DVD and Blu Ray releases for Tuesday December 18th

Here are your Blu Ray and DVD releases for Tuesday December 18th:

Trouble with the Curve, Total Recall, 10 Years, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, Pitch Perfect, Sleepwalk with Me, Arbitage, The Good Doctor, My Dog Tulip*, Californication Season 5**, Shameless Season 2, House of Lies Season 1**, The Life and Times of Tim Season 3**, Funny or Die Presents Season 2**, Masters of the Universe Cartoon Series 30th Commemorative Edition**

*Blu Ray Only
**DVD Only

James Franco's stinking paws will not be a part of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"

     Can't say this news comes as much of a surprise.  In a recent interview with MTV, James Franco stated that his character in Rise of the Planet of the Apes will not be returning for the sequel.  Originally, Franco had been set to appear in a minor scene but since Rupert Wyatt left the directing chair Franco hasn't been contacted. 
     While many feel that Franco's character was the weakest part of Rise I disagree.  Although he certainly wasn't spectacular, he didn't weigh down the movie.  The fact that the movie ended with a possible (spoiler alert!) humanity ending virus about to wipe out the planet begs the question of just how many humans will be involved in Dawn.  In any case with or without Franco I can't wait for the sequel.
     Dawn of the Planet of the Apes opens May 23rd, 2014.

The weirdest possible Indiana Jones 5 update ever

     I have to admit I don't know if this is an elaborate prank or a keen marketing ploy.  Either way it is certainly peculiar.
     A few weeks ago the University of Chicago received a package addressed to Henry Walton Jones Jr., aka Indiana Jones.  For those of you who don't know or don't remember, the University of Chicago is where Indy attended college and came under the tutelage of Abner Ravenwood. There was no return address and the identity of the sender is unknown.  The package was an incredibly intricate, detailed, and well researched homage to the Indiana Jones films. 
     Within said package were various pictures of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, Abner Ravenwood's detailed Ark of the Covenant journal, money from the 30s and 40s, other various Indy goodies.  It was sent to Rosenwald Hall which used to be home to the departments of geology and geography.  Furthermore the package had elaborate stamps painted on the packaging and it appeared to be old and wrinkled.

     This is supremely bizarre to say the least.  I honestly hope this is a precursor to an announcement of Indiana Jones 5.  I really do.  However, the realistic side of me believes this was just an Indiana Jones fan with way way to much time on his hands.

Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Plot:  Set sixty years before the events of The Lord of the Rings and based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey tells the story of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), a hobbit of the Shire who is persuaded by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to embark on a quest.  The quest involves helping a company of thirteen dwarves, lead by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), to take back the kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug.  Jumping from one dangerous moment to the next, surrounded by orcs, goblins, wargs, elves, and creatures of all imagining, Bilbo's courage will be tested and his life changed forever.  Along the way he also discovers a certain magic ring that will ultimately alter the entire destiny of Middle Earth.

Review:  [SIDE NOTE--When it comes to Tolkien and all things Middle Earth I have to admit to some bias.  That's actually too simplistic.  The more accurate term would be an extreme amount of bias.  I can't help it.  When I was five years old I'd recite the read along book to anyone and everyone who would listen--multiple times and complete with requisite chime to turn the page.  At the age of ten I read the novel (my favorite in case you were wondering) which began my life long love affair with reading.  Tolkien, The Hobbit, and Middle Earth hold a special place in my heart.  I'm telling you this right up front because I cannot and will not act like my special attachment didn't influence my review because it did.  Having said this, I hope that my review reads like a cogent assessment of the movie.  I leave that for you to judge.]
     The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is an ambitious, visually stunning, and well acted return to the world of Middle Earth that while overly long, nevertheless manages to enchant and captivate. 
     Director Peter Jackson seems born to do high fantasy, as his return to Middle Earth feels more like putting on a well worn and comfortable hat than anything else.  While many have chastised Jackson for splitting The Hobbit into three parts (I was one of them) you have to understand what Jackson is trying to do as a filmmaker.  Novels that translate to the big screen are subject to the whims of the director.  Jackson made the bold choice to not just focus this movie on the story of Bilbo Baggins but on the story of Middle Earth.  Consequently, the audience receives information heretofore only provided in the appendices to "The Lord of the Rings."  We get to see the White Council, an expanded history of the dwarves, the broken tower of Dol Guldur and the rise of the Necromancer, and even the wizard Radagast (Sylvester McCoy).  I for one enjoyed the fleshing out of the story, although I must admit that Jackson spent less time in Rivendell than I would have liked.
     As with The Lord of the Rings, Jackson deftly balances high octane action scenes such as the Thunder Battle and the escape from Goblin Town, with heartfelt scenes that evoke emotion.  The scene late in the film when Bilbo talks about home to the dwarves is particularly powerful.  All scenes I might add, are enhanced by another fantastic score from composer Howard Shore.  The Academy Award winner succeeds in bringing audiences a sweeping and grand score that is at once fresh and new while hauntingly familiar.  
     There is also a considerable amount of humor in Journey, which is to be expected considering that it is a children's novel.  Most of it comes via the dwarves Bofur (James Nesbitt) and Dwalin (Graham McTavish).  I also would be remiss if I didn't mention Jackson's handling of the riddle sequence between Gollum (played perfectly once again by Andy Serkis) and Bilbo.  This was the one section of the film I thought would be the trickiest.  Yet Jackson manages to keep the tension high, the riddle game short, and the interactions riveting.  In fact it turned out to be the best scene in the entire film.
     Speaking of Gollum, he looks even better in Journey than in LOTR thanks in large part to the dynamos at WETA digital.  Their particular brand of movie magic is second to none.  The troll sequence, the battle between stone giants, Goblin Town, the great eagles, Rivendell...everything is near perfect.  The part where Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Bilbo, Thorin, Dwalin, and Gandalf examine the map of Erebor under the moonlight is simply amazing.  I will admit however that I was disappointed about how they depicted the Goblin King.  He came across as mostly fat and oafish rather than terrifying.  And Radagast's sleigh pulled by giant rabbits?  Yeah wasn't feeling it.
     Journey would be nothing without the strength of its actors, whom I'm happy to report are excellent.  Ian McKellen is once again pitch perfect in his role as Gandalf the Grey, while LOTR veterans Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian Holm (older Bilbo), and Cate Blanchett (Galadriel) also return.  I have to say it was like greeting old friends after a long absence.
     Newcomer Martin Freeman is the perfect Bilbo.  Although at one time David Tennant was up for the role, after seeing Journey I can't imagine anyone else playing the role.  He brings just the right amount of humor, passion, and sense of adventure to the role that I was expecting.  Freeman's interactions between Gandalf, Thorin, and Gollum were effortless, as if he was born to play Bilbo.  A tip of the cap to you good sir for not disappointing. 
     As great as Freeman was, Richard Armitage was equally superb if not better.  He approached the character of Thorin as a wayward prince, someone who has lost his kingdom.  The fact that he's had to find work where he can grates at his pride, and pride is a big part of Thorin Oakenshield's makeup.  Armitage is a charismatic if gruff leader, single in purpose and willing to do whatever it takes to get back his home.  Yet he is also fiercely loyal to his friends and a cunning warrior.  If I had one complaint it was only that other than Dwalin and Bofur, Thorin is the only dwarf that really develops as a character.  The other dwarves were simply indistinguishable from the others.
     At the end of the day The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a welcome return to Middle Earth for Peter Jackson and crew.  It spoke to the child in me and I couldn't help having a contented five year old grin on my face the whole time.

My rating:  9/10
    

Bill Murray is back baby! Ghostbusters 3 gets a proton stream to the gut!

     I sincerely hope this news is legit because I'm tired of having my emotions toyed with.
     "Hollywood.com" reports that actor Bill Murray has changed his mind and will in fact be returning as Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters III.  Murray recently stunned reporters at the premiere of his latest movie Hyde Park on the Hudson by telling the masses that he was considering returning to the franchise.  This after Dan Aykroyd (who played Ray Stantz in the first two movies) told Metro magazine earlier this year that they were moving on without him.
     But don't tell Harold Ramis that.
     The man who played Egon Spengler and helped scribe the 1984 classic, told SuperOfficialNews.com how he found out Murray was coming back--from the man himself:

"It was kind of crazy.  Just out of nowhere, I get a phone call from Bill at almost three in the morning...and he simply said, 'Yeah OK I'm in!'  That's Bill Murray for you.  Surprising and straight to the point.  Bill also said a major factor in his decision to do the movie had been all the support he received from fans."

     Aykroyd has co-written the script along with Paul Horner, and Sigourney Weaver will be back as Dana Barrett while Ivan Reitman will also return as director.  Rick Moranis is also rumored to return as Louis Tully if they can get him to come out of self imposed retirement.  Other actors such as Ashton Kutcher, Seth Rogen, and Eliza Dushku have been suggested as a new generation of Ghostbusters as well.
     Shooting is set to begin next summer.

Blu Ray and DVD release dates for Tuesday December 11th

Here are the DVD and Blu Ray releases for Tuesday December 11th:

Ted, The Bourne Legacy, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Why Stop Now, Dick Tracy*, Following, The Qatsi Trilogy, Heavyweights*, Les Miserables*, The Joy Luck Club*, The Ultimate Buster Keaton Collection*, Babes in Toyland*, Miami Connection*, Law and Order Criminal Intent Season 9**, Futurama Volume 7*, Girls Season 1, Jag The Complete Series**, Mission Impossible The Complete Series**, WWE: The Top 100 Moments in RAW history

*Blu Ray only
**DVD only

Possible sequel to "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"?

     Now I know not everyone was a fan of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Some felt it was dryer than a piece of sandpaper in the middle of the Mojave desert.  I was not one of them.  Personally, I thought Oldman's performance as George Smiley was riveting, the story was tense, the acting superb, and the plot formidable.  I was really engaged.  And as a bonus the film made $80 million when it cost virtually nothing to make.
     Well good news for you fans of the film.  "Collider" reports that producer Tim Bevan is putting together a sequel for the 2011 movie.  Additionally, writers Peter Straughan and Tomas Alfredson are set to return.  Although the film is in the very infant stages of development, the plan is to develop the sequel based on John Le Carre's followup book to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy entitled Smiley's People.
     I for one would definitely pony up to see this sequel.  I just hope that Bevan can get most of the actors back.

Will the villain Morbius sink his teeth into "The Amazing Spiderman 2"?

     Hot on the heels of the announcement that Jamie Foxx would play Electro in The Amazing Spiderman 2, the Twitter world is all abuzz with the news that another iconic Spiderman villain, Professor Michael Morbius will also appear in the next installment.
     Actor Asim Ahmad confirmed via his official website that he has been cast as Morbius in the web-slinging sequel.  Before you fret about villain overload (ala Spiderman 3) fear not.  Ahmad will only appear in one to two scenes, so this is most likely a setup for the third film in the trilogy.
     For those of you not in the know, Morbius is a doctor in the Spiderman universe who tries to cure his own terminal blood disease and winds up turning himself into a vampire.  (The mean kind not the sparkly kind.)  Whether or not this is something that can play for the audience is another story entirely.
     The Amazing Spiderman 2 starts filming next year and will open May 2, 2014.

Tarantino cuts of hopes for a Kill Bill Vol. 3

     Ever since Kill Bill Vol. 2 hit theaters in 2004, speculation ran rampant about a possible third film.  Director Quentin Tarantino did little to quell these rumors.  He even suggested he wanted to revisit the story years later and focus on the daughter of Vernita Green coming back to avenge her mother's death at the hands of The Bride.
     However, in a recent interview with "We Got This Covered," when asked about the possibility of a third Kill Bill movie Tarantino had this to say, "I don't know if there's ever going to be a Kill Bill Volume 3.  We'll see, probably not though."
     Tarantino has recently talked about retirement (what famous Hollywood person doesn't these days?) so who knows if we'll even get another movie out of him, let alone a third Kill Bill?
     In the meantime Tarantino's homage to the Spaghetti Western, Django Unchained, opens Christmas Day.

They're feathered and they're furious. "Angry Birds" movie to hit theaters.

     Just goes to show if something is popular, eventually someone will option it into a movie.
     "Coming Soon" reports that a film based on the popular game "Angry Birds" is in development.  Producers John Masiel (Iron Man) and John Cohen (Despicable Me) will back the film, working in conjunction with Rovio Entertainment who created the game and will finance the production.
     Not surprisingly the film will be CGI (like it was going to be live action) and made using the 3D format.  Rovio Entertainment, Cohen, and Masiel hope to have the picture in production soon but no word yet on possible voices or a director.
     I wish I could say I'm surprised by this but I'm not.  After all Hollywood made Battleship into a movie.  And to be honest this could be a quality family film.  One thing's almost certain--with all the product tie-ins this movie will make some straight cash homie.
     Angry Birds is set to destroy green pigs sometime in 2016.

Autobots assemble two teen leads!

     With the departure of Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf, director Michael Bay faced the "challenge" of finding some hot young teen stars to leap into the fourth Transformers movie.  Since young teen actors are so rare in Hollywood I really was fearful that he wouldn't be able to find anyone. 
     Thankfully I was wrong.
     "Twitch" reports that actor Brenton Thwaites (Maleficent) and actress Nicola Peltz (The Last Airbender) are in talks to join Mark Wahlberg in the latest edition of robot fighting.  Peltz would play Wahlberg's daughter while Thwaites would play Peltz's Austrailian biker boyfriend.  (Excuse me I just threw up a little in mouth after that last sentence.)

     At this time Paramount has not confirmed whether either Peltz or Thwaites will be involved with the project.  Why?  What are they waiting for?  There is only so much hot young talent in Hollywood people!  It's not like they are falling off trees.
     Transformers 4 opens June 27th, 2014 while my sarcasm has been playing for 34 years.

"Say Midichlorians again! I dare you to say it again motherf**&@!"

     If you are a Star Wars fan you are a Star Wars fan through and through.  And if you are like most Star Wars fans you have a tough time letting go.  This probably goes double if you were actually in the film like Samuel L. Jackson was.
     The actor (who played Jedi Master Mace Windu in the prequels) in a recent interview with ComingSoon, expressed an interest in coming back to the franchise for the upcoming new trilogy.  Although it appears that Windu died in Revenge of the Sith we never actually saw his body so I guess bringing him back is a possibility.
     Jackson suggests bringing his character back as "a one-armed or one-handed Jedi that's still around that didn't actually die."  The other possibility, states Jackson, is that he "could be a ghost hologram." 
     Frankly, I don't see this happening and to be quite honest I hope it doesn't.  Although I love Samuel L. Jackson, I really didn't care for his character in the prequels.  They didn't seem to add much and I'm not particularly interested in seeing Windu pop up again.  But hey if Jackson can swing it, who am I to tell someone they can't be in a Star Wars movie?
     Star Wars Episode VII: I'm Tired of these motherfuckin' Sith on this motherfucking Star Destroyer hits theaters in summer 2015.

Alive Eve's Star Trek character may hint at the villain's identity

     Even though a teaser trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness just premiered last week, the speculation as to who Benedict Cumberbatch's character will be is still unanswered.  Yet the identity of Alice Eve's character hints at who the baddie might be.
     According to E! Online, Eve will play Dr. Carol Marcus.  For any of you Star Trek fans out there you will recognize this name right off the bat.  Marcus created the Genesis Project and was first featured in...drumroll please...Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  Furthermore, Marcus was Kirk's ex-wife and the mother to his son David.
     Now does this definitively mean that Cumberbatch will play Khan?  Of course not.  J.J. Abrams could just be reintroducing us to familiar Star Trek characters.
     But it is intriguing.
     Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 17th.

Man of Steel Trailer!!!!

     The Man of Steel trailer wasn't supposed to debut for another two days but after seeing it, I don't think many people are going to complain.  Rather than keep you waiting I'll just have you check it out now:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUhramQcyKw

     Ok so now that you've had a chance to recover from the awesomeness, let's look a little more in depth.  Up until now we really weren't sure if this Superman film was going to be an origin story but I think we can pretty well put that puppy to rest.  Obviously there were plenty of scenes with Clark as a young man and the trailer also revealed brief glimpses of Krypton being destroyed, along with Superman's biological father Jor-El (Russell Crowe).
     What I loved about this trailer is how firmly grounded in reality Man of Steel appears to me.  In most comic book iterations Superman is hailed as a savior-like character.  Papers have been written about the similarities between Jesus and the Superman mythos.  Director Zack Snyder's film aims at taking a different approach.  Based on the trailer, people respond to Superman with fear and anxiety.  I mean think about it:  an alien with supernatural powers who looks human?  Isn't this how would most people react?
     It makes me wonder if this movie will in some way revolve not only around Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman's destiny, but his quest to convince other people that he is there for the good of humanity.  This lends a depth and gravitas to the story we've not seen before.  This is a bold choice and I like the direction Nolan and company are taking.  I respect any director or producer that makes bold choices even if they are wrong.
     And while I was disappointed that John Williams famous score was not going to be included, the fact that Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight) will be providing the music, makes me supremely happy.  If this trailer doesn't build more buzz for Man of Steel nothing will.
     The film opens next June and stars Henry Cavill. 
    

Update on Indiana Jones 5!

There is nothing to report.

More X-Men then you can shake an adamantium claw at to appear in "Days of Future Past"

     Well it seems that X-Men: Days of Future Past, the sequel to 2011's X-Men: First Class, will soon be getting a deluge of returning actors. 
     "The Hollywood Reporter" reveals that Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellan are all in negotiations to return as Wolverine, Professor X, and Magneto respectively.  Moreover, all three are willing to take less money to be in the project simply because Bryan Singer (X-Men, X-Men 2: X-Men United) is going to be behind the camera.
     While Jackman, Stewart, and McKellan were the three names most bandied about, Singer implied that other X-Men may return.  Look out!  Halle Berry could be back as Storm, "Trueblood" star Anna Paquin could return as Rogue, and Famke Jansen might even be back as Phoenix.  Hell we might even see a James Marsden sighting as Cyclops! 
     Unfortunately for those of you hoping the younger versions of the famous heroes will interact with the older ones you will be left wanting.  Original film stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Jennifer Lawrence will remain firmly entrenched in their 1960s timeline while their older versions will appear in their own proper timeline as well. 
     X-Men: Days of Future Past begins filming next year with a summer 2014 release date planned.

Jonathan Demme departs the grassy knoll

     Well this blows.
     "Indiewire" reports that Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) has left the film adaptation of Stephen King's fantastic novel 11/22/63.  Demme states that while the two are friends and enjoyed working on the script, "we were too far apart on what we felt should be in and what should be out of the script."  So the ever popular "creative differences."  Shocking.  To Demme's credit he did say that he hopes "it's moving forward, I really want to see this movie."  Me too Jonathan.  Me too.  And I would have preferred you helming the project.
     I won't get into the heavily detailed plot of the book.  Suffice it to say that it involves time travel, an attempt to stop the JFK assassination, a really great love story, and a little town some of you Stephen King fans might recognize called Derry.  If you want any more information there is this magical thing called Google now that will definitely get you where you want to go.
     While I'm upset that Demme left I'm equally happy that King stuck to his guns.  This is easily the best novel King has written since The Green Mile and it ranks right up there with "The Stand," "IT", "'Salems' Lot," and "The Shining" as one of King's all time great books.  To cut too much out of it does the book injustice.  If it has to be three hours let it be three hours.
     In any event I would love to see this book in some form even if it has to be a miniseries on HBO or Cinemax.  I have to question Demme's commitment to this project anyway.  He's mostly interested in documentaries right now and hasn't made a "real" movie since 2008's Rachel Getting Married.
     Any thoughts out there on who should helm this project? 

Three movies three separate bits of casting information

     Wow.  Quite the bit of casting information today.
     According to "The Wrap" and "The Hollywood Reporter" Casey Affleck, Dennis Haysbert, and Kristen Wiig have signed on for three pretty significant films.
     Affleck is set to star in The Boston Strangler, a film Warner Bros. just picked up about the sexual predator who terrorized the New England city in the 1960s.  Affleck would play a young detective who risks his life and career to find the murderer, while simultaneously fighting a political coverup regarding the crimes.  The case to this day remains unsolved.  Also an extra tidbit that Affleck let drop was that he would be writing and directing a biopic on Texas Ranger player Josh Hamilton. 
     As for Haysbert, the former 24 star will play Manute in the upcoming sequel Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.  Haysbert takes over for actor Michael Clarke Duncan who tragically died earlier this year due to heart failure.  Manute is a huge part of the "Sin City" graphic novels and I'm thrilled they could get a deep voiced talent like Haysbert to take over the role.  How evil is Manute in the "Sin City" world?  Let's just say it's not an All State insurance ad and you wouldn't be in good hands with him.
     On a lighter note noted SNL star Kristen Wiig is in negotiations to join Anchorman: The Legend Continues.  Reports say she will play the love interest of Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell).  In case you are wondering when said film might be out, apparently Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are still working on the script but they have their eye on an October 2013 release date.
    

Teaser Trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness!!!

     When you surround a film in mystery, especially one with massive followers, the buzz tends to take on a life of it's own.  Such is the case with the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness.  Up until we've heard rumors, innuendo, and gossip about the film.  Audiences haven't even had a decent trailer! 
     Until now. 
     Columbia pictures just released a teaser for the upcoming fanboy film.  But before you check it out you might want to read the following synopsis of the film:

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.


Now as for the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5KPnHh8z34.

Watched it?  Good.

     Now here are my thoughts.  I can't speak for the rest of you but this trailer gave me goosebumps.  I know it is only a minute long but damn.  A few things I noticed.  It looks like Kirk is going to have a love interest through Alice Eve and that he's going to get into another fight with Spock.       
     However, Benedict Cumberbatch's voice over dominates this trailer.  In case you didn't know Cumberbatch plays the film's villain.  Yet we are no closer to finding out who the mysterious baddie is.  I will say this I doubt it is Khan.  I say this only because at one point Kirk is having a conversation with Cumberbatch that could be a flashback.  I'm wondering if Cumberbatch's character went to Starfleet with Kirk?  Obviously, he's come to have his vengeance but what for?  I find it very hard to believe that it is simply for getting kicked out of Starfleet Academy.
     As awesome as this trailer is it still leaves much to the imagination.  For those of you expecting more don't fret.  There is going to be a full trailer released online on December 17th.  Or if you happen to be going to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey next Friday you can see it then.
     Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 17th.

                                This is Alice Eve.  You're welcome Universe.

Blu Ray and DVD releases for December 4th

Here are your Blu Ray and DVD releases for Tuesday December 4th:

The Dark Knight Rises, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Hope Springs, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, VHS, Butter, Finding Nemo, Francis Ford Coppola Five Film Collection*, Brazil*, Purple Noon, Catch me if You Can*, Up 3D*, The Simpsons Season 15, Star Trek The Next Generation Season 2*, Eastbound and Down Season 3, Angry Boys, Mystery Science Theater 3000 XXV**

*Blu Ray only
**DVD only

AH-NOLD to reprise another iconic role

     Recently we learned that Arnold Schwarzenegger would be reprising the role that launched his career, that of Conan the Barbarian.  According to "AMC," Arnie will soon return to one of his other iconic roles--The Terminator.
     Producer Megan Ellison head of Annapurna Pictures just acquired the rights to the Terminator franchise, and along with her brother David have convinced the former governator to fight Skynet once again.  The two hope to produce two more Terminator films before the rights revert to James Cameron in 2019.
     I'm not too crazy about another Terminator film, let alone two.  Arnold is sixty-five after all and Terminator: Salvation was just awful.  (FU McG.)  There's probably a lot of oil needed for that metal endoskeleton too.  However to be fair David Ellison's Skydance Productions is behind the upcoming Jack Reacher and Star Trek Into Darkness.  His sister Megan has an impressive list herself with Silver Linings Playbook, The Master, and Zero Dark Thirty so maybe this could turn out well.
     The Austrian can next be seen in The Last Stand out January 18th.

A double dose of Spiderman casting news

     While I found this summer's The Amazing Spiderman to be very overrated, producers were already planning a sequel before the film's initial release.  Almost three quarters of a billion dollars in box office returns probably didn't dampen their decision.  And now we have two huge pieces of casting news.
     Sony states that actor Dane DeHaan will play Harry Osbourne in the web-slinging sequel.  DeHaan is most noted for his work in this year's found footage superhero film Chronicle, so he's no stranger to the comicbook universe.  In addition DeHaan was also featured in Lincoln and Lawless and already has three films coming out next year.
     Additionally, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx has also joined the cast.  According to "Coming Soon" and "Entertainment Tonight" Foxx will portray the film's main villain Electro.  Aside from The Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, and The Lizard, Electro is probably Spiderman's most well known villain.  He's a genius electrician that after a bizarre accident suddenly possesses the ability to manipulate electricity at will.
     I have to say it's always nice when you can get good actors to join superhero films and both actors, especially Foxx, have the necessary acting acumen.
     The Amazing Spiderman 2 begins filming next year and will release May 2, 2014.

New poster for "Man of Steel" is intriguing to say the least

     I have to say I'm really getting excited for Man of Steel even though the premiere is over six months away.  The cast is top notch and I'm curious as to what Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan have in store for us. 
     If this new poster is any indication, the film could be quite gritty indeed.  I mean when have you ever seen Superman in handcuffs?  Does his mean he's lost his powers or is he submitting willfully?  This definitely sets up a dark tone for the film while simultaneously making the possible plot that much more mysterious.
     For those of you familiar with the Superman mythos, most of world considered him a savior-like superhero.  This poster implies there is a bit of fear and anxiety about an alien with super powers.  If that's the case I say bravo.  I relish the idea of someone taking a completely different approach to the whole Superman mythology.  Some fanboys will probably be upset but I'm not as married to the story surrounding Superman as most. 
     Hopefully audiences will receive a little more insight as to Man of Steel's plot when the first official trailer debuts next Friday.

Review: Looper

Plot:  In 2044 a collapsing worldwide economy causes social disintegration and an increase in organized crime.  Thirty years in the future, organized crime continues to dominate the national landscape and various crime syndicates add a new wrinkle to their arsenal--time travel.  Since modern tracking techniques have made it virtually impossible to dispose of a body, crime bosses send their targets back in time to 2074.  There they are removed by loopers, killers who meet at a certain place and time to kill the targets and then discretely dispose of them.  Loopers are paid lucratively but the extravagance comes at a cost.  Eventually every looper's loop is "closed" by sending the older version of the looper back in time to be killed by their younger selves.  They get a big payday and enjoy the next thirty years of their lives presumably.  One such looper is Joe Simmons (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who lives a life of fast cars, designer drugs, and casual sex.  Joe's life runs with the clockwork precision of his custom watch--until the day the older version of himself (Bruce Willis) arrives and escapes.  In the blink of an eye both Joes find themselves on the run from gangsters determined to eliminate them at all costs.

Review:  I wanted to like Looper.  I really did.  All the ingredients seemed to be there: a talented writer and director in Rian Johnson, an up and coming actor in Gordon-Levitt, a proven industry action star in Bruce Willis, and an intriguing science fiction time travel plot.  Unfortunately, just because you have all the right ingredients to bake a cake it doesn't always mean you're going to get a masterful pastry made by Florian Bellanger.  Sometimes the dough doesn't rise.
     Rather than being an action driven sci-fi thriller with some bite, Looper ends up being a disjointed, messy film whose pacing is more erratic than a Jim Harbaugh post game press conference.  The problem with Looper is that it can't quite decide what kind of film it wants to be.  While director Rian Johnson has done an excellent job in the past of crafting crime dramas such as Brick and The Brothers Bloom, he seems out of his element with Looper. 
     The first act of the film starts out strong.
Looper fluidly unveils Joe's empty everyday life, shows a gritty depiction of 2044, and sports a harrowing sequence where the younger version of Joe's friend and fellow Looper Seth (Paul Dano) is mutilated to bring his older version in.
     After the older Joe shows up however it all goes down hill.  The next forty five minutes or so of the movie involves the younger Joe holing up at a farm run by Sara Rollins (Emily Blunt) a single parent with a cliche troubled past.  While typically I think Blunt is a good actress her character was just annoying and the inevitable romance between her and Joe seems forced rather than natural. 
     Meanwhile the older Joe (Bruce Willis) is tracking down the young version of the "Rainmaker," a telekinetic crime boss from 2074 who killed Joe's wife.  Joe believes that if he can kill the child version of the "Rainmaker" he can prevent his wife from dying.  These scenes are particularly disturbing and are meant to be.  They create a nice break from the sheer boredom that occurs back at the farm.
     Typically I'm not one to nitpick about certain aspects of a film but too many things really annoyed me.  For one rather than have Gordon-Levitt look his natural self on camera, the producers put prosthetic makeup on him to make him look like a younger version of Bruce Willis.  I think this was a terrible decision by Johnson because too often Gordon-Levitt looks like he's doing a Robert DeNiro impression.  Loopers also carry a signature weapon called a blunderbuss; a gun that if you shoot it, anything within fifteen paces will die.  Not only is the name ridiculous it looks like something Wile E. Coyote might get from the Acme Company.  It seemed too cartoonish for stylized criminals.  Additionally there is an intricate relationship between a character named Kid Blue (Noah Segan) and Joe's boss Abe (Jeff Daniels).  Throughout the movie you are waiting for this big revelation about their relationship and it never materializes.  And as for the identity of the "Rainmaker"?  It's more obvious than than the moles on Mark Sanchez's face.
     Now I don't mean to sound like Looper is a total disaster because it's not.  Gordon-Levitt and Willis are excellent in this film, especially in the restaurant scene.  Jeff Daniels also steals every scene his in.  His portrayal of the cool and slick Abe is fantastic.  Abe doesn't go in for the whole "horse head in the bed" routine.  In fact he disdains theatrics and sees threats and torture as necessary evils that are almost annoying and get in the way of good business.  It's so unlike what you would expect from a typical gangster that I found myself wishing he was in more scenes.  I also enjoyed Steve Yedlin's cinematography and Nathan Johnson's score. 
     However well shot scenes and one memorable performance aren't enough to overcome jagged pacing, a shoddy plot, and a distinct lack of tone.  Looper isn't a terrible movie.  It's just extremely underwhelming.

My rating:  6/10