Cinematical

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/Demand It: 'Mystery Team' in Your Townhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/demand-it-mystery-team-in-your-town/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/demand-it-mystery-team-in-your-town/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/demand-it-mystery-team-in-your-town/#commentsFiled under: Comedy, Independent, New Releases, Fandom, Distribution, Exhibition, DIY/Filmmaking, Movie Marketing

Mystery Team

We New Yorkers have it really good. We can get anything delivered to us at pretty much any time of the day or night. We have decent public transportation, albeit a system that's overpriced, occasionally breaks down during the rain, and is smelly. And we have our pick of the litter when it comes to new movies.

But! It doesn't have to be that way with Mystery Team, a little comedy from the folks from the DERRICK comedy troupe about three uber-dorks who are called upon by a little girl to find who murdered her parents. In fact, because so many more people demanded it in Phoenix than in New York City, that's where they officially unveiled it first! Mystery Team also stars the always awesome Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Funny People, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) as her crush-worthy older sister. The stars are doing a lot of legwork to promote their film, including giveaways, Q&As, and other good stuff. Don't you want them to come to your own? Dontcha? Demand it now, and maybe you too can join the Sword Club. Demand It worked for Paranormal Activity, and they didn't even have a Sword Club.

If you don't believe me, will you believe Cinematical's awesome EiC, Erik Davis, who caught it at Sundance and wrote, "It's Encyclopedia Brown meets Napoleon Dynamite with a pinch of Ace Ventura... and it's hilarious." You can watch DERRICK's latest short here, which is full of funny and NSFW language.

Next up are shows in Albuquerque, NM, and Chicago, IL. And maybe your town next.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>demand itDemandItmystery teamMysteryTeamJenni MillerSun, 06 Dec 2009 13:02:00 ESTFTC Blasts Hollywood For Selling R-Rated Content to Kidshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/ftc-blasts-hollywood-for-selling-r-rated-content-to-kids/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/ftc-blasts-hollywood-for-selling-r-rated-content-to-kids/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/ftc-blasts-hollywood-for-selling-r-rated-content-to-kids/#commentsFiled under: Celebrities and Controversy, Distribution, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Home Entertainment, Movie Marketing, Politics

The FTC wants Hollywood to think of the children. The New York Times reports that the FTC has blasted the film industry for "explicit and pervasive targeting of young children," specifically by advertising PG-13 and R-rated films during TV shows and websites that may attract younger audiences. The "unrated" DVD craze is also said to be geared at corrupting the youth, as the films up the gore ante on films originally given a PG-13 or R rating, and retailers routinely sell R-rated DVDs to kids under 17.

While I do believe in protecting the youth of America, I'm not sure the FTC is being entirely fair to the movie industry. With the Internet, kids can go anywhere. Saying that advertisements for R-rated films "may" show up on sites kids and teens visit is casting a pretty wide and impossible net that can really only be contained by parental controls. Nor is it the fault of studios that retailers are selling DVDs to young kids. Blame that on a retail industry that's kept in motion by underpaid teens and twentysomethings who just don't want to be yelled at when they refuse to sell Watchmen to a 13 year old. Stores should put in a strict and well-advertised policy that they'll check IDs before selling DVDs, just like movie theaters do, and the problem can be solved right there. Now, could there be an insidious plot by studios to prevent such discipline, and prop up their dwindling DVD sales? I can't answer that.

While Hollywood certainly could do more self-policing, like the video game industry does, I will always feel the blame rests on two (or in some cases, one) individuals the FTC doesn't like to blame: Parents. It isn't the job of studios or stores to make sure kids aren't watching violent or explicit content.

Continue reading FTC Blasts Hollywood For Selling R-Rated Content to Kids

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>FTCHollywood markets to kidsHollywoodMarketsToKidsr ratedr rated moviesRRatedRRatedMoviesunratedunrated dvdUnratedDvdElisabeth RappeFri, 04 Dec 2009 16:32:00 EST'The Hobbit' May Be Pushed to 2012http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-hobbit-may-be-pushed-to-2012/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-hobbit-may-be-pushed-to-2012/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-hobbit-may-be-pushed-to-2012/#commentsFiled under: Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, MGM, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Fandom, Family Films, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Peter Jackson, Remakes and Sequels

The journey back to Middle Earth is taking longer than anyone anticipated, even its filmmakers. Peter Jackson revealed in an interview with Movie Reporter * that they're hoping to complete the second draft of The Hobbit script by the beginning of next year. Once that's done, they can calculate budget and set a start date, but even the most enthusiastic estimates mean that filming would begin in middle to late 2010. That's not even factoring in the MGM money woes, and how that could affect budgeting, though signs point to Warner Bros picking up the entire tab.

Jackson was silent as to whether the original release dates would hold, but I think we're all familiar enough with the magic of movie making to know that we're unlikely to see The Hobbit in December 2011. Remember, that was the date given for the first half of the film. It's more likely you'll see Part 1 in December 2012, and Part 2 in December 2013.

If you contemplate those numbers with a sinking heart, you're not alone. For me, it's not that 2012 or 2013 are particularly far away (you know how the years speed by the older you get!), but that so much can happen to a film, its writers and directors, and its potential cast members. I'm certain The Hobbit will happen, but it can't hurt to send some geeky good vibes its way, and hope it gains some speed and cast announcements very soon.

[*I've linked to TheOneRing.net, which translated the German interview for the rest of the Internet, and allowed the story to be subsequently picked up in Variety.]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Guillermo del ToroGuillermoDelToroMGMpeter jacksonPeterJacksonThe HobbitThe Hobbit delayedTheHobbitTheHobbitDelayedWarner BrosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeThu, 03 Dec 2009 11:32:00 EST'Green Lantern' Will Choose Adventure Over Originhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/green-lantern-will-choose-adventure-over-origin/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/green-lantern-will-choose-adventure-over-origin/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/green-lantern-will-choose-adventure-over-origin/#commentsFiled under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Every day, I hope we'll get another big piece of The Green Lantern casting (and not just an open casting call) such as Sinestro or Carol Ferris, or even Abin Sur. This is a movie we're all really eager to see take shape. But for now, we'll have to be content with hints about the script, which Ryan Reynolds gave to the MTV Splash Page.

Reynolds revealed that Hal Jordan won't be the beneficiary of a very intense origin story: "It is [an origin story] to a certain degree, but it's not a labored origin story, where the movie [truly] begins in the third act. The movie starts when it starts. We find out Hal is the guy fairly early on, and the adventure begins." That probably comes as a surprise to anyone even remotely familiar with Lantern mythology, as the intergalactic world Hal comes to inhabit is pretty complex and detailed. It would be an easy thing to bog the movie down in that, though, and maybe giving it a more cursory approach is better. This is intended as a franchise after all, and they can always go deeper with subsequent films.

The man who will be Hal Jordan also stressed that the film won't be just about the green and black suit, but about the man who inhabits it. "I think you walk away from this first film, and the moments that you remember and the moments that mean so much to you, not unlike Iron Man, are the moments where the guy's not in the suit. That to me is the tough thing to get right."

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>hal jordanHalJordanmartin campbellMartinCampbellRyan ReynoldsRyanReynoldsThe Green LanternTheGreenLanternWarner BrosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeWed, 02 Dec 2009 18:02:00 ESTDisney Remaking 'The Black Hole' With 'Tron' Teamhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/disney-remaking-the-black-hole-with-tron-team/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/disney-remaking-the-black-hole-with-tron-team/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/disney-remaking-the-black-hole-with-tron-team/#commentsFiled under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Disney, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

It's a new day at Disney with their new studio chief, Rich Ross, and everyone has been rather eager to see what new direction the studio moved in, and what projects they fast tracked. It turns out that their new vision is a rather old one. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has dug deep into the vaults and decided to remake The Black Hole. They've put Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski and producer Sean Bailey on the project, hoping that they can make The Black Hole as cool as they've made all things Tron.

I feel terrible, but I have absolutely no memory of this film. I know I probably saw it at some point, but its lovable droids have been wiped out by multiple viewings of Star Wars, so allow me to recap. The 1979 original centered on a group of space explorers discover the lost USS Cygnus, floating dead on the edge of a black hole. Logically they haven't seen Event Horizon, so they happily board the ship to what's become of the crew. There they meet a scientist and his group of robot friends (some cute, and one mean, red, and named Maximilian), and he claims his crew deserted him when he tried to travel through the black hole. Of course, he's not telling the truth. The robots are the former Cygnus crew, and the scientist has no intention of letting them leave. Dun dun dun ...

Naturally, the remake won't be a straight-up retelling, and Disney is keeping the plot a secret. The only thing they're willing to reveal is that the menacing robot Maximilian will return, and that the black hole will be more of a plot point. Science will also be involved, and I imagine a little Star Trek too. Will it inspire the instant excitement of Tron: Legacy? Or will it be an entirely new concept to most moviegoers?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Disneyjoseph kosinskiJosephKosinskiSean BaileySeanBaileythe black holeThe Black Hole remakeTheBlackHoleTheBlackHoleRemaketron legacyTronLegacyElisabeth RappeTue, 01 Dec 2009 20:32:00 EST'Mystery Team' Hits New York on Friday - Watch Their New Short!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/mystery-team-hits-new-york-on-friday-watch-their-new-short/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/mystery-team-hits-new-york-on-friday-watch-their-new-short/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/mystery-team-hits-new-york-on-friday-watch-their-new-short/#commentsFiled under: Comedy, DIY/Filmmaking, Movie Marketing, Trailers and Clips

While it's sadly not going to take home any Oscars and probably won't nudge its way onto too many best-of-the-decade lists, one of my favorite comedies of 2009 has been slowly making its way across the country and is finally set to debut in New York this Friday, December 4th. I first saw Mystery Team (starring the crazy cats of DERRICK Comedy) at a packed midnight screening during the Sundance Film Festival (where I described it as " Encyclopedia Brown meets Napoleon Dynamite with a pinch of Ace Ventura"), and the place was just rolling. Ever since then it's been one of the films I've been championing throughout the year, if only because I know there are people out there (and fans of comedy in general) who would totally love every second of this thing.

This Thursday I'm going to be hosting a pretty cool DERRICK Comedy event at the New York Film Academy, and I look forward to sharing DERRICK's story with a couple hundred students (I also hope to share video of the event with you once it's over). Then, on Friday, Mystery Team opens in NY at the Quad Cinemas downtown and the dudes from DERRICK Comedy will be appearing live at every evening performance for intros and post-screening Q&As. Additionally, if you show up twice and bring your ticket stub, you earn a chance to have your name on the Mystery Team DVD.

Finally, while their film has been spreading like a virus across the States, DERRICK has kept busy filming more comedy sketches. They're definitely NSFW (not safe for work), feature foul language and sexual innuendos. I've posted their latest -- hot off the presses -- after the jump. Check it out.

Continue reading 'Mystery Team' Hits New York on Friday - Watch Their New Short!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cinematicalderrick comedyDerrickComedymystery teamMysteryTeamErik DavisTue, 01 Dec 2009 15:32:00 ESTUPDATED: Paul Greengrass Quits 'Bourne 4'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/#commentsFiled under: Action, Thrillers, Universal, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

Everyone and their grandmothers seems to want a fourth Bourne film, and the question of "When, when, when?!" has dogged Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass for a long time. Shockingly, the answer may now be "never," as The Playlist is reporting that Greengrass has quit Bourne 4.

Script problems and a fractious relationship with Universal are said to be the cause of the split.
Two scripts have been penned for the film, and reportedly no one is fond of George Nolfi's take. Josh Zetumer came aboard to write a new one, a decision that irked Greengrass as he wasn't consulted as to the choice of writer. But that's a relatively minor point, as the real problem seems to be Greengrass' free-wheeling style, which has cost Universal millions and millions on every film he's made. While Bourne turned a fine profit, the studio is concerned about Green Zone, which is now estimated to have cost $150 million due to all of Greengrass' famous tinkering. This is a film that doesn't carry the Bourne brand name, and deals with the very un-blockbuster topic of Iraq.

So, Greengrass and Universal have been butting heads, as he wants to continue his usual approach on Bourne 4, and they want him to keep the budget under control. Thus, he's upset at the way he's been treated, and has now walked away. Rumors swirl that he might return, but there's just as much feeling that the studio could hire a new director. This leaves everyone uncertain as to whether Damon would return since he's been famously loyal to Greengrass. For now, everyone is watching the trades to see what'll be announced (and with Damon doing Invictus press, maybe it'll come up unofficially), and hoping for the best. The last thing anyone wants is Bourne without the guys that made it great.

UPDATED: Head after the jump for a statement from Paul Greengrass

Continue reading UPDATED: Paul Greengrass Quits 'Bourne 4'

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bourne 4Bourne4George NolfiGeorgeNolfigreen zoneGreenZoneJosh ZetumerJoshZetumermatt damonMattDamonPaul GreengrassPaulGreengrassUniversalElisabeth RappeTue, 01 Dec 2009 14:15:00 ESTFirst Glimpses of 'The Voyage of The Dawn Treader'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/30/first-glimpses-of-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader/#commentsFiled under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, 20th Century Fox, Family Films, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Movie Marketing, Remakes and Sequels, Images

Over the holiday weekend, we received our first official glimpse of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This is a film that hasn't really attracted a lot of fervent interest or rumor-mongering, something that seems to have marked the ill-fated series as a whole.

But Dawn Treader is coming, with Michael Apted at the helm and 20th Century Fox directing its trade wind. I know I've stated it a million times before, but this is one Narnia installment that I'm desperate to see. It was my favorite of the books, and the film might actually work on a level that Wardrobe and Caspian haven't. There was more to be mined from those first two books than the films managed, but Dawn Treader is rather glossy and adventurous, a series of "What's that -- oh no!" moments that should make for a pretty entertaining movie. Sure, there's the heavy handed morality tale of selfish cousin Eustace, but that's a pretty simple thing to translate since it's a lesson as old as Grimm's -- bad kids are punished, regardless of religious inclination!

Narnia has chosen to launch its first images in a very unlikely place: Facebook. A production blog has started up there, and the first images were tacked onto the end of it. It should be fun to follow along with as we inch closer to its release date of December 2010. Meanwhile, the photos are in the gallery, and they certainly are pretty to look at.

Gallery: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>c.s. lewisC.s.LewisFoxMichael AptedMichaelAptedThe Chronicles of Narniathe chronicles of narnia: the voyage of the dawn treaderTheChroniclesOfNarniaTheChroniclesOfNarnia:TheVoyageOfTheDawnTreaderwalden mediaWaldenMediaElisabeth RappeMon, 30 Nov 2009 15:02:00 ESTJeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avengerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/jeremy-renner-avengers/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/jeremy-renner-avengers/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/jeremy-renner-avengers/#commentsFiled under: Action, Paramount, RumorMonger, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Now that Iron Man 2 is in the finish stages, and Thor will kick off filming in January, the casting rumor mill must now find some new grist in The Avengers. (Not Captain America, oddly enough. We'll just skip right over that one!) Empire sat down with Jeremy Renner, who revealed that he'd been in talks with Marvel Studios and Avengers' writer Zak Penn about tackling the part of a superhero.

While he's reportedly been linked with Captain America on some dim corners of the Internet, Renner is thinking he might like to play another Avenger : Clint Barton, better known as Hawkeye. "I don't know if I'd be right for Captain America. I met with the Marvel guys, actually, but we didn't talk about Captain America. But one of the writers, Zak Penn, we've become friends over time and he was thinking maybe Hawkeye could be interesting. He sounds like an interesting character."

Renner stressed "no offer has been made ... I think there's a little ways from that" but he also speculated that Hawkeye might cameo in Thor or in First Avenger: Captain America. But Thor has an awfully big cast at this point, so tossing in an Avenger cameo seems a bit dubious, though there's always room in a post-credit sequence. Iron Man 2 would have been the ideal place (Mr. Clint Barton and the Black Widow go way back) but the ship would appear to have sailed on that one.

Continue reading Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Clint BartonClintBartonfeaturedFirst Avenger Captain AmericaFirstAvengerCaptainAmericaHawkeyeJeremy RennerJeremyRennerMarvelMarvel StudiosMarvelStudiosThe AvengersTheAvengersZak PennZakPennElisabeth RappeFri, 27 Nov 2009 17:20:00 ESTTommy Lee Jones Ditches Matthew McConaughey's 'Lincoln'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/#commentsFiled under: Drama, Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand

A mere month ago, it seemed like Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer was set for a top notch adaptation thanks to the arrival of Tommy Lee Jones. Jones was interested in directing and costarring in the film, which gave us all hope that he could help makeover Matthew McConaughey into something serious and shirt wearing. But alas, it's not to be. Variety reports that Jones has departed The Lincoln Lawyer, leaving it idling and spitting fumes.

Jones departed for that vague and all-encompassing reason "creative differences." Variety reports that he had issues with John Romano's script, and neither Jones nor Lakeshore Entertainment were willing to budge. The studio is currently on the hunt for a new director, and hopes to be shooting by spring.

So, feel free to speculate on just what script issues there might have been. I know we have some Connelly fans who were looking forward to this, and who know more about the book than I do. Given that it is a star vehicle for McConaughey, and the character is a bit of a legal freewheeler, I wonder if the script is more of a comedic departure from the book. We've cracked a lot of jokes about bongo drums and shirtlessness, but could that actually have been what Jones departed over? It's sleazy and easy to jump to that conclusion, and I can't really believe a Connelly book could be adapted into Fool's Gold. But this is Hollywood. Stranger things have happened.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>John RomanoJohnRomanoLakeshore EntertainmentLakeshoreEntertainmentMatthew McConaugheyMatthewMcconaugheyMichael ConnellyMichaelConnellyThe Lincoln LawyerTheLincolnLawyerTommy Lee JonesTommyLeeJonesElisabeth RappeTue, 24 Nov 2009 19:15:00 ESTDreamWorks Puts 'Real Steel' In Their Ringhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/dreamworks-puts-real-steel-in-their-ring/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/dreamworks-puts-real-steel-in-their-ring/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/dreamworks-puts-real-steel-in-their-ring/#commentsFiled under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sports, Deals, Paramount, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Dreamworks, Steven Spielberg

If you held out faint hope that Hugh Jackman wouldn't be helping Shawn Levy box robots, and would abandon it for a feature film adaptation of A Steady Rain, kiss it goodbye now. Variety reports that DreamWorks' Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider have green-lit Real Steel, making it the studio's first big financial project since it split with Paramount, and had to find its own money.

Spielberg was attached to the project as executive producer when it was first announced, and it seems that it's been a real passion project for him. DreamWorks bought the project back in 2005, and it was one of the films they held onto after splitting from Paramount. "When we took it with us, we really highlighted it as something we would put the pedal to metal on," said DreamWorks co-president of production Mark Sourian. "It's a project that Steven always wanted to do. It just came together rapidly after we left Paramount." The film will be made for the relatively low budget of $80 million, and will begin production next June.

With a low budget to avoid Transformers excess, perhaps the magic of Spielberg and Richard Matheson can overcome the kiddie tendencies of Shawn Levy, and turn it into something special. A lot of commenters mentioned that Matheson's story was adapted into an episode of the Twilight Zone called Steel. Happily, it's online and I've embedded it below the jump. It really is a good episode, and while Levy keeps stressing that his Real Steel is grounded in its "father-son relationship," I hope it can retain a bit of Matheson's grit. I could be happy with a robot version of Million Dollar Baby.

Continue reading DreamWorks Puts 'Real Steel' In Their Ring

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>DreamWorkshugh jackmanHughJackmanparamountreal steelRealSteelRichard MathesonRichardMathesonShawn LevyShawnLevysteven spielbergStevenSpielbergTwilight ZoneTwilightZoneElisabeth RappeTue, 24 Nov 2009 09:03:00 ESTChris Weitz Blames New Line For 'The Golden Compass' -- Do You?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/chris-weitz-new-line-the-golden-compass-controversy/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/chris-weitz-new-line-the-golden-compass-controversy/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/chris-weitz-new-line-the-golden-compass-controversy/#commentsFiled under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Line, Celebrities and Controversy, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Religious, Fan Rant

Now rolling in New Moon millions, Chris Weitz is being more open about his troubles with New Line and The Golden Compass, a film that sank one studio and sent him into a tailspin. Rumors abounded as to what went wrong on that film, and as recently as last week, New York's Page Six was claiming that residual stress was causing him to leave the industry.

Weitz denied any such thing to Variety, and announced he was leaving the world of the supernatural behind with his next film, The Gardener. The film centers around a hard working Mexican gardener and his efforts to protect his son, and Weitz will be making it alongside his new best friends forever, Summit Entertainment. His new friendship enabled him to take a parting shot at New Line. Weitz praises Summit and Stephenie Meyer for trusting him with New Moon, an experience that was the polar opposite of the debacle that was The Golden Compass.

Weitz claims that New Line didn't trust him to handle the content of the book, that the film was taken from him in editing. Heavy-handed hacking resulted in losing nearly 30 minutes of footage from the film, and neatly exercised the edgy thrust of Phillip Pullman's book. "It was an utter violation of my status as a director and the worst thing that has happened to me professionally ... I was treated badly, it was almost like they never read the books. They seemed frightened of offending the right." Out of loyalty to the cast and crew, Weitz said he "bit through my tongue" when Compass was released.

As a fan of Pullman's His Dark Materials series, I'd love to see all that missing footage to see if it could salvage Weitz's film, and if New Line really neutered it.

Go below the jump for the rest

Continue reading Chris Weitz Blames New Line For 'The Golden Compass' -- Do You?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Chris WeitzChrisWeitzHis Dark MaterialsHis Dark Materials The Golden CompassHisDarkMaterialsHisDarkMaterialsTheGoldenCompassnew lineNew MoonNewLineNewMoonphillip pullmanPhillipPullmanThe GardenerThe Golden CompassTheGardenerTheGoldenCompassElisabeth RappeMon, 23 Nov 2009 10:33:00 ESTJoshua Jackson Flies Away In a 'UFO'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/joshua-jackson-flies-away-in-a-ufo/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/joshua-jackson-flies-away-in-a-ufo/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/joshua-jackson-flies-away-in-a-ufo/#commentsFiled under: Action, Independent, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

There seems to be a slow and steady drive towards remaking everything that ever appeared on British television. I suppose that's all right (they do have fantastic shows and made-for-television movies in the United Kingdom) but what happens on that dark day when Hollywood runs out of British productions? Yikes. Let's not think about that, and turn instead to the dark version of 1980 that's being remade for the modern viewer, as Variety reports that British favorite UFO is being re-imagined for the big screen. UFO will be helmed by Matthew Gratzner, and will star Joshua Jackson.

The British premise for UFO was set in the near future (ten years in their case -- the show aired in 1970 and took place in 1980) where aliens had conquered Earth. Naturally, they didn't do so with altruistic means, but to use us as an organ harvesting ground. Humanity's future lay with SHADO, (Supreme Headquarters Aliens Defense Organization), a covert organization pretending to be a movie studio, who defend against the alien horde. Many have tried to remake UFO and failed, the last evolved into Space: 1999. (I can't find any reference as to V took any inspiration from it. The timing screams that it wasn't a coincidence.)

Jackson will play Paul Foster, a test pilot who joins SHADO. Foster is one of the original characters, and had an interesting little conflict after he became involved with the enemy. Since Gratzner praises his ability to show Foster's "inner conflict," the movie will undoubtedly take that and run with it. The movie is aiming to begin filming in the spring.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Gerry AndersonGerryAndersonJoshua JacksonJoshuaJacksonmatthew gratznerMatthewGratznerSylvia AndersonSylviaAndersonUFOUFO remakeUfoRemakeElisabeth RappeMon, 23 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTSean Connery Ditches Retirement to Play ... a Skateboarding Veterinarian?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/sean-connery-ditches-retirement-to-play-a-skateboarding-vete/#commentsFiled under: Animation, Independent, Casting, Family Films, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand

Good actors never really retire, they just find new and easier ways to work. Sean Connery loudly proclaimed his intention to retire from the silver screen, but he's decided to make a bit of a return. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Connery will lend his voice to the CGI animated movie Sir Billi, an independent film created by husband-and-wife team Sascha and Tessa Hartmann. Connery is an executive producer on the project, and has been heavily involved with its production.

The movie will have Connery playing "a retired, skateboarding veterinarian" who rescues an illegal fugitive who just happens to be a beaver. (I now wish this could cross over into The Beaver.) The Hartmanns have been working on the project for five years, and it's now set for a 2010 release.
The final touch is apparently a Shirley Bassey tune, and THR reports that she's signed up to record a song titled The Guardian of the Highlands for the film. Let me repeat that: Bassey singing a song called The Guardian of the Highlands. It's now my favorite song of all time, and I haven't even heard it.

So, if you've been lying awake wondering what Connery has been up to, now you know. He's been overseeing a charming Scottish cartoon, and lending his slurry brogue to a skateboarding veterinarian. But I don't this heralds a return to acting -- remember, Connery was able to literally phone in this performance and head back to the golf course, enjoying the fruits of retirement.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Sascha HartmannSaschaHartmannsean connerySeanConneryshirley basseyShirleyBasseySir BilliSirBilliTessa HartmannTessaHartmannElisabeth RappeThu, 19 Nov 2009 09:48:00 ESTJerry Bruckheimer and Disney Developing 'Alien Legion'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/jerry-bruckheimer-disney-alien-legion/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/jerry-bruckheimer-disney-alien-legion/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/jerry-bruckheimer-disney-alien-legion/#commentsFiled under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Disney, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Comics never really die. They become cult classics, cherished until they're revived, republished, and optioned by Disney. Such is the tale of Alien Legion, which is soon to enjoy a revival that'll have many a comic fan claiming they were there from the beginning. (I won't be one of them -- I'll openly confess that it passed me right by.)

Creator Carl Potts described Alien Legion as "the Foreign Legion in space," and it's probably best described as melting pot of military and sci-fi, as Star Trek, Star Wars and The Dirty Dozen all influenced its vision of intergalactic soldiers banding together for honor, fortune, and adventure. It was one of Marvel's longest running series under their Epic Comics' banner, and it's been one that fans have continued to champion. Now it's being republished in a beautiful Dark Horse omnibus (which means out-of-the-loop losers like myself can finally read it), and getting four brand new issues from Dark Horse starting in 2010.

It's also on its way to the big screen. USA Today sat down all its creators, and Potts revealed that Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney were currently developing a feature film out of the series. Derek Haas and Michael Brandt are currently working on the third draft of the script, and Disney is undoubtedly hoping it could become another blockbuster franchise. I'd love to see the Mouse House actually develop a viable sci-fi franchise of their own, and Alien Legion is certainly a very promising series. Let's hope its cult of fans are rewarded with a good adaptation after all their years of devotion, and they don't resent the rest of us for coming to the party so late.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Alien LegionAlienLegionCarl PottsCarlPottsderek haasDerekHaasDisneyEpic ComicsEpicComicsJerry BruckheimerJerryBruckheimerMarvelmichael brandtMichaelBrandtElisabeth RappeTue, 17 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST'Captain Nemo' Is Dead in the Water at Disneyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/captain-nemo-dead-disney/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/captain-nemo-dead-disney/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/captain-nemo-dead-disney/#commentsFiled under: Action, Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Executive shifts, Disney, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

The klaxons are sounding for the Nautilus and Captain Nemo's origin story. Variety reports that Disney has quietly shelved the project, and McG has been released from duty in order to seek better fortune ashore.

The project was scheduled to begin production this February, and was on a fast track under Dick Cook. But as you probably remember, Cook was shown the door a few months ago. Many of Disney's big projects seem to be left dangling as stars like Johnny Depp decide whether they're sailing or staying ashore. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo is just the latest, though Disney insists big popcorn flicks will still be a focus for them.

Leagues had already been a revolving door of rumors, with Will Smith said to be in the running to play Nemo. Justin Marks was originally penning the script, but was replaced by Randall Wallace this past July. Variety reports that the project was being penned by Bill Marsilli, so presumably Wallace was off as well. While it's not unusual to have three screenwriters on a project, it doesn't sound like this submarine had a reliable captain. Perhaps the Nautilus will sail again as a proper steampunk picture that explores his romantic Indian past, and not a slapdash summerfest.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>000 leagues under the sea000 Leagues Under the Sea Captain Nemo000LeaguesUnderTheSea000LeaguesUnderTheSeaCaptainNemo20Bill MarsilliBillMarsillicaptain nemoCaptainNemoDisneyfeaturedJules VerneJulesVerneJustin MarksJustinMarksMcGRandall WallaceRandallWallaceWill SmithWillSmithElisabeth RappeTue, 17 Nov 2009 11:15:00 ESTMGM Studios Officially For Salehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/16/mgm-studios-officially-for-sale/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/16/mgm-studios-officially-for-sale/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/16/mgm-studios-officially-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: Deals, Executive shifts, Lionsgate Films, MGM, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Distribution, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, James Bond

MGM Studios' financial troubles will soon be coming to a sad end. Back in September, it was reported that MGM was in such poor shape that they might be forced to auction off their assets, including James Bond and The Hobbit. That day has come to pass. Variety reports that MGM Studios is officially on the auction block.

MGM has been given a month of breathing space from their interest payments, time they plan on using to begin "a process to explore various strategic alternatives including operating as a standalone entity, forming strategic partnerships and evaluating a potential sale of the company."

But all hopes of survival may rest on what they sell off from their glorious history, including a library of 4,000 titles, the logo, the United Artists company, James Bond, and half ownership in The Hobbit. Time Warner, News Corp, and Lionsgate are said to be interested in all of the above.

As their library scatters to the four winds, it'll be really interesting to see what remakes and reboots it spawns. Remember, Robocop was on the MGM remake slate, and surely some hungry studio will snap that up. The Cannon Films and ITV Global Entertainment collections are just ripe for harvesting. Perhaps you'll finally see a Lifeforce movie, or a remake of Capricorn One, or an aspiring Tarantino type will buy up all those American International Picture rights and revive motorcycle gang movies. Sure, we all want to know who will wind up with James Bond, but it'll be far more fascinating if someone tries to remake Psych-Out. *

*It's possible this is considered one of AIP's "early" films, though it's unclear where that cut off date is.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Capricorn OneCapricornOnefeaturedJames BondJamesBondLifeforceMGMMGM assetsMGM financial woesMGM for saleMgmAssetsMgmFinancialWoesMgmForSalePsych-OutRobocopThe HobbitTheHobbitElisabeth RappeMon, 16 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTWatch This: Wes Anderson Acts Out 'Mr. Fox' Storyboardshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/watch-this-wes-anderson-acts-out-mr-fox-storyboards/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/watch-this-wes-anderson-acts-out-mr-fox-storyboards/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/watch-this-wes-anderson-acts-out-mr-fox-storyboards/#commentsFiled under: Animation, New Releases, Celebrities and Controversy, New in Theaters, DIY/Filmmaking, Trailers and Clips

In this month's Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson makes his first foray into animation with an adaptation of Roald Dahl's story about an upwardly mobile fox (George Clooney) whose drive to steal chickens threatens his family and community. While it's Anderson's first non-live action project, Mr. Fox nonetheless shares qualities with his other films, including a meticulous attention to detail, stylish design, and idiosyncratic characters. So how did the live-action auteur tackle the challenges of stop-motion filmmaking, especially considering that he spent much of the production in an entirely different country than his crew?

HitFix has a fun little glimpse of the director at work that shows us how Anderson collaborated with his animation team to bring the characters of Fantastic Mr. Fox to life. From his base in Paris, Anderson shot video storyboards of scenes and character movements by acting out scenes and blocking himself. He then emailed the videos to his crew in London, who took their visual cues from Anderson's performances. The end results, when viewed side-by-side with Anderson's versions, are near identical.

Hit the jump and watch Anderson as Mr. Fox, Kristofferson, Ash, and other characters from The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Continue reading Watch This: Wes Anderson Acts Out 'Mr. Fox' Storyboards

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>animationFantastic Mr. FoxFantasticMr.Foxstop motionStopMotionWes AndersonWesAndersonJen YamatoFri, 13 Nov 2009 10:32:00 EST'Make-Out with Violence' For Free in L.A.!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/make-out-with-violence-for-free-in-l-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/make-out-with-violence-for-free-in-l-a/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/make-out-with-violence-for-free-in-l-a/#commentsFiled under: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Independent, SXSW, Distribution, Exhibition, DIY/Filmmaking, Cinematical Indie, Oxford Film Festival

Indie movie lovers of the greater Los Angeles area, take note of a wonderful gem from this year's SXSW festival that's coming your way. Make-Out with Violence is an angsty teenage zombie horror comedy that I caught last year at the Oxford Film Festival, and tonight - November 12 - it screens in Los Angeles. For free!

Ok, technically it's screening in Alhambra. But this one-night only engagement will likely be your only chance to see the underappreciated indie film that our own Scott Weinberg called "pretty damn good" - and if I may add my own endorsement, Make-Out with Violence is original and gorgeously shot, a great alternative to mainstream (i.e. made with way more money) films about either teenage life or zombies. The best part? Make-Out with Violence is about both of those things. (It's also got the most attractive zombie hottie of the year, with apologies to Zombieland's Amber Heard.)

Continue reading 'Make-Out with Violence' For Free in L.A.!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>Deagol BrothersDeagolBrothersMake-Out with ViolenceMake-outWithViolenceJen YamatoThu, 12 Nov 2009 09:48:00 ESTThe World's Longest Film Is ...http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/the-worlds-longest-film-is/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/the-worlds-longest-film-is/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/the-worlds-longest-film-is/#commentsFiled under: DIY/Filmmaking

... 150 hours long.

You may have thought that Titanic was long with its 3 hour and 14 minute running time, but that's nothing. Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander is an impressive 312 minutes. Cleopatra lounges in a director's cut of 320 minutes. The 1968 Soviet film War and Peace boasts an impressive 484 minutes, and Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz had to be shown in segments on television since it's a whopping 15+ hours long.

But now all of those have been trumped, made to look like short films with this new sucker. As foreign sister site Moviefone Canada reports, there's a new film called Cinematon, which is the world's longest film. What length does it take to get such an honor? One hundred and fifty hours. In this short-attention-span world, that's pretty much unfathomable. But luckily, it's not one continuous story -- that would take almost a week without sleep to see all at once. The film is a bag of 3.5 minute segments shot over 30 years that feature celebs, journalists, artists, and philosophers. Turns out that filmmaker Gerard Courant was planning a collection of 100 shorts, but "it proved so popular that, what would have been a five-hour film, turned into 150 hours."

I don't know about you, but that sounds more like bad editing than popularity -- especially since sites like The Mirror say: "It is also arguably the DULLEST film ever made." They say the entire film is silent, going through, as Courant describes, "the whole spectrum of human emotions," like Samuel Fuller smoking, or a baby acting like a baby. Hit the jump to see one of the shorts and weigh in below: Would you sit through a silent, 150 hour anthology?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>CinematicalCinematonGerard CourantGerardCourantworlds longest filmWorldsLongestFilmMonika BartyzelWed, 11 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST