First 22 Minutes of Watchmen Seen + Court Trial Pushed Back December 17, 2008 3:49 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Watchmen.add a comment
Devin Faraci of CHUD got the opportunity to watch the first 22 minutes of Warner Bros.’ Watchmen over the weekend at Butt-Numb-A-Thon in Austin. Here’s what he had to say about the clip:
It will look and feel like a real movie.
That’s a weird thing to say, but there are lots of people out there who, having only seen the trailers released to the public, are jumping to the conclusion that Zack Snyder has made a Watchmen filled with speed ramping and flashy money shots. From what I’ve seen this isn’t even remotely true at all. The footage is stylish – well shot, with rich visuals and dynamic compositions – but it looked more like a modern take on a noir film than anything else. What I saw was moody, sometimes muted. Snyder allows his takes to be long, eschewing a quick cut style that many seem to think would rule the day in this film. The 22 minutes I saw didn’t feel like an action film at all.
Meanwhile, Variety is reporting that Los Angeles federal judge Gary Allen Feess has pushed back the Watchmen court trial two weeks to January 20, 2009.
NBC To Use Super Bowl to ReIntroduce Programming December 17, 2008 3:44 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Chuck, Heroes, Kings, Medium, NBC, News, Television.1 comment so far
With several of the network’s high-profile shows experiencing series low ratings, and NBC still unable to successfully launch a new series this fall season, the network is looking to capitilize on the large audience tuning into the Super Bowl to to reintroduce its programming to America.
Promotions are being planned for Heroes, Kings, Medium and NBCU Cable shows among others. NBC will have five minutes’ worth of promotional time during the Super Bowl, plus a potential of between two and four minutes during halftime. Additional time will be available in the network’s pregame and postgame programming. NBC Entertainment president of marketing Adam Stotsky said that the Super Bowl gives the network an opportunity to “reintroduce” viewers to NBC programs they might not currently be watching “as well as give current fans some of the respective shows some special episode points to keep them coming back.”
The network’s Monday night lineup will be most highlighted, set to debut one day after the game airs. They include a special 3-D episode of Chuck at 8pm, the new volume of Heroes at 9pm and the season premiere of Medium at 10pm.
“You want to have a trailer version so [viewers] know what it’s about,” said Mr. Miller. “We also plan a different kind of spot that gets attention, the type of thing that will be displayed on YouTube the next day.”
Source: Advertising Age
Jessica Alba and Jack Black to Guest Star on NBC’s The Office December 16, 2008 5:53 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, NBC, News, Television, The Office.1 comment so far
NBC has announced that Jack Black and Jessica Alba will both be guest-starring on the hour-long post-Super Bowl episode of The Office on February 1, 2009.
I’ve included both press releases after the jump.
Merlin Renewed for Second Season December 16, 2008 5:37 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in BBC, Merlin, News, Television.1 comment so far
BBC has renewed its successful original series Merlin for a second season. The show premiered in the U.K. in September and received an impressive 28% share, or 6.2 million viewers. The show been picked up in over 100 territories, including the United States, where NBC has the rights.
All 13 episodes of the first season have already aired in the U.K.
Source: Variety
Rob Zombie Confirmed As Director of Halloween Sequel, H2 December 16, 2008 5:23 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, H2, Halloween, Movies, News.add a comment
About two weeks ago ShockTillYouDrop.com reported that Rob Zombie would be returning to direct a sequel to his 2007 film Halloween (click here to read that story). Now Variety has confirmed that Zombie will indeed be returning to direct the sequel, titled H2. Dimension Films hopes to begin production on the film next March.
Halloween debuted August 31, 2007 and grossed $58.3 million domestically. It added $20.2 million from overseas markets for a worldwide cume of $78.5 million.
Not adjusting for inflation, Halloween (2007) is the top grossing installment in the nine-film franchise, just ahead 1998’s Halloween: H20.
New Moon Release Date Set; Transformers 3 in 2011? December 16, 2008 4:51 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, New Moon, News, Release Dates, Transformers.add a comment
Summit Entertainment has announced that New Moon will be released on November 20, 2009. Dark Horizons is also reporting that German release schedules are showing a July 29, 2011 release date for Transformers 3. The date doesn’t seem too far-fetched, considering the first film was released on June 27, 2009 and the second will be released June 26, 2009.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, December 15, 2008 December 16, 2008 4:47 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
American Idol Returns on January 13th December 16, 2008 4:31 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in American Idol, Fox, News, Television.1 comment so far
Fox has announced that the eighth season of American Idol will premiere on January 13th. The eighth season will kick off with three weeks of audition episodes.
Read the complete press release after the jump.
Abrams Talks Star Trek + New Banner December 16, 2008 4:00 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Images, Movies, News, Star Trek.add a comment
Abrams conducted a short interview with MTV where the Star Trek director discussed several aspects of the film, including its humor, Leonard Nimoy’s involvment and the difference between his ‘Trek’ and Trek films of the past.
Paramount also released a new banner of the crew, which you’ll find posted above. Click to enlarge.
Here’s some of the interview, click here to read the rest.
MTV: Having been fortunate enough to view a few scenes recently, do you think fans will be surprised by the amount of humor in the film? [Editor’s note: In one sequence, an allergic reaction to medication results in massive swelling of Kirk’s hands and face … think “Nutty Professor.”]
Abrams: It’s funny, because when you see a quarter of something or less, it’s easy to draw conclusions about what the whole thing is. The thing with the hands is probably the most extreme sort of borderline-silly thing that happens in the movie. But the humor in the movie is constant within the wit of the characters. And I think when you look at the original “Star Trek” show, there was actually a great deal of humor.
MTV: We’ve seen Nimoy delivering his classic “Live long and prosper” line in the trailer. Is he fundamental to the story line, or is it more or less a glorified cameo?
Abrams: No, it’s no cameo. He’s in the movie, and his role is critical. I always think “cameo” feels like a role that the movie could exist without. This is critical, emotional and also a story element.
MTV: When you look at the other “Star Trek” films, what are they missing that you wanted to bring to yours?
Abrams: There are a number of things that I think are unique to this movie. There’s a level of relevance that I think is really because of the actors playing the part. I didn’t want to just re-create or reset everything, I thought going back to those characters was important. [In previous films] when we met those characters, we met them pre-established. They’d already been working together, they already knew each other. They had this history. And for some reason, the origin of those relationships of those characters was something that probably would have helped me, at least, connect to them and understand why I should care about them and who they were.
So on those fundamental levels, none of the movies have had that before. But on a much more practical level, “Star Trek” has never had the opportunity, nor the resources, to be realized in this way. Things like the ships and the battles and the planets and the chases and the action sequences … and do them in a way that felt thrilling and terrifying and entertaining in a way that the show and the prior movies simply couldn’t afford to do. I feel we were able to bring to life, in a way we’ve never seen before, what it is to be a member of Starfleet. And that’s kind of cool.
Norrington to Remake The Crow December 16, 2008 3:52 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, The Crow.add a comment
Stephen Norrington (Blade) has signed on to write and direct a remake of The Crow, based on the comic book created by James O’Barr. Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media is currently negotiating with produce Ed Pressman to acquire the film franchise and finance the film. Pressman produced the 1994 Alex Proyas-directed film.
Norrington told Variety: “Whereas Proyas’ original was gloriously gothic and stylized, the new movie will be realistic, hard-edged and mysterious, almost documentary-style”.
Terminator Salvation Sequel Moving Forward December 16, 2008 2:22 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Terminator Salvation.add a comment
Variety is reporting that Halcyon Co. execs Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek are working with Terminator Salvation director McG on a fifth installment of the popular franchise.
Terminator Salvation was always planned to be the first in a new trilogy, but the announcement to move forward with another installment was originally expected to be withheld until the release of the film next summer, but positive studio, fan and media reaction to recently released footage of the film has encouraged Halcyon to move forward ahead of schedule:
“We feel the time is now to start shaping the next part of this,” Kubicek said.
The announcement was made at the Dubai International Film Festival, where McG was in attendance.
Christian Bale is already signed on for the role of John Connor in all three films.
Robert Carlye Cast in Stargate Universe December 16, 2008 2:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, News, Sci Fi, Stargate Universe, Television.add a comment
Robert Carlyle (24: Redemption) has been cast as Dr. David Rush in SCI FI Channel’s new series Stargate Universe. ‘SGU’ is the third installment in the network’s successful cable franchise and comes from Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis co-creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper. Both producers will write and executive produce the new series. The show is expected to receive a 20-episode first season order.
“We couldn’t be more excited to set Robert Carlyle for Stargate Universe. He brings a depth, intelligence, and complexity to his roles, which will fit perfectly with the fresh, new reinvention of this franchise, ” said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI & Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions.
The full press release follows after the jump.
Chris Weitz to Direct New Moon December 16, 2008 1:49 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, New Moon, News, Twilight.1 comment so far
Summit Entertainment has confirmed that Chris Weitz has been hired to direct New Moon, the sequel to the studio’s highly successful film Twilight. Chris Weitz replaces Catherine Hardwicke, who Summit announced last week would not be continuing with the franchise. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Production.
“We love Stephenie Meyer’s fantastic ‘Twilight’ series. Thinking long and hard about how to turn ‘New Moon’ into the amazing movie we know it will be, and working with Stephenie Meyer to find the right candidate, we are thrilled to announce Chris Weitz as director of the film. Chris very much understands the world of ‘New Moon’ and has the skill set required to bring the book to glorious life as a movie. We think he will be an excellent steward of Stephenie Meyer’s vision.”
“I am honored to have been entrusted with shepherding ‘New Moon’ from the page to the screen,” said Weitz. “The extraordinary world that Stephenie has created has millions of fans, and it will be my duty to protect on their behalf the characters, themes and story they love. This is not a task to be taken lightly, and I will put every effort into realizing a beautiful film to stand alongside a beautiful book.”
Twilight has grossed an impressive $150 million domestically since its release, and has added another $35.3 million from overseas markets for a worldwide cume of $185.3 million. The film’s production budget was just $37 million.
Source: Summit Entertainment (via ComingSoon.net)
Frank Miller Provides Updates on 300 Spin-off And Sin City 2 December 16, 2008 1:20 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 300, Movies, News, Sin City 2.add a comment
Frank Miller recently sat down with Superhero Hype! to discuss his upcoming film The Spirit, but the director also chatted about other projects that he has in the works, including sequels to Sin City and 300.
Miller confirmed to the site that he has “written a story that’s not a prequel” to 300:
“It’s definitely a further story in the Greco-Persian Wars, and it involves some of the same characters but I’m not sure exactly how far along it’ll get and again, until it’s on a marquee, I don’t believe in it.”
Miller also spoke about plans to get moving on a second Sin City and responded to last week’s news that Mickey Rourke was hesitant on returning for the sequel due to long hours in the make-up chair: “He has a pretty big role. I hope Mickey plays it.” Miller also confirmed that although he directed The Spirit solo, he would prefer to once again team-up with Robert Rodriquez for the Sin City sequel:
“I hope to work with Robert. We’re talking it over and trying to work out the mechanics of actually getting it made. It’s always tricky with movies. I believe that a movie’s going to come out as soon as I see its name on a marquee.”
And finally, Miller hinted that he may publish a Sin City or 300 comic or graphic novel ahead of the release of either film.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Kenneth Branagh Talks Thor December 16, 2008 1:04 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Thor.add a comment
It’s been more than two months since news broke that Kenneth Branagh was Marvel’s choice to bring Thor to the big-screen and the director has been quite silent on the project. No more. While doing press for his upcoming film Valkryie, the actor/director spoke to MTV about the upcoming film:
“I am directing “Thor” or “The Mighty Thor’ as you might like to call it,” he said with a smile before clarifying what the title of the film will be. “I think it will be ‘Thor.’”
He continued excitedly, “There’s science fiction and science fact and fantasy all woven into one. It’s based on Norse legends which Marvel sort of raided in a brilliant way.
Branagh also spoke to the rumors that Kevin McKidd would be starring as Thor:
“There’s been lots of talk [about casting] — I sound like a politician — but we are too early at this stage. We’re getting the story and the visual effects together and all of that is very exciting. Someone sensational is going to play the part but it is early days.”
Thor is scheduled to hit theaters on July 16, 2010.
Hugh Jackman to host Oscars December 16, 2008 11:57 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 81st Annual Academy Awards, ABC, Movies, News, Television.2 comments
Actor Hugh Jackman (“Australia”, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) has been tapped to host this year’s Oscar telecast on February 22, 2009. Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, producers of the awards show, called the Australian actor “a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star.”
“He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion,” Mark and Condon said in a joint statement. “Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year’s movies — and to have fun doing it.”
Jackman had the following to say in a statement:
“Thirty years ago when I was in Sydney watching Johnny Carson host the Oscars with my family, I never imagined that I’d one day have the chance to be up on that stage myself,” Jackman said. “I am very grateful to the Academy for giving me this opportunity. And, excited to be working with Larry and Bill on what I know will be a fun and memorable celebration.”
The 81st Annual Academy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, February 22nd on ABC.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, December 14, 2008 December 15, 2008 5:19 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Broadcast TV Ratings for Saturday, December 13, 2008 December 14, 2008 6:28 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
New Wonder Woman Images + Q&A With Alfred Molina December 13, 2008 6:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray, DVD, Images, News, Wonder Woman.1 comment so far
Warner Bros. has released several new images from their upcoming straight-to-video DC Universe animated original movie Wonder Woman.
Also, click through the jump to read a new Q&A with actor Alfred Molina, who voices Ares in the film.
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 hits DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def on March 3, 2009.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Friday, December 12, 2008 December 13, 2008 6:16 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, December 11, 2008 December 12, 2008 7:36 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Golden Globe Awards Announced December 11, 2008 11:59 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Awards, Golden Globes, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association today announced their nominations for The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The awards will take place Sunday, January 11, 2009 on NBC starting at 8 PM ET. Check out the nominations for both movies and television, after the jump.
Bryan Fuller Talks Heroes + John Glover Cast as Sylar’s Dad December 11, 2008 7:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Heroes, NBC, News.add a comment
Entertainment Weekly got a chance to chat with Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) who’s returning to the show as a consultant. Fuller talked a bit about the show’s new volume, titled Fugitives, which kicks off on February 2nd:
It really is a fresh start. All of the characters are back in their real lives. You see Peter as a paramedic. Claire is looking for colleges. We get away from the world of formulas and quasi-magic.
Yes. Episodes 14, 15 and 16 are amazing. The whole “Fugitives” arc starts out very strongly, and then it gets a little dense in the middle in terms of the mythology. So I came in right at the point where everybody was realizing, “Oh, we’re getting too dense here and we need to put faces on stories because there is no face to a formula; there is no face to saving the world.” So it’s turning this big ship back into a character stream, and everyone on the writing staff shares that desire. We need to get back into a character place, because that’s where this story started: Very clean, superhero metaphors to everyday life. That’s the path that we’re taking. But it is a big ship so it’s going to take a little while to turn it.
You can read the rest of the interview at Entertainment Weekly.
Entertainment Weekly is also reporting that NBC has just cast John Glover (Smallville) to play Sylar’s father on the series.
“When Sylar meets his father, he’s going to see a path ahead of him that he doesn’t want to take,” says a source. “He has a lot more in common with his father than he realized.”
Joby Harold In Negotiations to Write Atlantis Rising December 11, 2008 7:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Atlantis Rising, Casting, Movies, News.add a comment
Writer/Director Joby Harold is in negotiations to write the adaptation of the comic book Atlantis Rising for DreamWorks. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are producing for DreamWorks alongside Platinum Studios Chairman and CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who created the original Atlantis Rising five-part series.
“As a writer, Joby has an amazingly strong understanding of how to take genre seriously, which is prerequisite No. 1 for us when it comes to these kinds of movies,” said Kurtzman.
“In all the classic versions of this kind of movie, the threat is always from the stars,” Orci said. “The idea that it’s somehow our cousins who went off in a different path of evolution who have been here, literally, underneath our oceans. … That’s fascinating, the idea of secrets right under your nose.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, December 10, 2008 December 11, 2008 6:34 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.add a comment
Your Entertainment Now 