Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Saturn Awards for 'Iron Man,' 'Dark Knight,' Leonard Nimoyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/saturn-awards-for-iron-man-dark-knight-leonard-nimoy/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/saturn-awards-for-iron-man-dark-knight-leonard-nimoy/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/25/saturn-awards-for-iron-man-dark-knight-leonard-nimoy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saturn AwardsSome critics' groups rush to hand out awards weeks before the year of eligility is over. Other groups, like the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy & Horror Films, prefer to take their time. The 35th annual Saturn Awards were presented last night in beautiful downtown Burbank, California, honoring the best in genre films for the 2008 calendar year. The top awards, as listed by FearNet, went to Iron Man (Science Fiction), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Fantasy), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (Horror), and The Dark Knight (Action / Adventure / Thriller).

The Academy also found room to honor Angelina Jolie as Best Actress for Changeling, which makes me wonder how that film could possibly qualify as a genre flick. Horror, perhaps? More major awards went to Robert Downey, Jr. as Best Actor and Jon Favreau as Best Director for Iron Man, Heath Ledger as Best Supporting Actor, and Tilda Swinton as Best Supporting Actress. Wall-E took home Best Animated Film and Let the Right One In was presented with the Best International Film award. And here are the awards that make the Saturns stand out for genre fans: Lance Henriksen received the Life Career Award, and Leonard Nimoy nabbed the Lifetime Achievement Award.

I was following the awards show via Twitter, and the most entertaining account was the one by loquaciousmuse; she made it sound like a blast. If you're out of state, $40 buys an Academy membership with award voting privileges. The least expensive in-state membership is $150, which also grants access to more than 100 special screenings.

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]]>hellboy ii the golden armyHellboyIiTheGoldenArmyiron manIronMansaturn awardsSaturnAwardsthe curious case of benjamin buttonthe dark knightTheCuriousCaseOfBenjaminButtonTheDarkKnightPeter MartinThu, 25 Jun 2009 16:02:00 ESTIs Angelina Jolie Back for 'Wanted 2'?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/16/is-angelina-jolie-back-for-wanted-2/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/16/is-angelina-jolie-back-for-wanted-2/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/16/is-angelina-jolie-back-for-wanted-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You know, it's not that I think Angelina Jolie can't handle action, it's just that she's never really been given the chance to do it in a film that was...well, good. The bullet-bending comic book flick, Wanted is a perfect example. Granted, Jolie was livelier than I have seen her in a long time, but I still walked out of the theater wondering why she has never blossomed into the bad-a** heroine I desperately want her to be. Well, maybe she is going to get another chance, because Universal has been making ground with a Wanted sequel. So while most of us were pretty sure that we wouldn't be seeing Ms. Jolie again, Wanted's director Timur Bekmambetov seems to think otherwise. During an interview with the Russian news site, RIA Novosti, Bekmambetov told them that Wanted 2 will start prepping in July, and that Jolie would be returning for the sequel.

Warning: Wanted spoilers ahead...

So think back to the half-baked mess that was Wanted, and you'll remember that Jolie's assassin commits 'suicide' -- on-screen, front and center. It was even rumored to be a condition of Jolie's participation in the film that she would die at the end (I guess to avoid committing to a sequel). But maybe Bekmambetov is engaging in some wishful thinking about Jolie's return, or he knows something we don't because he seemed positive that Jolie would be back. Last April, Evan Spiliotopoulos was hired to write the script, and it's a strange choice, but one thing is for sure, he is going to have to get awfully creative if they plan on bringing Jolie back from the great beyond.

After the jump; Who else could return for Wanted 2 and Jolie is still saving the world (without a gun) in her PSA for World Refugee Day...

Continue reading Is Angelina Jolie Back for 'Wanted 2'?

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliejames mcavoyJamesMcavoysequeltimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovwanted 2Wanted2Jessica BarnesTue, 16 Jun 2009 19:03:00 ESTCannes in 60 Seconds: Wednesday, May 20, 2009http://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/21/cannes-in-60-seconds-wednesday-may-20-2009/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/21/cannes-in-60-seconds-wednesday-may-20-2009/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/05/21/cannes-in-60-seconds-wednesday-may-20-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cannes in 60 Seconds - 2009

Nothing like a little war movie to bookend a day at the Cannes Film Festival. Lines began forming at the crack of dawn to see the first screening of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds this morning, and, still, many were shut out. (Erik Davis rounded up the first reactions from those who did manage to gain admittance.) Evening brought the glamour, as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie led a parade of celebrities down the fabled red carpet for the black-tie and gown gala presentation. As a cherry on top, Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell screened at midnight.

Films Sold. Amazingly -- or maybe not, when you consider all the free publicity it's already accrued -- Lars Von Trier's highly controversial and divisive Antichrist sold to IFC Films. The company says they will release the same version as the one screened in Cannes, according to indieWIRE. Specific release plans were not announced, but expect it this fall, in order to capitalize on the buzz. Also, I suggest a poster highlighting Willem Dafoe's previous, religiously-titled movie: "From The Last Temptation of Christ to ... Antichrist!"

Much less controversially, IFC also picked up Ken Loach's Looking for Eric, which the company describes as the director's "most accessible, crowd pleasing film." More details at indieWIRE.

Key Screenings. Competition: Alain Resnais' drama Wild Grass, starring Mathieu Amalric (the reviews so far, collected by David Hudson at IFC's The Daily, range from reserved to rave). Un Certain Regard: Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's supernatural-tinged drama Nymph (Todd Brown at Twitch reviews), Luc Mullet's Land of Madness. Directors' Fortnight: Axelle Ropert's The Wolberg Family (a small town mayor's obsession with his family), Ho Tzu Nyen's Here (a middle-aged man deals with life as a patient in a medical institution).

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]]>alain resnaisAlainResnaisangelina jolieAngelinaJolieantichristbrad pittBradPittcannes film festivalcannes in 60 secondscannes2009CannesFilmFestivalCannesIn60Secondsdrag me to hellDragMeToHellinglouriousbasterdsken loachKenLoachlars von trierLarsVonTrierlooking for ericLookingForEricquentin tarantinoQuentinTarantinowild grassWildGrassPeter MartinThu, 21 May 2009 02:02:00 ESTAngelina Jolie Will Wield Kay Scarpetta's Scalpelhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/22/angelina-jolie-will-wield-kay-scarpettas-scalpel/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/22/angelina-jolie-will-wield-kay-scarpettas-scalpel/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/22/angelina-jolie-will-wield-kay-scarpettas-scalpel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

It's a strange thing to live in a world where Dan Brown became a franchise before Patricia Cornwell. The rights to the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series have been languishing at Columbia (the very home of Robert Langdon) since 1992, but now the series has been dusted off, sold to Fox 2000, and assigned to Angelina Jolie.

According to Variety, Fox has won rights to all 16 of the Scarpetta books, and is eying it as a potential franchise along the lines of the Jason Bourne films. They're developing the first thriller now, which won't be tied to any one book, but will probably cherry-pick out of all Scarpetta's gruesome cases. The plan has met with approval from Cornwell, who discussed the idea personally with Jolie and her manager, Geyer Kosinski before handing over the rights.

I'm not an avid reader of Cornwell's books, but Jolie seems like a good fit for the sophisticated Scarpetta. While the coloring's different, Scarpetta's a workaholic who dresses well, drives a Mercedes, attracts handsome guys, and handmakes Italian food. She's kind of perfect, just like Jolie. But hardcore fans (and I know they're out there) may have other ideas.

Regardless of what you might think of the casting, I think it's pretty cool that we may get a female-led franchise, and one based around the cool, rational science of forensic pathology. It's the closest thing to a Bones movie that I'll ever get, so I'm all for it.

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolieColumbiafeaturedFox 2000Fox2000Geyer KosinskiGeyerKosinskiKay ScarpettaKayScarpettaPatricia CornwallPatriciaCornwallElisabeth RappeWed, 22 Apr 2009 13:15:00 ESTCinematical Seven: Our Favorite Hot Rod Girlshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/02/cinematical-seven-our-favorite-hot-rod-girls/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/02/cinematical-seven-our-favorite-hot-rod-girls/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/04/02/cinematical-seven-our-favorite-hot-rod-girls/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Tracie Thoms in 'Death Proof'

Growing up in Los Angeles as an admittedly shallow, callow youth in the 70s, I always wanted a stylish hot rod so I could attract the girls who liked guys in fast cars. Alas, I had to be content with puttering around in very practical, somewhat beat-up used cars (1964 Chevy Corvair, graduating to a 1965 Ford Falcon), but dreams die hard. Even though I'm still driving a very practical, somewhat beat-up used car, I still yearn for a sizzling hot motor vehicle and an attractive lady passenger urging me to go faster, faster.

These thoughts are prompted by the imminent release of the hot rod-loving Fast & Furious, due in theaters tomorrow, which features the return of the gorgeous Jordana Brewster and the equally lovely Michelle Rodriguez, two talented ladies who have a definite need for speed. (Oh, yeah, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel are back, too, and so is director Justin Lin.) In their honor, we present our seven favorite, fabulous hot rod girls.

1. Tracie Thoms, Death Proof

Tracie Thoms packs an unbeatable combination of brains, beauty, and bravado as Kim, a stunt woman in Quentin Tarantino's twisted ode to 70s car chase movies and 80s slasher flicks. Kim is rowdy and rambunctious with her girlfriends, but her hot rod heart starts beating fast when she revs up the engine of a borrowed 1970 Dodge Challenger, with Zoe Bell precariously perched on the hood. Smashing!

Continue reading Cinematical Seven: Our Favorite Hot Rod Girls

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]]>american graffitiAmericanGraffitiangelina jolieAngelinaJoliebonnie bedaliaBonnieBedaliacindy williamsCindyWilliamsdeath proofdeath race 2000DeathProofDeathRace2000gone in 60 secondsGoneIn60Secondsheart like a wheelHeartLikeAWheelmary woronovMaryWoronovmegan foxMeganFoxnatalie woodNatalieWoodrebel without a causeRebelWithoutACausetracie thomsTracieThomstransformersPeter MartinThu, 02 Apr 2009 22:02:00 ESTDiscuss: When Do You Recast a Character?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/13/discuss-when-do-you-recast-a-character/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/13/discuss-when-do-you-recast-a-character/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/13/discuss-when-do-you-recast-a-character/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



With yesterday's Wachkowski Bros / Superman rumor came the inevitable speculation as to who would be the man to fill out Superman's underoos. Would Brandon Routh return? Does a reboot mean he's out, and someone like Jon Hamm might be in? It might just be my imagination, but it seems like there's a reluctance to see Routh get the boot. Fandom has been mixed on his performance in Superman Returns but hell, fandom is mixed on Returns in general. As much as we might want a fresh start, it seems a bit unfair and strange to recast Superman already.

But what is the time frame on recasting? From the general hysteria that surrounded the Angelina Jolie-less Tomb Raider reboot, I'd say the general public feels like the actor or actress in question ought to be dead and buried. (I'm not talking about the Cinematical readers, who handled it in an objective manner. I'm thinking of regular news outlets who breathlessly announced "Jolie booted from Tomb Raider?!" As if she was weeping copiously over losing her twin semi-automatics, and not racking up Changeling nominations.)

Yet only a mild disappointment has followed rumors that Edward Norton might be replaced as The Incredible Hulk -- though we were all pretty shocked that they were remaking/recasting the character so soon after Eric Bana went green. Maybe a general numbness has set in when it comes to Bruce Banner, though, because fandom seems to simmer with a threat of violence should Christopher Nolan recast the Joker.

What would the reaction be if they recast Wolverine? Tony Stark? Would it be safe to recast the Fantastic Four?

It's a question worth putting out there. Which characters (and it doesn't have to be comic book related -- any franchise will do for the discussion. Throw in Axel Foley or Jack Sparrow if you want.) can safely be recast? Is there a time limit? Does it depend purely on the performance? Is any character truly untouchable?











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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieEdward NortonEdwardNortonfeaturedHulkrecastingSupermantomb raiderTombRaiderElisabeth RappeFri, 13 Feb 2009 12:15:00 EST400 Screens, 400 Blows - "Best" Actresseshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/05/400-screens-400-blows-best-actresses/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/05/400-screens-400-blows-best-actresses/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/05/400-screens-400-blows-best-actresses/#commentsFiled under: , ,


400 Screens, 400 Blows is a weekly column that takes an in-depth look at the films playing below the radar, beneath the top ten, and on 400 screens or less.

The "Best Actress" Oscar category is usually pretty dull, for two reasons. The main reason is that movies are often generated with men in mind, but the other reason is that, when women actually do get great roles, they're usually too challenging or obscure for Academy voters to bother with. Voters prefer to stick with the usual, heavily dramatic, preferably suffering women characters. And this year is no different. Thus Angelina Jolie gets nominated for losing a child, rather than Michelle Williams for losing a dog. It doesn't matter that almost anyone you ask probably likes Wendy & Lucy (13 screens) better than Changeling; it's the degree of suffering we're talking about here. (Not to mention that Jolie's performance is based on a true story -- actual, real-life suffering -- while Williams' is not.)

That said, there's one thing the Academy likes better than suffering, and that's giving "make up" awards to actors, filmmakers and artists that they've overlooked, which explains why so many great talents have won for their worst work. (Prime example? Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman. I need say no more.) It's almost as if this year's Best Actress category has been specifically arranged, handicapped for the benefit of Kate Winslet, so that the six-time nominee can finally take home her first statue, for one of her least relevant films (though not her worst; that would be Iris). Not only is she in there for a Nazi/Holocaust movie -- a genre that she herself made fun of in an episode of "Extras" -- but the Academy made sure that her competition was so far behind her that there's practically no other choice.

Continue reading 400 Screens, 400 Blows - "Best" Actresses

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]]>anne hathawayAnneHathawaycinematicalfeaturedfilmkate winsletKateWinsletmovieoscarsJeffrey M. AndersonThu, 05 Feb 2009 20:02:00 ESTGeek Daily: Teased by 'Wolverine,' Thor, 'Kick-Ass' Villains, and Morehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/11/08/geek-daily-teased-by-wolverine-thor-kick-ass-villains-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/11/08/geek-daily-teased-by-wolverine-thor-kick-ass-villains-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/11/08/geek-daily-teased-by-wolverine-thor-kick-ass-villains-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

A handful of geek news bits are the perfect way to end the week. There's all kinds of intriguing little quotes scattered all over the Internet tonight, and I've compiled them all below to give your mouse finger and Google toolbar a rest. Enjoy!

As always, the Old Canuckehead gets first grab -- X-MenFilms.Net was informed by Fox that the first X-Men Origins: Wolverine teaser is supposed to be attached to The Day the Earth Stood Still, which hits theaters on December 12th. Will we see the same footage that most of us glimpsed via YouTube bootleg from San Diego ComicCon? I bet we will!

Buried in that Ain't It Cool News scoop on J. Michael Stracynzki was the news that he had just finished his rewrite of Thor. I think the God of Thunder is moving faster than Captain America.

MTV's Splash Page caught up with Robert Downey Jr. and pressed him for word on the Terrance Howard/Don Cheadle swap. He stayed classy, of course: "I had nothing to do with that decision. I love Terrence very very much. That's all I'll say because I haven't talked to him yet ... I've always admired Don [Cheadle]. It's one of those situations where I still don't quite know what happened or why. Here's what happens too: things happen and you wind up commenting on them before you've actually talked to the people and it's in poor taste." He also stressed that the Iron Man franchise will be an "interactive" one, with he and Jon Favreau striving "to make sure we don't piss off the public that put us in the position we're in."

Continued after the jump.


Continue reading Geek Daily: Teased by 'Wolverine,' Thor, 'Kick-Ass' Villains, and More

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieChris MorganChrisMorgandon cheadleDonCheadleiron man 2IronMan2j. michael straczynskiJ.MichaelStraczynskikick asskick-assKickAssmark strongMarkStrongmegan foxMeganFoxrobert downey jr.RobertDowneyJr.terrence howardTerrenceHowardThorWantedWanted 2Wanted2WolverineWolverine teaserWolverineTeaserwonder womanWonderWomanx-men origins wolverineX-menOriginsWolverineElisabeth RappeSat, 08 Nov 2008 15:33:00 ESTDiscuss: Too Attractive to Be Believable?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/17/discuss-too-attractive-to-be-believable/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/17/discuss-too-attractive-to-be-believable/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/10/17/discuss-too-attractive-to-be-believable/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There is something rather odd in the way Hollywood values the external beauty of its players, while simultaneously decrying it for being shallow and unrealistic onscreen. Have you ever noticed that? This came to mind when I was reading Changeling press a few weeks ago -- you might have read Clint Eastwood's sincerely lovely quote regarding his leading lady, Angelina Jolie: "She is an actress hampered by her gorgeous face, I think the most beautiful face on the planet. People sometimes can't see past that, to her talent. She's on all these magazine covers so it's easy to overlook what an amazing actress is underneath." It's an interesting thought, and a valid point when it comes to Jolie's career -- her looks and personal life outstripped her Oscar win long ago, and her acting talent was called into question soon after meeting Brad Pitt.

However, I don't really want to debate Jolie's talent, but rather the idea that an actor or actress can be hampered by their looks. (And yes, we discussed a variation of this in regards to Keira Knightley a few weeks ago.) Remember when Spike Lee didn't want to cast Halle Berry in Jungle Fever because he thought she was "too pretty"? The same problem nearly prevented Joe Wright casting Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice -- he thought she was too attractive to play Elizabeth Bennet. Unfortunately, I can't think of any comparable stories regarding male actors, and Google is coming up woefully short. Paul Newman always struggled against it, though, but I don't know if he was ever hampered by it.

Continue reading Discuss: Too Attractive to Be Believable?

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolieClint EastwoodClintEastwoodfeaturedgood looksGoodLooksHalle BerryHalleBerryHollywoodJoe WrightJoeWrightkeira knightleyKeiraKnightleySpike LeeSpikeLeeElisabeth RappeFri, 17 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EST'Changeling' Poster: Exclusive First Lookhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/24/changeling-poster-exclusive-first-look/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/24/changeling-poster-exclusive-first-look/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/24/changeling-poster-exclusive-first-look/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Changeling poster
Click poster to enlarge

The last time Angelina Jolie received an Oscar nod was for playing a mental patient in 1999's Girl, Interrupted, for which she took home the statue for Best Supporting Actress. To give you an idea of how long ago that was, consider this: Winona Ryder -- and not Jolie -- was a box-office draw back then.

Now, after years of strong and sometimes overlooked performances (ahem, A Mighty Heart), Jolie is once again receiving battalions of Oscar buzz, this time for her role in Clint Eastwood's Changeling (get your exclusive first look at the poster above).

Based on real events that transpired in 1920s Los Angeles, Changeling is the tale of a mother (Jolie) whose abducted son is seemingly returned to her by the LAPD. Turns out the boy is not her flesh and blood, however -- or so she adamantly claims -- and thus Mama Jolie sets out to wring the truth from a corrupt police department unwilling to listen to her.

Changeling opens in limited release Oct. 24 and expands wide on Oct. 31.

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliechangelingcinematicalclint eastwoodClintEastwoodOscarsThomas DiChiaraWed, 24 Sep 2008 14:02:00 ESTAngelina Jolie Wants Her Kid in 'Changeling' Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/angelina-jolie-wants-her-kid-in-changeling-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/angelina-jolie-wants-her-kid-in-changeling-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/angelina-jolie-wants-her-kid-in-changeling-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

As we've started to get our fair share of trailers for the coming prestige projects -- Frost/Nixon, The Soloist, Zack and Miri Make a Porno -- I was curious as to why we'd yet to get one for Clint Eastwood's period drama, Changeling, if it were set to open by the end of next month. Particularly after Kim's Cannes review, I wanted to get a proper glimpse beyond a brief clip...

Perhaps hearing my prayers or just tiring of my complaints, Yahoo! Movies saw fit to post the trailer (watch it after the jump as well), in which a young mother (Angelina Jolie) in 1928 Los Angeles finds herself standing up against a corrupt police department when her missing son is returned, or rather replaced by a different child altogether.

Even if the same piece of score hadn't been used in both of their trailers, I'd still have felt a need to draw a correlation between this and last October's missing-kids-and-corrupt-cops powerhouse, Gone Baby Gone (of course, it doesn't hurt that Amy Ryan shows up in both of them). From Eastwood's end comes a particular tinge of Mystic River, and so far as I'm concerned, all of those signs point to something substantial waiting for us when Changeling opens in limited release on October 31.

Continue reading Angelina Jolie Wants Her Kid in 'Changeling' Trailer

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]]>amy ryanAmyRyanangelina jolieAngelinaJoliechangelingclint eastwoodClintEastwoodcolm feoreColmFeorejohn malkovichJohnMalkovichthe exchangeTheExchangeWilliam GossFri, 12 Sep 2008 11:03:00 ESTNYFF Nabs 'Changeling', 'Wrestler' and 'Che'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/13/nyff-nabs-changeling-wrestler-and-che/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/13/nyff-nabs-changeling-wrestler-and-che/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/13/nyff-nabs-changeling-wrestler-and-che/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Some people may consider the New York Film Festival a simple "Best Of" sort of event, but the fact that it compiles selections from earlier film fests and merely showcases them in a competition-free program is what I love about it. For those of us New Yorkers who can't always make it to the highlands of Utah and Colorado or the exotic seaside locales of Italy and Southern France, it's nice to know that major festival highlights will likely make their way to Lincoln Center in late September, early October.

This year, the lineup for the 46th NYFF is being noted for its inclusion of films that previously screened at Cannes back in May. Even Steven Soderbergh's four-hour Che (aka The Argentine and Guerilla), which played to mixed reactions in France, even while picking up a best actor prize for star Benicio Del Toro, has been given a spot. Also featured are Cannes leftovers Waltz With Bashir, Wendy and Lucy, Grand Prix-winner Gomorrah and Clint Eastwood's Changeling, which stars Angelina Jolie and has the honor of being NYFF's centerpiece film. Opening the festival is the Palm d'Or winner The Class, while the closing film is Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, which premieres a few weeks prior at the Venice Film Festival.

Other exciting big name films include Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky, Wong Kar-Wai's Ashes of Time: Redux, Lucretia Martel's The Headless Woman and Olivier Assayas' Summer Hours. Surprisingly, Charlie Kaufman's Synechdoche, New York, which screened at Cannes, is New York appropriate and is scheduled to open in October, is missing from the lineup.

The complete list of NYFF selections, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, can be found after the jump:

Continue reading NYFF Nabs 'Changeling', 'Wrestler' and 'Che'

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieashes of time reduxAshesOfTimeReduxcannes film festivalCannesFilmFestivalchangelingchedarren aronofskyDarrenAronofskygomorrahguerillahappy-go-luckylucretia martelLucretiaMartelnew york film festivalNewYorkFilmFestivalsteven soderberghStevenSoderberghsummer hoursSummerHoursthe argentinethe classthe headless womanthe wrestlerTheArgentineTheClassTheHeadlessWomanTheWrestlerwaltz with bashirWaltzWithBashirwendy and lucyWendyAndLucyChristopher CampbellWed, 13 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST'Edwin A. Salt': Tom Cruise Is Out, Angelina Jolie Is Inhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/12/edwin-a-salt-tom-cruise-is-out-angelina-jolie-is-in/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/12/edwin-a-salt-tom-cruise-is-out-angelina-jolie-is-in/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/12/edwin-a-salt-tom-cruise-is-out-angelina-jolie-is-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Remember how we told you about six weeks ago that it looked like Tom Cruise's next project would be an espionage thriller called Edwin A. Salt? In fact, the news was that Cruise was going to do Edwin instead of the political thriller The 28th Amendment. Well, now it looks like he's not doing either one. He's changed his mind on Edwin, and now the star of the film is going to be ... Angelina Jolie.

I'm not sure I would have considered Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie interchangeable, but that's Hollywood for you. According to Variety, Cruise was the latest in a long line of actors who have expressed interest in the project over the years, and after he backed out, Jolie threw her hat in the ring. The deal is pretty much set, and it was thrown together very quickly. I guess when Angelina Jolie says she wants to headline your spy thriller, you bring some people in over the weekend to hammer out the details.

The screenwriter, Kurt Wimmer, will make adjustments in the script to accommodate the protagonist's new gender, and obviously the title will have to change slightly. (Edwin A. Salt = Edwina Salt?) But considering Jolie has already played an action hero successfully in Mr. & Mrs. Smith and this summer's Wanted (pictured), I suspect all that'll really be necessary is a find-and-replace search of the character's name. It's not like Wimmer will need to incoporate a scene where the spy gets her nails done or goes shoe shopping.

So now the question is: After next year's Valkyrie, what will Cruise's next project be? I think Edwin would have been a great fit for him. Of course, f I were the one making Cruise's career decisions, a lot of other things would be different, too, so never mind what I think.

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieedwin a saltEdwinASaltfeaturedkurt wimmerKurtWimmertom cruiseTomCruiseEric D. SniderTue, 12 Aug 2008 09:01:00 ESTCinematical Visits G4's Attack of the Show!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/02/cinematical-visits-g4s-attack-of-the-show/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/02/cinematical-visits-g4s-attack-of-the-show/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/02/cinematical-visits-g4s-attack-of-the-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Last night Cinematical's James Rocchi was a guest on G4's Attack of the Show, where he and Chris Hardwick spoke about all those crazy Batman rumors spreading like wildfire across the internet. Ya know, how Angelina Jolie supposedly wants to play Catwoman, Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin and/or Johnny Depp as Riddler.

As James points out, these are all "just rumors" right now and there's no way of telling which characters Christopher Nolan and his screenwriter brother Jonathan Nolan have in mind without actually speaking to them. It should be noted that Cinematical has also confirmed that Chris Nolan currently does not have a deal to direct a third film, and if he does hop onboard, they'll have to negotiate something first. But enough of my babbling, check out James above, and much thanks to Attack of the Show for inviting us on.

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieattack of the showAttackOfTheShowbatmancatwomancinematicaljames rocchiJamesRocchijohnny deppJohnnyDeppphilip seymour hoffmanPhilipSeymourHoffmanriddlerthe penguinThePenguinErik DavisSat, 02 Aug 2008 20:02:00 ESTPoll: Who Wants Angelina Jolie to Play Catwoman?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/30/poll-who-wants-angelina-jolie-to-play-catwoman/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/30/poll-who-wants-angelina-jolie-to-play-catwoman/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/30/poll-who-wants-angelina-jolie-to-play-catwoman/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



It has begun.

Not even two full weeks after The Dark Knight arrived in theaters, we officially have our first Batman 3 rumor! (Speaking of, we have to decide what to call Nolan's next Batman movie. Dark Knight 2? Batman 3? NolanMan 3? Lets get on that ...) But anyway, the rumor actually comes from another Catwoman: Julie Newmar. Speaking to the New York Daily News, Newmar says, "Angelina would own the part. My industry friends tell me [she] has made inquiries about the role." She went on to add, "I can understand how it would pique her interest. Catwoman is Batman's one true love. She's tremendously popular with women because she's both a heroine and a villainess. When you look at the staggering box office of this current film, which actress wouldn't want to jump in?"

So is Jolie really looking to play Catwoman in a third (and possible final) Batman film from Christopher Nolan? No doubt Bale and Jolie would look good together on screen, and the woman definitely knows how to hold her own when it comes to action. What do you think? Do you Bat-fans want Brad Pitt's gal in Gotham City?

View Poll

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliebatmanbatman 3Batman3catwomanchristopher nolanChristopherNolancinematicalfeaturedjulie newmarJulieNewmarthe dark knightTheDarkKnightErik DavisWed, 30 Jul 2008 13:01:00 ESTGames Galore: 'Wanted,' 'Quarantine,' 'Mean Girls' and More!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Man, has this day brought us news of film-based video games aplenty -- one of which you can play for free right now and the rest of which some of you simply can't wait for.

But you'll have to. Wait, that is. They haven't made the darn things yet. Sheesh, hold your horses already.

Trade publication Variety tells us of these titles over the course of two separate articles. One piece points out Universal's plan to crank out several games based on their properties, but only names their highest-profile property at the moment: Wanted. If any of you have seen the film (and a $123 million gross would suggest as much), then you know just how well it should lend itself to the format, what with the bullet curving and knife fighting and Angelina Jolie ogling.

Continue reading Games Galore: 'Wanted,' 'Quarantine,' 'Mean Girls' and More!

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliecluelessmean girlsMeanGirlspretty in pinkPrettyInPinkquarantinevideo gamesVideoGameswantedWilliam GossTue, 22 Jul 2008 11:32:00 ESTInterview: 'Wanted' Director Timur Bekmambetovhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-director-timur-bekmambetov/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-director-timur-bekmambetov/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-director-timur-bekmambetov/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



After the record-breaking success of Night Watch and Day Watch (and an early film for B-movie maven Roger Corman, Arena), Khazakstan-born, Russia-based director Timur Bekmambetov makes his English-language big-studio debut with Wanted, a bruising, brawny action film starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. Bekmambetov spoke with Cinematical in Los Angeles about making the jump to big-money moviemaking, the hidden world of secrets behind Wanted's look, the action-film apprenticeship of James McAvoy, working with Angelina Jolie and how " .... we (film makers) are all vampires. ..."

Cinematical's podcast content is now available through iTunes; you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:



As ever, you can download the entire podcast right here -- and those of you with RSS Podcast readers can find all of Cinematical's podcast content at this link.

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]]>CommonDavid OHaraDavidOharafeaturedMark MillarMarkMillarMorgan FreemanMorganFreemanthomas kretschmannThomasKretschmanntimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedJames RocchiThu, 26 Jun 2008 16:02:00 ESTInterview: 'Wanted' Co-Star Commonhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-co-star-common/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-co-star-common/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/26/interview-wanted-co-star-common/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



In Wanted, rapper-actor Common plays The Gunsmith -- a cool, deadly expert marksman who mostly lets his bullets do the talking. But meeting with Cinematical in Los Angeles, the veteran of films like Smokin' Aces and Street Kings is warm and obviously enthusiastic about his experiences, talking about everything from his preparation process for playing what he calls "a Samurai warrior" in Wanted to the challenges facing African-American actors -- plus what's good to drink in Prague and how holding a real gun to James McAvoy's head can get you in the moment for your scenes.

Cinematical's podcast content is now available through iTunes; you can subscribe at this link. Also, you can listen directly here at Cinematical by clicking below:



As ever, you can download the entire podcast right here -- and those of you with RSS Podcast readers can find all of Cinematical's podcast content at this link.

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]]>CommonJames McAvoyJamesMcavoyMark MillarMarkMillarShaftterminator 4Terminator4The GunsmithTheGunsmithtimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedJames RocchiThu, 26 Jun 2008 13:02:00 ESTBox Office: Who Wants WALL-E?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/box-office-who-wants-wall-e/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/box-office-who-wants-wall-e/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/box-office-who-wants-wall-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Steve Carell scored big this week recreating the role of Agent Maxwell Smart in Get Smart, providing the best opening weekend ever for a film with Carell in the lead. The Incredible Hulk fell into second place for its second week but Hulk and Kung Fu Panda both outdid last week's other new release The Love Guru. Here are the totals:

1. Get Smart: $38.6 million
2. The Incredible Hulk: $22.1 million
3. Kung Fu Panda: $21.9 million
4. The Love Guru: $13.9 million
5. The Happening: $10.5 million

Two wide releases this week, a heartwarming comedy for the whole family and a stylized action adventure shoot-em-up for the older crowd.

WALL-E
What's It All About: Disney/Pixar is back with the tale of a lovable sentient trash compactor. WALL-E has been alone on the abandoned Planet Earth for hundreds of years, but he discovers a new purpose when he meets a robot named EVE. Apparently WALL-E has stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, a solution which the human race eagerly awaits.
Why It Might Do Well: The trailers look promising and WALL-E is written and directed by Andrew Stanton, who served in the same capacity on Finding Nemo, Pixar's most financially successful film to date. Plus, our star has the cute going on.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov described a condition called The Frankenstein Complex, which is a fear of robots -- but look at the little guy. Did I mention he's cute? This is easily next week's number one flick.
Number of Theaters: 3,900
Prediction: $70 million

Continue reading Box Office: Who Wants WALL-E?

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]]>CinemaCinematicalMoviesWall-EWantedMatt BradshawWed, 25 Jun 2008 18:02:00 ESTBrangelina Options International Prom Article?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/brangelina-options-international-prom-article/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/brangelina-options-international-prom-article/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/25/brangelina-options-international-prom-article/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This past Sunday, The New York Times featured a popular City-section story about the first-ever prom held for students of Brooklyn's International High School. In case you don't like to read, you can simply watch the video accompaniment here. And if you don't like to read and you don't like documentary-style videos, and have a lot of patience, you can wait for the feature film, which will apparently be hitting theaters some time in the future. According to New York magazine's Vulture blog, a number of producers are interested in optioning the article, while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have personally brought it to the attention of Paramount Pictures, where Pitt's Plan B Entertainment has a first-look deal. Supposedly an unnamed non-Paramount studio exec beat us all to the punch by joking that "maybe Maddox and the twins can star in it." Of course, he forgot about Pax and Zahara (and the twins aren't really international).

Actually, the first joke I thought about was the running gag on TV's The Critic about the kid from Easter Island who attends the United Nations School. Then, the second joke I thought of was about Brangelina's adopted children. Then I kept thinking of other things, such as how thanks to Prom Night people might assume this other prom-themed movie is also a horror flick. But that's not so much a joke as it is me trying to think on a studio exec's level (hey, we were synchronous with the Maddox bit) in order to contemplate what they'd call the thing. International Prom? A Prom for All Nations (ala the video's title)? Or will Hollywood appropriately go for one of those song-based titles? Been around the World, perhaps?

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliebrad pittBradPittbrangelinainternational promInternationalPromnew york timesNewYorkTimesplan b entertainmentPlanBEntertainmentprom nightPromNightthe criticTheCriticChristopher CampbellWed, 25 Jun 2008 15:33:00 EST