CUTAWAYS: ULTRAMAN - THE MISCHIEVOUS RASCAL FROM SPACE

The bad news is that a lightning storm not only knocked out our power for a night, but also fried the satellite dish, one TV, two receivers, and half the cable in the house, so I had to spend ten hours the next day with the repair technicians. In other words, there was no time for a movie of the week. The good news is that as a consolation prize, you get a clip from one of my all-time favorite childhood shows, Ultraman!

Yep, it’s all fun and games until someone conjures up a giant hellbeast from outer space and possibly loses an eye. Not to mention an entire luxury hotel. It just goes to show that the old saying is right… sin makes you stupid.

As St. Cyprian explained in his 63rd Epistle, “the profound gloom of the falling darkness has so blinded the hearts of some, that they receive no light from the wholesome precepts, but, once turned away from the direct path of the true way, they are hurried headlong and suddenly by the night and error of their sins.” Or to put it In more technical terms, as Presbyterian minister James Hastings did in his Encyclopedia of Religion, “Often moral ignorance extends to general principles. In the moral life of men there is no fact more familiar than the experience that conscience is kept clear by a consistent course of virtuous conduct, while it is darkened by persistent indulgence in vice. Men may come to prefer moral darkness to moral enlightenment because their deeds are evil. As this darkening of moral intelligence is a natural penalty resulting from habitual disregard of its teaching, the condition has been described in old religious language as judicial blindness. Such moral ignorance, so far from being an excuse for sin, may be its most heinous aggravation.”

And that’s why the little sins matter, because over time they can dull the moral senses and ultimately make you too dumb to avoid committing the big sins. And as this clip from Ultraman so ably demonstrates, while the little sins may be all laughs for awhile, the inevitable big ones really have a way of backfiring on you.

Escape to the Movies: "Eclipse"

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/1839-The-Twilight-Saga-Eclipse

Because I didn't have too much to do this week...

Regularly-scheduled episode also scheduled to run on Friday, as well, so nobody freak out.

Martin Scorsese Has Started Shooting HUGO CABRET In London

Martin Scorsese has started lensing his first 3D movie in London according to Sony. HUGO CABRET is based on Brian Selznick's bestseller "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Jude Law, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Lee, Ray Winstone, Helen McCrory, Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths.

HUGO CABRET tells the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. When Hugo encounters a broken machine, an eccentric girl, and the cold, reserved man who runs a toy shop, he is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in jeopardy.

London's Shepperton Studios will serve as Scorsese's base of filming with some other local areas mixed in. Paris also has some location business with the project.

HUGO CABRET is scheduled for release in December 2011.

Undoubtedly, this is one movie to keep an eye on. Even Roger Ebert said that he would reconsider his stance on 3D if Scorsese ever started filming in the genre - and as of right now, the master filmmaker has. HUGO CABRET is a very important movie in so many ways... :-) Stay tuned!

First Look: Paul Bettany In PRIEST!!

SAME DAY UPDATE: Just found three more great set photos! (JustJared) ENJOY!!

Hey guys - I am so looking forward to this movie! What kind of priest wears a tattoo of a cross on his face? I mean, right in the middle of his face? A WARRIOR PRIEST that's who! :-)

Click photos for larger images.

Here is the official storyline: Priest is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. Paul Bettany is Priest, a legendary warrior priest during the last Vampire War, who now lives in obscurity among the other human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities controlled by the Church. But when his 18-year-old niece is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires in the desolate wastelands outside, Priest breaks his sacred vows and ventures out to find her and seek vengeance upon those responsible, especially their brutal leader (Karl Urban). Priest is joined on his crusade by his niece’s boyfriend, Hicks (Cam Gigandet), a local outpost sheriff, and Priestess (Maggie Q), a member of his former legion of vampire-killers who has otherworldly fighting skills.

In case you have not seen it yet, here is a behind-the-scenes clip from Entertainment Tonight Canada from earlier this year:



Guys, this movie is going to kick some butt. I have a really good feeling about it - hopefully I am right! The movie will indeed be a conversion, but I am working on something that should fill you in some more about the inner workings of the project while we wait for its release.

PRIEST opens May 13, 2011.

Alice Eve = Emma Frost

Original story: http://www.deadline.com/2010/06/alice-eve-joins-x-men-first-class/

Deadline's Mike Fleming says that Fox wants actress Alice Eve for the (not especially) sought-after role of Emma Frost, aka (but probably not in the movie) "The White Queen," for Matthew Vaughn's "X-Men: First Class," which apparently no one can confirm as being either a "reboot" or a second-prequel following the disasterous "Wolverine" movie. Either way, it's a "teen years" story for the main group, with Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy as less-old versions of Magneto and Professor X.

Exactly how the "prequel" angle would work when we've already seen Magneto and Xavier as "middle aged" men coming to collect Jean Grey as a young girl in the third movie (she's presumably the same basic age as the rest of the "first class"), unless maybe their taking the opportunity to wipe EVERYTHING from "The Last Stand" completely out-of-continuity, which would actually be fine by me. (FWIW, Frost appeared sans last name via a different actress as "diamond skin girl" in the Wolverine movie.)

If the boxoffice is any indication, you probably DON'T remember Eve as "She" in "She's Out Of My League." In any case, fans can now begin The Procedure of processing this information which, in case you're wondering, goes something like this:

PHASE 1: Awareness.
PHASE 2: Excitement.
PHASE 3: Realization that there's almost no chance she'll wear The Costume, thus negating two out of three reasons anyone gives a shit about this character being in the X-Men movies.
PHASE 4: "So is Wolverine in this one or not?"

New HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Trailer Screenshots!

UPDATE - June 29: Here is the new trailer!



Thanks to our friends over at USAToday via ComingSoon, we have some screenshots from the new trailer for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS which is screening before TWILIGHT: ECLIPSE (June 30).

Click images to enlarge...

I don't think fans will be let down by DEATHLY HALLOWS at all. I think it will all live up to its billing and set huge anticipation for Part 2. Be sure to click through to ComingSoon for all the shots!

Must Watch: Two More Clips From THE LAST AIRBENDER!

We have two more eye catching scenes from the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan 3D adventure THE LAST AIRBENDER. Too bad they are not in higher resolution, but you can definitely catch the excitement.

So just what are we getting ourselves into here with THE LAST AIRBENDER? To me it is looking more and more like one heckuva ride. Take these two clips for example: The effects look extremely well done and they blend in nicely with young, yet characterized actors who look truly invested in the scenes. In my opinion, this is nothing less than a blockbuster waiting to happen. Assuming the story fits with its own dogma.

Check out the clips below!





What do you think? Are you up for this movie or what?

Unbreakable

3D Geek Alert: Photo Of A Working RED EPIC 3D RIG!!

WOW. Look at how small and maneuverable the new RED EPIC 3D set up from Element Technica is! It weighs in at just about 45 lbs and could be even less if you use EPIC-X batteries instead of the dual RED brick batteries.

If you are familiar with 3D cameras, then you know one of the major challenges is to get around the bulkiness and have flexibility to use the same camera setup for many more shots. With mirror rigs such as this one, weight comes into play a great deal. Mirror rigs are excellent for closeups because you have complete flexibility with your interocular distance settings (distance between lenses). However an issue with beam splitters is about a stop loss in light. With the EPIC however, you have high ISO to make up that difference! Looks like the best of all worlds - and looks stunning.

Of course there is also a fine alternative 3D rig for the EPIC from 3ality Digital.

You are seeing the new RED shoulder mount and handles as well.

Capabilites? How about two Epic cameras with 5K resolution for each eye!

Order a couple of EPICs if you want to stay ahead of the pack...

Jimmy Fallon LOVES KILLZONE 3 In 3D!!

Gotta love the guy! Jimmy Fallon has always been known as a technoid but I simply loved seeing him fall in love with 3D on his late night talk show. Keep in mind that what we are seeing here is pre-alpha code (very early in development).

Here is the clip of him playing the upcoming KILLZONE 3 on the Sony PlayStation with a 3D Bravia S3DHD TV - check it out!!



Wow - that game looks AMAZING! And to quote Fallon: "Even dying is fun in 3D!" :-) Look for KILLZONE 3 in 3D coming out in February 2011.

Watch 10 Clips From DESPICABLE ME!

I've got 10 clips for you from the upcoming Universal 3D animation DESPICABLE ME (via Collider). I think these are innocent enough to not give away much from the story so go ahead and enjoy...



This movie is starting to grow on me. DESPICABLE ME enjoys an outstanding voice cast with Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, and Jemaine Clement. Opens wide on July 9! And If you haven't seen the trailer yet - here you go!!

Regarding political posts

So... evidently, quite a few folks take offense to me using the word "Teabagger" to refer to the "Tea Party." Well, y'know what I take offense to? As an American who happens to be living about 15 to 20 minutes from where the ACTUAL "Tea Party" took place? I take offense to one of the defining moments in American and indeed World history - an act of disobedience against actual tyranny by actual freedom fighters - being co-opted by a "movement" that can't even be bothered to form a coherent ideology outside of "irrationally infuriated."

So, yeah... I'll probably keep on using that particular word here and there - just like I'll keep calling liberal walking-jokes like MoveOn.org, Code Pink and Cindy Sheehan (remember her?) "nutters" and worse. Because it puts a sharp point on things, and gets a "rise" out of people. I make dismissive, bad-taste jokes about things that are comical to me... it's kind of my "thing."

BUT...

It also occurs to me that, fairly or not, the preponderance of similar-style mockery in the current political world means that my meaning may be taken more "broadly" than I intend it. So I should probably put this on the record:

I don't hate "conservatives." Or "liberals" for that matter. And I'm not an especially big "devotee" of President Obama at this particular point. In fact, I think that Obama - or at least the initial "Obama Phenomenon" - has to shoulder some of the blame for the "Tea" business: Nothing in politics comes into being without bringing an opposite-number with it, and Obama proving that you can build a functional coalition on vauge emotional appeals to "hope and change" meant that you can ALSO build one on vauge emotional appeals to "fear and anger," and hence, well... you get the idea.

Frankly, I'm fairly "situational" when it comes to ideology - which I suppose falls under "relativism" but my ego keeps telling me to call "thinking on my feet." There's a copy of Atlas Shrugged within walking distance of my desk here, and it's on the same shelf as "Dude, Where's My Country?" During my daytime commute, the car-radio is almost always tuned to an overwhelmingly-conservative local talk station, and if this were any other night but Friday I'd be typing this with MSNBC on in the background (Rachel Maddow runs the best show on Cable, hands down.) I'm happy to talk, debate, converse and be friends with conservatives, liberals, libertarians, socialists, whatever.

My disdain for the "Tea Partiers" - and thus use of "Teabaggers" - is NOT a disdain for rational Republicans, conservatives, libertarians, etc. I don't even necessarily have anything specifically against individual people who turn up at the damn rallies... at least not in theory, after all I don't know ALL of them. My GENUINE disdain lies for the self-proclaimed "public faces" and "leadership" of this thing. Mrs. Palin, Mr. Beck, the various D-list celebrity hangers-on and the "real" politicians who've signed on either out of a cynical short-term power grab or because they actually buy it (not sure which is worse.) THOSE are my "Teabaggers" and, no, under the circumstances, I don't feel particularly bad about giving them a risque nickname.

Quick Post: Jackson Confirmed To Be Hunting For THE HOBBIT's Directors Chair

Heat Vision confirms what we already know, Peter Jackson wants to direct THE HOBBIT.

I want to hear it from the man himself that he has signed on to helm THE HOBBIT. Until then, we all knew this would happen. All those other directors that other sites were reporting on? Simply fallback positions and bargaining chips for Jackson.

You guys all know I have been saying for years: Peter Jackson will direct THE HOBBIT(s) AND it will be in 3D. It is going to happen.

Escape to the Movies: "Knight and Day"

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/1820-Knight-and-Day

Intermission: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/moviebob/7739-That-Wont-Be-in-the-Movie

BMC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: THE BRAIN EATERS

The Brain Eaters (1958)

• Ed Nelson,
• Alan Frost,
• Jack Hill

Strange things are happening in Riverdale, Illinois. A huge, seemingly alien structure has been found jutting out of the earth. Sent to investigate the origin of the mysterious object, Senator Walter Powers discovers that parasites from the center of the earth have infiltrated the town, taking control of the authorities and workers, making communication with the outside world impossible, and leaving the responsibility of stopping the invasion up to Powers and a small group of free individuals.

26% liked it

Unrated, 1 hr.

Director: Bruno VeSota

 

June 20, 2010: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

The other night I had 60 minutes to spare, but rather than watch the shambling husk of Andy Rooney attempt to explain what was confusing him this week, I decided instead to spend that hour with The Brain Eaters. I’m pretty sure I made the better choice.

In case the short running time isn’t enough of a tip off, then let me assure you, The Brain Eaters is pure second-billing fodder from the bygone days of the Saturday afternoon double feature. The creature effects consist of nothing but some fuzzy lumps (eerily reminiscent of Rooney’s eyebrows) adorned with pipe cleaner antennae being pulled by strings, the  soundtrack is comprised of scratched vinyl outtakes from works by Prokofiev and Shostakovich (but credited to fictitious composer Tom Jonson because that name sounds less like a dirty Russian commie), and the hero is played by hard working B-movie and TV vet Ed Nelson (whose previous lead role was as the crab in Attack Of The Crab Monsters).

And yet, The Brain Eaters is still a watchable film. The cast is earnest, the script has some nice surprises (those characters died, really?), and there’s even a brief appearance by a young Leonard Nimoy (misspelled Nemoy in the too-expensive-to-correct opening credits) looking all Gandalfish as the spokesman for the wooly invaders. Plus, it’s got that tried and true plot element found in so many 50’s movies, the communist inspired fear of the communal hive mind and the loss of individual identity.

Now who would have thought so many aliens in the 50s would turn out to be Quietists? As explained in the Columbia Encyclopedia, Quietism is “a heretical form of religious mysticism founded by Miguel de Molinos, a 17th-century Spanish priest (and, bizarrely, something of a Nimoy lookalike).”

  

“The essence of quietism is that perfection lies in the complete passivity of the soul before God and the absorption of the individual in the divine love to the point of annihilation not only of will but of all effort or desire for effort… Molinos and his doctrines were condemned by Pope Innocent XI in 1687.”

You know, despite the Buddhist feel of Quietism, one might wonder why the Church never approved of it. After all, in this week’s reading we hear, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” On the surface, that sounds a lot like the annihilation of the self through the absorption into the divine. But as the 1907 Catholic Encyclopedia explains, “The self-abandonment which Christ in the Gospel requires of us is simply the renunciation of our own interest.” It’s a discarding of the sinful attachments which get in the way of our conforming our will and reason to God without actually abdicating those faculties in the process. Unlike the Brain Eaters, God wants volunteers, not drones.

Speaking of droning, here’s Mike & The Bots with their take on Andy Rooney.

New PIRANHA 3D Teaser Poster!

I am feeling exploited with this poster - and I like it! :-)

Dimension has released this teaser poster for their upcoming thriller / horror PIRANHA 3D (via Twitter). They have been very active promoting this Alexandre Aja project lately and I get the same type of in-your-face vibe from this marketing as I did from Lionsgate's MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. You can easily get away with "comin' at ya" 3D in horror - so why not now right Alexandre?

Storyline: Every year the small community of sleepy Lake Victoria expands from 5,000 people to 50,000 for crazy Spring Break. This year, there's something else to be concerned about aside from a bunch of horny drunken teens. After a small underwater earthquake releases schools of prehistoric man-eating fish, a group of strangers must work together to stop everyone from becoming human fish food.

PIRANHA 3D opens in a 3D theater near you August 20.

Easiest prediction anyone will make this week

Do the math, i.e. the now-resigned General Stanley McChrystal: No four-star U.S. Army General is going to give the kind of interview he did to Rolling freakin' Stone and NOT expect to get shitcanned for it. If you're TRYING to lose your job in spectacular fashion, openly mocking your boss is a good way to do it.

So, then: Within the next few months (after "staying out of the spotlight) for a bit, General McChrystal will be on the Teabagger circuit as a "martyr" to Obama's "disregard for the military" or whatnot, and he'll probably be a Senatorial (Presidential?) candidate not long after that. Just you watch.

New Trailer: ALPHA & OMEGA

We are getting a glimpse of the upcoming 3D animation ALPHA & OMEGA from an international trailer from Lionsgate.

My first impression from the scenes is that it reminds me of early Dreamworks Animation efforts - so don't expect Pixar here. I think the story could be compelling enough so I am certainly not panning it altogether, but the design and end result are not up to today's standards in my opinion.

However they do have a superb voice cast in Justin Long, Hayden Panettiere, Christina Ricci, Dennis Hopper, Danny Glover, and Vicki Lewis.

Storyline: What makes for the ultimate road trip? Hitchhiking, truck stops, angry bears, prickly porcupines and a golfing goose with a duck caddy. Just ask Kate and Humphrey, two wolves who are trying to get home after being taken by park rangers and shipped halfway across the country. Humphrey is an Omega wolf, whose days are about quick wit, snappy one-liners and hanging with his motley crew of fun-loving wolves and video-gaming squirrels. Kate is an Alpha: duty, discipline and sleek Lara Croft eye-popping moves fuel her fire. Humphrey’s motto – make ‘em laugh. Kate’s motto – I’m the boss. And they have a thousand miles to go. Back home rival wolf packs are on the march and conflict is brewing. Only Kate and Humphrey can restore the peace. But first, they have to survive each other.

Look for Alpha & Omega on September 17th, 2010.

Disney Converting THE LION KING To 3D And The ROGER RABBIT Sequel Is Happening!!

Disney is full of good news lately! Not only are they converting BEAUTY AND THE BEAST to 3D (2011) but they have now teed up THE LION KING to add to their 3D library.

We got word through Empire who recently spoke with Disney producer Don Hahn. Hahn stated: “I’m actually trying to work out a 3D conversion of The Lion King. I’ll be doing that when I go back to the States in a couple of weeks. It’s going to be spectacular – we will do a good job for ya! The technology is tremendous. We did A Nightmare Before Christmas a few years ago and Tim thought it was better than the original because it allows you to walk onto the set.”

It's a no-brainer that Disney is going to convert their classic library to 3D for new generations of kids (and adults!) to enjoy but the bigger question was in what order will they do it? So far we have only 2 blanks filled in: What movie do you think they will convert next?

**AND** some really exciting news is that Disney is still proceeding with the WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT sequel (which we have been following since May of 2009).

Hahn commented: “Yeah, I couldn’t possibly comment. I deny completely, but yeah… if you’re a fan, pretty soon you’re going to be very, very, very happy.”

Didn't like A CHRISTMAS CAROL all that much? Zemeckis still has some more magic up his sleeves - don't worry :-) Should be a blast!

Revenge of Stan Bush

Singer-songwriter Stan Bush has, for the better part of the last decade, been experiencing one of the most improbable late-career rebirths in recent rock history. A quintessential stylist of 80s "power ballad" metal, he was mostly known for composing moderately-noteworthy tracks that wound up used in B-movies like "Bloodsport" and (more recently) on "Sailor Moon."

All that changed with the overdue re-release in the U.S. of the original "Transformers" movie, reaquainting fans with the "You've Got The Touch" and "Dare" - two tracks he recorded for the movie which have gone on to become ironic cult-classics in their own right. Since then, Bush's "second win" career has primarily involved performing said songs at Transformers conventions and composing NEW songs also related to the aforementioned intergalatic robot war. At least two such songs were offered (by Bush) to the producers of the Michael Bay Transformers movies... and rejected, presumably as part of Bay etc's resistance to all things that are awesome.

In any case, Bush is evidently planning to ride this train as far as it'll take him. The video game "Transformers: Battle For Cybertron" - handily described as a giant bucket of interactive 80s Transformers fan-service - is out this week, and KOTAKU already has a video up of the game's ending credits. Playing over said credits? Yet ANOTHER new Stan Bush song about Transformers. Give it a look: http://kotaku.com/5570343/transformers-credits-are-a-joy-for-old+timers

In other news, "Transformers 3" is still on a track to suck about a year from now.

MasterImage 3D Lands Another Theater Chain In Europe

MasterImage has just announced at Cinema Expo in Amsterdam that the Kinepolis Cinema Group has standardized on the MasterImage digital 3D projection system.

If you have been following this 3D projection company along with us, then you will know that they offer a superb 3D projection solution at an affordable price to theater owners. Consumers love the experience too - I have seen their solution firsthand and was very impressed. Congratulations MasterImage on yet another signing.

Kinepolis has 23 multiplex theaters across Europe.

Here is the press release:
43% of Kinepolis digital screens will be using MasterImage MI-2100 systems only by year’'s end in France, Spain and Switzerland

Burbank, CA (June 22, 2010) Today at Cinema Expo 2010 in Amsterdam, 3D technology company MasterImage 3D, LLC announced that Kinepolis Cinema Group has standardized on MasterImage digital 3D cinema systems to bring stereoscopic 3D movies and programming to audiences across Europe. Kinepolis has purchased and installed MasterImage MI-2100 systems covering 35% of their digital screens to date, with a rollout of an additional 8% planned by year’s end for cinemas across Europe.

Kinepolis Cinema Group, which encompasses 317 screens in 23 multiplexes, was one of the first exhibitors to adopt digital projection on a large scale and have great plans to increase the rollout of 3D screens across Europe. After extensive technical tests Kinepolis has now chosen MasterImage 3D to be their preferred supplier of 3D screens in France, Spain and Switzerland. This will include rolling out 3D to new cinemas as well as replacing 3D screens from Kinepolis’ previous supplier.

“MasterImage’s approach gives us what we need most — the best presentation for our audiences and a business model that makes sense,” said Nicolas Hamon, Kinepolis’ projection and sound manager. “There’s no seat tax to pay as we’ll own the systems outright, and we won’t need to manage the loss of expensive glasses, since MasterImage offers one-time and reusable glasses, both at a fraction of the cost of other providers. We’re confident that MasterImage is absolutely the right choice for our cinemas and our audiences.”

The MasterImage MI-2100 digital 3D cinema system offers high-quality presentation, single-or multi-use eyewear, is easily portable between screens and is available through a compelling, ownership-based pricing model. Supported by European and all six major Hollywood studios and many independent distributors, MasterImage systems are installed in 38 countries including the UK, France, Italy, Denmark, US, China, Australia and more.

“MasterImage seems one jump ahead of their competitors and have proven to us that they understand both the technology and the financial concerns of the cinema owners,’’ continued Hamon.

Brian Kercher, Managing Director of 3D Cinema, MasterImage Europe notes that “we are delighted to be working with such a dynamic organization as Kinepolis and welcome the opportunity to bring high quality 3D to Kinepolis audiences throughout Europe.’’

About MasterImage 3D, LLC
MasterImage 3D, LLC is a stereoscopic 3D technology company that provides pioneering 3D solutions for theaters, television and handheld devices. With more than 1,600 theatre systems installed worldwide, MasterImage offers audiences the best 3D image experience, while providing exhibitors with a compelling ownership-based pricing model. The company’s auto-stereoscopic (glasses-free), 3D LCD technology for mobile and electronic devices are the first commercial displays of their kind, and the company’s 3D camera ASIC empowers dual camera-equipped devices that enable users to create and share 3D content. The company is gearing up to deploy millions of auto-stereoscopic units with multiple manufactures worldwide. Founded in 2004, MasterImage was recently acquired and capitalized by US-based Symphony 3D Holdings and is headquartered in Burbank, California.

About Kinepolis Group
Kinepolis is a source of relaxation and contemporary entertainment for all age groups through its network of movie theatres. The Kinepolis concept is characterised by a constant drive to innovate and focus on customers. In terms of technology, in past years this has resulted in the digitisation of the motion picture medium and the development of 3D cinema. In terms of content, Kinepolis now programmes an original mix of traditional movies and sports, cultural and social events. Since forming in 1997 and the initial public offering in 1998, Kinepolis has grown into market leader in Belgium and trendsetter in Europe. Kinepolis runs 23 multiplex cinemas in Belgium, France, Spain, Poland and Switzerland. Kinepolis employs 1880 people and welcomed 22 million paying customers in 2009. Revenue in 2009 was € 231.2m.

MasterImage is a sponsor of MarketSaw

MUST WATCH: New Trailer For THE GREEN HORNET!

It's here! Check out the new trailer for THE GREEN HORNET!!

I imagined something very similar to what is actually presented to us. Comedic relief by Seth Rogen, Jay Chou is the straight faced partner. I am REALLY interested to see how Christoph Waltz pulls off villainy yet again.

The Black Beauty looks awesome. What don't I like about the trailer? Absolutely nothing. They nailed it. Loved the close too with the rocket! What do you think?

green daze

(Hat-tip to Chud: http://chud.com/articles/articles/24159/1/GREEN-HORNET-LOOKS-LIKE-AN-ACTION-MOVIE/Page1.html)

Since about 1989, you could count on one thing above all else in "new" superhero movies: The first trailer would try as hard as it could to stress how similar this "new" movie was to a Batman movie: Tragedy. Angst. Darkness. Resolve. Pounding Danny Elfman score. Hero-says-his-own-name. BAM! Title. Coming Soon.

With that in mind, this (otherwise pretty rote) first trailer for Michel Gondry's "Green Hornet" movie - with Seth Rogen as the titular hero - perhaps marks the beginning of a new era: Batman? Batman WHO? "The Green Hornet" wants you to know that he's more like - and I mean A LOT more like... Iron Man.

Here's my principal "nerd" question about this franchise: The two characters being "owned" by different companies would make direct reference impossible, but will they be making any allusion to Britt Reid (aka Green Hornet) being the Lone Ranger's great-great (great?) grand-nephew? Yeah, that's actually true. Go look it up.

First Official Look At THE GREEN HORNET!

Finally we get to see some official imagery (via Yahoo!) for Sony's THE GREEN HORNET! And if you want more, watch Jimmy Kimmel tonight for the launch of the trailer.

The top image shows Seth Rogen and Jay Chou in full regalia.

Here is the storyline: Britt Reid is the son of LA’s most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene — until his father mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father’s more industrious and inventive employees, Kato, they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. But in order to do this, they decide to become criminals themselves — protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets.

Using all his ingenuity and skill, Kato builds the ultimate in advanced retro weaponry, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car equal parts firepower and horsepower. Rolling in a mobile fortress on wheels and striking the bad guys with Kato’s clever gadgets, The Green Hornet and Kato quickly start making a name for themselves, and with the help of Britt’s new secretary, Lenore Case, they begin hunting down the man who controls LA’s gritty underworld: Benjamin Chudnofsky. But Chudnofsky has plans of his own: to swat down The Green Hornet once and for all.

Look for THE GREEN HORNET in 3D theaters on January 14, 2011.

Pixar Continues To Dominate Animation Blockbusters With TOY STORY 3!!

Pixar's TOY STORY is not just a great franchise (we all knew that TOY STORY 3 was going to be awesome with Pixar's track record) - it is a near perfect reflection of the human adolescent journey. Whatever they are putting in the coffee over at Pixar's cafeteria is continuing to work.

TS3 hit theaters Friday with $41m and continued its dominance over the weekend with $37m on Saturday and $32m Sunday. Worldwide its take is already over $155m (not counting today's estimates).

3D plays a role on the box office side but it also plays a huge role in drawing you into the movie. It seems so real, yet clearly it is not. Pixar's magic on screen is enhanced that much more with 3D. I assure you that seeing TOY STORY 3 in 3D is the best way to go; I have seen it in both dimensional options!

TOY STORY 3 is my favorite of the series. It ties up loose ends, reveals more emotion in the human characters and manages to squeeze teary eyes out of even the most resolute movie goer. Well worth the price of admission.

I have to say that Ken steals the show. Whoever dreamed up the character behind that fellow is a genius. Here I am, a grown man, admiring the on screen performance of a Ken doll - ask me 20 years ago that I would be saying that and I would have laughed in your face!

I won't go into more specifics because you HAVE to see this movie in 3D. Do it. It is one of this year's best and wraps up one of the most treasured family movie franchises of all time. Bring your kids - heck, bring your parents! It is that good.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES Starts Production

Walt Disney Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer Films' PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES has started production in Disney Digital 3D!

I have been waiting for this one for a long time - 3D is perfect for family entertainment and of course Disney is on top of that.

Here is the press release:
BURBANK, Calif. (June 21, 2010) -- Production has commenced on location in Hawaii, the United Kingdom and Los Angeles on Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ sweeping comedy adventure “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), the fourth entry in the blockbuster franchise which has already reaped $2.7 billion in worldwide box office from the previous three films, and the first to be filmed and presented in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic, Academy Award®-nominated role of Captain Jack Sparrow, newly joined by Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Rob Marshall’s “Nine”), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and newcomers Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin. Also rejoining Johnny Depp and Captain Jack are Academy Award-winner and three-time nominee Geoffrey Rush (“Shine,” “Shakespeare in Love”) and Kevin R. McNally (first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Valkyrie”). The film is slated to open May 20, 2011.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise —this time in Disney Digital 3D™. In this action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise, Captain Jack Sparrow crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), and he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

Rush reprises his role as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally returns as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs. Claflin stars as a stalwart missionary, while Berges-Frisbey is transformed into a mysterious mermaid.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is written by “Pirates” veterans Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and John DeLuca.

Joining Bruckheimer and Marshall for the new voyage is a top-flight group of award-winning behind-the-scenes artists, including director of photography Dariusz Wolski (first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”), production designer John Myhre (two-time Academy Award® winner for Marshall’s “Chicago” and “Memoirs of a Geisha”), costume designer Penny Rose (all three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”), visual effects supervisor Charles Gibson, who won an Academy Award for “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” Oscar® winner and eight-time nominee special effects supervisor John Frazier (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films,” “Pearl Harbor”) and stunt coordinator George Marshall Ruge, who also devoted his talents to the previous three “Pirates” films as well as Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer’s “National Treasure” franchise. The editors include two Oscar winners, Michael Kahn (“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”) and David Brenner (“Born on the Fourth of July”), as well as Wyatt Smith (Marshall’s “Nine”).

Rob Marshall’s first three films, “Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Nine,” have been honored with a total of 23 Academy Award® nominations. For his work on “Chicago,” winner of six Oscars® including Best Picture, Marshall received the Director’s Guild Award, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe Award® nomination, a BAFTA nomination, The National Board of Review Award and the New York Film Critics Online Award. A six-time Tony Award® nominee and George Abbott Award winner, Marshall’s extensive work on Broadway includes co-director and choreographer of the worldwide award-winning production of “Cabaret” and director/choreographer of the Broadway revival of “Little Me,” along with many others. He also produced, directed and choreographed the NBC television special “Tony Bennett: An American Classic,” which earned seven Emmy Awards®, including three for Marshall, and directed and choreographed Disney/ABC’s critically acclaimed movie musical “Annie,” which received 12 Emmy nominations with two wins, including Marshall for Outstanding Choreography; it also won the prestigious Peabody Award.

First in partnership with Don Simpson, and then as the chief of Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Bruckheimer has produced an unprecedented string of worldwide smashes, impacting not only the industry, but mass culture as well. Bruckheimer’s films include (producing with Don Simpson) “Top Gun,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Beverly Hills Cop 2,” “American Gigolo,” “Flashdance,” “Bad Boys,” “Dangerous Minds,” “Crimson Tide,” “The Rock,” and (producing solo) “Con Air,” “Armageddon,” “Enemy of the State,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” “Coyote Ugly,” “Remember the Titans,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Bad Boys II,” “Veronica Guerin,” “King Arthur,” “National Treasure,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “G-Force,” “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

On television, Bruckheimer had an unprecedented 10 television series airing in the 2005-6 season, a record in the medium for an individual producer. JBTV’s series have included “C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation” and its spinoffs “C.S.I.: Miami,” “C.S.I.: NY” and “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case,” “The Amazing Race” and “Dark Blue.”

Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Television have been honored with 41 Academy Award® nominations, six wins, eight Grammy Award® nominations, five wins, 23 Golden Globe® nominations, four wins, 88 Emmy Award® nominations, 18 wins, 23 People’s Choice nominations, 15 wins, numerous MTV Awards, including one for Best Picture of the Decade for “Beverly Hills Cop” and 20 Teen Choice Awards.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will film on the islands of Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii, followed by locations and studio work in the United Kingdom and Los Angeles.

The Phantom

I'm sitting here torturing myself via Syfy's two-movie-length modernized "reboot" of "The Phantom," which is about as terrible as one would expect. It also (so far) features possibly the worst example of hero-costume "realism" I've ever seen. They've basically got him wearing somebody's idea of a "movement friendly" bomb-disposal suit - which looks about as bad as you'd imagine.

CUTAWAYS: JAWS OF SATAN

Ahhh, if only every crummy movie I’ve watched could be this unintentionally hilarious. From the first moment when Satan appears in the form of a king cobra and bashes his skull against the clearly visible pane of glass the prop crew placed between the snake and the actor (you can actually hear the thud), all the way to the final confrontation between the priest and a stuffed snake head on a stick, Jaws Of Satan is a treat for the bad effects connoisseur. And the acting is little better, as this scene amply demonstrates.

Never has a defenseless, trapped animal generated so much fear from the characters onscreen! Oh well, considering how many times I’ve been summoned home from the office to dispatch whatever poor king snake was dumb enough to trespass on our property and set off my wife’s Ophidiophobia, I suppose I can empathize just a little. You see, even though my bride understands, as the Catechism confirms, that “the account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language”, there’s still no convincing her that snakes are not the spawn of Satan who must be crushed beneath my heels, or better yet, put to the machete (as a deterrence to the other snakes to keep them from sunning themselves on our drive, you understand).

So why snakes? Couldn’t the Devil just as easily have used some other animal to carry out his actions? How about one of those squirrels who raid our bird feeder every 15 minutes? Surely one those thieving yard rats could house the spirit of Satan. Writing in Volume 2 of The Literal Meaning of Genesis, St. Augustine explains, “If someone should ask why the Devil was allowed to carry out the temptation through a serpent particularly, the authority of Scripture should be enough to suggest that it happened with some meaning intended. After all, in speaking divinely Scripture deals with a whole universe of things revealed by God corresponding in a way to this natural universe of ours which is full of the works of His hands. Not that the Devil wished to symbolize something for our instruction, but since he could not have approached man to tempt him without God’s permission, he surely could not have used any other creature in this act than the one allowed him.”

So why snakes? Well, according to an article on LiveScience, “research suggests humans have evolved an innate tendency to sense snakes - and spiders, too - and to learn to fear them… The idea is that throughout evolutionary history, humans that learned quickly to fear snakes would have been at an advantage to survive and reproduce.” If this is true, then it would make sense that the imagery of the serpent is a perfect fit, literally and figuratively, for the Devil whose snares we are to avoid at all costs. Now how do you suppose the author of Genesis knew that?

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You know, all this talk of snakes has reminded me that it’s Summer Camp season, so I thought I’d throw in a bonus clip to remind all you kids to behave and listen to your counselors. Like they used to tell us at the Church Of The Nazarene camp I attended, “Don’t you boys and girls try and slip off into the woods together because (literally and figuratively) there’s snakes out there!”

New Trailer: RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE

The new RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE trailer is now on the interwebs and while it borrows scenes from some previously seen movie moments, there are quite a few new ones.

The premise of the movie is our heroine discovers that the Umbrella Corporation still has a safe haven underground and she infiltrates it - in typical kick ass style.

Have a look...




RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE was shot in native 3D using AVATAR's cameras and expertise. Looking forward to this!

Peter Jackson Still Maneuvering To Direct THE HOBBIT

Just heard back from one of my top sources and he confirms that while there is interest being shown in other directors for THE HOBBIT, they are fallback positions in the event that Peter Jackson cannot free himself of other obligations. Other sites have been talking about David Yates or Brett Ratner taking the helm.

Here is my source's words verbatim: "Peter is in a tricky place, in order for him to go forward in directing, he has to first make sure his obligations are honored or at least put within an all round time frame which will make everyone happy. If not for this, Peter would be signed to shoot as soon as the button is pushed. He wants to do it. He is also aware that he has obligations, but he is in the process of trying to resolve this. Let's think of it as fate, I would be very happy to say he is by far the number one choice. Pending other engagements he will most certainly be directing. Fingers crossed Jim because I for one do not want to see the title directed by David Yates or god forbid Brett Ratner."

So lets all hope Jackson can appease the suits and soon. The world wants Peter Jackson to direct THE HOBBIT - they have always wanted that. November is still the giant target in everyone's mind on the project. Decisions have to be made soon.

32nd Moscow International Film Festival Award Winners

With what seems like a complete and eclectic program the 2010 Moscow fest absolutely has something for everyone with films from all over the world, including a Chabrol retrospective, Sergio Leone homage, Asian Extreme program and a documentary series by none other than Alexander Sokurov just to mention a few. The fest runs from June 17 to 26.

The Opening Film is the 2010 Claude Lelouche's Une Femme et des Hommes (What Love May Bring) and the Closing Film is one that I have been following since Cannes (no, it wasn't in the fest) Les Aventures Extraordinaires d'Adele Blanc-Sec by Luc Besson, 2010. These two films are obviously must be seen for me.

These are the films in the Main Competition.

A la Deriva (Drifting), Ventura Pons, Spain, 2010
Besa, Srdjan Karanović, Serbia, Slovenia, France, Hungary and Croatia, 2010
Boxhagener Platz, Matti Geschonneck, Germany, 2010
Ça commence par la fin (It Begins with the End), Michael Cohen, France, 2010 (Yep, is the one left out of Cannes... with Emmanuelle Beart)
Cole, Carl Bessai, Canada, 2009
Denizden Gelen (Brought by the Sea), Nesli Çölgeçen, Turkey, 2010
Der Albaner (The Albanian), Johannes Naber, Germany and Albania, 2009 Winner of the Jury Prize Silver George
Der Kameramörder (The Cameramurderer), Robert Adrian Pejo, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, 2010
Despre alte mame (Different Mothers), Mihai Ionesku and Tiberiu Iordan, Romania, 2010 (yes must be seen for me)
För kärleken (Dear Alice), Othman Karim, Sweden, 2010 (Danny Glover in a Swedish film... hmm)
Gye-mong Young-hwa (Enlightment Film), Park Dong-hoon, South Korea, 2009 (seems interesting)
Hermano (Brother), Marcel Rasquin, Venezuela, 2010 Winner of the Golden George
Rózyczka (Little Rose), Jan Kidawa-Blonski, Poland, 2010
Stŭpki v pyasŭka (Footsteps In The Sand), Ivaylo Hristov, Bulgaria, 2010
Utolsó jelentés Annáról (The Last Report on Anna), Márta Mészáros, Hungary, 2009
Vorobey (Sparrow), Yuri Shiller, Russia, 2010
Zemský ráj to na pohled (An Earthy Paradise for the Eyes), Irena Pavlásková, Czech Republic, 2009

To check info about the above films as well as all films in the fest -including the ones in competition at the Perspectives section- go here.

To check all award winners go here.

Escape to the Movies: "Toy Story 3"

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/1809-Toy-Story-3

"Intermission" picks up where last week left off: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/moviebob/7707-Please-Film-These-Games

Drag Me to Hell

MUST WATCH: TRON: EVOLUTION Game Trailer And Sony's Upcoming 3D Game Line Up!!

Wow! Stunning new trailer for the upcoming TRON: EVOLUTION stereoscopic 3D game being released at the end of the year around the same time as the TRON: LEGACY movie hits our 3D theater screens.

With this game trailer you will get at least a TASTE of what is coming in the movie as well! Notice all the lines being used? The crazy depth perception in the TRON world? This movie is going to knock your socks off like nothing else before (except AVATAR of course).

My inside sources say TRON's 3D will BETTER AVATAR's so be prepared for that!

The game looks amazing. Can't wait to try it out. You will need a S3DHD TV, a Sony 3D Playstation and 3D glasses that come with the television to play it.

Other 3D games announced from Sony include GHOST RECON, KILLZONE 3, NBA 2K11, MLB 2K11, MORTAL KOMBAT, SORCERY and MOTORSTORM. Check out the Game trailer below for all the action!

Also have a look at this (I recommend clicking on the 1080p HD)!



More when I get it!!