Stephen Chow to Direct, Star in “The Green Hornet” September 19, 2008 7:09 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, The Green Hornet.add a comment
Seth Rogen made it known some time ago that he wanted Stephen Chow to co-star in The Green Hornet as Kato, and now the casting has been confirmed. Additionally, Chow will also helm the 2010 feature film:
“I’m excited to be taking on The Green Hornet–obviously, I’ve been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid. The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee’s shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true.” – Stephen Chow
“The material is a perfect match for his sensibilities–Stephen in the director’s chair is the best thing for the film.” – Producer Neil Moritz (I Am Legend, Click)
“Stephen was always my and Evan’s first choice for director and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we’re not the Wachowski Brothers.” – Seth Rogen
The Green Hornet hits theaters on June 25, 2010.
Source: Superhero Hype
New Posters: “The Spirit” September 19, 2008 4:15 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Posters, Movies, The Spirit.add a comment
UGO has gotten their hands on two new posters from Frank Miller’s adaptation of the Will Eisner graphic novel The Spirit.
Synopsis
A resurrected cop does battle with a villain whose quest for immortality threatens an entire metropolis in Sin City creator Frank Miller’s adaptation of Will Eisner’s acclaimed graphic novel. When a rookie cop is brutally killed and mysteriously brought back to life, he assumes the guise of The Spirit (Gabriel Macht) — a masked crime fighter who prowls the shadows of Central City on a supernatural mission to keep the urban landscape safe. Upon discovering that his arch nemesis, The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson), is determined to live forever even if it means wiping out the entire population of Central City, The Spirit must race to stop the diabolical villain from achieving his cold-blooded plan. But even with his unique powers, the brave masked crusader will face a series of deadly challenges as a bevy of treacherous beauties including deceptively sweet girl next door Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), spitfire secretary Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), wraithlike siren Lorelei (Jaime King), seductive policewoman Morgenstern (Stana Katic), and French black widow Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega) set out to seduce or consume him at every turn; even The Spirit’s one true love, a volatile jewel thief named Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), could ultimately destroy our hero before he accomplishes his mission of saving Central City.
The Spirit hits theaters on December 25, 2008.
Source: UGO
Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, September 18, 2008 September 19, 2008 3:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.1 comment so far
William Shatner Responds to J.J. Abrams September 18, 2008 9:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Star Trek.add a comment
You’ve likely read the report in which J.J. Abrams noted that Captain Kirk was originally written into Star Trek, but the idea was scrapped after William Shatner expressed his reluctance to do a cameo. Now, William Shatner has responded to Abrams in his latest video blog and is claiming he was never offered a role. The video is below.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, September 17, 2008 September 18, 2008 8:40 pm
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America’s Got Talent led NBC to another Wednesday win as the nights most-watched program, while Bones (most-watched in the adults 18-49 demo) kept Fox afloat in second place, despite week-to-week dips from comedies ‘Til Death and Do Not Disturb.
Meanwhile, The CW’s flagship program America’s Top Model continued its upward trend from the season premiere three weeks back, keeping third-year network out of last place with a fourth place finish on the evening among A18-49.
Check out all the above and more, including my full analysis of the night’s lineup, after the jump.
HBO Announces Abraham Lincoln Miniseries “Manhunt” September 18, 2008 8:27 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in HBO, Manhunt, News, Television.1 comment so far
The premium cable network HBO has just announced that they are developing a new mini series based on the assassination of the America’s 16th president Abraham Lincoln. The series, entitled Manhunt, will deal with the 12 days after Lincoln was shot, focusing on the the manhunt for assassin, John Wilkes Booth. The network has tapped acclaimed TV producers David Simon (The Wire on HBO) and Tom Fontana (Homicide: Life on the Streets on NBC). ‘Homicide’ was an adaptation of David Simon’s novel of the same name.
“The chance to put another project on the boards with [Fontana],” Simon told B&C, “there’s something psychically cool about that.”
The mini series is based on James L. Swanson’s best-selling novel. Simon and Fontana will write the miniseries script and if HBO Films gives the project a greenlight, the duo will serve as executive producers alongside Lawrence Bender and Kevin Brown and Walden Media (publisher of the novel).
Source: Broadcasting & Cable
Fox Developing Animated Series About NASCAR; Jeff Foxworthy to Voice September 18, 2008 8:18 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Fox, News, Television.1 comment so far
Fox has greenlit a new animated series focusing on a NASCAR family. The series will be voiced by comic Jeff Foxworthy. Fox has also announced that they’re developing a daily syndicated version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, which Foxworthy currently hosts on the network.
Foxworthy is heading the untititled animated series, along with 10 Items or Less executive producers Nancy Hower and Lehr. The three willa lso write and executive produce.
Source: Variety
New Photos from “The Spirit” September 18, 2008 9:29 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, Photos, The Spirit.add a comment
Several new photos from Frank Miller’s adaptation of Will Eisner’s acclaimed graphic novel The Spirit have been released. Check them out below, and click through the jump for even more.
Synopsis
A resurrected cop does battle with a villain whose quest for immortality threatens an entire metropolis in Sin City creator Frank Miller’s adaptation of Will Eisner’s acclaimed graphic novel. When a rookie cop is brutally killed and mysteriously brought back to life, he assumes the guise of The Spirit (Gabriel Macht) — a masked crime fighter who prowls the shadows of Central City on a supernatural mission to keep the urban landscape safe. Upon discovering that his arch nemesis, The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson), is determined to live forever even if it means wiping out the entire population of Central City, The Spirit must race to stop the diabolical villain from achieving his cold-blooded plan. But even with his unique powers, the brave masked crusader will face a series of deadly challenges as a bevy of treacherous beauties including deceptively sweet girl next door Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), spitfire secretary Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), wraithlike siren Lorelei (Jaime King), seductive policewoman Morgenstern (Stana Katic), and French black widow Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega) set out to seduce or consume him at every turn; even The Spirit’s one true love, a volatile jewel thief named Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), could ultimately destroy our hero before he accomplishes his mission of saving Central City.
The Spirit hits theaters on December 25, 2008.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, September 16, 2008 September 17, 2008 10:30 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.2 comments
While down year-to-year, the fifth season premiere of House in a new time slot easily powered Fox to a first place finish last night. However, the network was helped by an impressive second week showing by new series Fringe, which retained a remarkable 93% of its lead-in’s audience.
Elsewhere on the evening, Big Brother 10 closed out the season on a high note, while Wipeout’s first season finale didn’t fare that well.
The CW, meanwhile, got some good news as week three of 90210 stabilized after a weak showing last week.
Check out all the above and more, including my full analysis of the night’s lineup, after the jump.
HBO Renews “True Blood” September 17, 2008 10:15 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in HBO, News, Renewals, Television, True Blood.add a comment
Confident in its quality, and impressed by its cumulative audience viewings when repeats are counted, HBO has given an early second season renewal to the Alan Ball vampire drama True Blood. True Blood premiered on September 7th to just 1.4 million viewers, but HBO says that when all the repeat airings were added in, the premiere attracted a total audience of 4 million viewers. The network also noted that the second episode grew by 24%.
“We’re in a business where we have to believe in the show — and the show is fantastic,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO’s programming group and West Coast operations. “It gets better in every episode. The show deserves a second year whatever the ratings.”
The network also announced that season two will roll air much sooner than expected, airing next summer as part of HBO’s plan to air year-round programming on Sunday nights.
“Last couple years our volume of Sunday night series went down, and we’re hoping to have a distinctive night of series on for 52 weeks a year next year,” Lombardo said. “Our intention is not to have periods where we’re not delivering originals.”
True Blood airs Sunday nights at 9pm on HBO.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
First Look: “W.” Cabinet September 17, 2008 9:35 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Photos, Movies, W.add a comment
Vanity Fair has a first look at the complete cabinet of the upcoming George W. Bush biopic W., from director Oliver Stone. I gotta admit, save for a few of the actors/actresses, some of these choices look very strange to me. MTV also has a new photo from within the film, which I’ve included below.
Synopsis
Josh Brolin stars as George W. Bush in this Oliver Stone biopic that traces the head of state’s rise to power from a privileged alcoholic to a born-again Christian whose belief in religious destiny helped move him to the top ranks of political power. Co-written by Stanley G. Weiser, Bush is produced by fellow Stone collaborators Moritz Borman and Jon Kilik, with Elizabeth Banks co-starring as the first lady, James Cromwell as the elder President Bush, Ellen Burstyn as Barbara Bush and Richard Dreyfuss as Vice President Dick Cheney.
W. hits theaters on October 17, 2008.
Sources: Vanity Fair (via The Playlist) and MTV
New Poster for “Frost/Nixon” September 17, 2008 9:23 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Frost/Nixon, Movie Posters, Movies, News.add a comment
Entertainment Weekly has a first look at the new poster for Frost/Nixon. Check it out on the right hand side.
Frost/Nixon hits theaters on December 5, 2008.
Synopsis
Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard adapts playwright Peter Morgan’s West End hit for the silver screen with this feature focusing on the 1977 television interviews between journalist David Frost (Michael Sheen) and former president Richard Nixon (Frank Langella). At the time Nixon sat down with Frost to discuss the sordid details that ultimately derailed his presidency, it had been three years since the former commander in chief had been forced out of office. The Watergate scandal was still fresh in everyone’s minds, and Nixon had remained notoriously tight-lipped until he agreed to sit down with Frost. Nixon was certain that he could hold his own opposite the up-and-coming British broadcaster, and even Frost’s own people weren’t quite sure their boss was ready for such a high-profile interview. When the interview ultimately got under way and each man eschewed the typical posturing in favor of the simple truth, fans and critics on both sides were stunned by what they witnessed. Instead of Nixon stonewalling the interviewer as expected, or Frost lobbing softballs as the truth-seekers feared, what emerged was an unguardedly honest exchange between a man who had lost everything and another with everything to gain. In this film, viewers are treated to not only a recreation of that landmark interview, but a behind-the-scenes look at the power struggles that led up to it as well. Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Brian Grazer team to produce a film adapted for the screen by original play author Morgan (The Queen and The Last King of Scotland).
Source: Universal Pictures
New Photos from “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” September 17, 2008 4:21 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Photos, Zack and Miri Make A Porno.add a comment
The Weinstein Co. has released a new batch of photos from the upcoming Kevin Smith-directed comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Check some out below (and to the side), and click through the jump for even more. As always, click to enlarge.
Synopsis
Kevin Smith writes and directs his newest comedy for The Weinstein Co. with Zack & Miri Make a Porno, the story of two friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) who get into the amateur porn business to combat their rising debt, only to realize their underlying feelings for each other while doing so.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno hits theaters on October 31, 2008.
IMDb Begins Offering Online Streaming of Movies and TV September 17, 2008 3:59 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Online Streaming, Television.add a comment
The online movie, and TV, database IMDb.com (a subsidiary of Amazon.com), has started to offer free online streaming from their library of over 6,000 movies and TV episodes. The site will also be offering season premieres of NBC shows such as 30 Rock, Chuck and Lipstick Jungle.
Some of the newer shows already offered include Heroes and 90210 just to name a few.
The full press release follows after the jump.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Monday, September 15, 2008 September 16, 2008 9:15 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Sunday, September 14, 2008 September 15, 2008 2:13 pm
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A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
Broadcast TV Ratings for Saturday, September 13, 2008 September 14, 2008 7:35 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Friday, September 12, 2008 September 13, 2008 6:14 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.4 comments
Broadcast TV Ratings for Thursday, September 11, 2008 September 12, 2008 5:15 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Wednesday, September 10, 2008 September 11, 2008 3:37 pm
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Broadcast TV Ratings for Tuesday, September 9, 2008 September 10, 2008 4:39 pm
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A complete breakdown of the night’s ratings follows after the jump.
NBC Shows Return to iTunes (+HD Option) September 10, 2008 4:17 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in iTunes, NBC, News, Television.add a comment
About a year ago, there was a fight between NBC and iTunes, resulting in NBC not renewing their contract with the online video/music download service. Now things appear to have been mended, as NBC is returning to iTunes and an option to watch the shows in HD has been added. The new deal was announced during the “Let’s Rock event, where Apple unveiled their newly updated iPods. In addition to the NBC shows in HD, ABC, Showtime, USA and SCI FI are also including options to download their programming in HD. HD episodes will run $2.99 per episode.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
“Quantum of Solace” Trailer September 10, 2008 4:10 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movie Trailers, Movies, Quantum of Solace.add a comment
Sony/Columbia Pictures has released the theatrical trailer for the upcoming Bond film Quantum of Solace. Check it out embedded below, or click here to watch it in HD over at Yahoo! Movies.
Quantum of Solace hits theaters on November 14, 2008.
Shatner Is the Reason for the Absense of Kirk in Star Trek September 10, 2008 4:02 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Star Trek, Star Trek (2009).1 comment so far
Turns out that William Shatner’s Kirk was originally written into JJ Abrams new Star Trek film.
“We actually had written a scene with him in it that was a flashback kind of thing,” Abrams told AMC SciFi Scanner. “But the truth is, it didn’t quite feel right. The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn’t want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves. The truth is, the story that we were telling required a certain adherence to the Trek canon and consistency of storytelling. It’s funny — a lot of the people who were proclaiming that he must be in this movie were the same people saying it must adhere to canon. Well, his character died on screen. Maybe a smarter group of filmmakers could have figured out how to resolve that.”
Co-writer Roberto Orci chimed in over at TrekMovie.com with the following note:
Alex [Kurtzman] and I did indeed come up with a sequence for Shatner that we wrote before the strike, although technically it wasn’t a flashback.
Orci also promised that once the movie comes out, he’ll “post the sequence in question.”
Sources: AMC SciFi Scanner and TrekMovie.com
Ramis Provides “Ghostbusters III” Update September 10, 2008 3:55 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Broadcast TV Ratings.1 comment so far
Harold Ramis sent an e-mail to the Chicago Tribune over the weekend confirming the news about Ghostbusters III. In addition to offering clarification that Bill Murray would be involved, Ramis talked a bit about the overall current situation:
“yes, columbia is developing a script for GB3 with my year one writing partners, gene stupnitsky and lee eisenberg. judd apatow is co-producing year one and has made several other films for sony, so of course the studio is hoping to tap into some of the same acting talent. aykroyd, ivan reitman and i are consulting at this point, and according to dan, bill murray is willing to be involved on some level. he did record his dialogue for the new ghostbusters video game, as did danny and i, and ernie hudson. the concept is that the old ghostbusters would appear in the film in some mentor capacity. not much else to say at this point. everyone is confident a decent script can be written and i guess we’ll take it from there.
best, harold”
Source: Chicago Tribune
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