- Twilight's First Official Photo and Why I'm Passing
- Rumor: Matthew McConaughey Possibly Captain America - Blasphemy!
- Sound Off: Iron Man - What Did You Think?
- Must Watch: Second Full Trailer for The Dark Knight!
- Pirates' Gore Verbinski to Direct BioShock Movie! (May 9, 2008)
- Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back? (May 9, 2008)
- Warner Independent Pictures and Picturehouse Shut Down! (May 8, 2008)
- John Waters is Back - Directing Fruitcake with Johnny Knoxville! (May 8, 2008)
| Speed Racer | 8/10 |
| Iron Man | 10/10 |
| Iron Man | 9/10 |
| Baby Mama | 7.5/10 |
Kevin's Review: Then She Found Me - Helen Hunt's Happy Start
Where has Helen Hunt been? The 44-year-old actress was a hot property during the late nineties and around the millennium, but she's largely laid low since then. She's now starring as the lead in Then She Found Me, which serves as a bit of a return for her to the mainstream, as well as her debut as a director. She did one thing right from the start as a virgin behind the camera: cast Bette Midler. If ever there were a chick-flick tractor beam for adults, it's Midler and her undying cred from Beaches. Wrap this around a sentimental mother-daughter movie about modern day life and love, and you have guaranteed box office gold. Let's hope so. Then She Found Me is a great directorial first for Hunt that manages to touch on an impressive number of grown-up dramas, while keeping the comedy as pure accessory, resulting in a grounded and very likable film.
Official First Look: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
Well, it's not exactly the very first look - there has been many quick citizen photographers in San Francisco - but moreso the first official photo of Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay big city official that was elected in 1977 and then assassinated in 1978. Milk's story is being adapted for the big screen by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester), titled just Milk, which just finished filming and is due out November 26th later this year. Here's the photo straight from EW.com with a few more new details.
Ellen Page Cast as Jane Eyre Next
As many know, I love me some Ellen Page, ever since she surprised audiences as the adorable little psycho in Hard Candy. Her role in Juno was equally impressive, but obviously on the other end of the spectrum. As for Smart People, she seemed to channel her Juno performance a bit, which is to say she delivered the familiar beyond-her-years intelligence and jokes. So I've started to wonder whether she's in fear of typecasting, since she plays the whip-smart young adult with a surprising degree of confidence and sophisticated humor so naturally. Page's recently announced project puts those fears to rest a bit, but now I wonder how well she'll pull this off. Producers of The Other Boleyn Girl are working with the BBC on yet another adaptation of Jane Eyre for which Page will play the lead.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon Remake Has Legs
Refreshingly, the latest news in the world of remakes isn't coming from the '80s. Instead, we get word of some needed wind in the sails of the long-discussed update of the 1954 classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The project has floated around for more than 10 years now and passed through the hands of such greats at Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. STYD brings us news that not only is the project on a solid path towards release next year, but good headway has already been made on the production.
Twilight's First Official Photo and Why I'm Passing
I'm sure today feels like Christmas for many a teenage girl, since we now have the first official photo of the cast for author Stephenie Meyer's upcoming adaptation, Twilight. Isn't it simply dripping with adolescent enchantment and tension? Okay, maybe that's a little gruff. But since first writing about the film's progress and the overabundance of the term "sensation" and J.K. Rowling references that seem to follow Meyers and her books, I'm still not converted. In fact, I can safely say now that I'm really not into it at all. I can just hear the clank of earrings being taken off as the throngs gear up for a fight. Take a breath and hear me out.
Update On The Descent 2 and It's Not Looking Good
When I learned that a sequel to 2006's The Descent was in the works, I was immediately excited - not because of continuing the story, per se, but because the original was just so good. But when I heard that Neil Marshall wouldn't be returning to direct, my enthusiasm withered. And with the plot details revealed today, I'd have to say that even my interest is waning at this point. Cinematical brings us a number of interesting details, which if you've seen the original brings about a number of disappointing realizations. Warning: the are some spoilers below if you're ready to continue.
Clint Eastwood is Grumpy Old Man in Gran Torino
As I suspected back in March, the cloaked news of Clint Eastwood's new movie, Gran Torino, is not the next installment in the Dirty Harry franchise. While the car harkens back to the time of Harry Callahan, it is in fact the prized possession of Eastwood's aged character - in the film. The December movie revolves around a kid who tries to steal it as part of a gang initiation. Apparently, despite what you might think, this isn't another Million Dollar Baby-type film, in which Eastwood begrudgingly imparts his elderly wisdom on someone wayward and younger; it's, seemingly a comedy of sorts — "a witty, coming-of-age, buddy comedy." Yeh, are you going, "huh" too?
Kevin's Review: Iron Man - Raising The Bar, Big Time
Robert Downey Jr. is definitely a wily character who has managed to leverage his frenetic genius all over Hollywood throughout recent memory (albeit in fits and starts) - a guy well-known for getting high and arrested back when such behavior was truly self-destructive as opposed to self-aggrandizing. Over the past few years, Downey has slowly molded a stronger (and more sober) foundation for himself in Hollywood, through supporting roles in Zodiac and Charlie Bartlett for instance. With this solid footing in place, I doubt anyone would have expected the actor to rocket off into the mainstream consciousness again via, of all things, a comic book adaptation. But that's just what Downey has done with the help of director Jon Favreau, and the result is pure gold. Well, red and gold, actually. With Iron Man, Downey and Favreau have bested nearly every comic book-turned movie in the last decade and delivered a perfect introduction to the character, setting a bar so high that few, regardless of respective superpower, have or will ever reach.
First Look: Evil-Doers of The Last House on the Left
Back in March we brought you word that the remake for The Last House on the Left had officially been occupied by wholesome parents-turned-avengers Monica Potter and Tony Goldwyn. And now, STYD tells (and shows) us who will be experiencing the business end of this domestic duo's revenge. Comprising the sadistic group are Garrent Dillahunt as Krug, Riki Lindhome as Sadie and Aaron Paul as Francis. Check out the brand new first look photos from the remake below!
New Photos: Coen Brother's Burn After Reading
The Coen Brother's hotly anticipated Burn After Reading (tentatively titled) is getting a lot of love this week. First we learn (via Yahoo) that the film, with its heavyweight cast of John Malkovich, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand, will headline the Venice Film Festival on August 27th. And today we get some new photos of these characters in what looks to be a dark comedy the likes of which only the Coen's could pull off. Ready to start the hype for this year's Coen Brothers hit?
Mel Gibson Acting Again in Edge of Darkness
Alleged anti-Semite Mel Gibson is returning to the big screen! Well, the 52-year-old is of course known for more than just insulting Jews; but since he hasn't acted on screen since M. Night Shyamalan's Signs in 2002 and infamously declared in 2006, "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" whilst getting arrested for drunk driving, I can't help but have that as my free-associate for the seasoned Aussie. Gibson will face the camera again in cooperation with the BBC for a film titled Edge of Darkness, based on the British TV series of the same name. Director, Martin Campbell of the Bond installments Casino Royale and Golden Eye, will fittingly helm the project, since he also directed the original series.
First Look: Denzel Washington in The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three
I was pretty excited to learn that James Gandolfini had been cast as the political heavy in Tony Scott's upcoming remake of the 1974 Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three. With John Travolta attached, along with Denzel Washington, this project is shaping up to be quite cool. And with just over a year until its theatrical release, Just Jared whets the appetite a bit with some early shots of Washington looking a bit like a really pissed off crossing guard.
RoboCop Remake Still Uncertain, But Screenwriter Ed Neumeier is Excited
Folks holding their breath for a RoboCop remake: continue to do so. Despite bringing you word last month that MGM included a remake on their line-up for the fall/winter this year, there's been little mention beyond that flirty seven-letter inclusion in the March press release. With the scent still lingering, MTV caught up with RoboCop's original screenwriter, Ed Neumeier, who is all about bringing the cyborg lawdog back. "I would love to make a RoboCop movie. I actually have a lot of ideas about what we could do with RoboCop now. I think he's a very vital character at the moment." Keep in mind, there's been no further word from MGM on where the project stands.
Marc Guggenheim's Resurrection Goes to Universal
Have you ever wondered what happened after the aliens in War of the Worlds rapidly died off? I picture an everyday citizen poignantly asking, "What the f*ck was that all about!?!" And then I picture news casts of scientific findings trying to explain the invasion, and death tolls and dollar signs resulting from the tripods' attacks. While we won't exactly get such a postmortem on H.G. Wells' classic, we should get a pretty nice look what it's like for the world to put itself back together in an upcoming film based on the comic Resurrection that Universal has recently optioned. The comic, written by Marc Guggenheim of "Eli Stone", will be published this summer by Oni Press.
J.J. Abrams Steps into Comedy with Hot for Teacher
J.J. Abrams, the "mystery box" producer behind Cloverfield and director of the upcoming Star Trek film, is taking a step into the more apparent and less labyrinthine. Abrams is set to produce a "Superbad-like" comedy called Hot for Teacher, which apparently surrounds a trio of high school virgins out to get laid before they graduate, with one targeting his teacher. I'm wondering: Does this storyline even sound interesting at this point, considering the well-played American Pie and Superbad? And is Abrams wanting him some Judd Apatow comedic notoriety?
Nick Stoller and Judd Apatow to Pair Again on Get Him to the Greek
The most memorable moments in Forgetting Sarah Marshall for most folks are probably Jason Segel's full-frontals. Jaw-dropping scenes, sure, but for me, Segel's package didn't hold up to Russell Brand's performance as the bohemian, sex-grazed Brit rock star Aldous Snow. The irreverent, dead-pan, accented humor just killed me. How kick-ass, then, to learn today that some of the best parts of Marshall are coming back together for a new film titled Get Him to the Greek - namely, director Nick Stoller, producer Judd Apatow and stars Jonah Hill and Brand.
Halle Berry Goes Nuts in Frankie and Alice
Speaking of another movie star with a continued appearance of dwindling talent and appeal, Variety tells us that Halle Berry has been cast to star in and produce a mental thriller called Frankie and Alice. The storyline sounds a tad interesting in that it surrounds a woman with split personalities, one of whom is her native persona while the other is "a racist Caucasian…that preys upon her mind." Talk about hating yourself.
Brett Ratner Continues Life Support on Eddie Murphy's Career
I think it's about time for Eddie Murphy to hang up comedy; unless, of course, he's simply lending his voice to a CGI donkey. But speaking of ass, on the heels of the colossally stupid Norbit and his recently announced Meet Dave (check out Alex's reaction to that trailer), word comes that Murphy is attached to Brett Ratner's still-in-negotiations The Incredible Shrinking Man remake. Ratner and Murphy together turning a sci-fi classic of the '50s into a comedy is not a promising equation at all. Let me say it now - this movie is going to suck.
Warren Zide Inks Deal With Parallel Media; Lines Up Bat Out of Hell
It sounds like Warren Zide, producer of the American Pie and Final Destination franchises, deserves a congratulatory round of applause today. Variety reports that Zide has inked an agreement with Parallel Media worth $70 million to be spread across eight films. One of those upcoming films, Bat Out of Hell, gets the teaser treatment today via STYD, who tells us the film promises to put a new spin on the classic monster movie, but set entirely up in an airplane.
Weinsteins Line Up Shanghai and Seven Samurai Remake
Today the Weinstein Company gives a faithful nod to their upcoming film The Forbidden Kingdom, the first of many projects stemming from their newly created Asian Film Fund. The fund sets aside money for "development, acquisition, financing, distribution and marketing" of Asian films and as of today, they will finance two new projects: Shanghai and a remake of Akira Kurosawa's iconic Seven Samurai. What has this world come to when remaking Seven Samurai becomes the latest Hollywood craze?!