New Unofficial (?) Photos For THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER!!

Got some new (potentially unofficial) photos for you from THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER from NarniaFans (via FirstShowing) and the poster treatment looks very refreshing! Looks like it was done by hand rather than by computer but still gives off a grand adventure vibe. Nicely done!

Click images to enlarge.

Also included in these shots (which may actually have come from part of a contest that National Geographic in Italy has run) is Reepicheep (mouse) and Aslan (lion). As NarniFans points out, it is strange that the helm Reepicheep is standing on has no spokes for the navigator to use.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER opens in theaters nationwide on December 10.

As much as I try, I have not been able to get too pumped up about the series thus far. DAWN TREADER being in 3D has certainly sparked interest in me, but we'll see. I am always open to most movies.

Suddenly...

Pictured, center-frame: Young woman, cosplaying as "Bayonetta."

Pictured, bottom-left: Young boy, in the midst of what will be a defining moment of his adolescence.



(photo by Shiraz Malik, seen on Kotaku.)

Anne Rice comes back to the dark side

"Liberace was gay" has finally been knocked the #1 spot of all-time celebrity "duh!" revelations, as Catholic-turned-atheist-turned-Christian-turned-whothehellknows author Anne Rice has evidently discovered that organized Christianity is - shockingly! - NOT all that welcoming to left-leaning feminists best known for sexually-explicit romance novels about bisexual vampires and BDSM-reworkings of fairytales. Wicked shock'a, as we say here in Boston.

Says Rice on her Facebook:
"As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of ...Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."

All of which places me in the unusual (for me) position of genuinely enjoying something written by Anne Rice ;)

A Strange proposal...

In the midst of some "Intermission" comment reading/responding, it dawns on me that since physicality isn't so much a concern when it comes to the potential casting for a "Doctor Strange" movie; one of the key questions would probably end up being VOICE - i.e., whom do you most want to hear speak dialogue like "By the Crimson Bands of Cytorak!!!"

With that in mind, perhaps a radical suggestion:

Escape to the Movies: Comic-Con 2010 overview

hard link

The week's Intermission: "Film These Heroes."

Hackers (1995)

Nirvana

3D Geek Alert: AVATAR's Neytiri Polystone Statue!!

**Update July 30 - WOW! The exclusive is sold out already!! You can still preorder the non-exclusive Neytiri (only $289) by clicking the front-on image of Neytiri below. They are going FAST!

Finally guys we have more statues to select from for the AVATAR universe from Sideshow Collectibles - Neytiri!! The AMP Suit has been available for some time now.

Note that the price for Neytiri ($299) is significantly lower than the AMP Suit ($1199). The Neytiri statue is almost 17 inches tall, 19 inches wide and 13 inches deep and weighs in at 12 lbs. Neytiri is also available on the affordable Flexpay for $100 / month for 3 months.

I just received the 21" IRON MAN Hulkbuster comiquette from Sideshow which I will be posting a review shortly. These pieces are simply stunning guys. Well worth the money and you will admire these daily I guarantee you.

To view more details on the Neytiri statue - just click the bottom, larger image!



I will be ordering one of these pronto. Let me know if you pull the trigger too on one of these stunning pieces of art!

"Thor" Comic-Con trailer!

Who knows how long this will stay up, but The Pursuitist has a (non-embed) copy of the Thor reel that was shown at Comic-Con up.  So go watch it already HERE: http://pursuitist.com/arts/thor-comic-con-trailer-watch/

Looks pretty damn good if you ask me. The way it's cut looks a lot like what the first "real" trailers will probably look like: A "story" trailer with lots of fanservice in the margins. It's not quite the "holy shit!" of the first Iron Man trailer, but we do get to see how everyone "looks" under proper lighting and post-production, all the main guys in full armor and helmets, how the hammer fighting/throwing is being staged, what the basic story is (Thor depowered and busted-down to Earth, has to prove himself as a hero so he can get his hammer and powers back), how/where it "fits together" with Iron Man 2 and how Destroyer looks in motion. With a few moments snipped for time, this could (and SHOULD) be playing in theaters now.

New SAW 3D Poster Is Absolutely MIND BLOWING!

We have the new Saw 3D poster for you - and it is mind blowing ;-)



Storyline:
This October, one of the biggest, most successful horror franchises in movie history arrives in theaters in vivid, chilling 3D with the release of Lionsgate's Saw 3D.

As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror...

The first theatrical feature to be shot exclusively on the cutting-edge SI-3D digital camera system, Saw 3D brings the horrifying games of Jigsaw to life like never before.

Director: Kevin Greutert
Writer: Marcus Dunstan
Studio: Lionsgate
Cast: Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Costas Mandylor

Release: October 22, 2010

More when we get it!!

THE 3D EXPERIENCE Set To Rock Times Square In September! Registration Opens Next Week!!

Guys - The 3D Experience (in collaboration with THR) is going to be a huge event and right fair in the middle of Times Square! I am heading to New York to cover the 3 day festival that runs September 24 - 26 and I am getting amped!!

Registration opens next week.

There will be a free, open to the public 3D Experience Showroom with thousands of consumers checking out what is brand spanking new in 3D TVs, 3D Movies, 3D Gaming, 3D Cameras and more. The showroom will be located at 226 West 44th Street at the Discovery Times Square Exposition and runs for the length of the festival.

Most of The 3D Experience is focused on the consumer and bringing the public up to speed on all things 3D. 3D movie screenings will be running in conjunction with festival partner AMC Empire 25 (the busiest theater in the nation) right in Times Square.

The VIP and press lounge will be in the NASDAQ MarketSite at 4 Times Square. I will be hanging out here quite a bit in between catching the Sessions and Forum.

The Forum is geared toward 3D industry professionals and press bringing clarity to 3D on the big screen, at home, 2D to 3D conversions and other timely issues. There will be a panel discussion as well with leading directors, producers and cinematographers.

In addition to the Forum, 3D professionals and press will be able to take part in side by side demonstrations of all the newest 3D TVs.

I love the philosophy of this festival! The 3D Experience is placing a huge emphasis on consumer needs and wants while still presenting extremely compelling professional content. Together the energy will be amazing to watch.

I'll be taking in as many 3D screenings as possible and I am looking forward to making some hard 3D TV comparisons! There is some confusion right now about all the different consumer choices in 3D home theater and of course the whole 2D to 3D conversion issue. I will be covering it all on location in New York so stay tuned! More info coming as their website is updated...

Guillermo del Toro To Direct AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS Next? With Cameron Producing??

Sounds too good to be true! Keep in mind folks this is still just a rumor but it has been reported by Deadline that Guillermo del Toro's next project will be H.P. Lovecraft's AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS!! Deadline is usually reliable (but do tend to steal other's exclusives once in awhile).

The kicker is that James Cameron has apparently agreed to lend his name as a Producer! I am a bit taken aback by that, but if true certainly underscores the relationship that Cameron and del Toro have fostered over the years. Seems Cameron trusts him to deliver a great 3D movie. Bring it on!

As AICN has postulated - wouldn't MADNESS look great as an R-rated tentpole? You bet. We are all with you Guillermo!!

Check Out The New Disney Featurette - A TANGLED World: Creating The Difference

We have a new featurette for you from Disney (courtesy of AwardsDaily) focusing on the creation of TANGLED. The imagery is amazing. And it should be, the directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard used Disneyland's own Fantasyland for inspiration. LOVE the forest pub idea they have come up with...

Storyline:
The long-haired Princess Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but when she falls in love with a bandit who was passing by she must venture into the outside world for the first time to find him.

Mandy Moore voices Zapunzel and Zachary Levi takes on Flynn Rider's character.



TANGLED will be released in limited theaters on November 12 and will taken wide on November 24.

First Look: Warner Bros YOGI BEAR!!

Gotta love it! This movie looks to be done just the way I had imagined it and seems to be capturing the pure fun and enjoyment of the original TV animation.

Click to enlarge.

Eric Brevig (JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH) is directing in NATIVE 3D. Next up for him will be the Korean War epic 17 DAYS OF WINTER.

Mark my words, this movie is going to do serious business. Of course kids are going to want to watch it, but it will also bring in all those baby boomers who grew up on the picnic basket pilfering bear.

Here's the storyline:
Jellystone Park has been losing business, so greedy Mayor Brown decides to shut it down and sell the land. That means families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors — and, even worse, Yogi and Boo Boo will be tossed out of the only home they’ve ever known. Faced with his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove that he really is “smarter than the average bear” as he and Boo Boo join forces with their old nemesis Ranger Smith to find a way to save Jellystone Park from closing forever.

Voices by Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake, Anna Faris, TJ Miller, Tom Cavanagh, and Andrew Daly.

YOGI BEAR hits theaters December 17!

Just pure fun. We need more of that! More when I get it...

This is a real thing

via Yahoo!

Classic Animation buffs will, of course, note the irony of a Golden Age Hannah-Barbera character being presented in 33333DDDDD ;)

re: Oliver Stone steps in it

(intended for posting as a response in the Oliver Stone thread, posted on-page instead because it's long-ish)

Anti-semitism is the original sin of Western Civilization. Scratch the surface of ANY extremism and you'll find it down there somewhere. I'm told it's more pronounced in Europe, where it has a longer and more socially-ingrained history, but it bubbles up here in the U.S. on either "side."


By and large, Religious Conservatives seem to "support" Israel because of some sort of End Times fixation. POLITICAL Conservatives, on the other hand, seem to "support" Israel less out of pro-Jewish leanings than anti-Arab leanings. Generalizations, of course, but not unreasonably so.

ACTUAL American Jews, meanwhile, remain a largely liberal/Democrat voting base; though many American liberals (IMO) tend to be foolish and reactionary when it comes to appraisals of Israel/Palestine, as though they're ideology won't let them "process" the idea of a conflict where the rich nation is the "good guys" (re: democratic, primarily fighting on defense) and the poorer nation is full of "bad guys" (re: terrorism, civilian targets, religious bigotry); reflexively "siding" with Palestine without much regard for history. Though I hasten to add, it MUST be noted (by both sides) that The Palestinians are basically being "used" to wage a proxy war by outside-funded agitators at this point in the story.

One death is not "worse" than another in the broad sense, but the Holocaust IS a special case because of it's circumstances and what it symbolizes: The Industrial Age - which was supposed to civilize the world - used to committ THE fundamentally uncivilized act. It was the first genocide-by-assembly-line. That's important. Yes, Hitler DID kill more Russians - but that was a war with both sides taking casualties, something that's been with us since the beginning. Horrible, but not unique.

That people still need the singular uniqueness of The Holocaust "explained" to them, and why so many can shrug it off as some kind of "overrated" atrocity kept alive for sympathy by the omnipresent "Israel Lobby" is why Stone is WRONG, and we DO need to keep focusing on it. Because some of us still just don't get it.

Moving.... again!

Tomorrow I'll be traveling ... again!!! LOL! I'm really tired of traveling, think I had enough. This time is -again- to another country where I hope I'll stay for a long time!!! All my stuff left yesterday and me will leave tomorrow. Hope to get settle fast so I can go back to do what I really like: watching films and sharing with you all.

Cheers!!!

Wargames: The Dead Code

Tim Burton Is Bringing MONSTERPOCALYPSE To The Big Screen!

This one slipped under my radar but I thought I should update you guys asap. My friend Peter over at /Film spoke with producer Roy Lee about the upcoming Tim Burton project MONSTERPOCALYPSE (quite a mouth full)...

Here are the abbreviated details:
- John August is writing the screenplay right now, consulting with the game’s creator Matt Wilson (who is also a co-producer)
- Tim Burton is developing the project to direct.
- Being developed as a 3D movie.
- It could hit theaters by the end of 2012.
- Will not feature other properties like Voltron.
- The plot involves giant monsters who attack earth. After the humans fight back, the monsters retreat, but it is quickly discovered that they didn’t leave, but instead burrowed underground and are sending some sort of signal into space. The humans prepare for a possible future attach and developed giant robots that will fight the monsters if and when they return.
- Most of the movie is going to be during that battle between the giant robots and the giant monsters.
- Tim Burton is developing the look for the monsters with Ken Ralston, four time Academy Award winner who has been involved with the visual effects on films such as Forrest Gump, Death Becomes Her, Back to the Future series, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Cocoon, Dragonslayer, Star Wars trilogy.
- The monsters and robots are each the size of a very tall building.
- The robots are controlled by a crew inside of each one of these robots, and we’ll be seeing the battles from the inside of the bridge and the outside.

Sounds like a better adaption than most of the other board game movies in development right now, but then again we have not heard too much about them other than casting (Rihanna is joining BATTLESHIP for example. Okaaaayyyyy).

Could be a very visually appealing Burton movie. No word on what role Johnny Depp will play... ;-)

Another GREEN LANTERN Poster!

Hey guys - check out the super busy Ryan Reynolds in this new GREEN LANTERN poster.

Click to enlarge.

Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Martin Campbell
Writer: Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Michael Green
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins, Mark Strong, Taika Waititi, Temuera Morrison, Angela Bassett, Jay O. Sanders, Jon Tenney

Release: June 17, 2011

The man is an acting robot! He has BURIED coming out this year and then two massive movies for 2011 - GREEN LANTERN and DEADPOOL. "Super" busy is right with playing all these super heroes.

Johnny Depp's Teaser Trailer For ON STRANGER TIDES!

**Update July 30: Just got the official version of the clip! Check it out below...

**Same Day Update: I have been requested by Jerry Bruckheimer's team to remove the video, to which I have complied. Too bad, I enjoyed it immensely!

LOL. I love how he captures an audience! Johnny Depp is truly one of the great actors of his generation. Depp's acting range is unmatched and Captain Jack Sparrow will go down as probably his greatest character.

Disney is right to place him front and center with PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES because much of the previous star power is now gone: Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley will not be returning. Geoffrey Rush is still there though thank the movie gods.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer needs a massive hit too. Lately his stock has fallen somewhat, but still $326 million worldwide is not too shabby for PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME - it is just not Bruckheimer numbers that's all. THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE is languishing too; just $68 million worldwide to date. That one hurts - though I enjoyed it somewhat.

Check out Depp's little rant - all in character!



Director: Rob Marshall
Writer: Ted Elliott
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penelope Cruz

Release: May 20, 2011

There are not many surer bets than a PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequel is there?

New MEGAMIND Trailer

Time to get caught up with all the new 3D movie trailers! Here is the latest MEGAMIND trailer from Dreamworks Animation (DWA) and we are finally seeing the moment where Megamind kills off his nemisis and the resulting repercussions. Should make for some funny moments.

I believe DWA is going for more 3D in your face action with this outing and who can blame them at all on that? It is a comedy animation after all. Horror should be doing the same thing. Anything over the top like SAW 3D should be quite the experience. Just don't pop things out at people in dramas or even sci-fi / fantasy.

But I digress - here is the new MEGAMIND trailer:



Director: Tom McGrath
Writer: Alan Schoolcraft
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Cast: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey

Release: November 5, 2010

Once we get past the repeat footage from the first trailer, it gets rather interesting. I doubt it will do HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON numbers, but we'll see.

Oliver Stone steps in it

And here we go again.

Oliver Stone has been on a slow slide into irrelevance ever since "World Trade Center" and "W" both more-or-less dissapointed, leading some to wonder if the famously erratic onetime visionary had lost more than a little of his mind. Apparently, in an interview with the London Sunday Times, he opted not to help his case.

In discussing a forthcoming documentary touching on the rise of Nazism, Stone laments a somehow-"outsized" focus on The Holocaust, which he blames on "Jewish domination of the media."

And he didn't stop there. Continues Stone:
"There's a major lobby in the United States. They are hard workers. They stay on top of every comment, the most powerful lobby in Washington. Israel has f***** up United States foreign policy for years."

Yeesh. What, was he reading all Mel Gibson's press and feeling left out?

Did a Marvel movie prop just tease The Avengers' villain?

(Hey look, another new format feature: JUMP BREAKS!)

Shorthand auto-headline for pretty much every image coming out of Comic-Con in relation to the Marvel Films slate: "If This Is What It Looks Like... This Is Awesome." See: Yesterday's web-shuddering revelation of a certain Special Object being somehow involved in "Captain America." (Note, since that story is a report on something that was publically shown at SDCC, I don't know that it counts as a SPOILER or not, but just in case call this a light-warning.)

And then there's THIS rather ostentatious-looking piece of handwear, which was apparently out on the floor along with the already widely-seen Captain America shield and Thor/Loki/Odin helmets. And, well, if this is what it sure-as-hell LOOKS like it is...

...Holy shit.

Fans don't need me to tell them what they seem to be looking at. For non-fans: That's almost-certainly a Marvel Universe MacGuffin known as "The Infinity Gauntlet." Short version: Magic Glove inlaid with six Magic Gems representing absolute power over Time, Space, Mind, Soul, Reality and Power, respectively. If you're wearing it, you're pretty much God. Keeping this from certain bad guys is really, really important. So... it's a more ostentatious "One Ring," would be the idea.

Now, here's why this should give fans something close to an intellectual-erection: While this is supposed to be a prop from "Thor," The Infinity Gauntlet isn't specifically a Thor element in the books. In fact, it doesn't "belong" to any one hero's series or continuity. It's an "everybody" MacGuffin, most-commonly associated with (in fact, created-by) one of Marvel's ultimate "everybody" Big Bads: THANOS.

Created by "cosmic"-specializing artist/writer Jim Starlin, Thanos is a nearly all-powerful alien conqueror who is "the ultimate nihilist" - he is in love with Death (literally - in the Marvel Universe, important esoteric "concepts" like Eternity and Infinity have sentient physical embodiments, and Death is nominally-"female") and typically wants to commit acts of universe-scale genocide in order to impress her. Really.

In other words, EXACTLY the sort of "too big for one guy" threat that Marvel Films' has kept hinting would be the "only" thing that could bring The Avengers together for the movie. He'd certainly be right up there with also-speculated potential enemies like the Skrulls (aliens) H.Y.D.R.A. (Neo-Nazis, James Bond style) The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson at some point after he exits the "Hulk" movie) or A.I.M. (made scientists), but for whatever reason he never seemed to be at the top of anyone's list. Hell, I'd never have even thought to consider him, mostly because he's always been on that list of "Things I'll Never See In a Movie." But, then again, yesterday I never would've believed I'd see a live-action Infinity Gauntlet.

This is really happening.

New JACKASS 3D Poster!

The poster is not much to look at if you ask me and the old school anaglyph glasses are not correct of course - but what do you want from JACKASS anyway? :-)

I have heard some very interesting (and good) things about how the JACKASS 3D footage looked at Comic-Con and my favorite review is from /Film. I recommend having a listen. Everything from a flying port-a-potty (the "poo cocktail supreme") to a human pinata.

Apparently the film is mostly shot in native 3D, a maximum of 90 minutes long and truly utilizes the full extent of the power of three dimensions :-) I BET! This movie is going to have us in stitches. More when I get it.

Is THIS the new "Godzilla?"

Legendary Pictures is prepping another stab at an American-produced "Godzilla" feature, and apparently they've been showing THIS image around Comic-Con. It has an AR (Altered-Reality) stamp on it that makes a roaring sound and particle-effect fire when held up to a webcam that's been teased on AR sites, so apparently it's legitimate product. Question is, is THIS what the new Godzilla actually looks like?

Because if so, color me 99% "sold." I just want to see his feet - I'm hoping they've opted to accept that Godzilla just "has" humanoid proportions and not try and give him more "authentic" tri-jointed legs or feet like most re-design attempts have.

Must Watch: PRIEST Trailer!

I wasn't expecting this type of vampire at all! Sony's PRIEST is full of surprises. Paul Bettany looks awesome in the role and the creatures he battles looks very similar to the I AM LEGEND strain.

An apocalyptic and futuristic vision of not only how vampire slaying has progressed but how the church deals with it.

A warrior priest (Paul Bettany) disobeys Church law by teaming with a young sheriff (Cam Gigandet) and a beautiful priestess (Maggie Q). The three band together to track down a band of renegade vampires who have kidnapped the priest's niece before they turn her into one of them.

Director: Scott Stewart
Writer: Cory Goodman
Studio: Screen Gems
Cast: Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Cam Gigandet

Release: May 13, 2011



What do you think? It is not in high resolution yet, but still enjoyable. Almost looks like another planet at times! PRIEST is being converted - BUT they are taking their time and Sony has a lot riding on the success of 3D so you can look forward to good things I am sure. For me, this trailer has only increased my interest in the movie and I am looking forward to seeing more!

SPOILERS!! TRON: LEGACY Footage From Comic-Con Leaked!! 7 1/2 Minutes!!!

SAMEDAY UPDATE: Screencap and leaked footage removed. Sorry if you missed it!

**SPOILER ALERT**

WHOA! TRON: LEGACY looks absolutely stunning!! Wait until we see this in 3D theaters guys!

Note that some at the convention thought the footage looked quite flat but could simply be a matter of them rushing the scenes for the show. In fact, most of the spy footage shown here seems perfectly viewable in 2D, so those thoughts on it being flat ARE correct. I am confident we will have a wonderful experience with this movie however. There are some great people working on this film and there is a lot at stake. This movie WILL blow your mind.

Without further ado, here is the spy footage!

**Video clip removed**

Tron Legacy is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that's unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writer: Eddie Kitsis Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Garrett Hedlund, Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner

Release: December 17, 2010

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!!!

"Avengers" at Comic-Con

So... Marvel Films got the entire "hero cast" of The Avengers up onstage at Comic-Con. Everyone was expecting it, but it's still pretty incredible that this is actually happening.

Also incredible yet wholly expected: Mark Ruffalo is the new Hulk, Jeremy Renner is Hawkeye, and Joss Whedon is directing.

There were also teaser trailers and rough scenes shown for "Thor" and "Captain America," and from Slashfilm I find some details from a "Cap" scene they showed revealing A.) one of the ways Cap will tie in with certain other Avengers characters (what sort of mythology was it Nazis were obsessed with, again? Heh.) and B.) which HUGE piece of the Marvel arcana is playing a previously-unmentioned part... and my mind is now BLOWN!

Quick Post: New DRIVE ANGRY Teaser Trailer!!!

Check this out guys! This is going to be a fun, FUN movie...



DRIVE ANGRY centers on a vengeful father (Nicolas Cage) who hunts down the people who brutally killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby. As the chase gets bloodier by the mile, his rescue spins out of control, leaving bodies strewn along highways.

Director: Patrick Lussier
Writer: Todd Farmer
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Cast: Nicolas Cage, William Fichtner, Amber Heard

Release: February 11, 2011

Marvel's THE AVENGERS: May 4, 2012!! Mark Ruffalo Is THE HULK!

YES! This is the news we have been waiting for (other than official confirmation that THE AVENGERS will be shot in native 3D)! Today at Comic-Con, director Joss Whedon walked on stage at the tail end of the CAPTAIN AMERICA and THOR panel with the entire top line cast for THE AVENGERS armed with a release date - May 4, 2012!!

Who are THE AVENGERS? Robert Downey Jr. as IRON MAN, Mark Ruffalo as THE HULK, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Evans as CAPTAIN AMERICA, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as THOR, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Clark Gregg as Coulson.

I don't have to say that this movie has the potential to be the all time greatest comic adaption. Better than SPIDER-MAN (my personal fav). Better than BATMAN (Ok, maybe not TDK!). Better than SUPERMAN. What a cast!

I have a few requests for Marvel and I would like to hear yours too! First, native 3D. Second, I want to see the Hulkbuster Iron Man armor. Third, make the darn thing LEGENDARY. How about you?

Photo courtesy of FirstShowing

More DRIVE ANGRY Photos!

Got some more photos of Patrick Lussier's DRIVE ANGRY for you as you prepare to get in your car to go see INCEPTION for the umpteenth time tonight!

Click image to enlarge.

First up is Amber Heard sitting in what I believe is the movie's soon to be famous Dodge Charger, then we have David Morse and Nicolas Cage prepping for some shotgun bloodworks and finally a look at Billy Burke clutching a handy bone club.

Producer Michael De Luca had this to say about the movie (Slight spoilers): "Nic (Cage) starts this movie off in this same kind of genre of ‘I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. I can't trust anyone else to do this but me.' We're back in the age of the individualistic righteous hero. That [opening] scene is a great indicator of the kind of movie you're going to see. There's an insane car chase involving an RV, a Suburban, the Dodge Charger, police cars – it was a big clusterf*ck multi-vehicle car chase scene after a church gun fight that I think will be a showstopper and that's kind of in the middle of the movie. And then of course our ending, where Nic goes in for the final kill. Which actually shows his car performing the last example of heroics and just jumping over a prison wall and landing in the middle of this horrific scene where he has to rescue his granddaughter. I think those three bits will be the calling card for this movie in terms of ‘I haven't seen that before'. What's great is they all have an emotional undercurrent."

I have heard (via BloodyDisgusting - they had an awesome set visit) that this film is 40% driving cars and 60% on foot! Muscle car mania in a 3D hard R thriller. Sounds good! Will keep you updated when I get more...

Sources: Hollywood.com | BloodyDisgusting

The Firm (1993 film)

Escape to the Movies: "Salt"

click here for the site

Intermission: "Why Movies Suck Now - Part II: The Reality"

Scarlett Johansson Falls For Role In Alfonso Cuarón’s GRAVITY!

Not completely sold on this casting but they could do far worse I suppose. Scarlett Johansson apparently has verbally committed to taking the lead in Alfonso Cuarón’s GRAVITY, a contemporary survival thriller that follows a woman as she attempts to make her way back to earth after a satellite crash sets off a chain reaction of further crashes. Scarlett's role in IRON MAN 2 was half decent so we'll see.

Angelina Jolie was the first to be considered but she allegedly did not want to share screen time with a leading man. That leading man is Robert Downey Jr. who practically owns the screen anytime he is on it. So in steps Johansson and I think it is a brilliant move for her career wise.

You know Alfonso Cuarón from THE CHILDREN OF MEN and HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN. He has had 3 Oscar nominations and is easily ready to make the big leap to a space thriller.

The potential for this film is enormous. A full 60% of the movie will be CG (similar to AVATAR) and Cuarón is well known for his long, continuous shots. In fact the opening shot is said to be at least 20 minutes long! We know that long, fluid shots are PERFECT for stereoscopic 3D. Should be a project to anticipate without question!

Source: NYDailyNews

BMC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: MARTYRS

Martyrs (2008)

• 
• 

• Morjana Alaoui,
• Mylène Jampanoï,
• Catherine Bégin

The Brotherhood of the Wolf director Pascal Lauguier follows his 2004 thriller House of Voices with this relentlessly brutal tale of a girl who suffered unimaginable abuse as a young child, and the unspeakable horrors that unfold when she arrives at an isolated cabin in the woods fifteen years later. The story begins as the young, badly battered Lucie (Mylène Jampanoï) -- obviously the victim of inhuman abuse -- is hospitalized after somehow managing to escape her sadistic captors. Nearly catatonic after her life-altering ordeal, Lucie only manages to become functional again as a result of her friendship with Anna (Morjana Alaoui), a fellow abuse victim who selflessly reaches out to the badly damaged girl. Fifteen years later, Lucie guns down an entire family in cold blood. Is Lucie seeking belated vengeance against the people who tortured her as a young girl, or has her fragile psyche finally snapped, resulting in the bloody demise of an innocent family? Later, when Lucie calls on her old friend Anna, the truth about Lucie's traumatic early life experience slowly comes into focus. – All-Movie Guide

72% liked it

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Director: Pascal Laugier

 

July 18, 2010: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Martyrs. “Yeah it’s a great film.” noted Let the Right One In author John Ajvide Lindqvist, “Don’t see it.”

As any horror fan who doesn’t mind reading subtitles knows, France is the go-to place right now for visceral, gory, and (sometimes) thought-provoking chillers. And as Mr. Lindqvist’s comment hints at, Martyrs stands near the top of the bloody heap. Personally, I think Alexandre Bustillo’s Inside is the better film, but that’s like picking which leg you’d rather have stuck in a trap and have to chew off while simultaneously discussing the meaning of life. There ain’t much difference. As far as mixing metaphysics with meat grinding goes, Martyrs gets the job done just fine.

The trick to making it through Martyrs (besides closing your eyes a lot if you tend to chunk noodles easily) is to hang in there until Act II. That’s when the film begins to head off into more philosophical (yet still repulsive) territory. And when mysticism enters the picture in Act III, you might just find that the director is intent on more than just making you ill. Not that he avoids doing that, mind you.

You see, the final third of the movie revolves around the original Greek meaning of the word martyr as one who bears witness to the truth. Death wasn’t really part of the equation. It was only around the time of the Maccabees that religious persecution began to be associated with the word, and only in the first few centuries of Christianity that martyrdom came to be seen, as the Catechism defines it, as “the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death.”

It’s important to grasp the distinction between the original meaning of the word and our current usage if you’re going to make sense of the ending of Martyrs. (This assumes, of course, that you’ve actually made it to end rather than fled the room to go vomit.) You see, in Christianity, the reason the martyr is willing to submit to pain and persecution, even death, is everything. It can even bring a certain internal happiness to the situation. That’s how St. Paul can exclaim in this week’s readings, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church.” But in the original secular sense of the word, the motivation of the martyrs is inconsequential. It is only that they provide answers which is of any importance. Understanding that the antagonists of Martyrs hold to the old meaning is necessary to put the brutality of the movie into some kind of meaningful context. There is no joy in the fate of some of the characters in Martyrs which, when you consider the secularist state of France right now, is just what you would expect.

WATCH: New SAW 3D Trailer!

Well all good things must come to an end and the SAW franchise is no exception ($730m+ over 7 years + 30m DVDs sold). Director James Wan's short video teaser to Lionsgate sold them on the concept and the original movie (2004) was then shot in 17 days for $1m. The film then earned $55m and the rest is history. There was a new SAW movie every year since. Lionsgate has confirmed this will be the last of them all.

I have enjoyed the long run, though the last movie kinda suffered. I am sure that they will be making it up to us with SAW 3D - in fact there will be 11 trap devices this time around which is almost double what their typical movie has. Apparently Lionsgate had to edit, re-edit and resubmit no less than 6 times to the MPAA to get an R rating instead of a NC-17.

SAW will be awarded the "Most Successful Horror Movie Series" by the Guinness Book of World Records at Comic-Con this year. Congratulations guys!

SAW 3D opens nationwide on October 29. The 3D glasses device you are now wearing on your face is about to send uncontrollable adrenaline coursing through your veins... :-)

MUST WATCH: New TRON: LEGACY Trailer!!

Whoa. Glad to see that my sources haven't let us down by endorsing TRON: LEGACY early on! Check out this wicked new trailer for the upcoming Disney Digital 3D revisit to the TRON universe and tell me what you think.

The excitement continues for the second year in a row at Comic-Con in marketing TRON. Updates will be ongoing during the show.

TRON: LEGACY will be upon us December 17.

A young Jeff Bridges! Don't forget that the 3D in this movie is supposed to rival if not best AVATAR. Be ready for it!! More when we get it...

New Photos And Art: DRIVE ANGRY!!

I have been pleasantly surprised by how DRIVE ANGRY is turning out! When I heard it was a supernatural thriller and that Nicolas Cage would be in it I knew something would be up, but to be honest I didn't think it would this enticing.

Click photos to enlarge.

It helps to have two great guys writing too. Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier have worked together before (MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D) and are capable of great things, especially in 3D.

First lets take a look at Nicolas Cage as Milton, who as we now know (read below) busts out of hell itself to try to save his grand daughter's life. Cage looks darn good for this role; I hope he knocks it out of the park.

Here is the DRIVE ANGRY storyline:

In the newest 3D action-adventure from the director of MY BLOODY VALENTINE, DRIVE ANGRY stars Nicolas Cage as Milton, a hardened felon who has broken out of hell for one last chance at redemption. Intent on stopping a vicious cult who murdered his daughter, he has three days to stop them before they sacrifice her baby beneath a full moon.

He's joined by Piper (Amber Heard) – a young, sexy waitress who liberates her ex-boyfriend's cherry-red muscle car in order to help Milton. Now, the two of them are hot on the trail of the deadly leader of the cult, Jonah King (Billy Burke), who believes it is his destiny to use the baby to unleash hell on earth.

But the bloodthirsty cult is the least of Milton's problems. The police are after him too. And worse, an enigmatic killer known only as "The Accountant" (2nd Photo) – who has been sent by the Devil to retrieve Milton and deliver him back to hell. With wicked cunning and hypnotic savagery, the Accountant will relentlessly pursue Milton at high speed across the country until his mission is accomplished.

Fueled by high octane and pure rage, Milton must use his anger to go beyond all human limits to avenge his daughter’s murder, before his last chance at redemption is revoked.

Finally, let's take a look at some concept art from Summit Entertainment for the movie. They certainly gives you a feeling of despair and desperation doesn't it?

I wonder if that is Milton's daughter or granddaughter under that tree?

DRIVE ANGRY is slated for a February 11, 2011 release and has some pretty nice spacing between other 3D movies at that time - THE GREEN HORNET launches January 14 and James Cameron's SANCTUM dives in on March 4. The number of 3D screens is not as much of an issue as it used to be, but it is good to see that spacing for this project as it should benefit all involved.

Looks like a classic bridge jump scene too and the cars look decidedly older don't they? Should be cool to hear the old big block, 4 barrel V-8s kicking in.

I discovered a shot of Patrick Lussier (Director) and Steve Danton (Assistant Director) on Todd Farmer's blog and noted that the bridge they are on could very well be the jump scene bridge from the concept art. Looks quite cold at that location too.

Next up for Lussier is HALLOWEEN III (again Todd Farmer is writing) with a October 31, 2011 release. Busy guys!! Farmer is also working on a project I am really looking forward to - my buddy Thomas Janes' DEVIL'S COMMANDOS. More on that one soon. I have got a great feeling about it.

If you will note in the last image of what seems like hell or hell on earth, there is a car entering the shot from above with headlights blazing! Looks to be aimed at that same tree too.

I hope the money is spent on the right special effects too - nobody needs to see a cheesy hell. Am I right? The images look good though. And I expect great things from the Lussier/Farmer team.

Good luck putting the final touches on this film guys!

Sources: HitFix | Summit Entertainment

New THOR Photo: Hemsworth With Mjolner!

THOR photos are coming fast and furious now! Here we see Chris Hemsworth as Donald Blake (THOR's second self) trying to pick up the famous hammer Mjolner. He can't move the weapon at this stage according to /Film and their handy dandy comic consultant Harry Hopkinson.

I am beginning to see why Marvel went with Hemsworth for the role. Hope he pulls it off.

Official storyline:
Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the epic adventure, “Thor,” which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love. It’s while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

THOR hammers theaters nationwide on May 6, 2011.

Nolan's DP Wally Pfister Puts His Foot In His Mouth. In 3D No Less.

Wally Pfister, director of photography for Christopher Nolan on THE DARK KNIGHT and INCEPTION, obviously he knows what he is doing, right? Well yes, in 2D anyway. A genius even in 2D.

When Pfister compares modern 3D to a viewmaster and to IMAX, either he is being extremely ignorant of just what modern stereoscopic 3D is or he is just being abrasive? Perhaps he is getting hot under the collar because he has to answer so many questions to do with the subject. Who knows for sure?

Obviously a viewmaster is a VERY layered device. To throw all of modern 3D into that small box is indeed quite ignorant. Films shot in native 3D like AVATAR and TRON: LEGACY are far from looking through a viewmaster and are revolutionary movies that should be revered as trailblazers, not a child's toy. Perhaps he was speaking to solely 3d conversions and in that case he may have a slight semblance of a point. Pfister does not specify what brand of 3D,- so naturally the lay reader will throw them all together into just 3D. Shameful. This coming from a professional cinematographer no less.

3D vs. IMAX? Again an ignorant statement. They are not competing formats whatsoever! In fact quite often IMAX movies are shown in 3D and the two are very much intertwined. Pfister says: "I must say I'm a huge IMAX fan. I like IMAX more than I like 3-D." Is he actually trying to get consumers to think that if they like IMAX they shouldn't like 3D? Shameful.

BATMAN 3 will be a 3D movie guys. I don't know this for sure of course, but quite frankly I like how James Cameron words it (paraphrasing): It is in reverse somewhat now. It should be that filmmakers are approaching the studios with their reasons for making a movie in 3D, but in many cases today the studios are demanding 3D. In other words, DPs and directors have been sitting on the fence and not taking action to pick up 3D preemptively. Now they are suffering the consequences and are fighting the tide. Too late.

So it will be with Warner Bros. vs. Wally Pfister. Who do you think will emerge the victor? Consider that Warner Bros. is betting the bank on 3D and that all future tentpoles will be made in stereo. Who pays for the whole shot? Not Pfister. Consumers want 3D - they have spoken through an open marketplace.

If I were Wally Pfister, I would start embracing 3D as a valid medium. I would be careful what I say in public. When he said "Are you really getting more out of the story with 3-D? When you separate those different planes and you’re creating artificial depth, it looks phony to me.", do you think he knows what he is talking about? Is he talking about conversions (bad ones at that) or native 3D? Why is he not clearly defining the difference for the lay person? He must not have seen AVATAR as there was nothing phony about how Cameron was able to draw us into the movie through 3D.

If I were Wally Pfister, I would go get some 3D schooling no matter how embarrassing it would be with his experience. 3D is here, it is staying and will continue to dominate. Get over it. At least Christopher Nolan is much more diplomatic about it and sees what the end game really is: He will be creating a 3D movie at some point in the future.

I find it shameful that posts like this need to be written at all. When movie professionals stop spewing fear, uncertainty and doubt to the general public, I guess I can relent then. I count Pfister right up there with Roger Ebert. Congratulations on that Wally.