as they arrive.

I think it looks good, but I'm also a bit weirded out by its Disney film like quality. I don't know. A flying car? Just seems a little cheesy to me. But it does look pretty awesome!


Up next we have the trailer for Edge of Darkness, featuring Mel Gibson’s first starring role since 2002. Martin Campbell (Goldeneye, Casino Royale) directs the movie, which is a remake of the very highly regarded UK mini-series from 1985 that Campbell also directed. Sadly, the trailer mostly looks like a routine potboiler, but it has a few moments that shine through. It's a really intense trailer very reminiscent of the trailer for Taken that came out a while ago which turned out to be quite a great thriller. Hoperfully good ole Gibsey can make this work. I miss him.




Next up is not an official, but what seems like it may become official trailer for The Expendables. No idea how long this will stick around online as it isn't official. But here it is anyway. And it is exciting!

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Monday, October 12, 2009

Where The Wild Things Are Feaurette and Short

In honor of Where The Wild Things are releasing this weekend (October 16th). We have a really great behind the scenes kind of featurette, and a short little 30 second film called Vampire Attack made by Spike Jonze and the young Max Records. Enjoy, and if you aren't planning on seeing the film, I suggest you do. It is sure to be one of the best films of the year.




Having just read an article on how much Spike and Max bonded on the set to Wild Things and how much they became like a father and son dynamic - even before the filming started, this little gem really shows.


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Posted by SX0T at 11:35 PM | 0 comments  

Ivan Reitman On Board For Ghostbusters 3

ghostbusters_go_zapping


BloodyDisgusting has confirmed that Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II director Ivan Reitman is 100% attached to Ghostbusters 3. He hasn’t decided yet if he wants to direct the project, but is definately on board to produce. This shouldn’t come as much of a shock as almost everyone associated with the first two films are also on board for a third film if it goes into production.

News of this thing actually happening sounds better and better every time we get a new piece of info. Too bad it isn't based on Derek and my script idea. Let's just hope they don't mess this one up.
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Posted by SX0T at 11:24 PM | 0 comments  

Abrams, Kurtzman, and Orci on Big Ideas for a Star Trek Sequel

Star Trek

 J.J. Abrams and writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are out talking with press (via Collider) about the potential for Star Trek sequel(s). The sequel is just barely being developed, and even though they're still "just brainstorming," the ideas seem to be there, and the three each hint at what we might see in a sequel.


Although Kurtzman and Orci have answered the "sequel" question countless times already in regards to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, they were asked again what makes great sequels so great. I always feel like that's a perfect place to start by putting everything into perspective before hearing specific ideas.


"There's Empire Strikes Back, Superman 2, Aliens, Terminator 2, Star Trek 2. What do all those movies have in common? Well, they're amazing stories, all on their own. You didn't have to see the first movie. And, there was some incredible, emotional test of character, in all of those movies. Superman has to give up his powers for love. The Spock and Kirk relationship is tested by Khan. Ripley finds a daughter. All of those things are such big ideas, in and of themselves, and you really can't tell those stories in movie #1 because movie #1 is very much about establishing a world." -Alex Kurtzman


So if they can now start to explore some of those more broader ideas and tests of character in a sequel to Star Trek, where might they go? Could they explore other stories from the Star Trek universe, including even The Next Generation? Afraid not: "I think our instinct would be to first look at The Original Series before we considered that." Let's turn to Abrams next, who has a lot of great things to say about a sequel.


"In going forward, the fun of this movie series is that we will have the opportunity, given its alternate timeline, to cross paths with any of the experiences, places and characters that existed in The Original Series, but we have to be really careful, doing that. I don't want to do something that is so inside that only die-hard fans will appreciate. We're just now working on the script and just beginning the process of story breaking, but I guarantee you, whatever the story is and whatever the final movie ends up being, I know it will be something that will work on its own terms and be something that you don't need to know and study Star Trek to get, but if you are a fan, there will hopefully be gift after gift of connections, references and characters that you hold near and dear. At least, that's the intent." -J.J. Abrams


Kurtzman and Orci said: "now that we've established the characters, we can have a more philosophical allegory, where what's happening in the future represents our world.


Getting back on topic, Kurtzman and Orci were asked about making Star Trek 2 and 3 back-to-back, which seems to be what all the fans really want to see, but not anything that any studio has actually wanted to do.


"It's very, very important to us to make sure that each movie is good, not 'Hey, let's do as many as possible.' We feel like we've inherited this incredible honor and this mantle of Star Trek, and the most important thing is to make sure that we're protecting that first."


"So, if the studio wants more than one, great. But, our thinking is going to be very much about the story and whether the story prescribes that there will be more than one. Part of what is great about Star Trek is that it's a continuing adventure, so you naturally think that there will be many, hopefully, but we only focus on what comes next, and then build off of that. Right now, we're not thinking specifically about making 2 and 3. It may come up, but it's not where our heads are at right now." -Alex Kurtzman


And how about another wild idea - 3-D? Abrams answers that one, saying that Paramount talked about making the first one in 3D, but he decided against it because he was so worried about just making a good movie. I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass. I was just like, 'I want to make a decent 2-D movie.'" But on the second go around? "I'm open to looking at it because now I feel a little bit more comfortable. And, if I, in fact, direct the Star Trek sequel, 3-D could be really fun, so I'm open to it." Abrams also references Avatar, like everyone in Hollywood right now, saying he likes what he's seen so far.


Lastly, one of the reasons why I love J.J. Abrams is because he's such a humble filmmaker. Not only is he brilliant (and a damn fine director), but he hasn't let any of the fame get to his head, and he always speaks so well in interviews. Here he is asked whether he sees himself involved with the Star Trek franchise "for the foreseeable future" or only on "a movie-by-movie basis." His answer is the perfect place to wrap this up.


"That's a wonderfully optimistic question and I appreciate that, but the answer is that it's obviously just movie-to-movie. The fact that we are now actively discussing the second film is surreal and very nice, and I'm thrilled. I hope that that results in something worthy of your time. But, it's one of those things that you just don't know. And so, I cannot presume it's gonna be a series that goes beyond those. Do we have ideas for a few movies and have we discussed them? Of course." -J.J. Abrams


You can read the full J.J. Abrams interview on Collider here and the full Kurtzman and Orci interivew on Collider here.


FANTASTIC interview and approach to answering questions by all three chaps. Every time I read or listen to Abrams talk, I love the guy more and more. He is so humble and genuinely seems like a great filmmaker who is just interested in telling great stories. His interest in Sci-Fi and his blatant awesomeness for directing skills only make him better.

I can't wait for the Blu-Ray of Star Trek which I'm sure won't leave my PS3 any time soon after purchase.

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Posted by SX0T at 11:22 PM | 0 comments  

Bryan Singer Wants to Return to the X-Men Franchise

Bryan Singer


Bryan Singer says he wants to return to the X-Men franchise. Of course he does. While Singer has several projects lined up — a potential Excalibur remake/update, that Battlestar Galactica feature, and what should be his next, Jack the Giant Killer — the director now says he’s interested in going back to the superhero franchise with which he had such success in X-Men and X2. But what does that mean for the series?


Speaking at the Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea, Singer said (as reported by THR):


I’m still looking to possibly returning to the ‘X-Men’ franchise. I’ve been talking to Fox about it. I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast.


Does this mean he is interested in an actualy X-Men 4 movie, or is he maybe interested in taking over the reigns of directing for the second Wolverine movie? It isn't exactly clear, and of course this is just Singer talking, but I am a huge Singer fan (as I know Derek 8-Track is also) and we would both love to see Singer return to something he has proven he is REALLY good at.
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Posted by SX0T at 11:15 PM | 1 comments  

Fox to Re-tell the Story of Moses…300-Style

moses-parting-red-sea1


The same writing team hired to make a graphic-novel style, adventurous take on Moby Dick for Timur Bekmambetov and Universal have sold a pitch to Fox that would see them re-telling the story of Moses in the style of Zack Snyder’s 300.


Adam Cooper and Bill Collage are the writers, and while this could be just a big update of The Ten Commandments with modern effects (i.e. a Roland Emmerich-worthy parting of the Red Sea in addition to the aforementioned plagues) the fact that they’re ’sprucing up’ Moby Dick combined with the liberal tossing around of 300 as a stylistic signifier for this version of Moses’ story says to me that this will in fact be much more than a simple update. (Or, shall we say, much different, since ‘much more’ implies a rise in quality.)


Not sure how I feel about this. If it is a modern retelling of The Ten Commandments, I think I could appreciate it, but I get the feeling they are going to attempt to somehow make Moses "cool" by today's standards meaning making him young and meaning adding lots of high contrast and blood to the story. That just doesn't seem right to me. Don't get me wrong, the concept sounds awesome, I just don't know why there is a need to change the story (although as I said, it hasn't been CONFIRMED that this is the case, just rumored).
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Posted by SX0T at 11:13 PM | 0 comments  

Toy Story 3 Posters and Trailer


Having just seen Toy Story 1 and 2 in theaters, in 3D over the weekend, we are presented with an onslaught of new Toy Story 3 promotional business including 5 character posters and the full length trailer that premiered before the 3D re-releases.

I must say, it was quite a great experience to see these films again on the big screen - and even better in 3D. It really made me appreciate what Pixar can and has been doing over the past years - and makes me look forward even more to the upcoming Toy Story 3


Toy Story 3 Poster - WoodyToy Story 3 Poster - Buzz


Toy Story 3 Poster - JessieToy Story 3 Poster - HammToy Story 3 Poster - XX


Toy Story 3 is being directed by Lee Unkrich, another one of Pixar's creative masterminds who previously co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Finding Nemo. The screenplay was written by Michael Arndt, the Oscar winning screenwriter of Little Miss Sunshine who is a newcomer to the Pixar family. Disney is bringing Pixar's Toy Story 3 to theaters everywhere in digital 3D starting on June 18th, 2010 next year.





You can view the trailer in almost necessary HD quality here.
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Posted by SX0T at 11:07 PM | 0 comments  
Friday, October 9, 2009

2 Newish Trailers: Me and Orson Welles, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Me and Orson Welles


The trailer looks pretty good. We're finding Zach Efron mature in the types of movies he is doing. Plus Christian McKay does a fantastic portrait of Orson Welles, Both physically and vocally. Plus Sx0t Loves Claire Danes, so I know he is pumped for this movies. I also know he is pumped after hearing about how much he enjoyed 17 Again, A movie i still have yet to view.


The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus


this looks like a fun ride. No duh, Johnny Depp is in it. It seems like his perfect cup of tea. I can imagine everyone is pretty hyped to see Heath Ledgers final on screen performance. I know I am. Plus I like that Verne Troyer is getting some work again. It looks a little overly CG in a greasy George Lucas kind of way, but visually stunning nonetheless. I'm hyped!
Posted by Derek Clem at 3:08 PM | 0 comments  
Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I am convinced that this song can make ANY film ten thousand times more emotional.

I am convinced that the song that plays during all of the current Where the Wild Things Are trailers ("Wake Up" by Arcade Fire) can make ANY film trailer seem about ten thousand times more emotional and heartfelt than it needs to be. To prove my point someone has done the favor of adding the song to the Gremlins 2 trailer. It almost made me cry. Try to watch it and not feel emotional for little Gizmo. You can't.




And this brings me to my final point of this post. Spike Jonze can rock my balls anytime he wishes. And the Where the Wild Things Are trailers are a prime example of how you cut an effing trailer - and if anyone wants to fight me or Spike over it, we will.


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Posted by SX0T at 9:11 PM | 0 comments  

My Shameless Paranormal Activity Plug



Paranormal Activity opened on 12 screens September 25th, and in two weekends it's become the sleeper horror film of the season, thanks to a terrifically simple and streamlined story about a couple terrorized by unseen supernatural forces.

Paranormal's distributor, Paramount Pictures, has supported the film's release, but they're understandably apprehensive about throwing the marketing muscle of something like G.I. Joe behind something that might appeal only to a select audience, especially since it's a low-budget horror movie that could become either a bona fide phenomenon like The Blair Witch Project, or a dud-on-arrival like Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows. But given the attention that the film has enjoyed at recent festivals and in its limited release (it's currently earning more than $16,000 on each one of its 33 screens), Paramount has offered its fans (and potential fans) a unique opportunity to be part of the film's eventual distribution strategy: specifically, you can determine whether the film earns a wide release, comes to your hometown, and eventually, becomes one of your all-time favorite horror films.

The film sold out all of its midnight screenings in 33 cities across the country this past weekend, earning around $535,000. Paramount will now be expanding it to over 40 markets this upcoming weekend and making it available at "all hours," including at the previous midnight only venues - visit the official website.

Paramount has been running a promotion for Paranormal Activity where interested moviegoers can "Demand It" and try and get the movie to come to their city (since its only been playing in very limited release).

Paramount has vowed to give the film a full-on nationwide release in every city, big or small, as soon as 1 million demands are registered at www.Eventful.com/ParanormalActivity. If the running tally on the site is accurate, the demands nationwide are creeping toward 400,000. That’s an incredibly healthy start, but there’s still a long way to go.



So now, your job, as one of my minions, is to go to the above mentioned website and cast a vote for Paranormal Activity to play in your city so that we can get 1 million votes and I can see this film a bit easier. If you don't do this, you will have to pay the consequences.
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Posted by SX0T at 8:18 PM | 0 comments  
Sunday, October 4, 2009

SAY WHAT?!?! JAMES FRANCO TAKES ON General Hostpical??


Usually, soap operas provide the gateway to bigger gigs. One could go on and on about the big-time names that popped up in the overly dramatic worlds of the soaps. Brad Pitt was in Another World; Kevin Bacon drank a lot on Guiding Light; Leonardo DiCaprio spent time on Santa Barbara; and Meg Ryan dealt with life As the World Turns. General Hospital alone let loose Demi Moore, Rick Springfield, John Stamos, Jack Wagner, and Mark Hamill. The thing is, all of these people were on soaps generally BEFORE they were huge talents.

But the other day, the world of Hollywood was in complete awe as it was released that 
James Franco would be picking up a guest spot on the popular ABC soap General Hospital. We're not talking a 1-off appearance. SoapNet reports that he'll start on November 20 and be there for a number of weeks, making life difficult for Jason Morgan. But that's not the kicker. They claim Franco was the one who came up with the idea. (Although that could just be misinterpreting a quote expressing the surprise that someone of his "caliber would choose to spend some of his valuable time" on the soap.)

First of all, this news strikes me as awesome, and confusing. I absolutely LOVE James Franco and I am very interested in what he may be able to bring to the soaps. I have never WANTED to watch a soap opera more than now and starting November 20 I will be setting my DVR to record General Hospital.

My thoughts aside - I am confused as to WHY he would do something like this. I have come up with a few possible thoughts as to what might be making this happen. First, maybe Franco is strapped for cash and needs to pick up the extra funds - although this seems unlikely. Second, maybe he is ready to prove he is an amazing actor by joining the show and completely destroying EVERYONE in terms of their acting ability - a possible reason. Maybe he wants to pose himself a challenge and thinks this may be just the challenge he needs - I expect this is a highly probable reason. Or lastly maybe this is some sort of art project the he is working on. Coming from an fine arts background myself, and specifically one interested in performance art. Is it possible this is part of some larger schemed art project? That's what I hope.

What do you think?

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Posted by SX0T at 1:58 PM | 0 comments  

A Couple Fresh Trailers to Share

The first trailer up is for the U.S. release of John Woo's epic Red Cliff. The trailer focuses on the film’s visual splendor with epic battle sequences and widescreen vistas aplenty. As is typical with foreign film trailers, the leads (in this case Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro) aren’t featured much, but at least their names get displayed at one point.

The film is a retelling of the battle of Red Cliff during the Han dynasty in ancient China, and is based upon the historical text Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms.




The next film up on the list is a new movie trailer for Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel Shutter Island. You might recognize some of the scenes as the new trailer starts off pretty close to the first release, playing off of the same moments, voiceover and beats, but is definitely a completely new edit.



I really think this trailer is a MUCH better cut of the information we already know with a few new clips. I'm liking this new trailer alot. Derek and I were discussing a few of the changes present in here. The first is that they make Leo seem alot less like his is the missing patient. We feel like the first trailer just told you that straight out. Also we noticed that some of the CG effects have been changed. Specifically when the girl Leo hugs shatters and crumbles rather than disappearing. Anything else you noticed?

The third trailer I have up for everyone today is for Jason Reitman’s new film Up in the Air. Up in the Air had been planned for December 4, then pulled back to a limited November 13 and wide November 25 release, based upon the film’s very good festival reception. But Clooney’s other big fall film, The Men Who Stare at Goats, is planned for November 6. So Paramount has pushed Reitman’s film back to a limited release on December 4, going wide December 25. And keep in mind that Clooney is also ‘in’ Fantastic Mr. Fox, which goes wide on November 25. This guy is tearin' it up right now.



Not much to say about this except, lookin' good and watch out for an Oscar nom.

The last trailer up on the list of new ones is for the remake of The Crazies directed by Breck Eisner (Sahara director and Micheal Esiner’s son) and loosely based on George Romero’s 1973 thriller. In the trailer we see Timothy Olyphant’s sheriff and Radha Mitchell’s doctor as a midwestern couple whose life goes more than a little insane when townfolk around them start behaving oddly. As in Romero’s version, the culprit appears to be military in origin, and some very violent methods are brought to bear to contain the spread of insanity.



It definitely is an interesting trailer. It somehow manages to be new, still have a nice Romero feel to it, and separate itself from a Platinum Dunes remake. While it doesn't look completely awesome, it definitely has me interested.

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Posted by SX0T at 12:32 PM | 0 comments  
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