NycMovieman

Uninspiring "Land of the Lost" Trailer #2

2009-02-05T23:14:00.004-05:00

"Land of the Lost" stars: Will Ferrell, Danny R. McBride and Anna Friel. Directed by: Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events).

A disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.

I'm sorry, but I saw this movie last summer, and it was called "Journey to the Center of the Earth". There was nothing funny or exciting about this trailer. I'll probably still check it out - but I'm not expecting much.

Expected Release Date: June 5th

Headlines of the Day - 2/5/09

2009-02-05T22:35:00.004-05:00

"Sex and the City 2" confirmed - "Break out the bubbly—the Sex and the City sequel is finally official! I can exclusively reveal that all four stars—Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis—and writer-director Michael Patrick King have now signed their deals for another round of Carrie Bradshaw & Co. As it is, King has yet to write a script, but shooting will reportedly begin this summer with a release date sometime in summer 2010". I'd rather get a colonoscopy by Shaq than see the original or sequel. Eonline.com.

"Green Lantern" film gets a director? - "Warner Bros. is negotiating with Martin Campbell to direct "Green Lantern," the live-action film based on the DC Comics hero. Campbell last directed "Casino Royale" and recently wrapped the Mel Gibson starrer "Edge of Darkness," based on the 1985 BBC miniseries that Campbell helmed. The emergence of Campbell, who also helmed two "Zorro" films and the 007 film "GoldenEye," puts "Green Lantern" at the top of DC properties being set for movie treatment by WB". Variety.com.

Board game Candy Land is headed to the big-screen - "Universal Pictures is sweet on "Candy Land." Studio has set Etan Cohen to write and Kevin Lima to direct a live-action feature based on the enduring Hasbro board game. The tyke-friendly board game isn't as obvious an inspiration for a movie project as those other Hasbro brands, but the studio has tapped talent adept at comedy and family fare. Lima most recently directed the Amy Adams starrer "Enchanted" after helming the animated features "Tarzan" and "102 Dalmatians." Cohen's recent script work includes "Tropic Thunder" and "Madagascar 2," and he most recently rewrote "The Fiance," the Burr Steers-directed romantic comedy that will star Anne Hathaway". I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a Connect 4 movie. Variety.com.

New but still Crappy "Dragonball Evolution" Trailer

2009-02-05T14:07:00.003-05:00

"Dragonball Evolution" stars: Justin Chatwin as Goku, James Marsters as Piccolo,Emmy Rossum as Bulma, Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi, Jamie Chung as Chi Chi and Ernie Hudson as Mutaito. Directed by: James Wong (Final Destination 1 & 3, The One).

Based on the phenomenally popular Japanese manga, "Dragonball Evolution" centers on the heroic Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

I'd rather have a pair of giant sweaty Dragon balls slap me on the forehead than see this flick.

Expected Release Date: April 8th

Old School Trailer of the Week - "I Come in Peace"

2009-02-05T10:34:00.002-05:00

"I Come in Peace" (1990) - Starring: Dolph Lundgren, Brian Benben, Betsy Brantley, Matthias Hues and David Ackroyd. Directed by: Craig R. Baxley (Action Jackson).

Two human cops track down a ruthless alien fugitive who forcibly overdoses his victims with heroin in order to siphon off the endorphins it produces in the human brain, an illegal narcotic on his own planet.

Headlines of the Day - 2/3/09

2009-02-03T22:14:00.003-05:00

Mickey Rourke is NOT Crimson Tide in "Iron Man 2"? - "Of all the recent casting rumors surrounding “Iron Man 2,” it’s clear that the one story that has fanboys praying to the Marvel Gods to come true has to be the addition of Oscar-nominee Mickey Rourke to the already powerhouse cast, possibly playing the Soviet-era villain The Crimson Dynamo. However, according to a recent exclusive sit-down with “Iron Man” star Robert Downey Jr. on the set of his upcoming film “Sherlock Holmes,” that casting speculation may have been a bit premature. “That’s actually incorrect,” Downey told MTV News when asked if Rourke was being considered for the aforementioned Iron Man rogue. When pressed if, instead of Crimson Dynamo, Rourke was up for the role of Whiplash, another potential role bandied about on blogs these days, Downey had a more cryptic response. “I can neither confirm nor deny that,” said Downey. “Or maybe it’s some semblance of both. Here, I can tell you everything about the story except I won’t give away the ending. The nerd stuff is top-drawer security.” Splashpage.mtv.com.

George Clooney in court room drama "The Challenge" - "Warner Bros. has set Aaron Sorkin to write "The Challenge," a courtroom drama for George Clooney's Smokehouse shingle. Clooney is producing with Smoke House partner Grant Heslov. Clooney may direct and hopes to play Navy lawyer Charles Swift in the drama about the effort by Swift and Georgetown U. law professor Neal Katyal to ensure a fair trial for Osama bin Laden's driver, Salim Hamdan, who'd been held at Guantanamo Bay for five years. The courtroom drama wouldn't debate Hamdan's guilt or innocence but chart the dogged efforts of the two lawyers who sue the president because they feel the U.S. government has broken the law and violated the Constitution. Captured in 2001 in Afghanistan while transporting two missiles in a car, Hamdan was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 5½ years by a military commission for providing material support to Al-Qaeda. He was cleared of the terrorism conspiracy charges that would have drawn a much longer sentence". Variety.com.

New DVD Tuesday - 2/3/09

2009-02-03T10:53:00.008-05:00

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" - Starring: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes, Katie Morgan, Craig Robinson, Traci Lords, Justin Long, Brandon Routh and Jeff Anderson. Directed by: Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy, Dogma).

Plot: Two lifelong platonic friends, strapped for cash and in debt, decide to make a porno.

Thoughts: This was a funny movie but far from hysterical. Also, it's predictable and extremely cheesy. Overall, the film is watchable just don't expect to be blown away by it. However, the best reason to see this movie is the awesome cameos of Long and Routh. It is definitely memorable. Check out my full review here.

"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" - Starring: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Aaron Yoo, Ari Graynor, Rafi Gavron and Alexis Dziena. Directed by: Pete Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas).

Plot: Nick frequents New York's indie rock scene nursing a broken heart and playing the bass with his queercore band, The Jerk Offs. Norah is questioning pretty much all of her assumptions about the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming a first date that could change both their lives.

Thoughts: I've been anxiously waiting for this movie to be released on DVD and now that day is finally here. The trailer for this flick was highly entertaining and funny, so I'm expecting this comedy to be really good.

"The Secret Life of Bees" - Starring: Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and Paul Bettany. Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball).

Plot: Set in South Carolina in 1964, the tale of Lily Owens, a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.

Thoughts: I'm a fan of all the women in this drama and it looks pretty good. Sure, I wasn't going to pay to see this at the theater - but now that it's available on DVD, I'll give it a looksy.

"Bottle Shock" - Starring: Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Freddy Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku, and Bradley Whitford. Directed by: Randall Miller (The 6th Man, Houseguest).

Plot: The story of the early days of California wine making featuring the now infamous, blind Paris wine tasting of 1976 that has come to be known as "Judgment of Paris".

Thoughts: There's only one reason to watch this comedy and that reason is Eliza Dushku. I'll watch it on cable.

Headlines of the Day - 2/2/09

2009-02-02T14:17:00.004-05:00

"Taken" captures the #1 spot at the Weekend Box-Office - "Liam Neeson's CIA thriller "Taken" bumped off "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" at the weekend box office, raking in $24.6 million and helping fuel the first $1 billion January in Hollywood history. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," the Kevin James comedy about a clumsy security guard, had been No. 1 the previous two weeks. Although it dropped to second place, it earned $14 million to boost its three-week total to more than $83 million. Also opening this weekend was "The Uninvited," a remake of the 2003 South Korean thriller that pits two sisters against their potentially evil stepmother. It earned $10.5 million for third place. In fourth was "Hotel for Dogs" with $8.7 million, followed by "Gran Torino" with $8.6 million. "Gran Torino," directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as a bigot who becomes a reluctant neighborhood hero, has now earned more than $110 million, making it Eastwood's highest grossing film". AP.org.

"Slumdog Millionaire" star, Dev Patel, joins M. Night Shymalan's "The Last Airbender" - "Slumdog Millionaire" star Dev Patel has joined the cast of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender," the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films live-actioner based on a Nick TV series. Patel will be featured alongside newcomer Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone and Jessica Jade Andres. Production begins in mid-March in Greenland. In casting Patel and Ringer, a director accustomed to delivering plot twists to audiences got some surprises of his own. Ringer is a complete unknown who was tapped for the title role off an Internet audition. Patel, meanwhile, steps into a role that Jesse McCartney had all but locked up until the actor's second career as a musician got in the way. Tyro thesp Ringer will play Aang, the film's lead, who is the last of a race of people who can manipulate the elements of air. Ringer, a 12-year-old from Texas, landed the part after demonstrating his martial arts skills in an Internet vid that he posted to a website Shyamalan set up for open virtual auditions. Patel will play Zuko, a member of the Fire Nation. Peltz plays the Water Tribe rep Katara, while Andres is the Earth Kingdom's representative, Suki". Variety.com.

Daniel Day-Lewis, Benicio Del Toro and Gael Garcia Bernal to join Martin Scorsese's "Silence" - "Martin Scorsese is determined to make "Silence" his next movie. The helmer and Graham King's GK Films are negotiating with Oscar winners Daniel Day-Lewis and Benicio Del Toro to star. Gael Garcia Bernal is also circling the film, expected to begin production later this year in New Zealand. The drama is set in the 17th century as two Jesuit priests face violence and persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and to spread the gospel of Christianity. "Silence" is based on the Shusaku Endo novel, which was adapted by Jay Cocks". Variety.com.

"Fast & Furious" Super Bowl Spot

2009-02-02T10:43:00.007-05:00

"Fast & Furious" stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster. Directed by: Justin Lin (The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift).

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner (Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

Expected Release Date: April 3rd

Action-Packed "Star Trek" Super Bowl Spot

2009-02-02T10:41:00.005-05:00

"Star Trek" stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, John Cho, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin and Leonard Nimoy. Directed by: J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III).

A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.

Expected Release Date: May 8th

Jack Black and Michael Cera's "Year One" Super Bowl Spot

2009-02-02T10:33:00.009-05:00

"Year One" also stars: Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Olivia Wilde, Oliver Platt, David Cross, Hank Azaria and Vinnie Jones. Directed by: Harold Ramis (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day).

When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers (Black and Cera) are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world.

Ok, now this is a hilarious trailer! I'm already counting down the days until this movie is released.

Expected Release Date: June 19th

Decent "Land of the Lost" Trailer

2009-02-02T10:30:00.004-05:00

"Land of the Lost" - Starring: Will Ferrell, Anna Friel and Danny R. McBride. Directed by: Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events).

A disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.

There were some pretty funny moments but nothing to get me overly excited to see this comedy. I think I'm getting Will Ferrell fatigue!

Expected Release Date: June 5th

AMAZING "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" Teaser Trailer

2009-02-02T10:22:00.005-05:00

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Isabel Lucas and Rainn Wilson. Directed by: Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon).

Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.

What an awesome teaser! The ending of this trailer brought a tear to my eye because it was so f'ing cool. Seeing Devastator break through a bridge and Optimus Prime trying to take him down was the greatest eye candy I've ever seen! Well, next to Megan Fox.

Expected Release Date: June 26th

Bad Ass "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra" Super Bowl Spot

2009-02-02T10:12:00.007-05:00

"G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra" - Starring: Channing Tatum as Duke Hauser, Sienna Miller as The Baroness, Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobra Commander, Ray Park as Snake Eyes, Marlon Wayans as Rip Cord, Rachel Nichols as Scarlett, Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty. Directed by: Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns).

From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.

I'm surprised by how impressed I am by this trailer. There is plenty of hardcore, CGI action and overall it looks pretty cool. Also, gotta love the glimpse of a Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow face off. However, where the hell was Cobra Commander?!! Also, Sienna Miller is one HOT Baroness.

Expected Release Date: August 7th

Headlines of the Day - 1/30/09

2009-01-30T16:15:00.011-05:00

"Rambo 5" is going to happen - "Sylvester Stallone blasted into theatres as Vietnam vet John Rambo in 1982's "First Blood" - but will he reprise the role for another flick? That's true! Stallone broke the news to "Extra" about the latest Rambo film, saying, "Yeah, we are doing another 'Rambo,' but the conflict is whether to do it in America or a foreign country." It's going to be called "Rambold: The Twilight Years". Extratv.warnerbros.com.

Platinum Dunes' Producer, Brad Fuller, Discusses "Friday the 13th", "Freddy vs. Jason" sequels and "Nightmare on Elm St." reboot - Bloody-Disgusting.com.

Director Michael Bay talks Super Bowl and "Transformers" Teaser Trailers - "So, The Super Bowl spot is coming Sunday in the third Quarter (few minutes into the quarter slot). The spot will be online a few minutes after that - The full length teaser trailer will only be on Friday the Thirteenth. It will not hit the internet until a week later. The Teaser really only teases stuff - I'm holding so much stuff back from the final trailers because I personally hate going to movies where you have seen it all". Shootfortheedit.com.

"Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots" gets a writer - "What's that about cat-scratch fever? Well, TV scribe Tom Wheeler's got it. Wheeler has been hired to write the "Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots" for DreamWorks Animation, a stand-alone feature foray for the feline assassin/swordsman voiced by Antonio Banderas in the two most recent "Shrek" films. Michelle Raimo is producing. A fourth feature film, "Shrek Goes Fourth," is due in theaters May 21, 2010. The Puss in Boots character, originally hired to knock off the grumpy green ogre, debuted in "Shrek 2," which is the 10th-highest-grossing movie of all time. He went on to become part of Shrek's entourage". Whew! I was worried there for a second. I thought I would see Antonio Banderas on the unemployment line. THR.com.

New Movies Out Today - 1/30/09

2009-01-30T10:03:00.005-05:00

"Taken" - Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen. Directed by: Pierre Morel (District B13).

Plot: Former government operative Bryan Mills begins the longest 96-hours of his life - and the hunt for the fearsome organization that has taken his daughter Kim.

Thoughts: Who knew Liam Neeson was such a bad ass?! "Taken" is the type of action flick you do not want to get up and go to the bathroom for once it has started. This movie is relentless, violent, and satisfying for anyone who hates drama in their action films. The hand-to-hand combat is straight out of "The Bourne Identity", but the "kill now, talk later" attitude of Liam Neeson's, Bryan Mills, is what really drives this movie to greatness! This is a must see! Critics weren't fully really Taken in by this film. I say Screw them! Check it out for yourself.

"The Uninvited" - Starring: Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn, Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel. Directed by: Charles Guard & Thomas Guard.

Plot: Anna returns home after spending time in the hospital following the tragic death of her mother. Her recovery suffers a setback when she discovers her father has become engaged to her mother's former nurse. That night, Anna is visited by her mother's ghost, who warns her of Rachel's intentions.

Thoughts: I never thought I'd ever say this - but I think I have Elizabeth Banks fatigue. She invaded just about every movie last summer (Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Role Models, Meet Dave, W.) and now I need a vacation. Also, this movie just does not look scary. Critics wished they were never invited to this screening.

"New in Town" - Starring: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., J.K. Simmons and Siobhan Fallo Hogan. Directed by: Jonas Elmer.

Plot: A Miami businesswoman is transferred to rural Minnesota, and while she is there she re-evaluates her big-city values.

Thoughts: I'm sure this movie will make a ton of money - but it won't be any of mine. I'll catch this on cable. Also, I can't stand Renee Zellweger! Critics really hated this new girl in town.

Matthew McConaughey's "Ghost of Girlfriends Past"

2009-01-30T09:38:00.003-05:00

"Ghost of Girlfriends Past" also stars: Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Breckin Meyer and Lacey Chabert. Directed by: Mark Waters (Mean Girls, The Spiderwick Chronicles).

Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women... in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul's wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships--past, present and future. Together they attempt to find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether there is still hope for him to find true love...or if he really is the lost cause everyone thinks he is.

Matthew McConaughey sure loves romantic comedies! However, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" looks decent enough to warrant a glimpse at on DVD. Sure, it has a great cast - but this movie looks like I've seen it a thousand times before. Also, this trailer shows WAY TOO MUCH!

Expected Release Date: May 1st

Headlines of the Day - 1/29/09

2009-01-29T22:08:00.008-05:00

"Masters of the Universe" gets a director - "John Stevenson, the co-director of "Kung Fu Panda," has felt the power of Grayskull, signing on to direct "Masters of the Universe," Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures' live-action version of the popular 1980s cartoon and toy line. The show, made in partnership with toy company Mattel, was known for the image of blond-haired Prince Adam on top of a mountain uttering the magic words, "By the power of Grayskull, I have the power," and turning into the heroic He-Man. He-Man and his allies -- Battle Cat, Man-at-Arms and Orko -- defended their planet Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor, who tried week after week to conquer a fortress known as Castle Grayskull, which imbued He-Man with his powers. Justin Marks penned the script, which skews more toward gritty fantasy and reimagines Adam as a soldier who sets off to find his destiny, happening upon magical world called Eternia. There, a being called Skeletor has raised a technological army and is bent on eradicating all traces of magic. Joel Silver is producing". Oh boy! This already sounds HORRIBLE! THR.com.

Fox picks up Disney's trash & takes on "Narnia" franchise - "One month after Disney decided to pull the plug on co-financing the third movie in Walden Media's "Chronicles of Narnia" series, Walden has found a new partner in 20th Century Fox. Fox, which was entitled to first crack at "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" after Disney dropped out because of the shared Fox Walden marketing and distribution label, has made a commitment to develop the project. The two sides are still working out budget and script issues, but the hope is to shoot the film at the end of summer for a holiday 2010 release through the Fox Walden label". Variety.com.

Robert Rodriguez working on a "Predator" Reboot? - "We've got a holy sh*t scoop for you that's going to have half of you screaming in excitement and the other throwing tomatoes. A reliable source dropped us a line revealing to us that Robert Rodriquez and his Troublemaker Studios will be producing the Predator reboot for 20th Century Fox. Now here' the kicker, the pitch being sent around town implies that the reboot will have more than one predator. "In the reboot a team of commandoes face down a mysterious race of vicious monsters." No writer has been attached yet - and there is no script. No word on whether or not Rodriquez will direct, but it seems highly unlikely considering how many projects he has in development". Bloody-Disgusting.com.

Iconic Hip-Hop Group, Run DMC, to get the Biopic Treatment - "Cheo Hodari Coker is making himself quite a morbid niche: writing biopics about slain rap stars. The "Notorious" screenwriter is attached to adapt Bill Adler's "Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC - The Authorized Biography" for DJ Classicz, the urban arm of Davis Entertainment. Adler, the group's former publicist, will executive produce. While Fox Searchlight's "Notorious," released two weeks ago, outlines the life and premature death of Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., "Tougher" will explore the history of hip-hop's first superstars: Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell, who was shot to death in his Queens studio in 2002". "Down with the Chi-Ching!/I Wanna Be...Down with the Chi-Ching!" THR.com.

"Ghost Rider 2" May be Coming to a Theater Near You - "It's pretty shocking that it has taken this long for a sequel to get a move on, but finally Columbia Pictures is gearing up for GHOST RIDER 2, the sequel to the smash-hit comic book adaptation from 2007 that saw Nicolas Cage as a stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze who gives up his soul to become a hellblazing vigilante, to fight against power hungry Blackheart, the son of the devil himself. What we learned this evening is that Columbia Pictures is officially out to writers to pen the sequel and that Nicolas Cage is in fact attached and signed on to return". The only good thing about "Ghost Rider" was seeing a very buxom Eva Mendes. Everything else pretty much SUCKED! Bloody-Disgusting.com.

Jason Segel and Emily Blunt join Jack Black in "Gulliver's Travels" - "Jason Segel is in negotiations and Emily Blunt has been offered to sign up for "Gulliver's Travels," Fox's Jack Black-starring modern re-imagining of Jonathan Swift's classic tale. Rob Letterman is directing the story of free-spirited travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (Black), who on an assignment to the Bermuda Triangle washes ashore on the hidden island of Lilliput, home to a population of industrious yet tiny people. Blunt would play the island's princess and the love interest of Horatio, Segel's character, a Lilliputian who befriends Gulliver. Nicholas Stoller, who directed Segel in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," wrote the screenplay with Joe Stillman". Any opportunity to post a picture of Emily Blunt will always be taken advantage of. THR.com.

"The Thing" is Officially Heading Back to the Big Screen - "Universal will add a new chapter to "The Thing," lining up another take on the paranoid horror classic most recently brought to the screen by John Carpenter in 1982. Studio has set "Battlestar Galactica" exec producer Ron Moore to write the script and commercials director Matthijs Van Heijningen to direct the re-imagining. It is set in a Norwegian camp and chronicles how the shape-shifting alien was first discovered and overcame the inhabitants of that camp. Strike Entertainment's Eric Newman and Marc Abraham are producing. David Foster will be exec producer". Variety.com.

Stuntman in Latest "Harry Potter" Flick Seriously Injured - "Harry Potter's stunt double has been seriously injured during a flying scene for the series' last movie, newspapers reported on Thursday. The 25-year-old double for actor Daniel Radcliffe was rehearsing at the Leavesden Studios near Watford northwest of London on Wednesday when he crashed to the ground". Expecto LawSuitious! UK.Reuters.com.

Interesting "Sugar" Trailer

2009-01-29T10:07:00.003-05:00

"Sugar" starring: Algenis Perez Soto, Alina Vargas, Andre Holland, Ann Whitney, Ellary Porterfield, Michael Gaston and Richard Bull. Directed by: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (Half Nelson).

Sugar follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States' minor league system; but when his play on the mound falters, he begins to question the single-mindedness of his life's ambition.

I'm a huge baseball fan and I'm Latino, so you can only imagine how intrigued I am to see this flick. It looks pretty good - but it also seems to take a turn into the familiar with him falling in love with someone he shouldn't be falling in love with. It's because of this subplot you can tell exactly where this movie is headed. I could be wrong (I hope I am) but this is the only thing that made me cringe during this trailer. I'm looking forward to checking it out. By the way, LETS GO METS!!

Opens in NY & LA on April 3rd

Old School Trailer of the Week - "Adventures in Babysitting"

2009-01-29T09:39:00.003-05:00

"Adventures in Babysitting" (1987) - Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Keith Coogan, Maia Brewton, Bradley Whitford, Penelope Ann Miller and Anthony Rapp. Directed by: Chris Columbus (Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire).

Plot: Chris Parker agrees to babysit for a neighbor after her "dream" date stands her up. Expecting a dull evening with three kids and the TV, the hair-raising adventure soon explodes when her friend Brenda calls and begs to be rescued from the bus station in downtown Chicago.

Headlines of the Day - 1/28/09

2009-01-28T22:30:00.005-05:00

"Tomb Raider" films to get a reboot. Yeah, that means no more Angelina Jolie - "Tomb Raider"Lara Croft could soon be going on a new big-screen mission. Warners Bros. and producer Dan Lin are in early development on a a reboot of "Tomb Raider," the popular video game action franchise. Lin will produce the project via his Lin Pictures banner while Stephen Gilchrist will co-produce; Ian Livingstone of Eidos will exec produce. Matt Reilly is overseeing for Warners. Lin is the producer behind Warners' upcoming Guy Ritchie-directed update of "Sherlock Holmes" and the adventure film "Jonny Quest."The new project, however, is expected to revamp the character and her mission and bear little resemblance to the original pictures. It will reimagine the origins of the character, her love interest and the main villain. As an open-writing assignment, the project is still in its nascent stages. An actress who could play the role Angelina Jolie made famous would likely come on after a writer and director are attached". I think the awesome and sexy bad-ass, Rhona Mitra, should play the curvaceous Lara Croft. THR.com.

Adam Sandler joins Seth Rogen's "Green Hornet"? - "Two different people in the industry told me that Adam Sandler has a brief but key role in the movie as a certain surprise superhero...I heard which one, too, but I don't want to ruin it". Is Sandler's character, "Zohan", considered a superhero? Latimesblog.latimes.com.

Director Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin' Aces) joins the "A-Team" - "Twentieth Century Fox has assembled a creative team to transform 1980s TV series "The A-Team" into a summer 2010 film. Studio has set Joe Carnahan to direct and Ridley Scott to produce, with Tony Scott exec producing through their Scott Free banner. Also producing are Jules Daly and Stephen J. Cannell, the latter of whom created the original TV series. Carnahan will team with Brian Bloom to polish a script by Skip Woods ("G.I. Joe"). The intention is to start production by June for a June 11, 2010, release. Carnahan and the Scott brothers say they will use the original premise of the series as the template for an action film. In the original, four Vietnam vets convicted of armed robbery escape from military prison and became do-gooder mercenaries. The Middle East will replace Vietnam as the place the four did their tour of duty, but Carnahan said the origin story is the jumping-off point". I feel like this movie has been in development since the show ended in 1987! Variety.com.

New Movies Out Today - 1/23/09

2009-01-23T11:20:00.000-05:00

"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" - Starring: Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy. Directed by: Patrick Tatopoulos.

Plot: Explores the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires known as Death Dealers and their onetime slaves, the Lycans.

Thoughts: I have never been a fan of the "Underworld" movies - but I'm going to watch this prequel for only one reason and that reason is Rhona Mitra. She was awesome as a kick-ass babe in "Doomsday" and also because she's HOT! Critics enjoyed this werewolf movie.

"Inkheart" - Starring: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren and Andy Serkis. Directed by: Iain Softley (Hackers, The Skeleton Key).

Plot: Mo Folchart possesses a secret ability to bring characters from books to life when he reads them aloud. But when Mo accidentally brings a power-hungry villain from a rare children's fable to life, the villain kidnaps Mo's daughter and demands Mo bring other evil fictional characters to life. In an attempt to rescue his daughter, Mo assembles a disparate group of friends - both real and magic- and embarks on a journey to save her and set things right.

Thoughts: Brendan Fraser has sure found his niche, huh? I don't blame him at all. There's money to be had in family films and I'm sure he has made a pretty penny out of all his PG movies. Personally, this looks like something that would premiere on the ABC Family Channel. I'll pass...unless Helen Mirren is going to wear this in the movie. Then maybe I'll pay $12 to see it. Ok, not really....Critics wanted someone to stab their heart with a pen while watching this flick.

Also Out in Wide Release Today:

"The Dark Knight: IMAX" (RE-Release) - Or as I like to call it. "The Dark Knight: And the Search for a Billion Dollar Box-Office.

"Revolutionary Road" - Or as I like to call it. The story of what would have happened if Jack and Rose survived the "Titanic".

"Frost/Nixon" - Or as I like to call it. The Been There, Done That movie of the year.

In Limited Release:

"Donkey Punch" - Plot: Three hot girls, four guys, and one mega-swanky yacht collide for a serious night of drugs and sexual deviancy. One debauchery's act goes too far though, turning this teen joy ride into a weekend of bloody bedlam. Quick Thought: The Trailer was boring until the last few seconds and by then I was already half asleep. I'll watch it on DVD. 54% Rating on Rottentomatoes.com.

"Killshot" - Starring: Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, Thomas Jane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson and Johnny Knoxville. Directed by: John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Proof). Plot: When a husband and wife witness a shakedown, they discover that the Witness Protection Program is no match for a pair of ruthless killers who want them dead. Quick Thought: "Killshot" looks like a decent enough movie...but it also looks like something that was made for TV. Therefore, I'll watch on TV. Trailer. N/A Rating on Rottentomatoes.com.

"Outlander" - Starring: James Caviezel, Sophia Myles, Ron Perlman, John Hurt and Jack Huston. Directed by: Howard McCain.

Plot: During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan (Caviezel), a man from a far-off world, crash lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Though both man and monster are seeking revenge for violence committed against them, Kainan leads the alliance to kill the Moorwen by fusing his advanced technology with the Viking's Iron Age weaponry. Quick Thought: I'll watch this on the Sci-Fi channel. Trailer. 32% Rating on Rottentomatoes.com.

Headlines of the Day - 1/22/09 - UPDATED REGULARLY

2009-01-22T13:18:00.005-05:00

Classic Cartoon Rivals "Tom & Jerry" Hitting the Big-Screen as a prequel -"Warner Bros. is turning to Tom and Jerry to create its own "Alvin and the Chipmunks"-like family franchise. Plans are to bring the constantly warring cat and mouse to life as CG characters that run around in live-action settings. Studio-based Dan Lin, currently producing the upcoming "Sherlock Holmes" and exec producer on "Terminator: Salvation," will adapt the classic Hanna-Barbera property as an origin story that reveals how Tom and Jerry first meet and form their rivalry before getting lost in Chicago and reluctantly working together during an arduous journey home. Eric Gravning is penning the script". Variety.com.

Dakota Fanning joining "New Moon"? - "Dakota Fanning...with fangs? It's possible. I can exclusively report that the 14-year-old child star—she turns 15 on Feb. 23—is in talks to play Jane opposite Robert Pattinson & Co. in New Moon, the upcoming sequel to box office megahit Twilight. “There were no auditions,” a source reveals. “They just offered it to her outright, and now they’re in negotiations. They’ve been going back and forth.” Jane is a member of Italy’s Volturi, the most deadly group of bloodsucking killers in author Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series. Director Chris Weisz is expected to start shooting New Moon in March in the U.S. and Italy. If all goes as planned, the movie will hit theaters on Nov. 20". Eonline.com.

Abigail Breslin is ready to kick some Zombie ass in "ZombieLand" - "Breslin is in negotiations to join Columbia's horror comedy "Zombieland" opposite Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone. Film is set in a world overrun by zombies, where two men (Harrelson, Eisenberg) join forces and cross paths with a pair of con-artist sisters (Stone, Breslin)". Variety.com.

Old School Trailer of the Week - "American Ninja"

2009-01-22T11:37:00.003-05:00

"American Ninja" (1985) - Starring: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James and Judie Aronson. Directed by: Sam Firstenberg (Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo).

An American soldier, stationed in the Philippines and well-versed in the martial arts, goes up against the ninja-trained army of a vicious arms dealer.

Your 2009 Oscar Nominations

2009-01-22T10:30:00.005-05:00

Let the Oscar campaigning begin! "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" leads with 13 Oscar nominations but this year's award show will belong to "Slumdog Millionaire" and Heath Ledger. Overall, there were a few surprises (Michael Shannon, Melissa Leo) but nothing too surprising, however, this is the year of the "Slumdog". The Oscars will be given away Live on February 22nd. I'll be watching...will you?

Best Picture: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire".

Thoughts: "Slumdog Milliionaire" is guaranteed to win.

Best Actor: Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), Sean Penn (Milk), Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler).

Thoughts: I'm 98.9876% sure Mickey Rourke will win. However, look out for Richard Jenkins to pull out an Alan Arkin type of upset.

Best Actress: Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Angelina Jolie (Changeling), Melissa Leo (Frozen River), Meryl Streep (Doubt) and Kate Winslet (The Reader).

Thoughts: I'm rooting for and I'm sure Kate Winslet will win. But, look out for Melissa Leo.

Best Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, (Milk) Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) and Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road).

Thoughts: Great to see Robert Downey Jr. get nominated - but I'm even more excited to see Michael Shannon (8 Mile, Bug) in this list of nominees. Shannon is one of those actors that will never be a leading man but he always provides memorable supporting roles. And oh yeah....Heath Ledger is definitely getting this award.

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams (Doubt), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Viola Davis, (Doubt), Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler).

Thoughts: I love Taraji P. Henson, but she wasn't that great in "Benjamin Button". This award will go to Viola Davis.

Best Director: David Fincher (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon), Gus Van Sant (Milk), Stephen Daldry (The Reader) and Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire).

Thoughts: Just give it to Danny Boyle already. Well-deserved!

Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "Doubt", "Frost/Nixon", "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire".

Thoughts: This award has to go to "Slumdog Millionaire".

Best Original Screenplay: "Frozen River", "Happy-Go-Lucky", "In Bruges", "Milk" and "WALL-E."

Thoughts: "WAll*E"?! Really?

Best Animated Feature Film: "Bolt" "Kung Fu Panda" and "WALL-E".

Thoughts: I'm sure "Wall*E" is already engraved on the Oscar plaque.

Headlines of the Day - 1/21/09 - UPDATED REGULARLY

2009-01-21T16:22:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: "The Love Guru" is loved by The Razzies - Voters for 2008's worst movies love Mike Myers. They really love him. Myers' comedy flop "The Love Guru" led the field Wednesday for the Razzies with seven nominations, among them worst picture and worst-acting slots for Myers, Jessica Alba, Verne Troyer and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley. The number of nominations for "Love Guru" was appropriate given what a personal project it was for Myers, who not only starred but also co-wrote and produced the movie, said John Wilson, founder of the Razzies, an Oscar spoof that dishes out "dis-honors" for the lousiest stuff Hollywood dredged up the previous year. "This is one of those auteur-of-the-awful situations," Wilson said. "I think people are tired of him in general. He hasn't really made a good movie in quite some time." The other worst-picture contenders were "Disaster Movie" and "Meet the Spartans," Hollywood spoofs that shared a nomination for a "badly beaten dead horse of a concept"; the fright flick "The Happening"; Paris Hilton's romantic comedy bomb "The Hottie & the Nottie"; and the sword-and-sorcery fantasy "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale." Razzie "winners" will be announced Feb. 21, the day before the Oscars. For a list of even more nominees, including Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Paris Hilton check out Ap.org.

Brandon Routh and Others join "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" cast - "Yet more casting news for Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, as Brandon Routh and Brie Larson join a cast that already includes Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Chris Evans. The story sees the titular Scott Pilgrim (Cera), slacker and band member, have to fight his dream girl Ramona Flowers' (Winstead) seven evil exes. The action then abruptly switches from a sort of Canadian Reality Bites narrative into full-on manga mode, as fantastic fight scenes erupt when one of the exes approaches. Evans is set to play evil ex #2, a pro-skater turned movie star, while Routh is #3, a rocker whose veganism gives him especially tricky superpowers. Brie Larson plays Scott's ex, Envy Adams, lead singer in a band. Also joining the cast is Mae Whitman as Roxy Richter, the fourth ex, a female half-ninja; Ellen Wong as Knives Chau, the slightly obsessive teen Scott is dating when he meets Ramona; and Anna Kendrick as Scott's sister. Kieran Culkin has also been cast as Scott's gay former roommate, Wallace Wells". Awesome cast in what is sounding like an terrific movie. Also, you can't go wrong with Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead).

Judd Apatow teaming up with Bill Hader for a horror/comedy? - "...he [Bill Hader] and Saturday Night Live writer Simon Rich have written a slasher movie for Judd Apatow. Says Bill: 'It's partially Straw Dogs meets Halloween meets Home Alone meets Monster Squad.' 'I don't know if it's even going to get made,' Hader told me. 'Judd met with us and said "I want to do a horror movie with you. I want to see you in a slasher movie."'The film will be a horror comedy, and while Hader danced around giving away too much, he did describe it to me like this: 'It is definitely about guys nowadays, that idea that you watch fucked up shit on TV, how violence in our culture - this sounds really hoity toity - you watch fucked up reality shows, I love true crime shows. The idea of that thing coming to your house, and what do you do? I would shit my pants. That's basically what the movie is about. What if that guy decided to come to your house? What would you and your dipshit friends do about it?" Sounds good to me! Hader is one funny dude and totally underused on SNL. Make him a movie star! CHUD.com.

Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford join writer Drew Goodard's (Cloverfield) "The Cabin in the Woods" - "Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are moving to "The Cabin in the Woods."Jenkins is on board and Whitford is in final negotiations to star in the mystery-shrouded MGM/UA horror project written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, who also is directing. Whedon is producing. Much like "Cloverfield," which Goddard scripted, the "Cabin" story line provides a new twist on a classic scenario - in this case the young-people-stranded-in-the-woods horror trope."It's really just your basic typecasting: When you need two actors to run through the woods in low-cut nighties, you immediately think of Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford," Goddard joked. Whedon said the casting signals what kind of movie they are hoping to make. "They're the first proof that though 'The Cabin in the Woods' is a classic horror film, it isn't one you've seen before."While the studio and filmmakers were loath to provide character details, it is understood that Jenkins and Whitford will play white-collar co-workers with a mysterious connection to the cabin". I'm loving all the horror news that's going on today. THR.com.