The past seven days

Friday, September 28, 2012

Brief hiatus

In a short while I will be off for my vacation so there most likely won't be any updates on here this upcoming week. I am positive I will miss some news and whatever else but I will catch up as I always do.

Everyone have a good week!

The Amazing Spiderman 2 casting news surfaces

We have announcements already for the sequel to The Amazing Spiderman. Apparently Marc Webb will return to direct despite a lot of rumors that he wasn't going to and Andrew Garfield will reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spiderman. Emma Stone is in negotiations to return as well but is not confirmed yet.

I still haven't seen The Amazing Spiderman so I most likely won't see the sequel in theaters, but I guess it's never a bad thing to have returning cast members and a director. Especially if it worked the first time.

The sequel, which is untitled as of right now, is set for a 3D release on May 2, 2014.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Final Paranormal Activity 4 trailer premieres



The Paranormal Activity franchise has been successful primarily due to the fact that they utilize trailers and make them seem interesting and/or good. I have never been a fan of these movies but I did admit that I thought the trailer for Paranormal Activity 3 made it look decent. However, that movie was just as much of a shit show as the previous ones were.
With that said, the trailer for Paranormal Activity 4 makes the movie look decent. I am not putting any interest in this one due to the fact that I have figured out the tricks by now. Not to mention that most of the footage they use in the trailers isn't even in the movie. That is another thing we learned from the 3rd movie. If I get bored enough I'll go see it, I guess, but I am not counting on it.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Gina Carano to lead female version of The Expendables

This was rumored a couple months ago and I don't think I talked about it. Basically they were talking about doing a female version of The Expendables. Collider had a fantasy cast that I saw back in August, but now we have confirmation that one of their wish girls has been cast to lead the rest of the ladies. That girl is none other than former American Gladiators star Gina Carano.

Carano was most recently seen in the 2011 film Haywire and is currently filming the 6th film in the Fast and Furious franchise. Also as I mentioned before she was one of the stars in the attempted 2008 return of American Gladiators.






As far as the rest of the fantasy cast Collider put together, click the jump to see the other girls they listed.

Monday, September 24, 2012

First look at Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine

Hello again.


More casting news for Thor 2

Two long standing actors have joined the cast for Thor: The Dark World.

Starting off we have Richard Brake (Batman Begins) who has been cast as the captain of the Einherjar warriors. In the Marvel universe the warriors, led by Ander, are responsible for the training of Thor. It is unclear whether Brake is playing the role of Ander but he has been officially added.

The other person added is Clive Russell (Sherlock Holmes, Game of Thrones). He will be playing Tyr who is Thor's older brother and Asgard's God of War.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

First trailer for The Collection





So if you didn't see The Collector you probably have no idea what is going on. However, if you did see it then this is the inevitable sequel we all knew was coming. Ladies and gentlemen... The Collection.

Personally, I liked The Collector for what it was. I thought it was pretty well done. This movie, however, looks like a mixture of Saw and trying to re-create the first one. Then again, it's from the people who ruined Saw so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'll probably check it out simply because I saw the first one but I am not betting on The Collection being any good.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Thanos confirmed for two Marvel Phase 2 films

If you saw The Avengers you know Thanos appeared in the mid-credits scene. There was a lot of speculation as to where Thanos would show up in future Marvel films. There is now confirmation that Thanos will appear in two Marvel Phase 2 films; Guardians of the Galaxy and The Avengers 2.

I assumed/guessed Thanos wouldn't appear sooner than Guardians of the Galaxy and I am happy to see that I was right. People were trying to say he would show up as early as Thor: The Dark World and that was a mistake, imo. Thor already has a lot of villains and introducing a big villain like Thanos that early would have been dumb. 

Guardians of the Galaxy is set to be released on August 1, 2014 and The Avengers 2 is set for May 1, 2015.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Oscar nominations to precede Golden Globes in 2013

The powers that be who run the Academy Awards have shuffled things for the 2013 awards season. Usually nominations for the Academy Awards follow the Golden Globes, but in 2013 the Oscar nominees will be announced on January 10th which puts the announcement 3 days before the Globes. This is a good movie, imo. The Golden Globes always seem to be more playful than serious and I think they always had an unnecessary lean on how the Oscar nominations turn out based on who wins or whatever. Hopefully we get good nominees. I thought the 2012 awards were a joke for the most part. Half the people who won didn't deserve to even be nominated.

The 2013 Academy Awards are set to air on February 24th.

James Gunn confirmed for Guardians of the Galaxy

Director James Gunn (Super, Slither) has been officially confirmed to re-write and direct the upcoming Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy. The film is due August 1, 2014.

I say hell yes. James Gunn is fucking awesome.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Freddie Highmore cast as Norman Bates

A&E has cast child star Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland) as Norman Bates in the upcoming show Bates Motel, the Psycho prequel set to air next year. He joins Vera Farmiga who previously signed on to play Bates' mother.

Bates Motel will be set in the present day and will follow Norman living with his mother.

First images of Kick-Ass 2

We have some images from the set of Kick-Ass 2 featuring Chloe Moretz and Aaron Johnson.








I am still pretty excited for this movie. Seeing Hit-Girl with a new mask made me squeal a bit. /fangirl

Friday, September 14, 2012

Finding Nemo 3D - Review

I am a pretty big Disney fan in general, but I absolutely love Disney/Pixar flicks. I decided to go see Finding Nemo 3D seeing that I already saw Beauty and the Beast 3D earlier this year. I am not necessarily reviewing the movie itself because Finding Nemo is awesome and has been for years, but I wanted to touch on the Toy Story short, Partysaurus Rex, before the movie and the 3D itself.

Starting with Partysaurus Rex, I thought it was a really fun short. The basic premise of it is the rest of the toy gang in their new home is picking on Rex for being a party pooper. Their new child decides to introduce Rex into her bath time play and he meet the bath toys. They describe how the party is always on when the water is running but when the water drains the party dies. Rex is the only one with arms so he turns the water back on and carries on a party with his new bath friends.
One thing I have always loved about Toy Story is how they submerge you into the fantasy the child is enacting with the toys. That shined primarily in Toy Story 3 with the intro. In this short they put you right in her bath time fun and show you what she is enacting in her own mind. I loved it.

As far as the 3D goes for Finding Nemo I was honestly a bit disappointed with it. I thought the post-conversion wasn't that impressive and the colors were darker than they should have been. I mean, Beauty and the Beast 3D was better and that is a little sad because usually the Pixar type animation looks a lot better in 3D than traditional 2D animation. I love that I finally saw this movie in a theater because I didn't see it during its original theatrical one, but it didn't need to be in 3D. It wasn't that good on the eyes.


Looking forward to more Disney/Pixar 3D re-releases we will have Monsters Inc. in December so that will be a decision. I love Monsters Inc. but I don't think I will see the re-release. I saw it in theaters back in 2001 so I don't need to do it again. Especially when I have the feeling the 3D will be just as lousy as Finding Nemo.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

UPDATE: Viggo Mortensen to join Marvel?

I wrote a couple days ago that there was a rumor circulating that Viggo Mortensen might be added to the cast of Thor: The Dark World as Doctor Strange. We now have confirmation that it's not true. Marvel said they would love to work with Mortensen at some point but he is not signed or attached to any Marvel project at this time.

Bummer.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Bravo to adapt Heathers television show

*screams* This is why we can't have nice things.

Bravo announced they are in the process of adapting a show from the 1988 teen film Heathers. The film starred a very young Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. If you have never seen this movie go watch it now. Just do it.

Basically the show will take place in present day and will follow Veronica Sawyer (Ryder's character) as she brings her daughter to the old Sherwood high school where the girl will have to face the new cliques including the "Ashleys" which are comprised of the daughters of the surviving "Heathers." The show is being written by Mark Rizzo and Jenny Bicks.


In the words of Heather Chandler... fuck me gently with a chainsaw.

No Director's Cut for The Dark Knight Rises

Despite previous rumors that we were going to get an extended director's cut Blu-Ray for The Dark Knight Rises, with around 30min of extra footage, it has now been confirmed that we will not. Christopher Nolan doesn't seem one for director's cut releases and I guess he isn't about to start now.

I was looking forward to seeing Bane's origin story and whatever else was within that 30 minutes, but I guess some things just aren't meant to be seen outside of the editing room.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Captain America 2 to start filming in March 2013

According to Chris Evans, filming for Captain America: The Winter Soldier will begin in March 2013. The film is slated for release on April 4, 2014 so getting an early start definitely won't hurt anyone. Captain America: The First Avenger had a 13-month production as well so they might figure whatever worked the first time will work again.

Other than the assumed return of Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (aka, The Winter Soldier) and the addition of Anthony Mackie as Falcon, it is said that S.H.I.E.L.D. and Samuel L. Jackson (aka, Nick Fury) play a bigger role in the sequel. That is about all we know so far.

Arrested Development welcomes back Liza Minnelli

Prepare to have her nausea become "our nausea" once again... Liza Minnelli will be reprising her role as Lucille Austero (aka, Lucille 2) in the upcoming season of Arrested Development. Lucille 2 is the former girlfriend of Buster Bluth and neighbor/enemy of Lucille Bluth.

There is no word on exactly how many episodes Liza will appear in, but even a little bit is more than enough. Lucille 2 always was a funny character. She previously appeared in 10 episodes throughout the show's initial run on Fox.

Monday, September 10, 2012

RUMOR: Viggo Mortensen to join Marvel?

A new rumor has surfaced regarding Thor: The Dark World. Rumor has it, according to this Twitter account, that Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings) is in talks for an unspecified role in Marvel Phase 2. The rumored role? Doctor Strange.
Marvel has been working on a single movie for Doctor Strange for the past couple of years and Collider suggests that he could appear in Phase 2 and have his own movie for Phase 3, a phase which they feel is inevitable.

If you know nothing about Doctor Strange here is a basic biography for him:

"Born Dr. Stephen Strange, a world-renowned but selfish neurosurgeon who only cared about wealth from his career. A car accident damaged his hands, shattering the bones. The damage and subsequent healing however, effectively ended his ability to conduct the surgery as he had before since his hands now tremble uncontrollably. Too proud to take on a teaching job, Strange desperately began the search for a cure to restore his hands, consulting various doctors, homeopathic treatments, and traveling around the world to remote regions for exotic cures, all to no avail.
Having completely exhausted all funds and reduced to homelessness, Strange is left to performing back alley medical procedures for cash. Depressed and still searching for a cure, Strange locates a hermit called the Ancient One who refuses to help because of Strange's selfishness, but senses his good side which he attempts to bring to the surface. He fails but Strange's goodness does show itself when he discovers the Ancient One's disciple, Baron Mordo, attempting to kill the old man. After Strange selflessly thwarts Mordo (who becomes Strange's most enduring antagonist) he is taught the mystic arts.
As the Ancient One's new disciple, Strange encounters the entity, Nightmare, and a number of odd mystical foes before battling his eventual arch-foe: Dormammu, a warlord from an alternate dimension called the Dark Dimension."

Given the information we have on Doctor Strange I wouldn't be surprised to see him surface at some point in Phase 2. However, I think shoving him into Thor: The Dark World would be overkill. The film already has two villains (3 if you count Loki) and I think that would be a little bit too much. If they are going to throw Doctor Strange into Phase 2 I would prefer him in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Also bear in mind that this is just a rumor. There will be and has been no shortage of Marvel casting rumors so don't take anything too seriously. The only reason this has broken out of its shell is because the Twitter account that hinted the news was right about Falcon being added to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and that Sebastian Stan will return as Bucky/The Winter Soldier.

Olga Kurkulina cast in Kick-Ass 2

Olga Kurkulina has been officially cast in the role of Mother Russia in the upcoming film, Kick-Ass 2. Mother Russia serves as a bodyguard for Red Mist, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Production for the film also began today in Toronto. 

Catching Fire fan contest announced!

Production has officially begun on the much anticipated film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire! Filming will continue into late 2012 and will shoot mostly in and around Atlanta, GA.
The announcement comes with a fan contest introduced by director Francis Lawrence. The contest is as follows...



Visit the official contest website to enter  May the odds be ever in your favor.

Twilight Saga marathon hits on November 15th

It appears that what theaters have done for previous movie runs, like The Dark Knight Trilogy screenings, will also be done for The Twilight Saga. It was announced that starting November 15th fans will have the opportunity to see all 4 existing Twilight movies in theaters before the premiere of the 5th movie, Breaking Dawn Part 2. The basic breakdown is Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn Part 1 will be screened on the 15th and with your marathon ticket you will be able to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 at 10pm local time, two hours before the regular midnight screenings. So basically if you go to the marathon you will be exiting the theater around the time the midnight screenings are just starting.

I will not be doing this but I am sure plenty of Twilight people will be.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Daniel Craig to return for more Bond films

It has been confirmed that Daniel Craig will return to reprise the role of James Bond for at least two more films following Skyfall. Including Skyfall he has appeared as Bond in three films total with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace also under his 007 belt.

I personally am not happy about this because I think Daniel Craig is a lousy Bond, but whatever. He is popular an it's more about money than quality these days.

Star Trek 2 official title revealed

JJ Abrams has revealed the official title for the upcoming Star Trek sequel. The title is Star Trek Into the Darkness... 3D.


This title sounds dumb, imo.

Friday, September 7, 2012

UPDATE: Jeffrey Wright cast in Catching Fire

Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale, Source Code) is the newest addition to the cast of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Wright has been cast as Beetee, a former victor from District 3 and is somewhat of an electronics expert. Click the jump for spoiler info on Beetee.


Twilight - Breaking Dawn Part 2 VMA Trailer premieres





The newest trailer for The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part 2 premiered last night at the MTV Video Music Awards. The show itself was meh, despite Kevin Hart being hilarious, and so was this trailer. All I really had to say after watching it was at least they added a fight at the end. The ending of the book pissed me off because nothing happens. The Volturi basically show themselves to be a bunch of pussies.

Rosario Dawson returning for Sin City 2

Rosario Dawson has confirmed her return for the Sin City sequel, A Dame to Kill For. Dawson will be reprising her role as Gail.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is set for October 4, 2013.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

The CW picks up Wonder Woman

After failed attempts, including one last year, to bring Wonder Woman to television it appears that The CW has picked up the character and is developing a show called Amazon. There is no timetable on when a pilot episode will be filmed or anything like that, but I guess Wonder Woman will be added to the superhero friendly network. The CW has already had the long lasting Superman origins show Smallville and have a new show centered around Green Arrow called Arrow which is set to premiere this fall.

Personally, I think the Wonder Woman thing is overhyped. She's a female superhero so people automatically think she's badass. I personally never got into Wonder Woman that much so this is whatever to me. I don't watch The CW and I won't start now. Not unless I hear the show is phenomenal.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Trailer for Monsters Inc, 3D re-release

Disney... can we just have new movies? Thanks.


Marvel's Phase One set delayed indefinitely

The release of The Avengers on Blu-Ray/DVD prompted a new set of marketing. One of them was a Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled Blu-Ray collector set which was to be released on September 25, 2012. The set was to feature Blu-Ray editions of every Phase One film; Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers. The set comes in a briefcase with a copy of the Tesseract along with character artwork and sells for like $200.

However... the production and sales of this collector set have been put on hold for an indefinite amount of time. Why? Apparently Marvel failed to obtain permission from a German luggage company who is claiming that they illegally replicated and produced their briefcase design. They have filed a lawsuit against Marvel which is going to halt the production and release of this set. The pre-order page on Amazon has been removed and I assume everyone who already pre-ordered this set just had their orders canceled. I guess if you want The Avengers on home media you will have to do what everyone else did and buy a regular Blu-Ray or DVD copy.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Jim Carrey confirmed for Kick-Ass 2

It has been confirmed that Jim Carrey will star in Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall as The Colonel. Director Jeff Wadlow shared the news on Twitter just 6-days prior to filming.

Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall hits theaters on June 28, 2013 and has Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse all returning.

Monday, September 3, 2012

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan, most recognized for his role in The Green Mile, has passed away at the age of 54. His fiance says it was due to complications after he suffered a heart attack in July.

Rest in peace, Mr. Duncan. Hollywood will definitely miss you.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

The Possession - Review

The Possession follows Emily, a 10-year old girl who has her father buy her a mysterious box at a yard sale. Within 29 days of owning the box Emily's family notices she has adopted some odd and scary behavior eventually leading the family to seek exorcism help from a Hasidic Jewish rabbi.


I looked forward to The Possession for one reason; Sam Raimi was involved. Ordinarily Ghost House features aren't necessarily good but I wanted to give this a try. Judging from the trailers and that fact that Sam Raimi's horror has never let me down I went for it. For the most part this movie was good but that doesn't mean it was great. There was problems when it came to character development and some continuity but I will admit it's better that some other exorcism movies I have seen the past couple of years. Definitely more enjoyable than flicks like The Last Exorcism and Paranormal Activity.
As far as acting goes I think it was well acted, including the children. Usually kids are a toss up when it comes to movies and I think the lead girl playing Emily, Natasha Calis, was very good. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was probably the best, though. I also thought it was very visually achieving. The shots were great and the effects were well done. There wasn't an overwhelming amount of effects and the ones used fit great.

But, of course, with every good thing there is something unfortunate. I mentioned the character development and I think that was my main gripe. You find out the most basic details of the family and they just leave it hanging. You find out the dad was a school basketball coach and mom's boyfriend was a dentist, but you never learn anything else about their lives. You also never know why Emily's parents divorced or what the mom did for a living. You also learn nothing about the previous owner of the box or where exactly it originated from. They just show the girl finding it at the yard sale and very quickly becomes obsessed with it.
Like most exorcism/possession movies I think the exorcism itself was very short lived and a little lackluster. The dad goes to find the rabbi and before you know it they are sneaking off to perform this exorcism and it is over within the last 10 minutes of the movie. I was disappointed with that. They wasted a lot of time on things that didn't need the extended focus.


Other than that I would still say The Possession was pretty good for what it's worth. Not quite as good as Drag Me to Hell was but like I said... a lot better than other exorcism movies we have had the past couple years. It's worth seeing.