Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/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/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. ..."

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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.

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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 ESTMark Millar Liked 'Wanted' -- and Plans for Sequelhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/24/mark-millar-liked-wanted-and-plans-for-sequel/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/24/mark-millar-liked-wanted-and-plans-for-sequel/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/24/mark-millar-liked-wanted-and-plans-for-sequel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The flashy advertisements, the curving of bullets and Angelina Jolie make it pretty difficult to remember that Wanted was originally based on a series of graphic novels by Mark Millar. From early reports (including a review from Cinematical), the adaptation is a loose one, so you might be surprised to hear that Millar actually felt it was an improvement on his work.

He posted his enthusiastic response on his official message board. (If you choose to click, be warned, the place abounds with spoilers.) "Even the biggest change -- the loom stuff in the middle Timur wrote -- works really well. I think the fate thing really made the character more empathetic as the 'killing for fun' stuff would have made him a little hateful. They kept all the best bits and junked my over-indulgences. So I feel very happy as it was a kind of perfected version that made it to the screen. Could not be happier."

Millar also added that he's been approached by Universal about concocting a sequel. "They've asked me how I can develop some of the other stuff from the book into the sequel. We'll see what box office is like at the weekend, but everyone knows this is going to make a LOT of dough. Wall·E permitting." (He actually has a few choice words for the hapless robot, who really shouldn't be held accountable for his release date.)

Continue reading Mark Millar Liked 'Wanted' -- and Plans for Sequel

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJoliejames mcavoyJamesMcavoyMark MillarMarkMillarSummer 2008Summer2008timur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedElisabeth RappeTue, 24 Jun 2008 09:32:00 ESTLAFF Review: Wantedhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/laff-review-wanted/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/laff-review-wanted/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/laff-review-wanted/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



When Wanted was announced as the opening night film for the Los Angeles Film Festival, there was a mild outbreak of head-scratching over the choice; why start a film festival loaded with independent and foreign film with a big-studio action movie? The fact is that the opening-night LAFF premiere of Wanted -- directed by a Kazakh director who made his name in Russia, loosely based on a series of comics by a Glasgwegian Scot, starring America's most notable movie starlet opposite a Glasgow-born lead actor and shot with Prague standing in for Chicago -- doesn't say much about the LAFF as a film festival and doesn't say a single thing about L.A. as a real city, but it says plenty about L.A. as a company town with a global span. Wanted's a corporate product, but, thankfully, it's an excellent one -- the two-fisted, double-barreled high-octane guilty pleasure summer action movie you've been waiting for. Wanted is speedy and spiffy and shiny as a bullet, and it's got about as much actual weight when it stops moving.

Continue reading LAFF Review: Wanted

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]]>CommonDavid OHaraDavidOharafeaturedJames McAvoyJamesMcavoyMark MillarMarkMillarMorgan FreemanMorganFreemantimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedJames RocchiFri, 20 Jun 2008 12:01:00 ESTNew 'Wanted' Red Band Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/new-wanted-red-band-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/new-wanted-red-band-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/new-wanted-red-band-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I have to hand it to Timur Bekmambetov; during the half-hearted viral campaign for Wanted, I bet no one saw that little stunt coming. But, now it's back to more traditional marketing before Wanted opens in a few weeks, and it really was about time we got a look at an R-rated trailer (and not just in Russian either) for the comic-related flick. The domestic R-rated trailer for Bekmambetov's feature film adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book series is now online (courtesy of Apple) and if you caught that Russian version floating around the net, then I'm afraid there isn't much new to report. On the upside, at least now we get to hear the great and dignified Morgan Freeman drop an 'F bomb', and that is always fun.

Wanted is based on Millar's comic book about an insignificant office drone (played by James McAvoy) who is the heir to a team of assassins. Some early glimpses of the film were a bit of a Matrix re-hash, but with each trailer release, my expectations have risen ever so slightly. Thankfully, this new trailer makes it clear the film is going to steer clear of PG-13 sensibilities and will head straight for the blood and guts instead. Even though I've been burned by 'Angelina the action hero' before, I am starting to wonder if this movie could be the dark horse in the box office race this summer. What do you think?

Wanted opens in theaters on June 27th.


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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliejames mcavoyJamesMcavoymorgan freemanMorganFreemantimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovviral videoViralVideowantedJessica BarnesTue, 10 Jun 2008 13:40:00 ESTTimur Bekmambetov Punks the World With Viral Videohttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/timur-bekmambetov-punks-the-world-with-viral-video/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/timur-bekmambetov-punks-the-world-with-viral-video/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/10/timur-bekmambetov-punks-the-world-with-viral-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

For a few weeks now, a grainy video has been circling the Internet of an office worker going absolutely insane. It originated on Break.com, and I've included it after the jump for your critical enjoyment.

Those fearing that their cubicle neighbor might engage in similar hysterics can breathe easy -- it was all a sly bit of viral marketing from Timur Bekmambetov for Wanted. He revealed the stunt over on his personal blog, where he allegedly had a good laugh at the gullibility of the West. I'm not seeing any geographic mockery here, so quite possibly he took that down.










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]]>office worker videoOfficeWorkerVideotimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedElisabeth RappeTue, 10 Jun 2008 09:02:00 ESTEastwood's 'Changeling' Changes Release Datehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/09/eastwoods-changeling-changes-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/09/eastwoods-changeling-changes-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/09/eastwoods-changeling-changes-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Oh look, a Clint Eastwood movie with an Oscar-friendly release date. That's new. Actually, it is relatively new, if you look over the man's directorial career. Sure, he's had a number of films come out in the fall time, but not with the same consistency we've seen since 2003, when Mystic River arrived in a few theaters on October 8 then went on to receive six Academy Award nominations the following winter.

Then in 2004, his Million Dollar Baby opened in limited release December 15 and went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Finally, in 2006, two of his films were released in the fall, Flags of Our Fathers in October and Letters from Iwo Jima in December. Both went on to receive Oscar recognition, the latter garnering major noms, such as Best Picture and Best Director.

Continue reading Eastwood's 'Changeling' Changes Release Date

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]]>changelingclint eastwoodClintEastwoodflags of our fathersFlagsOfOurFathersletters from iwo jimaLettersFromIwoJimamillion dollar babyMillionDollarBabymystic riverMysticRiverthe exchangeTheExchangeChristopher CampbellMon, 09 Jun 2008 22:02:00 ESTTons More 'Wanted' Photos and Official Site Updateshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/tons-more-wanted-photos-and-official-site-updates/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/tons-more-wanted-photos-and-official-site-updates/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/tons-more-wanted-photos-and-official-site-updates/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Other than a half-hearted attempt at a little viral marketing, the comic book thriller Wanted is sticking to the advertising basics until their release in just a couple of weeks -- probably for the best if you ask me, because that weaving site wasn't cutting it. Cinematical has received a slew of additional photos from the action flick, giving us more shots of Angelina Jolie hanging out of cars, and co-star James McAvoy wandering around without his shirt off (which earns Universal a personal thanks from me). When the official site was launched, there wasn't much to start with, but Universal has since added character bios, a couple of flash games and an invite into the 'fraternity'.

By now there probably isn't much we don't know about the movie --but for those who might have missed it, the story centers on an office drone that discovers he is the heir to an ancient society of assassins. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov is at the helm, and rounding out the cast are Morgan Freeman, Common, and Terrence Stamp.

Wanted may not be at the top of my list of must-see summer flicks, but I feel like I have a personal stake in the success of this movie. Let me explain: ever since Tomb Raider, I've been quietly hoping that Jolie was going to be the action heroine that's missing from movies today. But, it hasn't quite worked out that way. Instead, I have walked out of each flick more disappointed than the last. So for me, Wanted is Jolie's last chance to be the badass I've always wanted her to be -- and this time I mean it. Check out the new photos in the gallery below.

Wanted arrives in theaters on June 27th.

Gallery: Wanted

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJolieCommonjames mcavoyJamesMcavoymorgan freemanMorganFreemanTerence StampTerenceStampwantedJessica BarnesThu, 05 Jun 2008 17:02:00 ESTReview: Kung Fu Pandahttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/review-kung-fu-panda/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/review-kung-fu-panda/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/05/review-kung-fu-panda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



I love a surprise, even a small one like finding out that Kung Fu Panda was more likeable and fun than I might have expected. I have a secret mini-crush on Jack Black (okay, maybe not so secret), so I was hoping that Kung Fu Panda wouldn't suck and if nothing else, I'd be able to enjoy his vocal stylings in the Dreamworks animated film. Surprise! I liked the movie for more reasons than Jack Black.

Black voices the title character, Po, who helps in his father's noodle shop but dreams of becoming a kung fu fighter and joining the Furious Five: Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Crane (David Cross) and especially Tigress (Angelina Jolie). He wants to watch the Five compete to be the great Dragon Warrior, and is somehow dragged into the selection process himself. Kung-fu master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is irritated that a fat clumsy clown of a panda is joining his elite cadre of students, especially since it's predicted that the supremely evil snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) may escape from prison and try to steal the Dragon Warrior scroll of power for himself.

Continue reading Review: Kung Fu Panda

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]]>Cinematicaldavid crossDavidCrossDustin HoffmanfilmJack Blackjackie chanJackieChankungfupandalucy liuLucyLiumovieseth rogenSethRogenJette KernionThu, 05 Jun 2008 15:02:00 ESTThe Rocchi Review -- Cannes Round-Up with Glenn Kenny of Some Came Runninghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/the-rocchi-review-cannes-round-up-with-glenn-kenny-of-some-ca/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/the-rocchi-review-cannes-round-up-with-glenn-kenny-of-some-ca/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/the-rocchi-review-cannes-round-up-with-glenn-kenny-of-some-ca/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



What were the surprises at this year's Cannes Film Festival? Does the showcasing of films like Waltz with Bashir and Che at the world's premier film festival mean that traditional film making has been replaced by a new wave of technology and technique? Which factor had more to do with the lower-than-expected number of sales at this year's Cannes Festival -- weak films, or the weak dollar? Is there a subtle subtext to the past few years at Cannes, and what were the films that got away this year? Joining us this week to talk about all these topics and more is Glenn Kenny, the former film critic for Premiere who's now blogging independently at Some Came Running. Cinematical's podcast 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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]]>Cannes2008CheGlenn KennyGlennKennySome Came RunningSomeCameRunningSteven SoderberghStevenSoderberghThe ClassThe Edge of HeavenTheClassTheEdgeOfHeavenThree MonkeysThreeMonkeyswaltz with bashirWaltzWithBashirJames RocchiFri, 30 May 2008 21:03:00 ESTCannes 2008: 'Changeling' Press Conferencehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/22/cannes-changeling-press-conference/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/22/cannes-changeling-press-conference/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/22/cannes-changeling-press-conference/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Changeling press conference the other day was, not surprisingly, a packed affair, with throngs of journalists crowding in to get a look at Clint Eastwood, Angelina Jolie, and the Jolie baby bump. Honestly, I've never seen so many people so fascinated with the silhouette of a pregnant woman -- the Jolie frenzy here has been interesting to watch. She looked, also not surprisingly, glowingly fantastic. Also on hand to field questions were producer Brian Grazer and his famously spiky hair, and screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski.

Gallery: Cannes in Photos: Changeling Press Conference

Cannes in Photos: Changeling Press ConferenceCannes in Photos: Changeling Press ConferenceCannes in Photos: Changeling Press ConferenceCannes in Photos: Changeling Press ConferenceCannes in Photos: Changeling Press Conference

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]]>angelina joliecannes 2008cannes film festivalcannes2008changelingclint eastwoodClintEastwoodjohn malcovichKim VoynarThu, 22 May 2008 14:02:00 ESTCinematical Seven: Indiana Jones Knock-Offshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cinematical-seven-indiana-jones-knock-offs/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cinematical-seven-indiana-jones-knock-offs/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cinematical-seven-indiana-jones-knock-offs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Is that Indiana Jones as an old man instructing Lara Croft?
Lara Croft learns the trade from a very old Indiana Jones


Most Hollywood blockbusters spawn their share of low-budget ripoffs, but only a few really successful movies are influential enough to be followed by big-budget copycats. Usually these followers get media-infused taglines such as "Die Hard on a ... " or "Aliens in a ... ", with the labels likely originating at the studio pitch stage.

Though Raiders of the Lost Ark and its sequels were already derivative and referential works, the Indiana Jones franchise also inspired derivatives of its own, some that were exploitive, some that paid homage and some that are only linked through minor elements. So, in celebration of the latest Indy movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, here's a look back at all the "Indiana Jones as a ... " knock-offs that Hollywood has delivered in the last few decades:

1. Indiana Jones as a woman: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

The real source of this and its 2003 sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life, were the Tomb Raider video games, which were clearly inspired by the Indiana Jones films. In the movie we have an archaeologist who seeks a mystical object, which she must keep out of the hands of an evil society. There's an Asian temple, a reunion with a disappeared estranged father and a finale involving the crumbling self-destruction of an elaborate set piece. It's like all the initial three Indiana Jones films wrapped up in one, with added sex appeal in casting Angelina Jolie in the Harrison Ford role. Yet Jolie as Croft is too serious to be the female counterpart to Ford's Indy. Also, while the Indiana Jones films deal with some level of magically religious fantasy, they're at least grounded by "real" or familiar artifacts such as the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant. And they tend to remain just realistic enough to avoid things like giant six-armed statues that come to life.

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]]>allan quatermain and the lost city of goldAllanQuatermainAndTheLostCityOfGoldarmour of godArmourOfGodbulletproof monkBulletproofMonkfeaturedindiana jones and the kingdom of the crystal skullindiana jones and the last crusadeindiana jones and the temple of doomIndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkullIndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusadeIndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoomindy2008king solomons minesKingSolomonsMineslara croft tomb raiderLaraCroftTombRaidernational treasureNationalTreasureraiders of the lost arkRaidersOfTheLostArksky captain and the world of tomorrowSkyCaptainAndTheWorldOfTomorrowsummer2008the gooniesthe league of extraordinary gentlementhe mummythe mummy tomb of the dragon emperorTheGooniesTheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemenTheMummyTheMummyTombOfTheDragonEmperorChristopher CampbellTue, 20 May 2008 22:02:00 ESTLive from Cannes: Eastwood's The Exchange -- or Changelinghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/live-from-cannes-eastwoods-the-exchange-or-changeling/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/live-from-cannes-eastwoods-the-exchange-or-changeling/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/live-from-cannes-eastwoods-the-exchange-or-changeling/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This morning saw the world premiere of Changeling, Clint Eastwood's new film, which may even be called The Exchange -- reports are murky and muddled as to what, in fact, the final title of the film is. The plot revolves around mother Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) whose son Walter goes missing; when police bring her found son back after weeks of fear and heartbreak, glad for a moment and then she's insistent: That's not my child.

Based on a true story, The Changeling is most definitely going to get Jolie an Oscar nomination, and may even earn her the win; aside from that, frankly, there's not much else in the movie. I know Kim liked Changeling a lot more than I did -- you can read her review at the link above; for me, it was just more of the massive, ham-fisted manipulation Clint Eastwood's brought to the screen in the over-praised, clumsy, phony Million Dollar Baby. There's no ambiguity in Changeling-- Jolie is a suffering, strong saint, the cops who have brought her the wrong child and refuse to acknowledge they've done wrong are moustache-twirling bad guys out of a silent film. And even when it's broad, it's bland -- there's no pulp or muck to it that might make it more than just a showcase for Jolie's misty-eyed maternal majesty on the big screen.

Continue reading Live from Cannes: Eastwood's The Exchange -- or Changeling

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]]>Cannes2008Clint EastwoodClintEastwoodLifeFromCannesThe ExchangeTheExchangeJames RocchiTue, 20 May 2008 17:02:00 ESTCannes Review: Changelinghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cannes-review-changeling/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cannes-review-changeling/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/20/cannes-review-changeling/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Clint Eastwood's Changeling (which may or may not be now known as The Exchange), is a riveting drama about a missing boy and the undying constancy of a mother's love. Angelina Jolie excels in a powerful performance as Christine Collins, whose nine-year-old son, Walter, disappeared in 1928. Five months later, police returned to her a boy they said was Walter; Christine alleged that the boy was not her son.

At the time, the Los Angeles police department was under considerable pressure due to the efforts of a Presbyterian minister, Reverend Gustav Briegleb (John Malcovich), to expose corruption within the police force. Captain Jones (Jeffrey Donovan), who heads up the investigation, doesn't particularly care whether the boy is or isn't Walter Collins; he has a publicity campaign to manage that's all about making himself look good, so he tries to convince Christine to accept the found boy as her son. When she fights back by going to the press, Jones has her committed to the psycho ward.

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliecannes 2008cannes film festivalcannes2008CannesFilmFestivalclint eastwoodfeaturedthe changelingthe exchangeTheChangelingKim VoynarTue, 20 May 2008 10:01:00 EST'Wanted' Officially Goes Viralhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/wanted-officially-goes-viral/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/wanted-officially-goes-viral/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/wanted-officially-goes-viral/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I guess whether we like it or not, viral campaigns are hot, hip and here to stay. Universal pictures has launched the viral site for Timur Bekmambetov's Wanted, and it all revolves around a shadowy group known as the Fraternity of Weavers. Now for the tricky part: to crack the code on the website you must enter five secret words to earn a peek at the handbook for the fraternity -- plus you get a little bit more info behind Angelina's bad-ass hand tattoo. So if you're the kind of person who likes puzzles, then feel free to figure it out on your own. But, if you're like me and a little impatient, you can click over to Coming Soon and they have the solution -- I won't spoil it here.

Wanted is based on Mark Millar's graphic novel about an everyday schmo (as played by James McAvoy) who turns out to be the heir to a secret society of assassins. Angelina Jolie stars as Fox, the second in command and mentor to McAvoy. Morgan Freeman plays the elder statesman and co-founder of the group, while hip-hop artist Common stars as the weapons expert, The Gunsmith.

The viral site provides plenty of background info on the history of the ancient fraternity, but for the most part it's a bunch of spiritual mumbo-jumbo about fate, destiny, the Cathars, and ancient weaving cults -- oh, and plenty of Wikipedia links. There's also a sign up page if you're interested in becoming a member of the fraternity (hazing optional?). One imagines more viral goodies will most likely show up at some point before Wanted opens in theaters on June 27th.

Continue reading 'Wanted' Officially Goes Viral

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliecommonFraternity of WeaversFraternityOfWeaversjames mcavoyJamesMcavoymark millarMarkMillarmorgan freemanMorganFreemantimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovwantedwebsiteJessica BarnesFri, 16 May 2008 13:32:00 ESTCannes Review: Kung Fu Pandahttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/15/cannes-review-kung-fu-panda/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/15/cannes-review-kung-fu-panda/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/15/cannes-review-kung-fu-panda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Perhaps the best thing about Kung Fu Panda is that it's an action comedy that doesn't skimp on the action. Dreamworks Animation's latest effort may stick out a little on the Red Carpet at Cannes -- where it's screening out of competition -- but it's certainly a well-made kid's film that earns high points for how directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne clearly crafted and contemplated its look and feel with ambition and style. Anyone can make a computer-animated cartoon with fuzzy animals doing kung fu; you have to be at least a little inspired to make a computer-animated cartoon featuring fuzzy animals doing kung fu in widescreen Cinemascope. ...

Kung Fu Panda opens with a rousing, stylish action sequence, as a narrator (Jack Black, in full-on Tenacious D exposition mode) explains how "Legend tells of a legendary kung fu warrior whose kung fu skills were legendary. ..." But then, the heroic panda we've seen unleashing paws of power on the big screen ... wakes up; it was just a dream. Then Po the panda (Black), whose dreams of kung fu glory are the counterpoint to his unsatisfying life, gets ready for his day of helping his father Mr. Ping (James Wong) sell noodles to the people of the Valley of Peace.

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]]>Cannes2008cinematicalDavid CrossDavidCrossDustin HoffmanDustinHoffmanfeaturedian mcshaneIanMcshaneJack BlackJackBlackKung FuKung Fu Pandakung fu panda reviewKungFuKungFuPandaKungFuPandaReviewLucy LiuLucyLiuSeth RoganSethRoganJames RocchiThu, 15 May 2008 16:02:00 ESTNew 'Wanted' Teaser Poster -- Angelina Makes Guns Look Good.http://www.cinematical.com/2008/04/26/new-wanted-teaser-poster-angelina-makes-guns-look-good/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/04/26/new-wanted-teaser-poster-angelina-makes-guns-look-good/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/04/26/new-wanted-teaser-poster-angelina-makes-guns-look-good/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



Cast Angelina Jolie in your movie, and everything post production becomes that much easier. No one photographs better than this woman -- and certainly no one looks more sexy with a gun.

This new teaser poster comes by way of Ain't It Cool News, where you can get a high-resolution version. I do love the way her tattoo blends into her customized gun. Not even Lara Croft has guns that fancy. The movie could be crap (though Erik Davis liked what he saw of it, AICN's Quint did too), but I do love a stylish action chick. Just because you're an assassin doesn't mean you can't accessorize!

Wanted opens June 27th, 2008. What do you think of this one? Is it on your summer radar?

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolietimur bekmambetovTimurBekmambetovWantedWanted teaser posterWantedTeaserPosterElisabeth RappeSat, 26 Apr 2008 09:32:00 EST