Sound Off: Richard Kelly's The Box - What Did You Think?

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? Virginia-born filmmaker Richard Kelly has had a very interesting career so far. His first film, Donnie Darko, is still hailed as a masterpiece by many. His second, Southland Tales, is considered one of the worst films ever. Now he's back with his third film, The Box, not only a more accessible studio thriller, but Kelly's most personal film. But how does this one stack up? Is it closer to Donnie Darko or Southland Tales? Does it have a good story with twists and turns that all pay off? Sound off below, leave a comment or two, and let us know what you thought of Richard Kelly's The Box!

No District 9 Sequel Until Jackson & Blomkamp Are Ready

Isn't weird that even though a movie makes lots of money and is considered a huge success, no one wants to see a sequel. And yet movies that barely make any money somehow get sequels that no one wants (e.g. Ghost Rider)? Well, the good news is that we probably won't see a District 9 sequel for a few years. That's good because I don't want a sequel to be rushed into production. But it's also bad because I'd actually like to see them make District 10 at some point. Over on Deadline Hollywood, Nikki Finke has a new update saying, basically, that Neill Blomkamp and Peter Jackson won't come back unless (or until) they figure out a story.

Check This Out: xkcd's Brilliant/Confusing Movie Narrative Charts

I love xkcd. It's one of my favorite webcomics and is daily reading for me. It's very geeky, mainly for tech and math geeks, but it's brilliant. Simple style with big ideas. The latest comic created by Randall Munroe on xkcd.org features a series of Movie Narrative Charts that map out characters throughout an entire trilogy (specifically Lord of the Rings and Star Wars). It maps their relation (are they near or far from each other) over the horizontal axis of time. Take a look, it's pretty damn cool, you'll understand once you see it. And to top it all off, he threw in charts for 12 Angry Men and Primer as well, for a laugh. You've just got to see this!

Early Best Picture Predictions: Invictus & Hurt Locker Lead

I know we've still got a good two months left in the year and most of the heavy-hitting films haven't even been seen by anyone yet, but it's never too early to talk about the Oscars. Over the past week, Tom O'Neil of the LA Times' Gold Derby blog polled some 16 Oscar pundits and film critics to get an early pulse on what they think are top contenders right now for Best Picture. Those polled include well-known film critics like Erik Davis, Pete Hammond, Peter Travers, Jeff Wells, and Susan Wloszczyna. And the list of their top picks might not exactly be what you're expecting. Or maybe it is? Read on for their picks and to tell us your own!

Hugh Jackman Not Returning to Host the Oscars - Who Should?

Aw shucks! Variety is reporting that Hugh Jackman "quietly turned down the job within the past few weeks." There was much speculation that the Academy might bring back Jackman to host the Oscars once again next March, but that's no longer the case. Last year's presentation was like nothing we've ever seen the Academy do before, with musical numbers and cardboard sets and duets with Anne Hathaway. I enjoyed it, I liked Jackman as the host, now they just need to live up to that or perhaps even improve more this time. So if Jackman is out, who should they pick to host the Oscars? And it can't be another comedian! Or can it?

Peter Berg is Off of Dune; Paramount Wants Neill Blomkamp

As we've known for at least a year, Paramount has been trying to develop another take on Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi classic Dune, originally attaching The Kingdom director Peter Berg. Since then, we've heard off and on from Berg, including this most recent update from September where he revealed that it would be a PG-13 "massive epic," which was a step in the right direction. Movie blog Pajiba is now reporting that Berg has left the project and "his Film 44 production company backed out." Now Paramount is scrambling to find a new director." According to them, District 9's Neill Blomkamp is one of only two alternatives.

Might Tobe Hooper Return for More Texas Chainsaw Massacre?

Should the father return home once again? It was announced a few weeks back that Twisted Pictures, the company behind Saw, had acquired the film rights to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise from Platinum Dunes. Twisted is planning to create a new 3D film in the series that would be a contemporary reboot, throwing aside the recent two films that Platinum Dunes made and continuing on with a sequel to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4. Now ShockTillYouDrop is saying that the creator of the series, filmmaker Tobe Hooper, is apparently considering returning and that he's even been talking with the new owners.

Does Dylan Baker's Return to Spider-Man Mean We'll See Lizard?

Don't read too much into this, but actor Dylan Baker confirmed at a Q&A for a Trick 'r Treat screening in New York City last night that he would indeed be returning for Spider-Man 4. UGO has the scoop and says that apparently Trick 'r Treat director Mike Dougherty and Baker were joking a lot during the Q&A, which doesn't necessarily mean that this is a joke. "According to reports, Baker said that he had just gotten his first call concerning Spider-Man 4 that very day." So if Baker, who played Dr. Curt Connors in both Spider-Man 2 and 3, is back, does that mean we may finally see him become the villain The Lizard in Spider-Man 4?

The Weekly Moviegoer - Do Release Windows Really Matter?

Do you pay attention to movie release windows? If movies came out on DVD and Blu-Ray sooner, would it encourage you to wait to see more titles on home video instead of seeing them in the theater?

I can't imagine that the general population would answer yes to either of these questions. But the chance that they would is of great worry to American cinemas. That's why whenever a release window is shortened, the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) throws a fit. It's been awhile since one of the studios had the gall to significantly venture lower than the average length of time between theatrical release and

Sound Off: Where the Wild Things Are - What Did You Think?

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? This is a movie that has been anxiously anticipated by moviegoers for a very long time. Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are, a beautiful adaptation of Maurice Sendak's beloved children's book, finally hits theaters everywhere this weekend, so without further ado, let the wild rumpus start! After waiting this long, though, is it any good? Is it as amazing as the trailers have made it look? Is there even a good story since there wasn't much of one in the book? What did you think? Sound off below, leave a comment, and let us know what you thought of Where the Wild Things Are!

Best Animated Feature Category Might Have Five Nominees

Even though we're not an Oscar blog, that doesn't mean I don't like to occasionally talk about awards buzz. One category of the Oscars that I'm always nervous about is the Best Animated Feature Film category, which usually (and deservedly) ends up going to the latest Pixar feature (which it should this year too), but occasionally ends up going to someone else (like when Wallace & Gromit or Happy Feet won). The category has usually featured only three nominees, but word is that might finally be bumped up to five this year. It's not due to a change in rules, it's simply that there are enough animated movies to allow for five nominees.

What Should John Woo Direct Next: Marco Polo or Le Samourai?

I'm admittedly not the biggest fan of Chinese filmmaker John Woo. I've written about my disdain for him many times before, but I'm starting to warm up to him again with every poster and trailer I see for Red Cliff. Earlier this week, Quentin Tarantino revealed that he's got a few projects on his slate to choose from. Much like Tarantino, John Woo has a few projects to choose from as well. Movieline recently interviewed the director (for Red Cliff's US release) and discovered that he's got another ancient epic about Marco Polo in the works as well as a remake of Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samourai. So which one should he direct next?

Sound Off: Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland - Your Thoughts?

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? This is a movie that most of us have been waiting to see ever since we first heard about it a year or more ago. Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland hits theaters this weekend and it deserves to be seen! But is it as good as Shaun of the Dead? Or are these two movies even comparable? Does it live up to the hype? Does it stand on its own as a great zombie comedy or not? Does it have big story flaws and not enough zombie kills or even laughs? Or is it a hilarious comedy with plenty of zombie mayhem? Sound off below, leave a comment, and let us know what you thought of Zombieland!

Cinematic Discussion: What Makes a Great Female Role Model?

Note: As this cinematic discussion is meant for contemporary audiences, these examples will be equally contemporary. Just as women and men are different, we've all evolved with the times. And one's role model, for the most part, often represents one's contemporary outlook for their future self.

Believe it or not, a man can discuss and write about issues of feminism. While some may be woefully ignorant or just banefully uninterested, take notice, guys, you shouldn't be. And not all of us are — completely, anyway. So, with that in mind, there's one particular issue of feminism, of the representation

The Weekly Moviegoer - Free to Be Scared at Midnight

Many New Yorkers will see any movie for free. This is probably the case for people in other cities, as well, but given the large population of NYC it is especially apparent here. Free previews of new films happen every week, whether sponsored by one of the local free papers or a radio station or directly presented by the distributor, as a way of initiating word of mouth in the last few days leading up to a film's opening weekend. But most of the time these screenings are not worth trying to fight the usual freeloaders for a seat at.

Last week's complimentary New York screening of Paranormal Activity, however, was different.