- Twilight's First Official Photo and Why I'm Passing
- Rumor: Matthew McConaughey Possibly Captain America - Blasphemy!
- Sound Off: Iron Man - What Did You Think?
- Must Watch: Second Full Trailer for The Dark Knight!
- Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down! (May 8, 2008)
- John Waters is Back - Directing Fruitcake with Johnny Knoxville! (May 8, 2008)
- First Look: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush! (May 8, 2008)
- Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starring in 500 Days of Summer Together (May 8, 2008)
| Speed Racer | 8/10 |
| Iron Man | 10/10 |
| Iron Man | 9/10 |
| Baby Mama | 7.5/10 |
Must Watch: Trailer for Our SXSW Fave The Promotion
The first trailer for Steve Conrad's indie gem The Promotion has arrived. Both Ken and I saw this at the SXSW Film Festival in March and loved it! It is easily one of the funniest movies of the year that you won't forget by the end of the day and is destined to become a cult classic. Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly star as two assistant managers at a corporate grocery store both battling for the same job - the manager of a new grocery store soon to be opened. This two hit it off perfectly as competitive businessmen and they rival the chemistry of Peter Gibbons and Bill Lumbergh in Office Space. There is so much good humor in this that I can't stress enough how important it is you watch this trailer!
Rant: So THIS is Why New Line Cinema Went Under!
This will probably the one-and-only time you'll ever hear me talk about Sex and the City, but that's because it's a worthwhile discussion. We all know that New Line Cinema "went under" or, should we say, fell apart back in February, and in turn was folded in under Warner Brothers. Leading up to that official announcement, I kept speculating about its demise, including a specific article back in December titled Is This The Death of New Line Cinema?. In it, I claimed their terrible marketing was why their films have continued to fail and yet again we have another prime example of their incompetence. Although this new marketing campaign for the Sex and the City movie might actually be handled by Warner Brothers by now, I'm utterly confused by their idiocy when it comes to poster design! The movie will still succeed - but can they seriously be this blind?
Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down!
As we all know, New Line Cinema folded in under Warner Brothers back in February, which also meant the converging of both of the studios' independent divisions: Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse. In a "surprising move" today, Warner Brothers president and COO Alan Horn announced that it was shutting down both WIP and Picturehouse instead of combining them under one banner. This is definitely a sad day for everyone at both indie studios, especially since I have a good friend who works at WIP. The status of films in development and set for release from both studios has yet to be decided, but initial speculation shows that they may just get distributed by Warner Brothers on a whole. It sounds like to me WB is becoming the real powerhouse in Hollywood now.
John Waters is Back - Directing Fruitcake with Johnny Knoxville!
Legendary quirky director John Waters is returning to the director's chair! Waters hasn't directed a film since 2004's NC-17 rated A Dirty Shame, but will be returning this year with a film called Fruitcake. Get this - not only does it have a wacky concept (see below), but it's Christmas children's movie! Both Johnny Knoxville and Parker Posey have joined the cast, but not too much else has been revealed. While I'm not a closet John Waters fan by any means, it is actually intriguing to see him return… I think? I've got to ask - is he still a good director or did he just have a few good one-timers and that's it? Because I think you need to hear the concept for this new Fruitcake movie and decide for yourself what to make of it.
Kevin's Review: Then She Found Me - Helen Hunt's Happy Start
Where has Helen Hunt been? The 44-year-old actress was a hot property during the late nineties and around the millennium, but she's largely laid low since then. She's now starring as the lead in Then She Found Me, which serves as a bit of a return for her to the mainstream, as well as her debut as a director. She did one thing right from the start as a virgin behind the camera: cast Bette Midler. If ever there were a chick-flick tractor beam for adults, it's Midler and her undying cred from Beaches. Wrap this around a sentimental mother-daughter movie about modern day life and love, and you have guaranteed box office gold. Let's hope so. Then She Found Me is a great directorial first for Hunt that manages to touch on an impressive number of grown-up dramas, while keeping the comedy as pure accessory, resulting in a grounded and very likable film.
First Look: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush!
We already talked about the casting announcements and shared the comparison photos with you, but now it's time to actually see Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks as Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bush. The two are the frontrunners in Oliver Stone's biopic on on our 43rd President title simply W. I'm still baffled that we're even seeing this movie get made when Stone himself makes statements like this: "Bush may turn out to be the worst president in history. I think history is going to be very tough on him. But that doesn't mean he isn't a great story." Are you daring enough to take a glimpse at the newly reformed Brolin and Banks?
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt Starring in 500 Days of Summer Together
Two of my favorite actors joining a romantic comedy together - what a joyous occasion! Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will star together in an upcoming independent movie titled 500 Days of Summer for Fox Searchlight. Not much has been revealed yet: the story centers on Gordon-Levitt who falls hopelessly in love with Deschanel, a girl who doesn't believe in love. Music video director Marc Webb is making his feature film debut with a screenplay by newcomers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber (who's only other work was on the upcoming Pink Panther 2). Shooting starts next Tuesday in Los Angeles and I'll be sure to keep my eye on this.
Official First Look: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
Well, it's not exactly the very first look - there has been many quick citizen photographers in San Francisco - but moreso the first official photo of Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay big city official that was elected in 1977 and then assassinated in 1978. Milk's story is being adapted for the big screen by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester), titled just Milk, which just finished filming and is due out November 26th later this year. Here's the photo straight from EW.com with a few more new details.
Speed Racer Review - A Vibrantly Entertaining Live-Action Cartoon
The Wachowskis have amazed again and shown us a world we'll only ever see in their imagination. Speed Racer is yet another visual revolution, but this time it's for kids, too. It's everything you'd imagine a live-action adaptation of the classic cartoon series would be, stylized and glorified in ways only the Wachowskis could dream up. After seeing it twice I confidently say that Speed Racer is the most entertaining and mind-blowing kids movie this year. At just over two hours, Speed Racer is longer than most kids' movies, yet it's still an exciting thrill ride from start to finish.
First Trailer for Animated Igor Movie
The first trailer for Igor has finally debuted online after originally showing at the New York Comic Con. Igor is an animated movie starring John Cusack as the voice of Igor. In a world filled with mad scientists and evil inventions, one talented evil scientist's hunch-backed lab assistant has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist himself and winning the annual Evil Science Fair. Remember Arthur and the Invisibles? Didn't think so. Unfortunately Igor is destined to also get swept under the rug this fall after it hits theaters. It also features the voices of Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard, and even Jay Leno! Wait - maybe I'm wrong, maybe this will be good, but who knows - could this be the next Nightmare Before Christmas?
First Look: G.I. Joe's Complete Cast - General Hawk, Destro, Duke, Baroness, Ripcord, and More!
Screw those leaked photos that hit a few weeks ago, we've got some brand new never-before-seen photos of G.I. Joe's Destro, Heavy Duty, and Storm Shadow. Unfortunately we did not get invited to the set of G.I. Joe like these other sites, but instead we've got these to share with all of you. These are definitely the first hardcore photos from the movie, with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty in action, Byung-hun Lee as Storm Shadow with his blades drawn, and Christopher Eccleston as Destro just… standing there. My interest in this movie is defintiely growing every day because of photos like these and past news like this. I definitely have a feeling this is going to be one badass movie next summer!
Ellen Page Cast as Jane Eyre Next
As many know, I love me some Ellen Page, ever since she surprised audiences as the adorable little psycho in Hard Candy. Her role in Juno was equally impressive, but obviously on the other end of the spectrum. As for Smart People, she seemed to channel her Juno performance a bit, which is to say she delivered the familiar beyond-her-years intelligence and jokes. So I've started to wonder whether she's in fear of typecasting, since she plays the whip-smart young adult with a surprising degree of confidence and sophisticated humor so naturally. Page's recently announced project puts those fears to rest a bit, but now I wonder how well she'll pull this off. Producers of The Other Boleyn Girl are working with the BBC on yet another adaptation of Jane Eyre for which Page will play the lead.
Slick New Poster for Star Wars: The Clone Wars
In addition to yesterday's poster for X-Files: I Want to Believe, another slick new poster has debuted - this time for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Thankfully I'm actually able to talk about this movie since it is getting a theatrical release this August. While I am mildly excited to see Star Wars return again to the big screen, I'm not even remotely as close to excited as I am for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. However, let's get back on topic. This poster looks both well-designed and epic enough to capture my attention and slap fans in the face as a reminder that this animated movie is coming to theaters in a few months. Enough pointless banter, let's check it out!
Worth Watching - May 7: Trailer for Noise Starring Tim Robbins
THINKFilm is releasing a new indie movie called Noise starring Tim Robbins. Also starring alongside Robbins are Bridget Moynahan and William Hurt. Get this - the movie is about a guy in New York City who can't stand car alarms so he makes it his mission to attack every car he can. He calls himself "The Rectifier" and leaves his superhero-like calling card in every car that he destroys each night. Yes, it's a radical idea, but it's got an indie touch so it might not be that bad. Well, the trailer makes it seem not that bad, but I'm not sure I'd say it really looks that good either. Take a look for yourself - seem like a fun flick to you, too?
Theater Hopper - May 7: Passion and Relief
Theater Hopper is a webcomic about all things movies written and illustrated by Tom Brazelton. Starring Tom, his wife Cami, and friend Jared, Theater Hopper perfectly captures Tom's feelings and reactions to recent and upcoming movies in a way that will easily have you laughing every day. Updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, this is the webcomic that every movie-lover out there can't miss! Wednesday's comic has been posted below.
Frank Miller's The Spirit Slides to Christmas Day
Lionsgate has decided to movie the release date of Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit up from January 16th next year to December 25th - Christmas Day - this year. While this news normally isn't too exciting, this time I think it's actually an interesting choice that's worth discussing. By now we've all seen the first teaser trailer for The Spirit. Lionsgate's president Tom Ortenberg decided to change the release date after they saw the reaction at the New York Comic Con, where the trailer officially debuted. All I know is that the reaction I typically hear when the trailer plays is along the lines of "is this Sin City 2?"
Must Watch: Rainn Wilson's The Rocker Trailer
The first trailer for Rainn Wilson's The Rocker has debuted. "Office" fans are definitely going to enjoy this. The movie is about a drummer from a failed 80's band that joins a high school band to live his dreams of becoming a rock superstar. It stars Rainn Wilson as Robert Fishman, the drummer who joins the band. Superbad's gorgeous Emma Stone also stars and even Will Arnett has a cameo, too. I'm not sure this is going to be one of the best comedies of the summer, but I definitely think it'll be one of those better-than-the-others comedies. It also reminds me a lot of Hot Rod but with Rainn Wilson as a rockstar instead of Andy Samberg. Take a look at the badass new trailer below and let us know what you think!
Hardcore New X-Files: I Want to Believe Poster
A brand new Polish poster for The X-Files: I Want to Believe has appeared online and it's pretty badass. While I'm not a huge X-Files fan, this poster almost makes me wish I was. And the best part - this was probably banned by the MPAA here in America but thank goodness for the internet because we can still share it with all of you! But don't expect a blood-splattered X-Files 2 poster to show up in your theater - as far as we know. There is still plenty of marketing for X-Files: I Want to Believe that we haven't seen yet, but for now this new poster is all we've got. Take a look below and if you're a fan let us know what you think!
Classic Action: One More Reason Why Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Will Be Amazing
Although he's one of the most well-known actors and impossible to actually talk with, Harrison Ford seems like a great interview. He's been doing a few interviews with major newspapers recently, including this great one with USA Today, but in this recent one with The Australian, he mentions a few noteworthy things regarding Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. After watching Raiders of the Lost Ark again last night and being reminded why I love the Indiana Jones series so much, hearing statements like the ones Ford makes below are the kind that are making me even more excited for Indy's return. There is so much doubt surrounding whether this movie will be as defined as the original three, but I'm pretty damn sure it will live up to their excellence in every way.
Watchmen Video Journal: Costumes
Over the next 12 months we're going to see an ever-increasing amount of media related to Zack Snyder's adaptation of Watchmen - primarily because this is the epic adaptation of one of the comic book world's greatest assets and Warner Bros wants you to know that. In addition to all of the plentiful coverage we've already shared, including the first look at the costumes, today JoBlo presents the second of 12 behind-the-scenes video journals chronicling the development of the film. Today's video journal focuses on the costumes, as spearheaded by costume designer Michael Wilkinson. If you want to be a costume designer, watch this. If you love shoes, watch this. If you just want to kill a few minutes and be impressed by the work that's going into Watchmen, watch this. It's not the best video around, but it's definitely still worth watching!