Posts filed under 'Movie news'
April 30th, 2009
… then this bit of news might be interesting to you: On April 24, Steve Wiebe, the hero of that movie, has set a new record on Donkey Kong Jr. From the official Twin Galaxies Web site:
The new World Record mark was accomplished on March 14 and verified by Twin Galaxies Chief Referee David Nelson. Steve’s new World Record mark of 1,139,800 points takes the Donkey Kong Junior crown from fellow Washington state native Ike Hall, who was crowned the DKJ World Champ in August 2008 with a score of 1,033,000, taking the crown that Billy Mitchell had held on the game since 1985.
Way to go, Steve!
And if you haven’t seen KING OF KONG, you really should. Here’s the trailer:
April 2nd, 2009
Richard Linklater’s 1993 film DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the best teen movies ever made, perfectly capturing the feeling of goofy freedom that comes with the last day of school. I was too young to be one of the high school kids the movie focuses on, but I grew up in the 1970s, and take it from me — the movie rings true.
And now, at long last, Linklater is returning to that sort of movie, in spirit if not specifically. According to this report from CHUD.com, he’s completed a script for what he calls “a spiritual sequel” to DAZED AND CONFUSED, with different characters (and, obviously, a different cast) experiencing their first weekend of college life, circa 1980. Assuming he gets funding (and I can’t imagine this movie will cost much to make), he’ll begin shooting in (where else?) Austin, Texas, this summer.
April 1st, 2009
Believe it or not, George Lucas is (finally) going to follow up on his plans to deliver another three STAR WARS films, bringing the total to nine. And, like the rumors have been claiming since the early 1980s, these films will take place after the original trilogy, following up on the adventures of Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca.
The studio plans to use the same technology that de-aged Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart in the third X-MEN movie to pull the same trick with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, though to a much greater degree because they’ll be in the whole movie. And, like the last three STAR WARS movies, the vast majority of the special effects will be computer-generated, meaning those actors (who must be getting a bundle to reprise their roles) might be doing little more than voice work. With the state of special effects these days — especially at Skywalker Ranch — we might not be able to tell the difference.
Sure those movies came out three decades ago, and — let’s face it — these new ones are bound to be disappointing. But I have to admit, I’m pretty excited.
Read the whole story here.
March 25th, 2009
If all goes according to plan, that’ll be (from left), Benicio Del Toro, Jim Carrey and Sean Penn.
The Farrelly Brothers have been trying to make a Three Stooges movie for years, and it looks like the cast is finally falling into place. And it’s a bit, shall we say, unexpected.
According a report in Variety, Sean Penn, who just won an Oscar for playing Harvey Milk in MILK, is going to take the role of Larry Fine. Jim Carrey is supposedly going to play Curly Howard, and pack 40 extra pounds onto his frame to convincingly portray the somewhat huskier Howard. And, in the role of Curly’s brother Moe, producers are reportedly trying to nab another Oscar winner, Benicio Del Toro.
Keep in mind this is not a serious biopic. It’s a comedy. And no, I’m not making this up.Â
January 28th, 2009
Apparently the movie is back in green light territory. Joe Carnahan, who directed the so-so SMOKING ACES and the excellent NARC, will be sitting in the director’s chair, with brothers Ridley and Tony Scott and original A-TEAM producer Stephen J. Cannell handling producing duties.
Here’s a bit from the Hollywood Reporter report…
Carnahan seems like an ideal candidate for A-TEAM which told the adventures of a group of US Army Special Forces who are on the run for a crime they didn’t commit. The team included Hannibal, the leader whose favorite line was “I love it when plan comes together; Face, a ladies man; Howling Mad Murdock, an unstable pilot; and B.A. Baracus, the surly muscle (B.A. stands for “Bad Attitude”).Â
And here, in case you’ve forgotten the glory that is THE A-TEAM, here’s the opening from the TV show.
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Sidenote: I once interviewed Mr. T over the phone, and he was hilarious. The guy never stopped chuckling or cracking jokes for the entire interview.
January 16th, 2009
Shockingly, it’s been several days since I’ve posted anything here about my most-anticipated upcoming movie, WATCHMEN, so here’s a bit of news about the film. It’s good news — in fact, it’s about the best news we could get, given recent events. From the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER…
Geeks can rejoice. Warner Bros. and Fox have resolved their dispute over WATCHMEN, with the studios scheduled to present a settlement to Judge Gary Feess this morning and request that the case be dismissed.
That means the studios have made nice, and the movie will open on March 6, as planned, after all. Hallelujah.
December 29th, 2008
This just in from the Associated Press…
An attorney for 20th Century Fox says the studio will continue to seek an order delaying the release of WATCHMEN.
 U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess last week agreed with Fox that Warner Bros. had infringed its copyright by developing and shooting the superhero flick, scheduled for release March 6. Feess said Monday he plans to hold a trial Jan. 20 to decide remaining issues.
Fox claims it never fully relinquished story rights from its deal made in the late 1980s, and sued Warner Bros. in February. Warner Bros. contended Fox isn’t entitled to distribution. Warner Bros.’ attorney said Monday he didn’t know if an appeal was coming, but thinks a trial is necessary and a settlement unlikely.
Uh oh. Stay tuned for further developments.
December 18th, 2008
According to the always-reliable British tabloid The Sun, Eddie Murphy is set to play the Riddler in the next Batman movie.
 That’s right. The star of NUTTY PROFESSOR 2: THE KLUMPS, THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH, MEET DAVE and the Oscar-nominated NORBIT could have a major role in Christopher Nolan’s next Batman film. It’s one of the most popular, most critically acclaimed super-hero series ever, so naturally they’d want a hack of Murphy’s caliber to lend the franchise a touch of class. Maybe he could fart a lot, like he did in the KLUMPS.
Frankly, I don’t believe it. Nolan is too smart to make that sort of casting misstep, and the serious, dark tone of the movies has been a big moneymaker so far. I’m more inclined to believe the Johnny Depp-as Riddler rumors, but even that’s suspicious. My guess? No one’s been cast yet.
Also in Batman casting news, Shia LaBeouf is supposedly set to co-star as Robin, with Rachel Weisz playing Catwoman. LABeouf is the young star of the moment, so I’m not surprised his name is being tossed around. He’s not bad, but I hope there’s no Robin in the next movie. Stick to Batman and a single villain — don’t fall into the overcrowded trap of the earlier Batman movies. As for Weisz as Catwoman, I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I could see that. She’s a good actress, and could convey the sexy/dangerous attitude of Catwoman.
But you know what they should really do if they use Catwoman in the next movie? Hire the last writer on the CATWOMAN comic book to work on the script. That would guarantee success.
November 12th, 2008
According to Variety, Warner Bros and THE DARK KNIGHT director Christopher Nolan are being sued for royalties by the mayor of a city in Turkey. The mayor says the movie character’s name infringes on the rights of his city, and that the studio and producers used the name without asking permission. And he wants money. Lots of it.
 The name of the city? Batman, of course.
Stay tuned, true believers.
November 10th, 2008
This movie, which is due next year from Dreamworks, looks like it could be fun. I can’t embed the trailer here, but it’s worth clicking on this link to see.
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