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‘Battleship’ Enemy Revealed and It’s Ridiculous
1 hour ago
In September, Peter Berg signed to direct Battleship, a board game adaptation and live-action naval adventure at Universal Pictures. The fast-tracked feature has already been scheduled for summer 2011.
At the time, we didn’t know what the “contemporary story” would be other than five international ships set out to sea to battle an unknown force. The potential for a Hunt for Red October style film was there, which made this a tad more intriguing than say… the Monopoly or Candy Land movies.
Spoilers ahead: A tipster for Latino Review revealed who the opponent will be and it’s not Somali pirates. The fleet will battle aliens… That’s right, aliens. Isn’t that an entirely different game?
Underwater aliens? Outer space submarines? It sounds too crazy, but at the same time it almost sounds just ridiculous enough to be true. Sources close to the production confirmed this as a major spoiler. »
- Jeff Leins
Pattinson Gives Tentative Breaking Dawn Date
18 hours ago
Yesterday, the press junket for The Twilight Saga: New Moon went down and a few websites were there to ask the cast and crew questions about the popular vampire series. While it’s clear from the rundowns that publicists were a bit restrictive on what couldn’t be asked, Collider managed to fire the last question at Robert Pattinson.
Frosty, who always provides reliable coverage at these events, asked when fans could tentatively expect Summit Entertainment to start shooting Breaking Dawn. Pattinson replied, “I think the tentative time for Breaking Dawn is fall next year. They may well change that.”
Obviously not much to go on, but more of a response than Kristen Stewart, who wasn’t allowed to address the rumor of the fourth Stephenie Meyer novel being split into two movies. Of course, this will depend on the continued success of the movies, but judging from the pre-sales and the expanding fandom, »
- Jeff Leins
‘Overnight’ Exposes Boondock Saints Director
19 hours ago
This weekend The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, a sequel to the 1999 cult favorite and DVD sensation, goes wide across the country. It has been a decade since Troy Duffy’s first feature, and roughly five years since a documentary titled Overnight was released. While some are revisiting the Boston brothers, I decided to check out the latter which Duffy recently told /Film was a “smear job.”
The scathing behind-the-scenes film chronicles the years surrounding his intial deal with Harvey Weinsten and directorial debut, portraying the Boondock Saints director as an obnoxious, arrogant egomaniac. He spends much of the 82 minutes chattering away about his lofty ambitions and holding court as if he’s trying to convince himself of his talent more than even the lackeys leeching off his modicum of success.
News outlets heralded Duffy’s meteoric “overnight” rise and dubbed him the next Tarantino before he had even »
- Jeff Leins
Good Hair Review
21 hours ago
Before Good Hair, my only exposure to weaves was when a girl fight ended in hair ripped from a belligerent head and with me standing nearby wondering what just happened. Admittedly ignorant on the subject, I was surprisingly engaged by this documentary’s informative interviews and good-natured charm that entertains regardless of gender or race.
Director Jeff Stilson takes a subject as simple as hair and expands it into a frequently funny discussion about culture, fashion, and obsession while following comedian Chris Rock’s comical quest for knowledge.
Rock has directed a couple narrative films starring himself, but this time he executive produces, hosts, and narrates a comprehensive examination of African-American style; from the roots of attraction to the frayed edges of competitive cutting. Curious after his 5-year-old’s questions about “good hair,” he travels the country to salons, barbershops, and conventions educating himself about women’s hair while a »
- Jeff Leins
Galifianakis in Shrek Spin-Off ‘Puss in Boots’
7 November 2009 9:28 AM, PST
DreamWorks Animation is putting together its voice cast for Puss in Boots, the feline centric spin-off from the successful Shrek series. Zach Galifianakis is considering the speaking role of Humpty Dumpty, alongside Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek for the November 4, 2011 release.
The story will be a prequel that follows Puss’ adventures leading up to his run-in with Shrek, according to THR. Since the franchise is built on fairy tales, naturally Humpty Dumpty was bound to surface some time. “Had a great fall? What’s so great about it.” Oh, the mediocre jokes write themselves.
The Hangover has suddenly turned Galifianakis (and the rest of the cast) into hot Hollywood commodities. The 40-year-old veteran comedian is now the sought after actor for a variety of comedies and he’s already lined up 4-5 different projects, including a sequel to the bachelor party hit.
His stand-up is off-the-wall hilarity and his part »
- Jeff Leins
Salt Script Review
6 November 2009 10:45 PM, PST
When Kurt Wimmer’s (Equilibrium) script for Salt was originally picked up by Columbia Pictures, Tom Cruise was attached for the lead. However, scheduling conflicts or it’s resemblance to Mission: Impossible caused him to take a walk, leaving the role wide open for Angelina Jolie.
A few gender tweaks were all they needed to turn this Cold War thriller into an action vehicle for a strong woman. Having read the script, audiences are in for one hell of an awesome flick in July 2010.
The trailer indicates there have been some changes since Wimmer’s draft, which received rewrites by Brian Helgeland (Oscar winning screenwriter of Mystic River). For example, a key assassination attempt is shown as an explosion rather than the sniper operation described in the script’s quickly-turning pages. But it’s clear from the trailer that one thing remains as the core element in the film: this »
- Jeff Leins
‘Wolfman’ Posters Featuring Benicio and Blunt
6 November 2009 6:24 PM, PST
Universal has debuted two posters for The Wolfman featuring stars Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt. They look excellent are part of a solid marketing campaign that has deftly redirected the public’s perception after rumors of unrest during the production.
The first with Blunt came out earlier today from Cinematical with promises of a second soon after. I was hoping the second would fit into the same forest scene, but show the Wolfman stalking his prey. However, the second from AICN is just a close up of the lead who could use a razor.
Not pictured, obviously, are Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving, but it’s possible we might see a poster for each of them as well. Also, if you’re wondering why I used Benicio Del Toro’s first name in the headline, it’s because we’re on a first name basis. We’d almost have to be, »
- Jeff Leins
Faris, Aykroyd, and Timberlake in ‘Yogi Bear’
6 November 2009 12:55 PM, PST
Anna Faris, Dan Aykroyd, and Justin Timberlake are in negotiations for Warner Bros’ live-action/CGI hybrid feature Yogi Bear.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Faris will play Rachel, a nature documentary filmmaker shooting Yogi and Boo-Boo for her next project. Though her last movie was voice work for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Faris’ character will be a live-action performance.
Aykroyd will lend the voice of Yogi Bear, the picnic basket-stealing menace to Jellystone Park. Timberlake will provide the vocals for Boo-Boo, his bow-tied sidekick. Both bears are expected to remain pantless. No word on which lucky actor gets to play the Park Ranger. Is Jason Lee available for a paycheck?
WB is planning to shoot it in New Zealand next month with director Eric Bravig (Journey to the Center of the Earth). I bet you can’t wait to hear the range Timberlake exhibits in this one. Shrek the Third »
- Jeff Leins
Zemeckis, Christmas, and the Uncanny Valley
6 November 2009 12:25 PM, PST
This weekend brings Disney’s A Christmas Carol, the third motion capture movie from filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. Nearly $200 million was spent to re-create multiple performances by Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and more with the latest technology that captures their expressions and animates their movements using digital, three-dimensional models.
Zemeckis’ first mo-cap movie, The Polar Express, was widely criticized for the “dead eye” effect, which turned a whimsical holiday adaptation into a creepy nightmare for some. While the techniques have improved since the initial outing, this season’s release rests on the precipice of the uncanny valley, a hypothesis that postulates humans are repulsed by life-like renderings such as robotics and other objects with human qualities.
The phrase was coined in 1970 by Dr. Masahiro Mori, a Japanese roboticist who believed human empathy would exist up until the point where the human-like qualities are between “barely human” and “fully human.” The robot, »
- Jeff Leins
‘Twilight: Eclipse’ Poster and ‘New Moon’ War
5 November 2009 9:32 PM, PST
Bloody-Disgusting snapped a picture of the first poster for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the third entry to the teen vampire series. The action ramps up under the direction of horror filmmaker David Slade. Bella (Kristen Stewart) is surrounded by danger as Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) seeks her revenge. Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) must join forces to stop the vampire army.
Production has already wrapped on that sequel while the stars prepare for the non-stop promotional blitz for the other. (Summit Entertainment has not made any official announcements on plans for the fourth Stephenie Meyer novel, Breaking Dawn.)
The second installment (The Twilight Saga: New Moon) isn’t out for another two weeks and already a war is being waged on the official IMDb page. Male and female users have been voting heavily on either extreme to try and counterbalance the other. Right now there are almost 2,200 votes »
- Jeff Leins
Jovovich Tweets on Resident Evil: Afterlife Set
5 November 2009 8:11 PM, PST
Milla Jovovich has joined Twitter and is bombarding fans eagerly awaiting Resident Evil: Afterlife with updates from the set. In three days she’s posted 73 Tweets about everything happening on Resident Evil 4 under the direction of her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson.
I personally have never seen a Resident Evil movie (and will likely keep it that way), but it’s worth following to hear about the cast battling hypothermia, the 3-D camera work, unloading guns during a fight scene, and hanging around between shots. She makes comments about Wentworth Miller (”Prison Break”), who she calls “Wenty,” and compliments Ali Larter’s ass in costume. The Twitter feed may end up being more interesting than the movie itself.
so, for anyone interested in the guns i use in this movie, here is the list: 2 smith&wesson 460 revolvers, 2 sawed off double barrel shotguns, 1Mpsk submachine gun, 2MP9 submachine guns and 1 M4 assault rifle. »
- Jeff Leins
Kick-Ass Character Posters are Just That
5 November 2009 7:43 PM, PST
Lionsgate has released four kick-ass character posters for Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass to IGN.com. Based on the Mark Millar comic book series, the story centers on a high school student named Dave who decides to wear a costume and fight crime. His bravery (or stupidity) inspires others, but puts him on the radar of a notorious mobster.
Reactions from Comic-Con were overwhelmingly positive and the script reads like Spider-Man set in the world of comedy. The tagline of the promotional footage even read, “With no powers comes no responsibility.” Vaughn has a hit on his hands and, depending on the reaction, a sequel on the way. I can’t wait for this one.
Update: An official website has launched and the trailer should be available soon.
Aaron Johnson plays “Kick-Ass,” the ordinary teen turned costumed hero.
Nicolas Cage plays “Big Daddy,” a father who wants revenge for his wife »
- Jeff Leins
Guttenberg Wants ‘3 Men and a Bride’
5 November 2009 6:06 PM, PST
Steve Guttenberg is claiming he’s set to reunite with Ted Danson and Tom Selleck for 3 Men and a Bride, the potentially third movie in the 3 Men in a Baby series.
The 51-year-old actor’s last big movie was probably 3 Men and a Little Lady in 1990, so prepare your giant grain of salt. Guttenberg told the WENN that “Disney is developing” this and “they’re bringing everybody back.” He also predicted it will be a “smash hit,” as if audiences are combing their VHS collections and wondering what happen to little Mary Bennington.
Guttenberg didn’t offer any additional details, but presumably the story would pick back up with the three bachelors attending Mary’s wedding for a father(s) of the bride moment.
What about the other 80’s hits? Guttenberg has you covered. He wants to return to the Police Academy, make another Cocoon, and he’d like a »
- Jeff Leins
Reilly, Parker, and Mirren Join ‘Red’
5 November 2009 4:54 PM, PST
John C. Reilly, Mary-Louise Parker (”Weeds”), and Oscar winner Helen Mirren have joined the cast of Red, an espionage thriller at Summit Entertainment. The three join Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman already on board.
“Red” is a three-issue comic book miniseries centered on a former black ops CIA agent living a quiet life of seclusion. His only contact with the outside world is with his former government handler and letters to his niece. When a newly appointed Director of the CIA learns of his existence, he orders an assassination on the retired agent by a team of his best killers.
The Heat Vision Blog reports Reilly will play a retired agent who is paranoid everyone is out to kill him. The beautiful Parker is Willis’ love interest, a federal pension worker who becomes mixed up in his struggle to stay alive. Mirren will play an “associate of Willis with a lethal set of skills. »
- Jeff Leins
Sony Takes Risk: The Film of World Domination
5 November 2009 1:01 PM, PST
Sony Pictures has acquired the movie rights to the board game “Risk” from Hasbro. The studio is hoping the “strategic and tactical gameplay” will translate to the silver screen.
The game of world domination was created in 1957 by French film director Albert Lamorisse before it was purchased by Parker Brothers two years later. Parker Bros was then acquired by Hasbro in 1991. For those of you who haven’t amassed your forces in Kamchatka, Risk is a turn based board game for 2 to 6 players where you try to capture territories and control the world with your army.
In the trade paper announcement, Columbia Pictures President Doug Belgrad cites the success of franchises like Transformers and G.I. Joe as reason enough to pour more money into rainy day nostalgia.
The studios, especially Universal, seem to be moving aggressively forward with these toy and board game adaptations. Video game movies didn’t »
- Jeff Leins
J.J. Abrams’ Next Secret Project: 500 Rads
5 November 2009 10:34 AM, PST
In the summer of 2007, we started to hear whispers of a monster movie under the producer wing of “Lost” and “Alias” creator J.J. Abrams. After months of speculation and cryptic viral marketing, Cloverfield stormed theaters and wreaked havoc on New York City.
Now there is a report from Pajiba about another secret project in development at Abrams’ Bad Robot label. It’s called 500 Rads. Well, for now. I wouldn’t put it past him to create this under a pseudonym and stage a big reveal leading up to its release.
A rad is a radiation absorption dose, which suggests a nuclear disaster movie of some sort. As we all know from watching too many movies, radiation brings mutants and sometimes… wait for it… zombies. The article likens the new Abrams concept to Cloverfield and 28 Days Later.
Abrams is making this on a relatively small budget ($25 million) and planning a European location, »
- Jeff Leins
Disney’s A Christmas Carol Review
4 November 2009 10:55 PM, PST
Merrrrrry Christmas! What? Too soon? Well, someone didn’t tell Disney because they are releasing A Christmas Carol on the first weekend in November…
No less than the twentieth film adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic about Christmas spirits, the typically family-friendly studio is presenting yet another version and this time a true humbug. It’s deceptively gift-wrapped as a whimsical update with cartoonish effects, but it is instead a dark slosh through contradictory tones and technological gimmicks.
Parents should not to be fooled by the Disney name and the PG rating. This film is even less for kids than Where the Wild Things Are. The ghastly figures who visit Scrooge are beyond spooky and downright haunting, especially for the Tiny Tim’s of the world. Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner, is shown lying dead in a coffin, which isn’t as unsettling as later when his supernatural jaw breaks and falls askew. »
- Jeff Leins
Final ‘Sherlock Holmes’ Trailer
4 November 2009 7:48 PM, PST
A few days ago I posted a script review of Warner Bros’ Sherlock Holmes. While I was asked to politely remove it a short time later, I think I can still safely say I thought the script (and subsequently the movie) looks like fun. (I hope that’s okay.)
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law play Holmes and Dr. Watson in a little Victorian era “bromance,” plus Mark Strong and Rachel McAdams all under the direction of stylish filmmaker Guy Ritchie.
Having said that, the trailer looks excellent but probably gives away too much of the movie. One of the twists, the climax, and many of the action sequences are right there in the two and a half minutes of video. Don’t you just hate it when they do that?
Warners is hoping for a franchise with this one and so far it looks like they’ve struck the right chord, »
- Jeff Leins
Depp to Co-Star with Jolie in ‘The Tourist’
4 November 2009 7:14 PM, PST
Johnny Depp is in talks to replace Sam Worthington in The Tourist, Spy Entertainment’s thriller that just got a whole lot more interesting.
If he signs, he would play the title role, an American mixed up in an international operation to bring down a global criminal. The traveler crosses paths with the thief’s stunning girlfriend, who uses him to throw off authorities. Angelina Jolie is attached to the play the femme fatale character.
That’s a pretty great combination for an otherwise average-looking premise, but it beats the earlier alternative when Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron were on board together.
Worthington and possible director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck both left the project in the last month over “creative differences,” according to Variety, though neither were officially signed yet. Nikki Finke’s sources say Donnersmarck was “difficult and demanding.” The producers are considering other filmmakers now, including Alfonso Cuaron »
- Jeff Leins
Poster for Greengrass, Damon Film Green Zone
4 November 2009 6:39 PM, PST
Empire Magazine has the first poster for the Iraq War thriller Green Zone starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass. The two worked together on The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, which might explain why the poster and trailer look like a continuation of that series rather than a fast-paced political flick.
If this one sheet looks like a simple, washed out picture of Damon, that’s because it is. But wait a minute, you’re missing the cringe-worthy tag line. “Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller Is Done Following Orders.” There, that ought to bring people in droves.
»
- Jeff Leins
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