Disney Moves Up The Release of Princess and the Frog March 11, 2009 2:16 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Release Dates, Walt Disney Pictures.Tags: The Princess and the Frog
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Disney has decided to move up the release of The Princess and the Frog from its original Christmas Day, 2009 release date to December 11, 2009. The animated musical will open in limited release exclusively in New York and Los Angeles 16 days earlier on November 25th.
Disney made the decision, so they could take the film out of competition with 20th Century Fox’s family friendly Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel. In its new date, it’ll face off against Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones from DreamWorks and Paramount.
Vin Diesel on Third ‘Riddick’ Movie March 11, 2009 2:04 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Video Games.Tags: Pitch Black, Vin Diesel
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During an interview with GameSpot about the upcoming video game The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (follow-up to the hit 2004 game ‘Escape From Butcher Bay’), Vin Diesel revealed that plans are underway for a third installment in the ‘Riddick’ film franchise:
Maybe we’re too tight-lipped about the next Chronicles of Riddick film, and I think circa the release of [Dark Athena] that’s probably when you’ll start hearing more about the next Riddick film. It is underway and I almost think it’s a coincidence that we haven’t heard anything, that there hasn’t been a lot of public stuff on the Riddick movie.
Diesel later added that Pitch Black/The Chronicles of Riddick screenwriter David Twohy “is finishing up the next script.”
‘Assault on Dark Athena’ will be released on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 on April 7, 2009.
New Dragonball Evolution Clips March 11, 2009 2:01 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 20th Century Fox, Movies, Video Clips.Tags: Dragonball Evolution
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There are six new clips from 20th Century Fox’s Dragonball Evolution online plus a new TV spot from the UK. Watch the TV spot below, and click through the jump to watch the six clips.
Dragonball Evolution hits theaters on April 9, 2009. (more…)
“Sci-Fi Saturday” at TrekMovie.com March 11, 2009 12:30 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Site Info, Television.Tags: TrekMovie.com
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Every weekend I contribute a column titled “Sci-Fi Saturday” (sometimes “Sci-Fi Sunday”) to TrekMovie.com. If you’re not aware of the site, do give it a browse. The site’s owner/editor, Anthony Pascale, has done a wonderful job making it “the source for everything new in Trek”, as the site’s tag line rightfully claims.
And if you have any sort of interest in Sci-Fi entertainment, I think you’ll enjoy the weekly columns I contribute to the site. To that end, you can find the latest edition of “Sci-Fi Saturday” linked below.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sci-Fi Saturday: Watchmen, Terminator, Transformers, Tron + Lost, Heroes, Smallville, Doctor Who + more
Note: You’ll always find a link to the most recent article on the newly created Sci-Fi Saturday Page. As I said, the article goes up every Saturday (although occasionally on Sunday).
First Iron Man 2 Set Photo March 10, 2009 10:16 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies.Tags: Iron Man 2, Jon Favreau
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Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau has released the first photo from the set of Iron Man 2. The photo, pictured above (click to enlarge), features Favreau on the set of Tony Stark’s house (still under construction) with cinematographer Matthew Libatique.
Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7, 2010.
Source: Jon Favreau
Russell Brand Talks ‘Pirates 4’ March 10, 2009 11:55 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.Tags: Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Russell Brand
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Last year there was a rumor that Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) was in talks to play Captain Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) brother in the next Pirates of the Caribbean film. Brand was recently asked about the rumor by Access Hollywood and he said that “There’s been some talk of doing a ‘Pirates’ movie,” but that he has “eight other things to do” including Get Him To The Greek with Judd Apatow, so he doesn’t “know if there’ll be time to be a pirate.”
Get Him To The Greek is the upcoming Forgetting Sarah Marshall spinoff that will have Brand reprise his role as Aldous Snow.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is on record from last November saying that they are targeting a 2012 release for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean.
Five Join Whedon’s Cabin in the Woods March 10, 2009 3:04 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News.Tags: Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Drew Goddard, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Joss Whedon, Kristen Connolly, The Cabin in the Woods
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Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard have cast Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz and Jesse Williams in the duo’s secretive genre project The Cabin in the Woods. The screenplay was written by Whedon who is producing with Goddard (who is also directing).
“Finding this ensemble has been very hard and very rewarding,” Whedon said. “Each of the ‘kids’ is unique, fascinating and talented, and like true friends, the group is more than the sum of its parts. These are people you care about, able to go toe to toe with the amazing actors we’ve corralled thus far, and not unpretty in the bargain. I can’t wait to harm them.”
The Cabin in the Woods is shooting now, but its release has been pushed back from October 23rd to February 5, 2010.
Source: THR
Ridley Scott Has Found His Merry Men March 10, 2009 2:31 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Universal Pictures.Tags: Alan Doyle, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Durand, Ridley Scott, Robin Hood, Russell Crowe, Scott Grimes
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Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand and Alan Doyle have been cast as the group of adventures in Ridley Scott’s still untitled Robin Hood project, headlined by actor Russell Crowe as Robin Hood and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian. The project was written by Brian Helgeland.
From THR:
Grimes has been cast in the role of Will Scarlet, a skilled swordsman and Hood’s nephew.
Durand is playing Little John, Hood’s right-hand man. He is best known in the legends for fighting a duel with Hood using quarterstaves while trying to cross a river.
Doyle is playing Alan a Dayle,CQ who in lore was a roving minstrel and needed help when his love was being forced to marry another man.
Watchmen Tops at Box Office With $55.2M Opening March 10, 2009 1:45 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, News.Tags: Watchmen
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Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated adaptation of the Alan Moore graphic novel Watchmen, opened over the weekend with a solid $55.2 million from 3,611 theaters on 7,500 screens, helping the box office improve a healthy 11% over the same time frame last year. The film opened on Friday with $24.5M before dropping 25% on Saturday to $18.4M and 33% on Sunday to $12.3M.
While still a respectable bow, the picture fell slightly below opening weekend expectations of $60-70M.
The film performed better in IMAX venues. Opening in 124 of the large-screen theaters, Watchmen generated a second-best ever $5.4 million, accounting for nearly 10 percent of its weekend gross on less than three and a half percent of the film’s total theater count. (The Dark Knight holds the record — $6.3 million at 94 sites).
In fact, while Watchmen failed to match Snyder’s last film — March record holder 300 which grossed $70.9M in 2007 — Watchmen’s IMAX gross was significantly above 300 ($3.6M from 62 such venues).
In foreign markets, the film took $27.5 million from 5,097 theaters in 45 territories. Thus far, Watchmen is at $82.7M worldwide, slightly more than its estimated $150M production budget.
Sources: Box Office Mojo and Variety
New Wonder Woman Images + Q&A With Keri Russell March 10, 2009 1:12 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray, DVD, Images/Photos, Movies, Warner Brothers.Tags: Keri Russell, Wonder Woman
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Wonder Woman, the latest DC Universe DVD/Blu-ray from Warner Bros. is available to now available to own. But I’ve got a few more images and a brand new Q&A with actress Keri Russell, who voices Diana/Wonder Woman, worth checking out. Click through the jump to read the Q&A and see two more images.
Official Plot Synopsis:
Produced by the multiple Emmy® Award winning animation legend Bruce Timm, Wonder Woman is an origin– story and features a stellar celebrity voice cast including Keri Russell (Waitress, Felicity), Nathan Fillion (Desperate Housewives), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Rosario Dawson (Sin City), Oliver Platt (The West Wing) and David McCallum (NCIS). Wonder Woman begins on the mystical island of Themyscira, where a proud and fierce warrior race of Amazons resides. They have raised Princess Diana, a daughter of stunning beauty, extraordinary strength and incredible fighting prowess. Diana possesses a host of super human powers granted to her by the gods and goddesses of Olympus and her strength and stamina are unparalleled. When Air Force fighter pilot Steve Trevor crash lands on the island, the rebellious and headstrong Diana defies Amazonian law by accompanying Trevor back to civilization. Meanwhile, Ares (the God of War) has escaped his imprisonment at the hands of the Amazons and has decided to exact his revenge by starting a world war that will destroy them all. It is up to Princess Diana to save her people and the world by using her gifts to become the ultimate Wonder Woman.
http://www.wonderwomanmovie.com
Wonder Woman was released on March 3rd, and is available to own on either DVD or Blu-ray Hi-Def. You can check out my review of the two-disc DVD at this link. (more…)
First Look: Daniel Radcliffe on Deathly Hallows Set March 9, 2009 6:37 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Images/Photos, Movies, News.Tags: Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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The Daily Mirror has published the first photo of Daniel Radcliffe on the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. A user on the Harry Potter fansite Snitch Sneeker scanned the image, which you can see posted above (along with another one from Oculumedia). Follow the links to see the images in higher res.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I hits theaters on November 19, 2010 followed by ‘Part II’ on July 15, 2011.
via ComingSoon.net
Dakota Fanning To Star in New Moon March 8, 2009 8:21 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Summit Entertainment.Tags: Dakota Fanning, The Twilight Saga's New Moon
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It’s official. The late-January report from E! Online that Dakota Fanning was in talks to play Jane in The Twilight Saga’s New Moon has been confirmed. A rep for Summit Entertainment has confirmed the casting news to People Magazine.
Filming on ‘New Moon’ is set to begin in Vancouver later this month.
“We did just get a script. We’re shooting the rest of the films back to back,” says Nikki Reed, who plays Rosalie Hale in the film. “(Director) Chris Weitz is amazing and I think it’s going to be wonderful.”
The Twilight Saga’s New Moon hits theaters on November 20, 2009.
New Photos: Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time March 8, 2009 7:49 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Images/Photos, Movies.Tags: Jake Gyllenhaal, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
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The Huffington Post has gotten their hands on two new photos of Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan in Disney’s adapation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Click the above photo to head on over to the Huffington Post to check out high-res versions of the photos.
Synopsis
Ubisoft’s popular video-game series of the same name gets adapted for the big screen in this sweeping fantasy adventure starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton. The setting is sixth century Persia. A nefarious nobleman covets the Sands of Time, a legendary gift from the gods that allows its possessor to turn back time. Whoever owns the Sands of Time has the power to rule the world, and this villainous lord would use that power to enslave all of humanity. The only person capable of defeating this tyrant and saving the world is Dastan (Gyllenhaal), a youthful prince. Now, with plucky princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) by his side, Dastan will attempt to prevent the Sands of Time from falling into the wrong hands. Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) directs a script penned by Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro, Jordan Mechner, and Boaz Yakin.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time hits theaters on May 28, 2010.
Wolverine: New Deadpool Photo March 8, 2009 7:19 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 20th Century Fox, Images/Photos, Movies.Tags: Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
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Superhero Hype! has received a brand new photo of Ryan Reynolds in the role of Wade Wilson/Deadpool in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Click the image above to check out a bigger version of the photo. And in case you missed it, head on through the jump to watch the film’s just-released final trailer.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine hits theaters on May 1, 2009. (more…)
New Up Trailer March 8, 2009 7:11 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies, News.Tags: Up
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Disney/Pixar have debuted the new trailer for their next animated feature Up. This looks like another winner for Pixar. The trailer gives us the deepest look into the film, including a new character (a talking dog) and a first look at the film’s villain. Watch the trailer after the jump. (more…)
Watchmen Takes Weekend With Strong Debut March 8, 2009 3:26 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, Warner Brothers.Tags: Watchmen
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According to studio estimates, Warner Brothers adaptation of the Alan Moore comic/graphic novel Watchmen pulled in a very respectable $55.7 million this weekend. The film took in $25.14 million on Friday, dropped to $19 million on Saturday and is expected to pull in another $11.52 million through tonight (Sunday).
Now, it’s true that the movie failed to match Snyder’s last, 300 (which grossed a March record $70.9 million in 2007) and WB had reportedly been hoping for $60 million or so, but this performance is still very impressive.
That’s all especially true when you factor in the age and difficulty in adapting the source material to the big screen with care, the fact that this is not a sequel of any kind and most especially the R-Rating and very long length (2 hours and 43 minutes). It’ll be very interesting to see where the movie lands in the coming weeks, but there is no doubt that the long length limited its opening weekend performance even though it played in 3,611 theaters, a record for an R-Rated film. Then again, it’s total screen count of 7,500 is no where near a record–again, this is all due to the film’s long length.
Looking a bit more on the positive angle, while some may feel the movie’s total gross was a little on the disappointing side, there should be no disappointment with the IMAX folks. Playing at 124 IMAX theaters (~3% of its total theater account), Watchmen drew an impressive $5.5 million (~$44,000 per theater average) of its business from the large-screen format, accounting for a hefty 10 or so percent of its overall weekend gross. In fact, it was the second-largest IMAX launch ever behind The Dark Knight which took in $6.3 million at 94 sites (accounting for just a little under 4% of its total gross) and unlike Watchmen had 24-hour showings to help boost its gross:
“This solidifies in our mind that we’re the choice for the fan boys, and we love having them,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of Filmed Entertainment for IMAX
Source: Box Office Mojo
Watchmen: $25.1M Opening Day March 7, 2009 11:46 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, News, Warner Brothers.Tags: Watchmen
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Watchmen grabbed an estimated $25.14 million on Friday. That figure includes the $4.55 million that the film grossed from midnight Thursday grosses. That’s actually slightly lower than Snyder’s last film, 2007’s 300 which grabbed $28.11 million in its first day ($2.5 million of which from Thursday midnight).
While 300’s March opening weekend record of $70.89 million isn’t out of reach, many analysts expect the film to drop off and fall short of that tally, instead finishing the weekend at around $55-60 million.
Make no mistake, that’s still impressive. The issue here seems to be the film’s long run time. At 2 hours and 43 minutes, it’s a full 46 minutes longer than Snyder’s 300. In addition to the fatigue concern, there’s the simple fact that it won’t be able to be played in as many screens as most other, shorter, blockbusters.
Look for further updates on the film’s gross throughout the weekend.
Seth Rogen Talks Green Hornet March 6, 2009 2:16 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Columbia Pictures, Movies, News, Sony Pictures.Tags: Seth Rogen, Stephen Chow, The Green Hornet
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Seth Rogen is doing press for his latest film Monsters vs. Aliens, but found some time to talk about Green Hornet, which he co-wrote and stars in.
According to MovieHole, Rogen says that the film will begin shooting this June. Rogen also reiterated that the film will not be an origin story in the traditional sense and will be unlike every other superhero film out there. Rogen also said that it’ll concentrate on the relationship bettween Green Hornet and Kato (played by Stephen Chow).
Midnight Watchmen Screenings Take In $4.6M March 6, 2009 1:58 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, News, Warner Brothers.Tags: Watchmen
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Watchmen grossed $4.6 million from Thursday midnight runs. That’s nearly double the midnight gross for Snyder’s previous film 300, which took in $2.5M in March 2006. The film played in more than 1,595 theaters across the country and did so well in IMAX that the exhibtor sold out all 124 showings and added 3am showings. IMAX adds that much of the weekend is already sold out.
Watchmen opens wide today in a record — for an R-rated film — 3,611 theaters. Most analysts expect the film to gross somewhere in the neighborhood of $60-70 million, more than likely near the higher end of those projections, meaning it may beat the weekend gross of Snyder’s 300, which holds a March record of $70.9 million in its opening weekend.
Source: Variety
Star Trek Trailer #3 [Update: HD Version] March 5, 2009 11:29 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies.Tags: Star Trek
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UPDATED at 10:45AM ET on March 6, 2009
The original trailer was the UK release. The official Star Trek website and Apple.com have been updated with the new US trailer (in HD), which only slightly differs from the UK version. Continue through the jump to watch both versions.
The new trailer for J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek will be attached to Watchmen this weekend, but if you haven’t seen the movie yet and you’re unwilling to hold out for a few more hours, then you’re in luck as it’s been released online. Click through the jump to check it out. (more…)
Watchmen Character Profiles: The Comedian, Silk Spectre II and Nite Owl II March 5, 2009 11:21 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Video Clips.Tags: Watchmen
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The final three exclusive Watchmen character profiles — for The Comedian, Silk Spectre II and Nite Owl II — have gone live on NBC.com/Watchmen. Click the link, or the above image, to watch the three spots (when you reach the site, just click the character name on the lower right hand side to watch the appropriate profile).
And for any and all checking out Watchmen at one of the 1,600 or so theaters across the nation at midnight: enjoy yourselves!
Fourth Mad Max In Development, In Animated 3D March 5, 2009 11:07 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News.Tags: George Miller, Mad Max
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Director George Miller told MTV that a fourth Mad Max movie, sans Mel Gibson, is in development and that they’re taking a different route, it’ll be 3D and animated:
Now Miller is resurrecting the idea as an R-rated, stereoscopic anime flick for theatrical release. It’s a curious undertaking, to be sure, but one made all the more certain to happen after the runaway success in 2006 of his computer-animated “Happy Feet”—not that the newest, ever-violent “Max” film will have much in common with that kid-friendly penguin party.
“I see myself as someone who is very curious about storytelling and all its various media,” Miller said. “I’ve always loved anime, in particular the Japanese sensibility. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Read the rest of the interview at MTV.
A Nightmare on Elm Street Set for April 16, 2010 March 5, 2009 11:02 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, New Line, News, Release Dates, Warner Brothers.Tags: A Nightmare on Elm Street
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Warner Bros. and New Line have set an April 16, 2010 release date for the upcoming horror remake A Nightmare on Elm Street.
The project is based on a script by Wesley Strick and will be directed by music-video turned film director Samuel Bayer. At the moment, competition isn’t too crowded for that date, with just two other wide releases set: Weinstein’s Nerveracker and Lionsgate’s animated film Alpha and Omega.
via ShockTillYouDrop
Final X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer March 5, 2009 10:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies.Tags: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
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MTV has the final trailer for 20th Century Fox’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Watch it embedded below.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine hits theaters on May 1, 2009.
Watchmen Character Profile: Ozymandias March 4, 2009 10:36 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Video Clips, Warner Brothers.Tags: Watchmen
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The third of six exclusive Watchmen character profile’s (discussed in this post), this one focusing on Ozymandias, has aired on SCI FI during the network’s telecast of Ghost Hunters International and is now available to watch online at http://www.nbc.com/watchmen/.
OZYMANDIAS
Adrian Veidt, acclaimed as “The World’s Smartest Man,” was inspired by the life of Alexander the Great to take on the costumed identity of Ozymandias. Having trained his body to athletic perfection, he operated for only a few years before retiring, revealing his secret identity publicly, and building a financial empire based around his past as a costumed hero. Determined to do true good in the world, he is one of the few vigilantes apparently free from psychological scars from his years fighting crime.
Click the image below to watch the character profile clip.
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