Movie News and Views December 28, 2009 Trailer Edition

“Frozen” – A horror movie set on a ski resort. I guess everything IS eventual. Opens February 5, 2010

“Valentine’s Day” – The complexities of love and life in L.A. Stars Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, etc. Opens February 12, 2010

“Bounty Hunter” – A bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) has to retrieve his ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston) who has skipped bail. No doubt romance and hilarity will ensue… Opens March 19, 2010

“Repo Men” – Following all the previous genetic “repo” movies, this one follows a man (Jude Law) who is one of the best repo men in the biz and finds that he’s a payment or two behind. Opens April 2, 2010

“Back-Up Plan” – J. Lo stars as a woman who conceives twins via artificial insemination only to meet the man of her dreams the next day. Is anyone going to really watch this? Opens April 16, 2010

“Iron Man 2” – Director Jon Favreau ups the ante on the sequel to 2008’s “Iron Man.” This time around Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) faces off between a new weapons manufacturer (Sam Rockwell), a Russian prisoner who creates his own suit (Mickey Rourke), and a new assistant (Scarlett Johansson) who has an evil altar ego. Opens May 7, 2010

“Robin Hood” – Russell Crowe plays the titular character in this epic directed by Ridley Scott. Also stars Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, and Max von Sydow. Opens May 14, 2010

“Shrek Forever After” – The fourth –and final- installment of the green ogre franchise. Opens May 21, 2010

“Sex and the City 2” – Women. Shopping. Sex. Manhattan. Sequel. Based on HBO series. Opens May 28, 2010

“Marmaduke” – Movie based on the havoc-wreaking Great Dane from the comic strip of the same name (located somewhere in your local newspaper around Family Circle). Stars Owen Wilson, Emma Stone, Ron Perlman, William H. Macy, and George Lopez. Opens June 4, 2010

“The Karate Kid” – A remake/reboot/re-ignite of the film that made Ralph Macchio a star, this time around it’s about a kid (Jaden Smith) who moves to China and learns the ways of “wax on, wax off,” from Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Opens June 11, 2010

“Toy Story 3” – It’s to the day care for the gang as Any goes to college. Opens June 18, 2010

“Knight and Day” – Cameron Diaz is a lonely woman whose blind date (Tom Cruise) happens to be a super-spy on a mission that just got a little more… impossible. Opens July 2, 2010

Movie News and Views Dec. 22, 2008 Poster Edition

–         Hollywood has found writer Hossein Amini to write a new Jack Ryan movie. Jack Ryan is a character created by Tom Clancy who has been in such movies as “Sum of All Fears,” “Patriot Games,” and “The Hunt for Red October.”

–         Graphic novel artist-come-film director Frank Miller has set his sights on doing a Buck Rogers movie.

–         The directors for “Halloween 2” bolted, and now Rob Zombie has been hired to sequel his remake.

–         “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” hasn’t even finished filming before another sequel has been greenlit.

–         Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn will be in a new movie called, “Couples Retreat,” scripted by Favreau and directed by Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from “A Christmas Story”)

–         Actor Anthony Mackie is set to play Jesse Owens in a biopic.

–         Keanu Reeves is interested in doing a live-action “Cowboy Bebop” movie.

–         Carla Gugino plays a porn star named Elektra Luxx in a movie called “Women in Trouble.” She has also signed on for the sequel, “Electra Luxx.”

–         November 29, 2009 is the set release date for “New Moon,” the sequel to “Twilight.” Note: this has no current script or director.

–         J. Lo will be in a new movie called “Plan B,” where she plays a single woman who turns to artificial insemination only to fall in love with the man of her dreams during her pregnancy. There ya go.

–         Tim Robbins is set to play Tony Stark’s father in “Iron Man 2.”

–         A “Judge Dredd” remake is in the works.

–         The latest Internet rumor was that Eddie Murphy was in talks to play “The Riddler” in the next “Batman” movie. Ha ha ha. Yeah, right…

–         James Cameron is attached to a “Forbidden Planet” remake.

–         Bazz Luhrmann, director of “Australia,” is helmed to direct “The Great Gatsby.”

–         49 songs are in competition for the Oscar.

–         “The Phantom” will get a re-boot.

–         Watch for a sequel to “The Queen.”

–         Hugh Jackman will host the Academy Awards.

–         Dreamworks announces a 3^rd “Madagascar” movie.

–         Twentieth Century Fox beamed “The Day the Earth Stood Still” into outer space. Depending on how well that went is how long before we get visited and slapped around for it…

–         “Alvin and the Chipmunks 2” is looking for a director.

–         Fox has also acquired the rights to “How to Talk to Girls,” a series of books written by a 9-year-old boy.

–         “The Dark Knight” has the highest DVD/Blu-ray sales for the year.

–         Will Smith confirms an “I Am Legend” prequel. Maybe “Eventually, I’ll Become Legend?”

–         And he also confirms a “Hancock” sequel.

–         Darren Aronofsky is planning on using un-used footage from “The Fountain” to make a movie for its fans. There ya go.

–         More remakes: “Arthur,” “They Live,” “Romancing the Stone,” and “Soylent Green.”

–         George Miller (“Mad Max,” “Happy Feet”) is no longer working on the Justice League movie.

–         The new “Planet of the Apes” remake will be called “Caesar,” after the “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.”

 

 

 

Movie News and Views October 22, 2008 Poster Edition

 

 

Thanks everyone for continuing to tune in. I just got back from vacation, so here goes:

 

–         Will Ferrell has said “no” to doing any more sports movies. What a bummer… I was so hoping for a water polo-themed movie…

–         Word on the street has it that Ah-nuld will lend his voice to “Terminator: Salvation” and he’s currently in talks in regards to “Predator 3.”

–         “Cars 2” is being bumped up from 2012 to 2011 (or earlier). Lightning McQueen and Mater will be back. Brad Lewis will direct.

–         “The Lone Ranger” (based on the TV series) will star George Clooney and Johnny Depp.

–         Johnny Depp is also in talks on “Pirates” 4 & 5.

–         “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” is looking to be remade.

–         “Lethal Weapon 5?” Even I am getting too old for this shit.

–         “National Treasure 3.” Who didn’t see that happening?

–         Will Smith has signed on for a prequel to “I Am Legend.” What are they going to call it?

–         Russell Crowe will be playing both the Sheriff and Robin Hood in the next Ridley Scott movie, “Nottingham.”

–         Kenneth Branagh is in talks to direct “Thor,” previously worked on by Matthew Vaughn.

–         “Fame” is looking to be remade.

–         Kirsten Dunst is back for “Spidey 4.”

–         Jack Black is doing a comedic version of the “Bourne” movies.

–         “Angel Heart” is being remade.

–         “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.” Enough said.

–         “Kung Fu Panda 2” will be released June 3, 2011.

–         “Yogi Bear’ will be a blend of live action and CG, and coming soon to a theatre near you.

–         Lex Luthor will be back in the next Superman movie.

–         Twentieth Century Fox is talking about rebooting “Daredevil.”

–         “Captain America” plot: “Born during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grew up a frail youth in a poor family. Horrified by the newsreel footage of the Nazis in Europe, Rogers was inspired to enlist in the army. However, because of his frailty and sickness, he was rejected. Overhearing the boy’s earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offered Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment… Operation: Rebirth. After weeks of tests, Rogers was at last administered the “Super-Soldier Serum” and bombarded by “vita-rays.” Steve Rogers emerged from the treatment with a body as perfect as a body can be and still be human. Rogers was then put through an intensive physical and tactical training program. Three months later, he was given his first assignment as Captain America. Armed with his indestructible shield and battle savvy, Captain America has continued his war against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and leader of the Avengers.”

–         “28 Months Later,” the sequel to the sequel “28 Weeks Later,” will be directed by Paul Andrew Williams.

–         Rose McGowan is set to star in “Deep Throat,” a biopic on Linda Lovelace.

–         Ridley Scott is looking to direct “The Forever War,” based on the 1974 Joe Haldeman novel.

–         Don Cheadle will be replacing Terrance Howard in “Iron Man 2.”

–         Brett Ratner will direct “Conan.”

–         “Big Momma’s House 3.”

–         Dimension Films is greenlighting 18 direct-to-DVD movies. The list includes sequels to “Pulse,” “Feast,” “Children of the Corn,” “Hell Ride,” and “Hostel.”

Movie News and Views June 11, 2008

 

The latest and greatest… Not a lot worth reporting, but here goes.

 

–         “Iron Man 2” – Apparently, Marvel wants to start shooting next year and release the movie in 2010. Add to that the fact that the CEO doesn’t want to pay director Jon Favreau the regular director’s fare, which is great when the guy took a pay cut to make a movie for Marvel that has now grossed near $1 billion. According to other sources, Marvel thinks that “Iron Man” sequels will stand on their own, irregardless of the director. Yeah, right. Let’s not forget the fact that it took almost 3 years for this movie to come out. Why spend three years when you can do it in 1? Quality assurance I’m sure…

–         A stuntman was killed on the set of John Woo’s new movie, “Red Cliff.”

–         Sony/Columbia Pictures have now signed to do a movie based on “The Smurfs.” Insert your own “Smurfy” comment here.

–         “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” has commenced production.

–         Will there be a “Spider-Man 4?” The studios are asking for it, and a script is being written. Closed-door talks are underway with the main subject being possible “re-casting.” Sam Raimi is quoted as saying that he would like to direct again…

–         Pixar is gearing-up for “John Carpenter from Mars,” based on the character created by Edgar Burroughs.

–         Leo DiCaprio is going to play Atari founder Nolan Bushnell. No word if yet if he has to do research by spending hours playing “Pong.”

–         “Capricorn One” is the next to go through the Hollywood Remake Machine.

–         F. Gary Gray will be directing the new Marvin Gaye biopic.

–         Ben Kinglsey will play the main villain in the new “Prince of Persia” movie (based off the videogame).

–         Adam Sandler has now created a horror division called Scary Madison so he can produce his new movie, “Shortcut.” It’s about two brothers who find the perfect shortcut in their congested town until they find out why it’s never been used before…

–         Guy Ritchie (the patron saint of “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”) will be re-booting the Sherlock Holmes franchise.

–         Brian DePalma will be helming a movie about the “Boston Stranglers.”

–         “Halloween 2” is looking for a new director.