Elisabeth Rappe
Denver, Colorado - http://
Hold up your badge. That's how they know you're a policeman.
The Geek Beat: Great Geek Romances
Filed under: The Geek Beat
It's an ongoing joke that fans of anything geeky (D&D, comic books, video games, sci-fi, runes, mythology, The History Channel) lacks a love life. You know the stereotype. So, is it coincidence that some of the very best couples are found in the geek genre? Are they trying to let all those lonely nerds get a glimpse of the good life? Or is it just that uncertain futures, alternate universes, galaxies far far away, or splash page bound stories lend themselves to bigger and gutsier stories? After all, sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero stories tend to break gender barriers in all sorts of ways. Women were packing superpowers and weapons in genre stories a lot sooner than they were on big or small screens.
As to why that is, maybe it has something to do with the origin of sci-fi, fantasy, and comic books. Sci-fi, comics, and fantasy inherited the old mythologies of Homer and King Arthur, where people expected great highs and lows to everything their heroes and heroines did. If lovers weren't tragically separated or punished for their sins, and there wasn't a lot of sword fighting and slaughter in between, then everyone was bored. Nowadays, you can't have heroes who are gone for decades and battle trolls unless you're in a particular section of Blockbuster or Barnes and Noble, because it's just not thought to be very serious stuff. (Unless you're a literature professor. Then you know better.)
Tim Robbins Joins 'The Green Lantern'
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, Warner Brothers, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek
As you may have realized by now, the main villain of The Green Lantern isn't going to be Sinestro, but will be Peter Sarsgaard's Dr. Hector Hammond. Sinestro will be there, lurking in the wings, but it's all about Hammond and his big, bad, psychic powers this time around. But like all bad boys, Hammond has turned to the dark side because of deep seated issues in his childhood. So, you need a father figure to menace our poor doctor, and THR's Heat Vision reports that Tim Robbins has volunteered for the job.Robbins will play Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of Hector. Despite that Hector has become a brilliant pathologist, the Senator remains unimpressed. Presumably, the senator would rather his son follow him into politics, and reap the benefits of wealth, power, money, and women. When Hector stumbles upon a meteor that gives him overwhelming psychic powers, I'm guessing Daddy Dearest becomes enemy #1. The Senator's going to live to regret never playing catch with his son.
Sarsgaard and Robbins should play very well off each other. Both of them excel at playing despicable people. It might be more fun watching them go at each other than seeing the eventual showdown between Hal Jordan and Dr. Hammond. Therein lies the danger of a great cast filling out those supporting roles!
'Terminator' Rights Sell, But Not To A Studio
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Lionsgate Films, Sony, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels
Everyone has been mildly interested to see who would win the Terminator franchise rights after Halcyon Holding Corp. went into bankruptcy. (Come on, we all wanted Joss Whedon to get it.) Last we knew, Lionsgate was the leading contender to win the rights to making more chronicles of John Connor. But according to Deadline Hollywood Daily, the bidding has ended, and the winner? Pacificor, the Santa Barbara hedge fund that had loaned Halcyon the money to buy Terminator in the first place. Halcyon failed in their loan payments, forcing Pacificor to come after them, which they tried to head off by filing their own lawsuit. But now the slate has apparently been wiped clean to the tune of $29 million dollars.Sony and Lionsgate did place bids, and even united to bid together once the first round was over. But both dropped out at $29.5 million when it became clear that Pacificor was willing to pay any amount necessary to win the Terminator rights. Reportedly, Sony's Peter Schlessel was "furious" at how the auction went down and stormed out of the building. Was that because he really, really wanted Sony to have Terminator? Was he just mad that he wasted his evening? Or is everyone as weirded out by the shadowy business practices as we on the outside are?
The sale must be approved by bankruptcy court, so there could still be another chapter to the sad saga. What Pacificor plans to do with the franchise is anyone's guess, but I suspect that Terminator will be something so tied up in legal red tape and rights that we won't see another film for a long, long time.
Free Flick of the Day: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
Filed under: Action, Classics, Comedy, Home Entertainment
In honor of Jeff Bridges' Oscar nomination for Crazy Heart, I was going to write up a favorite scene from one of his first nominations, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. But thanks to SlashControl, I've got something even better -- the entire movie! Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is currently available, and I'm thrilled for us all. Don't let Michael Cimino's name fool you. Thunderbolt is one of the funniest slices of 1970s cinema you will ever come across. It really doesn't get any better (or sexier) than Bridges and Clint Eastwood in one movie, but throw George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis into the mix and you have a classic that needs to be dusted off and rediscovered. It's best enjoyed cold, but if I promise you unlucky redheads, awkward sex, bromance, leather pants, crossdressing, car chases, rabbits, nudity, and a young Gary Busey, can you resist? Not if you're a film fan.
The DVD is currently out of print in the U.S. (you can get it in the UK for some odd reason), so this is the easiest and cheapest way to watch it unless you have a local theater that regularly airs out this classic. I keep hoping that enough online clamor will cause it to be re-released properly. Until then, you can watch it right here. It'll make your week. I promise.
Joe Johnston Reveals All His 'Captain America' Plans
Filed under: Action, Paramount, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, War
With The Wolfman press conference came with veritable ton of First Avenger: Captain America news, courtesy of Joe Johnston, and all the sites that were lucky enough to sit down with him. I don't want to steal any thunder or exclusives, but I'm rounding up all the cool and relevant items for your reading pleasure, but I urge you to visit all our friends and read their pieces in entirety as there's lots of intriguing little hints that I can't begin to list here.
If you were worried that Cap would be battling anyone other than the Red Skull, you can put your mind at ease. Johnston confirmed to Ryan Rotten at ShockTillYouDrop that Red Skull will be the main villain of First Avenger: Captain America. As fans know, the creation and success of the Nazi terror known as the Red Skull is what leads to America "turning" Steve Rogers into Captain America. You can read a little more about him on an old Geek Beat if you like.
Cinematical Set Visit: Channing Tatum Talks 'Dear John'
Filed under: Drama, Romance, New Releases, Sony, Movie Marketing, Interviews, War
I have to confess that I don't think I could have picked Channing Tatum out of a line-up before meeting him on the set of Dear John. I knew vaguely that he was one of those incredibly buff Ambercrombie Models, I knew he danced, and knew he was going to be in G.I. Joe, but I didn't have a very precise image of him. As I disembarked from our car, he galloped past me, and I didn't recognize him right away. Shocking!
I think everyone has an image of what they think Tatum must be like. I'm happy to say that you're wrong. For one thing, he's charismatic in a way that I don't think has come across onscreen yet. I hope Dear John changes that for him. In person, he's incredibly warm, friendly, and sweet and no one could stop singing his praises. As you can guess, actors run the gauntlet as far as approachability goes, but there wasn't a smack of phony affability in Tatum. He even gave us all a hug after our interview -- and no, none of us asked -- which is not something actors really do. Come on, I don't want to hug 99% of the people I meet in a professional day. And yes, girls, you can feel every muscle.
Here's our Q&A with Tatum, which Cinematical participated in with UGO and Coming Soon. The questions were not all asked by Cinematical, so we've kept them all in bold as a reference.
Eric Bana Will Be The Father of Assassin 'Hanna'
Filed under: Action, Independent, Thrillers, Casting, Focus Features, Newsstand
I'm very intrigued by Hanna, Joe Wright's hitgirl film that starts his steely-eyed Atonement star, Saoirse Ronan. Even if it's a bit of a Leon / Kick-Ass story, Wright hasn't really let me down yet (though I never did see The Soloist -- maybe I speak too blindly), and Ronan is a force to be reckoned with. Now she's landed a brooding hunk of a costar, as Heat Vision reports that Eric Bana is in line to play her nemesis and father. Hanna centers around a 14-year-old Eastern European girl who is groomed by her father to be a cold-blooded killing machine. She finds a loving connection with an ordinary French family, but is dragged kicking and screaming (I imagine that's no hyperbole) back to her father's brutal world. She then discovers that she's one of many such killer children, born and bred in a CIA training camp. If she wants to be free, she's going to have to fight her way out. Cue the blood and brutality, I hope.
An actor who has never quite made it huge on this side of the Pacific, Bana seems to be destined for darker roles in Hollywood films. He's capable of very funny and very nuanced work. (Have you seen Romulus, My Father? If not, go rent it now.) I can't imagine Wright is going to give us a one-sided bad guy, and will let Bana play someone who is loving and cruel. Given the way he's bolstered so many British careers, maybe Wright and Hanna will be the film that launches Bana into a more respected stratosphere.
Cue The Naughty Jokes -- Taylor Lautner Is 'Stretch Armstrong'
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, Universal, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
We can now officially call Taylor Lautner A Boy Toy. In addition to becoming the action figure-turned-cartoon Max Steel, Heat Vision reports that Lautner has nabbed the lead in another toy driven franchise: Stretch Armstrong.Stretch Armstrong will be based on the Hasbro toy that was born in the 1970s and relaunched in the 1980s. Unlike Max Steel, Stretch never even got a cartoon or comic book to call his own. He was just stretchy. Naturally, this won't do for a live action adaptation, so Universal and screenwriter Steve Oedekerk have given him a goofy origin story. Stretch is now an "uptight spy who stumbles on a stretching formula." For whatever reason, he drinks it, and develops a power that rivals Mister Fantastic's. He decides the power to stretch must be used for good, and becomes a crimefighter. To make it even more appealing, Universal plans to make the film in 3D. This will undoubtedly be every member of Team Jacob's dream come true, though I find the idea of 3D extended extremities absolutely terrifying.
There's no doubt about it.. Hollywood has declared Lautner the new action star. I don't think Sam Worthington is going to take kindly to the news that he's already in danger of losing his crown. Can we get a movie where the two of them face off in single combat? In 3D? I think that's the only way to figure out who's the bigger man.
Cinematical Set Visit: Amanda Seyfried Talks 'Dear John'
Filed under: Drama, Romance, New Releases, Sony, Movie Marketing, Interviews
Amanda Seyfried is quickly becoming one of Hollywood's hottest young stars. When we talked to her on the set of Dear John, she was fresh off Mamma Mia!, gaining rave reviews from Big Love, and on her way to bigger and bigger roles. In person she's absolutely charming, incredibly pretty, and very sweet. We had to catch her between takes and as she was getting make-up reapplied. Despite how late and cold it was, she managed to laugh and be perky the entire time we talked, which is not something that comes across on transcription.
As with the other interviews, Cinematical participated with UGO and Coming Soon, but for easy reading we'll label all the questions as being from Cinematical.
Cinematical: So, are you happy with the restaurant scene and the way it is going?
Amanda Seyfried: Yeah, I'm pretty happy. I'm so comfortable with Channing. It comes pretty naturally, so when you feel like you are not really working hard, you can sometimes maybe feel a little self-conscious. And then, it's like why isn't this hard? Am I getting it? Am I getting in the act of it? But it's fun and I'm eating really good shrimp.
Cinematical: Are you getting sick and tired of eating shrimp over and over again?
Seyfried: No, moderation is really necessary to perform that role!
Cinematical: How has your life been since your exposure from Mamma Mia!?
Seyfried: It's been pretty ridiculous. I definitely don't think I would be doing this movie had I not had the success with Mamma Mia! For a lot of reasons people are chosen for a cast in a movie. A lot of it has to do with marketability and what you're talent is and how you connect with a character. That definitely has a lot of impact.
As with the other interviews, Cinematical participated with UGO and Coming Soon, but for easy reading we'll label all the questions as being from Cinematical.
Cinematical: So, are you happy with the restaurant scene and the way it is going?
Amanda Seyfried: Yeah, I'm pretty happy. I'm so comfortable with Channing. It comes pretty naturally, so when you feel like you are not really working hard, you can sometimes maybe feel a little self-conscious. And then, it's like why isn't this hard? Am I getting it? Am I getting in the act of it? But it's fun and I'm eating really good shrimp.
Cinematical: Are you getting sick and tired of eating shrimp over and over again?
Seyfried: No, moderation is really necessary to perform that role!
Cinematical: How has your life been since your exposure from Mamma Mia!?
Seyfried: It's been pretty ridiculous. I definitely don't think I would be doing this movie had I not had the success with Mamma Mia! For a lot of reasons people are chosen for a cast in a movie. A lot of it has to do with marketability and what you're talent is and how you connect with a character. That definitely has a lot of impact.
Danny McBride and Jody Hill Team for 'L.A.P.I.'
Filed under: Action, Comedy, Independent, Casting, Deals, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking
If there's one man not lacking for work in this economy, it's Danny McBride, but we're cool with that. He's signed on to yet another movie, but according to Variety this one is more special than most because it's the debut production of Rough House Productions, the shingle McBride heads up with Jody Hill and David Gordon Green. The film is an action comedy titled L.A.P.I., and the plot is being kept under tight wraps. All that's known is that McBride will be playing "a beaten down, hard boiled P.I." Hill will be directing, and the script is being penned by Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan. If you follow the screenwriters' Black List, you'll recognize their name immediately. They're fast up-and-comers, and hitching themselves with Rough House Productions can only help their upward climb.
The talent accumulated on this is enough to make any comedy fan excited. Because I'm a dork, I always associate private investigators with the 1940s, so my mind has put McBride in a fedora. I doubt that's the case, but I can certainly wish for it to be a 1940s action comedy. Something tells me it'll be more in the vein of Tropic Thunder and Hill's Observe and Report -- a modern day P.I. who has a bit of a dark, scary edge to him. It's something to look forward to, anyway, and I'm anxious to see who they recruit for McBride to bounce off of.
Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams Reunite for 'Mission Impossible 4'
'Big Top Pee-Wee': The Original Benicio Del Toro Wolfman
Spin-ematical: New on DVD and Blu-ray for 2/9
Watch This: Brilliant Oscar-Nominated Short 'Logorama'
Chris Nolan to Lead 'Superman' Reboot!?
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