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Banlieue 13: Ultimatum Leaps Into the States this January
29 minutes ago
Stateside fans without an all-region DVD player, please take note: Director Patrick Alessandrin’s ambitious follow-up to Pierre Morel’s kinetic action flick “Banlieue 13″ (aka “District B13″) is currently scheduled to invade countless VOD services this January. However, if you’re the sort who enjoys spending lots of cash on greasy popcorn and sugary soft drinks at the local cineplex, you might be able to find the film running across a nearby silver screen in February. And while I’m of the belief that “Banlieue 13: Ultimatum” isn’t nearly as accomplished as the original film, it’s still well worth the price of admission. Then again, there’s always plenty of room for mindless French action pictures at my house, so you might say I’m more than a little biased. Then again, who cares? Watch the movie, already. Sheesh. Be sure to read Nix’s review before proceeding. »
- Todd
Are You Ready for Freddy? New Images from Nightmare Remake Appear Online
59 minutes ago
It’s no secret that I’m a little hesitant to dip myself in unbridled excitement for Samuel Bayer’s upcoming remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” due in part to the wild rumors that the film may be saddled with an unsightly PG-13 rating. Be that as it may, the latest images lurking at Omelete are a little on the intriguing side. Still, despite my urge to give myself over to the hype, my suspicions remain strong. I am, however, willing to eat massive amounts of crow if this thing turns out to be awesome beyond comprehension. We shall see. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the pics below. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” should invade your dreams on April 16th, 2010. »
- Todd
Inglourious Basterds (2009) DVD Review
6 hours ago
It’s a strange quirk of circumstance that I happened to watch Inglourious Basterds and Downfall on subsequent days. Actually, they make for odd bedfellows. One of them is about the fall of the Nazi regime the way in which it happened, making prime use of the anti-climax, as justice happens to back up the wrong way into the end, and the other is about how it should have fallen. I said in my Downfall review that the death of Hitler happened to be very unsatisfactory. What I meant is that it’s unsatisfactory if you’re looking for blood. Fortunately, Inglourious Basterds offers a remedy. It’s sheer gladitorial blood sport. Out of all the World War II films and documentaries I’ve seen recently, this is the definitive and final word on the Nazis. Put a cap on them, they’re dead. No mercy, no clemency, no abstinence from death. »
- Jacob
Natalie Portman on Thor’s Secrecy, Marvel as Crazy Underground Dwellers
10 hours ago
Here’s Natalie Portman, talking to Parade Magazine about what it’s like to work with comic book movie studio Marvel, as they gear up their expensive “Thor” movie under the direction of Kenneth Branagh for a 2011 date. Portman will be playing the film’s leading lady, a human nurse name Jane Foster who falls in love with fallen Asgard God Thor, to be played by Chris Hemsworth. Just in time, too, because all hell’s about to break loose, and a giant hammer would sure come in handy at a time like that. “I think everyone has gotten more secretive just because of the preponderance of technology that can scam just about anything. It’s like you don’t get a script anymore that doesn’t have watermarks that would identify you if you ever tried to leak anything. The Thor script is hard to read because it’s »
- Nix
Alyson Hannigan Doesn’t Get a Buffy Reboot without Joss Whedon Either
11 hours ago
A “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” movie without mastermind Joss Whedon? At all? Not even catering it? Or standing outside the set looking on intently? Not one little bit? Apparently yes, as we’ve been reporting here for a while, the Powers That Be (i.e. the blokes who own the rights to the character) plan on remaking the franchise without original creator Joss Whedon’s involvement. That seems, well, kind of retarded, but hey, I’m not some hotshot Hollywood producer snorting coke off a $1,000 an hour escort’s naked back, so what do I know. In an interview with Cinema Blend, former “Buffy” star Alyson Hannigan is equally as confused as we are about this reboot sans Whedon. “Yeah, and that’s a very big mistake in my opinion. I mean if Joss isn’t involved, it’s only the title.” Why yes, Alyson, without Joss Whedon, it really is just a title. »
- Nix
Mila Kunis Talks Black Swan, Portman Smooch
22 hours ago
Mila Kunis is certainly becoming a bigger movie star than everyone on her former show, Fox’s “That 70’s Show”. (Okay, that Ashton Kutcher guy might give her a run for her movie. Maybe.) I always thought it would be Laura Prepon, or the skinny guy, who would be the one we’d remember as “he used to be on that little TV show”. Instead, it’s Kunis, with her squeaky voice, who keeps getting cast in high-profile films over and over again. Go figure. Anyways, BlackBook has an article on Kunis (it’s fawning and predictably mush journalism, of course), and among the many things they discuss, is Kunis’ role in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming supernatural ballerina drama “Black Swan”. And, of course, the subject of the infamous rumored Kunis-Natalie Portman sex scene came up. “Sure,” she says, with a roll of her eyes. “It’s two girls making out, »
- Nix
Peter Berg Puts Lone Survivor on Hold to Sink My Battleship
23 hours ago
For a while there, Peter Berg had his eye on adapting the book “Lone Survivor”, based on the true story of former Navy SEALs Marcus Luttrell. But it now appears as if “Lone Survivor” will have to wait for a bit, at least until Berg finishes up “Battleship”, based on the boardgame of the same name for Universal. Recently, Universal flew some bloggers over to talk to Berg about the upcoming sci-fi actioner “Battleship”. (Yes, I said sci-fi actioner, because the movie is apparently going to be an alien invasion film — read more here.) During the trip, the topic of “Lone Survivor” came up, and Berg sounded very enthusiastic about making it his next movie post-”Battleship”. “‘Lone Survivor’ is what I want to do next. If you haven’t read that book it’s an incredible story and a really dynamic one, in the vein of like a ‘Black Hawk Down »
- Nix
Summit Taps Writer for Alibi Movie
2 December 2009 8:01 AM, PST
Looks like Top Cow’s “Alibi” is a comic book that might actually make it to the big screen after all. The latest news on the film front is that Summit Entertainment, flushed off the success of “New Moon”, has started movement on a couple of projects, one of them being “Alibi”. John Hlavin has been brought in to pen the adaptation, to be based on the comic book created by Top Cow president and COO Matt Hawkins and Michael Renegar, and written by Joshua Hale Fialkov and illustrated by Jeremy Haun. “Alibi” follows a two-men assassination team — a slick, dangerous assassin and his well-known socialite brother. While the killer bro is out somewhere in the Middle East taking down your usual assortment of bad guys and greedy oil baron, the socialite is getting his face in the newspapers and tabloid magazines, in case the killer bro is ever identified. »
- Nix
Downfall (2004) Movie Review
2 December 2009 1:12 AM, PST
It seems to me that there is a metaphor embedded somewhere in Downfall, transforming what is at first glance just another World War II film into a provocative account of the final days of the Nazi party, anchored by a genuinely great performance from Bruno Ganz, who plays Adolph Hitler as a man that seems hunched over and sickly, his voice rough and haggard. The withering emaciation of ruthless and unchecked power makes him appear like a man whose soul is corroded away and his body denigrated, whose ideologies have obviated compassion and understanding and set him on the course toward total annihilation. Occasionally he effects a moment of warmth and affection, as if the evil is the corruption of all that’s good and true within him, but his obsession with conquest (or, at least, holding Berlin from the oncoming Russians) drags him down again into a dark place within his soul. »
- Jacob
Keith Arem Goes From Call of Duty to Frost Road
1 December 2009 11:51 PM, PST
There has been very little immigration between the worlds of videogames and films, but that doesn’t stop Keith Arem, director of the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, from trying to direct a large motion picture. According to Variety, this film is called Frost Road, which is the story about a young man who is immune to a contagion that is sweeping through a small east coast town. Arem is also collaborating on a graphic novel version with c-creator Brandon Humphreys and illustrator Christopher Shy. Variety discusses some of Arem’s credentials: As talent director on the game, Arem was responsible for directing, casting and engineering all of the actors for the game, which included 50 Cent, Barry Pepper, Kevin McKidd, Keith David, Billy Murray and Lance Henriksen. Through Pcb, Arem has also done game development for the “Lord of the Rings,” “Spider-Man,” “Rainbow Six,” “Silent Hill,” “Prince of Persia, »
- Jacob
Paul Greengrass Makes it Official: He’s Not Directing Bourne 4
1 December 2009 9:47 PM, PST
Sorry, Bourne fans, looks like there’s a major crimp in “Bourne 4’s” road to a 2011 release date: director Paul Greengrass, who helmed the previous two films in the franchise, has bailed on the fourth entry. This follows the Playlist article of Greengrass’ departure, and it certainly looks like Greengrass and Universal have gotten together to do some damage control. The result is this press release from Greengrass through the studio: “You won’t find a more devoted supporter of the Bourne franchise than me. I will always be grateful to have been the caretaker to Jason Bourne over the course of ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ and ‘The Bourne Ultimatum.’ I’m very proud of those films and feel they express everything I most passionately believe about the possibility of making quality movies in the mainstream. My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge. »
- Nix
Zombieland Sequel Will Offer Up Zombie Brains in 3D
1 December 2009 9:36 PM, PST
It wasn’t that long ago when the writers of “Zombieland” were rolling around ideas for a sequel, and now it looks like it’s actually happening, and pretty fast, too. In an article about upcoming movies that are trying to take advantage of the popular 3D format, Variety reports that a “Zombieland” sequel will be arriving in decaying malls faster than you think — in 3D. Apparently Sony has already made a deal with “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer to return for a sequel, and now negotiations are under way to get stars Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg to reprise their roles of badass zombie killer with a heart of gold and awkward skinny kid with made-up zombie survival rules, respectively. No word on the possible return of Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone. But then again, I suppose the real meat of the story is Tallahassee and Columbus, right? It might »
- Nix
Night of the Living Dead Origins Fills Up its Voice Cast
1 December 2009 9:21 PM, PST
Zebediah de Soto’s ode to Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” has filled out its cast with some more names. Previously, the only name we had was Danielle Harris. Joining her will be Jesse Corti, Bill Moseley, Joe Pilato, Alona Tal and Cornell Womack. The 3D CGI animated film is a “re-imagining” of Romero’s movie, set in a major city as the dead rises to dine on the living. De Soto has me interested when he says that “Origins” will be “played [out] on an epic scale”, but then loses me when he says he wants to “make this look like a living Monet; it’s expressionism”. Um. Okay. Here’s the cast/character breakdown: Corti (”Heroes”) is voicing a news reporter, and Harris (”Halloween II”) plays a woman who held her family together forced to come to grips with its absence. Moseley (”Carnivale”) is reprising the role »
- Nix
First Images from the Karate Kid Remake
1 December 2009 11:11 AM, PST
Here are your first official images from Jackie Chan’s remake of “The Karate Kid”. No more “Kung Fu Kid” name change, then? The remake stars Jaden Smith in the Ralph Macchio role, while Jackie Chan steps into Mister Miyagi’s sandals. The setting has been moved to China, and as you can see from the images below, the Great Wall of China has now become a place for what will no doubt be a kung fu training montage. Directed by Harald Zwart, the film co-stars Taraji P. Henson and is due out June 11, 2010. »
- Nix
The Man Who Killed Batman is Back with Blood Creek
1 December 2009 9:24 AM, PST
In hindsight, you really can’t blame Joel Schumacher for destroying the Batman franchise by giving Bats and Robin perky rubber nipples. Oh wait. Yes you can. Ol Joel has been quietly making a bit of a comeback of late, with movies like “The Number 23″ and “The Phantom of the Opera”. His latest is “Blood Creek”, formerly “Town Creek”. After sitting on Lionsgate’s shelves for the last two years, the film is finally getting a very limited theatrical release in bargain locales (good luck finding it, though), and will be headed to DVD January 19, 2010. Check out a Red Band trailer and poster for it below. Acclaimed director Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys, Tigerland) takes the reins of Blood Creek, a tense supernatural horror-thriller concerning two brothers who find themselves at the center of a terrifying occult experiment. In 1936, the Wollners, a German family living in Town Creek, West Virginia, »
- Nix
Joel Schumacher’s Blood Creek Gives Us Nazis, Black Magic, and Lots of Blood
1 December 2009 9:02 AM, PST
Nazi-related horror movies seem to be pretty popular at the moment. If you want Nazis and zombies, you can check out “Dead Snow.” If you’re more interested in a Nazi-centric slasher, “Final Solution” looks like it may fit the proverbial bill. However, if blood rituals, black magic, and Dominic Purcell is more to your liking, director Joel Schumacher’s upcoming “Blood Creek” (aka “Town Creek”) might be the cinematic gem you’re searching for. The trailer certainly looks interesting, but then again, I’m kind of a sucker for those “people trapped in a building fighting otherworldly entities” movies, so my opinion may not be worth anything at all. Once you properly investigate the trailer embedded below, you’ll see what I mean. Then again, maybe not. The synopsis is as follows: In 1936, the Wollners – a German family living in rural Town Creek, Maryland – are contacted by the Third »
- Todd
First Look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
1 December 2009 8:53 AM, PST
Can I just say? Emma Watson has grown up into a fine looking woman. I’m just saying. Hey, she’s 19 now, I can say these things. Ahem. So, here’s your first look at the first part of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” via USA Today. “Deathly Hallows” is the last book in J.K. Rowling’s wizard series, which has been split into two movies. Part one opens in 2010, followed by part two in 2011. After that, Warner Bros. executives will cry themselves to sleep, while working feverishly to find a replacement franchise. (One of their hopeful replacement candidates is “Beautiful Creatures”.) The first installment finds young wizards Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) struggling to find their way in the Muggle (human) world, with their own lives in the balance and the fate of the magical realm in their hands. “They’re paranoid,” says Grint. »
- Nix
Warner Bros. Readies Beautiful Creatures aka Their Next Harry Potter Franchise
1 December 2009 8:23 AM, PST
Authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl’s novel “Beautiful Creatures”, the first in an expected five-part series, lands in bookstores today, but Warner Bros. has already beaten you to the punch and will be turning the first book into a movie to be written and directed by Richard Lagravanese. So what’s this “next Harry Potter” franchise about? Well, for one it’s got teenagers, it’s got burgeoning young love, and it’s got witches and supernatural happenings. Basically, Harry Potter with a Southern accent. Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, »
- Nix
Twilight’s Breaking Dawn Will Probably be Two Movies
1 December 2009 8:05 AM, PST
To be honest, we figured they would do this months ago. And frankly, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t. The fanbase isn’t exactly going to mind, and everyone else — well, as long as the fanbase is happy, the movie is still going to earn a mint at the box office. What am I talking about? Pulling a “Harry Potter”, of course, and turning Stephenie Meyers’ last “Twilight” novel, “Breaking Dawn” into two movies instead of one. That seems like the obvious path that Summit Entertainment is headed at the moment. To be sure, $481 million in worldwide grosses in just two weeks of release doesn’t exactly hurt the notion of splitting “Breaking Dawn” into two movies and capping the franchise off for maximum profits. There’s blood to be squeezed out of them stones, and if you have a massive book like “Dawn”, why not do it? »
- Nix
A Ton of Icky Stills from the Upcoming Splatterhouse Reboot
1 December 2009 7:47 AM, PST
Back in the glory days of the Sega Genesis, I was all about “Splatterhouse.” The idea of playing a guy that resembled Jason Voorhees appealed directly to my horror-soaked brain, especially since the main character was a sinister badass who could easily break apart monsters with his bare hands. Rumors of a supposed “remake” have been circulating for years, but now, it seems, the game is finally coming together. The kindly folks lurking behind-the-scenes at Kotaku have posted several screenshots from the upcoming “Splatterhouse” reboot, and I must say, it looks pretty faithful to the original series. Unfortunately, this puppy won’t see the light of day until September of 2010, so I suppose these pics will have to satisfy my virtual bloodlust until then. As long as I still get to smash monsters with a large chunk of wood, I’ll be a happy weirdo. »
- Todd
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