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The Twilight Saga: New Moon Review
21 November 2009 5:48 PM, PST
The sequel to 2008’s vampire phenomenon is strictly for the followers of the Stephenie Meyer novels and the hordes of die-hard fanatics that squealed in delight for the original a year ago. Newcomers needn’t bother with the requisite reading or the essential viewing necessary for being up to (super) speed on the supernatural occurrences of Forks, Washington.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon picks up just months after the star-crossed lovers shared intense gazes and forest rendezvous. The teenage Bella (Kristen Stewart) narrates a passage from “Romeo & Juliet,” an obvious comparison to the forbidden love of its protagonists who commit suicide by throwing herself off a cliff drinking poison and revealing his sparkly chest driving a dagger into her heart. The play is bluntly referenced again when her senior English class studies the Shakespearean tragedy and her vampire boyfriend Edward (Robert Pattinson) recites a passage of his own.
Subtlety (or »
- Jeff Leins
Uma Thurman Joins Pattinson in ‘Bel Ami’
20 November 2009 8:02 PM, PST
For some reason, producers felt this weekend was the prime time to release any and all Robert Pattinson related news during the frenzy of headlines surrounding The Twilight Saga: New Moon. That’s the best time for this announcement to get noticed. When fans are busy with something else…
Uma Thurman is joining Pattinson in Bel Ami, an adaptation and expansion of the short story by Guy de Maupassant. London theater director Declan Donnellan is making his feature film debut. Kristin Scott Thomas is also a member of the cast, according to THR.
Nicole Kidman was falsely reported as the lead, but she quickly denied any involvement in the film. It’s possible she’s booked solid with Botox appointments.
The story focuses on a young, impoverished reporter named George Duroy who essentially slept his way to the top by “bedding” the most influential women in Paris. Thurman plays the wife of Duroy’s friend, »
- Jeff Leins
Writer Beckoned to ‘Underworld 4′
20 November 2009 5:03 PM, PST
Screen Gems/Lakeshore have found a cheap writer to journey once again to a world of vampires and werewolves. John Hlavin has signed to pen Underworld 4.
Many media outlets are describing Hlavin as writer for FX’s “The Shield,” but he wrote two of the 89 episodes and served as story editor on four others. The rest of his resume is pretty bare though.
Kate Beckinsale has not agreed to return to the series, which Hlavin confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter “is not a prequel.” Neither has Rhona Mitra, who replaced Beckinsale as the bad ass brunette for the third movie (a prequel) titled Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
In an interview in August, Beckinsale said she would not be adverse to it, but they would have to come up with an amazing script. Then again, she thought the whole thing was a rumor at the time and she’s »
- Jeff Leins
‘New Moon’ Rises as Midnight Record Holder
20 November 2009 4:25 PM, PST
The Twilight Saga: New Moon broke all midnight opening records last night with an estimated $26.3 million in 3,514 theaters.
Predominantly female fans flooded theaters for the new dose of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. Some even showed up for Summit Entertainment’s re-release of the original Twilight at 2,057 locations, which made $1.3 million even with reduced ticket prices and a single showtime.
The Summit sequel beat the previous record holder, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($22.2 million) and the second place finisher, The Dark Knight ($18.5 million).
New Moon now sets it sights on the opening day record held by the Batman sequel, which currently stands at $67.2 million. The PG-13 vampire flick will definitely smash the $36 million Friday of the first Twilight and its opening weekend total of $69.7 million.
Experts are predicting a $90-100 million weekend, which may be doable with repeat buys from frenzied fans. Fandango reported 10 tickets are selling per second on the website. »
- Jeff Leins
Writer Challenged by American Gladiator Movie
20 November 2009 3:35 PM, PST
A screenwriter has signed for the impossible task of bringing TV’s “American Gladiators” to the big screen.
Peter Iliff (Varsity Blues, Point Break) believes he’s man enough to take on the adaptation. “Gladiators” creator Johnny Ferraro is producing with the help of Scott Mednick (who is also reviving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Variety reports the story will center on the Gladiators as superheroes, which is news to me because I was certain Nitro was some sort of modern-day Hercules. Now I find out he’s just a muscle-bound actor and my memories are tarnished. This is just like last year when I found out Michelle from “Full House” somehow grew into twin skeletons. Next you’re going to tell me reality television is staged.
When the project was originally announced in May 2009, Ferraro saw it as a “compelling story” that would introduce a new set of characters. »
- Jeff Leins
The Wire’s Idris Elba Joins Marvel’s Thor
20 November 2009 12:26 PM, PST
Idris Elba is joining the cast of Marvel’s Thor, which is arguably becoming one of the best comic book ensembles ever. Kenneth Branagh is directing the production, which starts photography in January 2010 for a May 20, 2011 release.
According to the THR, Elba is playing Heimdall, the guardian of the Norse god city of Asgard. Look, someone has to watch the rainbow bridge of Bifrost and it might as well be him.
The rest of the cast includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Jamie Alexander (Sif), Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Stuart Townsend (Fandral), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun), Colm Feore, and Stellan Skarsgard.
Anyone who watched HBO’s brilliant series “The Wire” is pumping their fist in celebration right now. Elba owned the role of Stringer Bell, a ruthless businessman and mid-level drug trafficker in the bloody streets of Baltimore. (By the way, if you haven »
- Jeff Leins
Dustin Hoffman Not Returning for Little Fockers?
20 November 2009 10:17 AM, PST
Dustin Hoffman may not be returning for the third installment of the Fockers comedy trilogy, Little Fockers. The new sequel focuses on the young Fockers (Ben Stiller and Teri Polo) struggling to raise five-year-old twins.
I thought it was understood that Hoffman and Streisand would not be returning as Bernie and Rozalin Focker, but according to Entertainment Weekly’s rumor report, there was a “very funny” cameo for Hoffman at least at the end of the film. Judging from the cringe-worthy gags in the second movie, how funny could it be?
Apparently Hoffman is not interested in cameos because the dispute is over the size of the part, as well as the scheduling and other difficulties. Streisand supposedly has a prominent role in the movie though.
I tend to agree with Hoffman. He’s an Oscar winner and a veteran actor, not some pop-in celebrity that should play second fiddle »
- Jeff Leins
Trailer for Robert Pattinson’s Remember Me
19 November 2009 11:03 PM, PST
It’s after midnight here in the Central Time Zone, which means hordes of eager fans are packed into sold out theaters for the opening of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Some, if not all, will be showing a trailer for the other Summit Entertainment and Robert Pattinson picture show titled Remember Me.
The romantic drama (previously known as Memoirs) centers on a new couple (Pattinson and “Lost” actress Emilie de Ravin) whose relationship is tested by family tragedy. You’ll be happy to know she also bites her lip when she’s attracted. The film also stars Pierce Brosnan and Chris Cooper.
The trailer for New Moon reached 10.6 million views in its first week online, a new record. Given the loyal following of Pattinson fans, I wouldn’t be surprised by another massive number, though perhaps not the record-shattering totals of the vampire sequel.
Watch the trailer right here or on MySpace, »
- Jeff Leins
Pitt Enters ‘Dark Void’ of Video Game Movies
19 November 2009 2:33 PM, PST
Brad Pitt’s Plan B production company and India-based conglomerate Reliance Big Pictures have signed a deal with Capcom to bring Dark Void to the screen. The feature is being considering a “starring vehicle” for Pitt and — like everything else — a potential franchise.
Lukewarm responses to game adaptations haven’t seem to deter businesses from spending big bucks on video game movies. Activision is quietly working on a “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″ movie, “Guitar Hero,” and a Sam Raimi-directed “Warcraft” epic.
“Dark Void,” which isn’t out until January 2010, centers on a pilot named Will who crashes into the Bermuda Triangle. The plummet takes him to an alternate universe where humans battle aliens with advanced technology. Gameplay will mix land and mid-air confrontations through the use of jetpacks. Judging from the poster and the video below, this looks like The Rocketeer meets Iron Man, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. »
- Jeff Leins
‘G.I. Joe’ Producer Grabs Nicolas Flamel Series
19 November 2009 11:11 AM, PST
Comparing a series to J.K. Rowling’s has been the kiss of death in book adaptations for all but the Twilight saga. Every few months another children’s movie crops up as “the next Harry Potter,” and ultimately takes a dive at the box office.
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a perfect example of “one and done” after it was paralleled to Potter. Inkheart, starring Brendan Fraser, suffered the same fate. Plus the failure of The Golden Compass and the declining appeal of even the Narnia series. The upcoming Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief has also been cursed with the correlation, even picking up Potter veteran director Chris Columbus in an attempt to recapture the magic.
Which is why Transformers and G.I. Joe producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura may have just doomed his new acquisition right out of the gate. The major Hollywood player has picked up the six-part fantasy »
- Jeff Leins
‘New Moon’ Director Says He May Retire
19 November 2009 9:22 AM, PST
After The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the fifth film of his directing career, Chris Weitz may be retiring from filmmaking entirely.
In an interview with MovieMaker, Weitz expressed frustration with the heavy studio (New Line) influence while making The Golden Compass, a CGI-heavy epic that ultimately bombed at the domestic box office amidst religious controversy. He confirms the “edit was taken from [him]” and his chances of making it his “masterpiece” were ruined by meddling executives.
The Golden Compass was going to be his masterpiece? Maybe it is time to hang it up…
New Moon won’t be his last, though. He’s eying a script by Eric Essen called “The Gardener” next. I guess that means he won’t be taking the helm of Breaking Dawn, as rumors have suggested. Here’s Weitz describing potentially his last film:
“It’s sort of an homage to The Bicycle Thief. The intention »
- Jeff Leins
Anne Hathaway Approached for Spider-Man 4
18 November 2009 10:50 PM, PST
Spider-Man 4 doesn’t start shooting until March 2010, so entertainment websites have been occupying themselves with idle speculation on who the villain (or villains) might be. The Lizard and Black Cat seem to be the favorites with Rachel McAdams, Julia Stiles, and Romola Garai rumored for the latter at some point. These casting rumors were out of hand three headlines ago, but here’s another one for the pile of unconfirmed reports.
Anne Hathaway has been approached for an unknown starring role in the Spidey sequel, Nikki Finke reports. Though Finke doesn’t know who the actress will portray, the immediate assumption is Felica Hardy, a.k.a. the Black Cat, since that’s the rumor that is all the rage these days.
Here’s what we do know: Sam Raimi has returned to direct the film, Tobey Maguire is set to reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, and »
- Jeff Leins
Moore, Tyson, Anvil Snubbed from Short List
18 November 2009 8:00 PM, PST
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the short list of features vying for “Best Documentary” at the Oscar telecast next March. The final 15 have been whittled down from 89 eligible contenders, which becomes five nominees between December 28 (when the ballots are mailed) and February 2 (when they are announced live).
The list includes a few popular titles, like dolphin activist film The Cove and healthy advocate Food, Inc., but several prominent docs were eliminated. Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story was snubbed, along with James Toback candid biopic of “Iron” Mike Tyson, music doc It Might Get Loud, and the first Academy screener, Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Here are the films that made it to the top 15:
The Beaches of Agnes
Burma VJ
The Cove
Food, Inc.
Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders
The Most Dangerous »
- Jeff Leins
The Blind Side Review
18 November 2009 7:30 PM, PST
From the trailers and TV spots, it is easy to assume John Lee Hancock’s latest is yet another tale of well-off white rescuing broken black. Given Hollywood’s track record of thinly-veiled political pieces, it’s obvious where the cynicism comes from. Luckily, The Blind Side is color blind and based on a true story.
Hancock deftly sidesteps the drive to tell a typical “white guilt” story where Caucasian saves African-American and other condescending racial stereotypes. It also avoids a telegraphed playbook of allegorical material and deeper sociological meaning for a lighter, feel-good tone with mainstream, family-friendly appeal for the holidays.
Aside from any assumptions, the film is heartwarming as advertised, a dramatization of how the upper-class Tuohy family took in “Big Mike” Oher off the streets, gave him a home and an education, and introduced him to his career as a left tackle. Fair warning, this is not a pure sports movie, »
- Jeff Leins
Star Says Modern Warfare 2 Movie in the Works
18 November 2009 2:02 PM, PST
If movie coverage has been a little light in the past week, it’s because I have been parked on the couch shooting strangers. Sadly, I’ve logged entirely too many hours unloading digital bullets and shouting curses at random teenagers since “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” was released last Tuesday (November 10).
I haven’t even cracked the single player campaign yet. My game time has been spent teaming with friends and family to outsmart artificial intelligence or blast online players with my grenade launcher. All while reports surfaced that Russia recalled the game due to an airport scene in the single player missions where Russian extremists massacre innocent civilians. I suppose I’ll eventually get to the controversial storyline and hopefully before the potential movie is released. That’s right, Call of Duty: The Movie.
Kevin McKidd, the star of HBO’s “Rome” and the voice actor for Captain “Soap” MacTavish in the game, »
- Jeff Leins
French ‘Avatar’ Leaked Footage and Poster
18 November 2009 10:25 AM, PST
News of James Cameron’s Avatar has been hard and heavy lately, and with the theatrical release a month away it’s only going to get more crazy. 20th Century Fox’s marketing team is pushing out a new feature, poster, picture, or interview every day it seems. I can’t keep up with the endless barrage, but I’ve noticed even when it isn’t an official release people are taking their shots at it.
South Park just spoofed the movie last week in an episode titled “Dances with Smurfs.” A soundtrack list is under fire for spoiling the entire plot. Gamers are weighing in on the tie-in demo. I guess it depends on whether you’re a member of the “Any publicity is good publicity” school of thought.
Now a four-minute, French clip of Avatar has leaked online from an overseas Xbox 360 playback, though who knows how long this will last. »
- Jeff Leins
Director Found to Lead Keanu’s 47 Ronin
17 November 2009 7:37 PM, PST
Universal is finalizing a deal with Carl Rinsch to direct 47 Ronin, an epic period piece about a clan of samurai swordsmen starring Keanu Reeves.
Rinsch was originally attached to the untitled Alien prequel until Fox convinced Ridley Scott to direct it instead. Instead, the commercial director will make his feature debut on this battle movie, according to Variety, which Reeves became attached to in December 2008.
The film will be based on a true story about a band of samurais who avenged the death of their master in 18th century Japan. The master assaulted a court official and was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for his crime. To avenge his death, the clan waited patiently while plotting their revenge.
This is a big step for a director with no experience working with major actors, big budgets, or a full-length story. Hopefully he’ll prove himself, like District 9 director Neill Blomkamp’s high-profile start. »
- Jeff Leins
Miley Trailer and She, Like, Sooo Disses Twilight
17 November 2009 7:18 PM, PST
Miley Cyrus is not a fan of Twilight. What a shocking, newsworthy announcement and yet one that will create a dilemma among tween audiences. I guess she won’t be showing up for The Twilight Saga: New Moon or drooling over a brooding, sparkly Robert Pattinson like many females this weekend. Where’s my false outrage torch…
But first, since this is a movie site, the 16-year-old entertainer is starring in an adaptation of Nicholas Spark’s upcoming novel The Last Song. If you’re unfamiliar with Sparks, he’s the best-selling author of The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, two beloved books and films with a predominantly lady audience. However, I will admit to sitting through The Notebook more than once. For Rachel McAdams, of course. I also own this t-shirt. Though I think we all can agree to disregard Nights in Rodanthe.
Unofficial synopsis: Cyrus stars as »
- Jeff Leins
Disney Drains McG’s 20,000 Leagues Remake
17 November 2009 5:54 PM, PST
Walt Disney Studios has halted production on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo, an expensive remake that was to be directed by McG (Terminator Salvation).
Following the Monday meeting, McG withdrew from the origin story to focus on other projects like Dead Spy Running and the musical Spring Awakening. He’s also loosely attached to Terminator 5, but the rights to the franchise are in a bidding war and the new owner may have different thoughts on the creative direction.
Variety reports the family adventure movie was the first casualty of a changing of the guards at the top of Disney’s executive branch. The new movie chief, Rich Ross, pulled the plug on what was the last approved project by the ousted Dick Cook even after the studio had spent $10 million to hire crews in preparation for a February 2010 shoot. The Jules Verne adaptation was budgeted at $150 million.
There were a few casting rumors, »
- Jeff Leins
‘Thor’ Gets His Warriors Three
17 November 2009 4:42 PM, PST
Ray Stevenson (Punisher: War Zone), Stuart Townsend (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), and Tadanobu Asano (Mongol) are set to play the Warriors Three in Marvel’s Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
The Warriors Three are a team of Asgardian gods that play a supporting role to Thor, the God of Thunder. According to Variety, Townsend will play Fandral the Dashing, a dashing swordsman Stan Lee based on Errol Flynn. Stevenson is set as Volstagg the Valiant, an obese warrior with superhuman strength based on the William Shakespeare character Falstaff. Asano is Hogun the Grim, a maceman with a resistance to physical injury based on the characters of actor Charles Bronson.
I’m not particularly familiar with Townsend, but Stevenson was excellent in “Rome” before he tried to make it with another awful Punisher pic and Asano was brilliant in the epic Mongol, something you should check out if you enjoyed Braveheart. »
- Jeff Leins
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