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/'Avatar' Creature Designer Addresses 'Delgo' Comparisonshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/avatar-creature-designer-addresses-delgo-comparisons/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/avatar-creature-designer-addresses-delgo-comparisons/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/avatar-creature-designer-addresses-delgo-comparisons/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It only took a matter of days after the first trailer for Avatar went public that people had begun to rend the flesh from its digital bones. And while there were plenty of cries of Dances with Smurfs, the most notable detractor was a site that posted a bevy of side-by-side screen shots comparing James Cameron's high-profile gamble with the largely unseen 2008 animated film Delgo.

Floating mountains, flying creatures, blue-skinned warriors, swamps lit by alien fireflies...all of these world-building elements had a good number of people ready to demonize Cameron for stealing from one of the biggest theatrical flops in years. Now, as the film's release beckons ever closer, those involved with the secretive production have finally been made available for interview. One such person is Neville Page, the creature designer for Avatar, who was recently interviewed by the LA Times. There's plenty more to the interview, but the hot button question is clearly the Delgo one:

"Do I think there is much of a comparison? Clearly there is. I think [the video and side-by-side comparisons] was too literalized. I think it's easiest to do with many films. You can take a bunch of stuff and spin it to whatever you want. It's like any love story. There can be parallels drawn to any love story. It's who can tell it better, with more compelling imagery. That's definitely what Jim has done here. People are going to get it. Much like "Titanic." Was that a unique story, if you're not talking about the ship? No, not even close. It's "Romeo and Juliet." It's a classic, classic story. "Avatar" has the best of both, a very familiar story and a very unique vision behind it."

Continue reading 'Avatar' Creature Designer Addresses 'Delgo' Comparisons

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]]>AvatarAvatar Delgo ComparisonsAvatarDelgoComparisonsDelgoJames CameronJamesCameronNEville PageNevillePagePeter HallMon, 07 Dec 2009 13:32:00 ESTInteresting Interviews: Ricky Gervais Chats with Larry Davidhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/interesting-interviews-ricky-gervais-chats-with-larry-david/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/interesting-interviews-ricky-gervais-chats-with-larry-david/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/07/interesting-interviews-ricky-gervais-chats-with-larry-david/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A friend of mine turned me on to this fantastic interview over the weekend that was part of a Channel 4 special that aired in the UK back in 2008 (or at least that's when it was uploaded to YouTube). In it, Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras) heads over to Larry David's (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) office for a pretty lengthy chat about, well, everything. And seeing as some of my all-time favorite comedy has come from both of these men, I couldn't resist the urge to lock myself in a room and watch this sucker because I knew how special it would be.

David begins the chat by telling Gervais that the only reason he agreed to do this was because he knew it was only airing in the UK and that no one he knew would be watching. He'd kidding, of course, but there's a certain amount of truth behind that. Larry David doesn't do many relaxed, let-me-pick-your-brain interviews, and so just knowing this existed was a treat in and of itself -- but adding the fact that Gervais was the one chatting him up was the sweet cherry on top of this scrumptious piece of comedic geekdom. The two men discuss everything from cursing to comedic inspirations to their writing process to celebrity and everything in between. The only thing that slows it down a little (for me) is that they sandwich in a bunch of clips, but if you're a fan it shouldn't bother you.

And yeah, I understand this may be a little more suited for our buddies over at TV Squad, but I couldn't resist. If it makes you feel better, Gervais can be seen in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, now on DVD and Blu-ray. There. Now watch the interview after the jump.

Continue reading Interesting Interviews: Ricky Gervais Chats with Larry David

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]]>cinematicalfeaturedlarry davidLarryDavidnight at the museum 2Night at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianNightAtTheMuseum2NightAtTheMuseum:BattleOfTheSmithsonianricky gervaisRickyGervaisseinfeldErik DavisMon, 07 Dec 2009 12:45:00 ESTSo What is 'Best Worst Movie' and Why Should I See It?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/so-what-is-best-worst-movie-and-why-should-i-see-it/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/so-what-is-best-worst-movie-and-why-should-i-see-it/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/so-what-is-best-worst-movie-and-why-should-i-see-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


When you try to explain what Best Worst Movie is about to anyone, even a lot of film fans, you're likely to receive a blank stare or a confused line of questioning. So it's a documentary about bad movies? How can it just be about Troll 2? Why would anyone make a documentary about Troll 2, a movie that few have seen except in some late night cable fever dream? My own attempts at explaining it were pretty lame: Well, because it's funny, and because Troll 2 has a cult following thanks to the Internet, the Alamo Drafthouse, and IMDB forums. People really, really love to laugh at this movie. It's just really funny, and the documentary explores the fandom, and the poor people behind Troll 2, and ... never mind.

But you shouldn't say "never mind" about Best Worst Movie. Yes, this is a documentary about Troll 2. You'll learn about the people they stuffed into those awful masks, about how the director nailed young Darren Ewing's own Chuck Taylors to a flower pot and made him stand for 14 hours straight, and that Rossella Drudi wrote it in a fit of pique after her friends became vegetarians. You'll learn just how mortifying it is to be in a movie that's so very, very bad and what it does to your fledgling dreams of stardom. You'll learn more than you ever wanted about Troll 2, but that doesn't mean this is a documentary to say "meh, never mind" about, because Best Worst Movie isn't just about one crappy movie from 1990. In its own kooky way, it's about everything. It's about the breathlessness of fandom, delusions of grandeur, the power of the Internet, the skeletons in your closet, and settling for ordinary when you dreamed about the stars.

Continue reading So What is 'Best Worst Movie' and Why Should I See It?

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]]>Best Worst MovieBestWorstMovieDenver Film FestivalDenverFilmFestivalDFFgeorge hardyGeorgeHardyMichael StephensonMichaelStephensonElisabeth RappeSun, 06 Dec 2009 19:02:00 EST'Back to the Future' With a Gay Mom?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/back-to-the-future-with-a-gay-mom/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/back-to-the-future-with-a-gay-mom/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/back-to-the-future-with-a-gay-mom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lea Thompson and Michael J. Fox in 'Back to the Future'

Idle thoughts on a Sunday afternoon: How radically different would some movies be if the sexual orientation of a single character was changed? Actress Meredith Baxter revealed last week that she's a lesbian, which made me think of her most famous role as a mother in Family Ties, which made me think of Michael J. Fox, who played her son in that series. And that made me think of his most famous role as a son in Back to the Future, which made me think: what if Marty McFly's mother (played by Lea Thompson) was gay?

That would eliminate the most squeamish element of the movie: Lorraine's attraction to Marty. (When she's admiring him in his Calvin Kleins, yeesh! Get me out of here.) Instead, Marty might have time traveled back to 1955, seen that Lorraine wasn't attracted to George McFly (Crispin Glover), and then gradually come to realize -- with his 1985 perspective -- that his mother wasn't attracted to any of the boys in school, but was nursing a secret crush on one of her female classmates. Recognizing the social pressures against homosexuality in the 50s and battling his own mixed feelings, Marty still maneuvers circumstances so that his mother will decide to remain in the closet and marry George. Marty goes back to the future with a heavy heart, glad to be alive but with the secret, bittersweet knowledge that his self-sacrificing, loving mother may not be not truly happy.

What other movies might be radically changed if the sexual orientation of one of the characters was different?

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]]>back to the futureBackToTheFuturecrispin gloverCrispinGlovergay back to the futureGayBackToTheFuturelea thompsonLeaThompsonmarty mcflyMartyMcflymereth baxterMerethBaxtermichael j foxMichaelJFoxPeter MartinSun, 06 Dec 2009 17:02:00 EST'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' Teaser Trailer!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1-teaser-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1-teaser-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/06/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1-teaser-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


A few days ago, a bootlegged and blurry copy of the first Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows teaser went live before being predictably yanked by Warner Bros. But it didn't take long for the studio to release an official copy, complete with an introduction from producer David Heyman and director David Yates. While the teaser attempts to explain what the Deathly Hallows actually are, Harry Potter fans will be too busy scanning the footage for recognizable scenes. If you know what you're watching, there's quite a bit to see! I would nerdishly list all the moments but no one wants to read that, and it's more fun to let something like this unfold for each and every fan. You might choke up a little. I did. It's the last one!

For those unfamiliar with the final book you may wish for a little more context, but you'll undoubtedly be glad to see all the dark and gory images on display. Deathly Hallows is really the Potter story where the danger, the horror, and the despair really take over the story. Think of the end of The Empire Strikes Back and Frodo's march through Mordor in The Return of the King, and you have an idea of what a grim, unrelenting story this two-parter will be.

The trailer is embedded below the jump. Part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hits theaters on November 19, 2010.

Continue reading 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' Teaser Trailer!

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]]>Daniel RadcliffeDanielRadcliffedavid heymanDavid YatesDavidHeymanDavidYatesemma watsonEmmaWatsonharry potter and the deathly hallowsHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part IHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part OneHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows teaserHarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsHarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsPartIHarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsPartOneHarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallowsTeaserrupert grintRupertGrintwarner brosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeSun, 06 Dec 2009 15:02:00 ESTDemand 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: , , , , , , ,

Mystery TeamWe 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.

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]]>demand itDemandItmystery teamMysteryTeamJenni MillerSun, 06 Dec 2009 13:02:00 ESTA Look at Sundance's Impressive Midnight Lineuphttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/sundance-film-festival-midnight-lineup-looks-impressive/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/sundance-film-festival-midnight-lineup-looks-impressive/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/04/sundance-film-festival-midnight-lineup-looks-impressive/#commentsFiled under: , ,


By: Alison Nastasi

Utah isn't just for lovers--It's also for the Sundance Film Festival. Every year the fest rolls around I am jealous of those who get to attend the premiere of some of the most talked about independent films. This is the largest indie film festival in the U.S. and this year's lineup for the Park City at Midnight category looks like good stuff. The festival runs January 21 - 31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. Many popular horror films got their start at the festival, including Saw. I wonder if Weinberg was there... After the jump you can get up close and personal with the lineup for Sundance's Midnight movie series. Keep your eyes here for more info on the films as we get it. I also gave you my picks. Tell me yours?

So far I'm pretty psyched for Splice, directed by the stylish Vincenzo Natali (Cube), starring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley as two scientists who splice human and animal DNA to create a beautiful but deadly creature. The film was getting buried for a while because of budget issues, so it's nice to see this one finally come around. Some initial reviews of the film were positive and I look forward to hearing what others have to say.

Also on my watch list is The Violent Kind by The Butcher Brothers (The Hamiltons) starring Taylor Cole, Christina Prousalis, Tiffany Shepis (Night of the Demons remake), David Fine and Joseph McKelheer. A secluded farmhouse, bikers, boobies, blood, ghostly Rockabillies and possession? Sold! Bloody-Disgusting has some more images for you to peek at and the official Facebook page launched yesterday.

Read the rest over at Horror Squad

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]]>2010 Sundance Film Festival2010SundanceFilmFestival7 Days7Daysadrien brodyAdrienBrodyAll My Friends Are Funeral SingersAllMyFriendsAreFuneralSingersangela bettisAngelaBettisBuriedelias koteasEliasKoteasfilm festivalFilmFestivalFrozenHIGH SchoolHighSchoolLes 7 Jours du TalionLes7JoursDuTalionMichael WinterbottomMichaelWinterbottompark city at midnightParkCityAtMidnightsplicesundance film festivalsundance10SundanceFilmFestivalThe Butcher Brothersthe killer inside meThe Perfect HostThe Violent KindTheButcherBrothersTheKillerInsideMeThePerfectHostTheViolentKindTiffany ShepisTiffanyShepisTucker Dale vs. EvilTuckerDaleVs.EvilVincenzo NataliVincenzoNataliCinematical staffFri, 04 Dec 2009 20:15:00 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: , , , , , , , , , ,

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.]

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]]>Guillermo del ToroGuillermoDelToroMGMpeter jacksonPeterJacksonThe HobbitThe Hobbit delayedTheHobbitTheHobbitDelayedWarner BrosWarnerBrosElisabeth RappeThu, 03 Dec 2009 11:32:00 ESTWatch: Will Arnett, David Cross and Spike Jonze Sell Energy Drinkshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-increasingly-poor-decisions-of-todd-margaret-david-cross-will-arnett-spike-jonze/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-increasingly-poor-decisions-of-todd-margaret-david-cross-will-arnett-spike-jonze/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/03/the-increasingly-poor-decisions-of-todd-margaret-david-cross-will-arnett-spike-jonze/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Back in June, David Cross announced that he had written and shot a pilot for a Channel 4 UK television show called The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, and that it starred Cross' Arrested Development mate Will Arnett and Spike Jonze (who hasn't really acted in anything since the film Three Kings). The show follows a lame temp (Cross) who bluffs his way into a giant job promotion that sends him to the UK to sell energy drinks. Only problem is he has to sell several thousand drinks before his maniac boss (Arnett) visits him in a week.

When Cross spoke about the project earlier this summer, he said the pilot would air sometime in December. Well, it aired on November 27th, the first unbelievably hilarious scene is now on YouTube (watch it after the jump) and you can watch the entire pilot over on the Channel 4 website. (Note: Unfortunately, it doesn't look like those of us in the States will be able to watch the full pilot via the Channel 4 website at this time.) I don't think the series was picked up yet, and if it hasn't then I see no reason why they shouldn't order up a whole boatload of episodes. This thing is bloody brilliant.

We embedded the pilot's NSFW, foul-mouthed opening after the jump. Is there a petition I can sign to get this sucker on the air, like, STAT?

Continue reading Watch: Will Arnett, David Cross and Spike Jonze Sell Energy Drinks

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]]>david crossDavidCrossspike jonzeSpikeJonzethe increasingly poor decisions of todd margaretTheIncreasinglyPoorDecisionsOfToddMargaretwill arnettWillArnettErik DavisThu, 03 Dec 2009 10:05:00 ESTThe Ten Best High-Def Gifts to Buy This Holiday Seasonhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/best-high-definition-gifts-to-buy-this-holiday-season/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/best-high-definition-gifts-to-buy-this-holiday-season/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/best-high-definition-gifts-to-buy-this-holiday-season/#commentsFiled under: ,


Now that Black Friday has come and gone and folks have to start making sane if vaguely desperate decisions what to get their friends and loved ones for the holidays, it seemed appropriate that Cinematical put together a list of a few items that might help cross a few names off your list. Scouring the last few months for suggestions, as well as carefully checking the slate of releases in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, we came up with ten suggestions that will make the space under your tree seem a little less empty, and should hopefully help their recipients' lives feel a little more full - of entertainment, at the very least.

In alphabetical order:

Continue reading The Ten Best High-Def Gifts to Buy This Holiday Season

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]]>akira kurosawaAkiraKurosawacriterion collectionCriterionCollectiongone with the windGoneWithTheWindharry potterharry potter years 1-6HarryPotterHarryPotterYears1-6living fireplaceLivingFireplacemel brooksMelBrooksnational lampoons christmas vacationNationalLampoonsChristmasVacationsnow white and the seven dwarfsSnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfsstar trek: original motion picture collectionStarTrek:OriginalMotionPictureCollectionthe mel brooks collectionthe prisonerTheMelBrooksCollectionThePrisonerwatchmenwatchmen: the ultimate cutTodd GilchristWed, 02 Dec 2009 22:32:00 ESTShelf Life: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacationhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/shelf-life-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/shelf-life-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/shelf-life-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation/#commentsFiled under: , ,


On Thanksgiving Day this year, I sat with my girlfriend's lovely family eating turkey and watching Home Alone, and it occurred to me that in the hustle and bustle of reviewing new movies, I seldom take the time to go back and revisit the holiday movies that I remember from my childhood. Even among the titles I've viewed for this "Shelf Life" series, few of them were seminal kids movies, whether they were from my own childhood, or from those of previous or subsequent generations, and none of them have been traditional holiday or holiday-themed films.

Home Alone was a film I saw at a formative time in my young life - I was 14 or so - but National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was probably more important to me, since it balanced gingerly on the line between family entertainment and more grown-up fare. In hindsight, it's probably more oriented for teenagers and kids than anyone, even with (or maybe because of) its abundance of potty humor, but it seemed like 20 years was about the right amount of time to take between viewings. Which is why Christmas Vacation is this week's "Shelf Life" subject. (Well, that and Warner Home Video recently released a deluxe box set including one of those moose-shaped eggnog glasses.)

Continue reading Shelf Life: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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]]>beverly dangelochevy chaseChevyChasechristmas vacationChristmasVacationjohn hughesJohnHughesnational lampoons christmas vacationNationalLampoonsChristmasVacationshelf lifeShelfLifeTodd GilchristWed, 02 Dec 2009 21:02:00 ESTHalcyon Auctions Off 'Terminator Salvation' Props & Costumeshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/halcyon-auctions-off-terminator-salvation-props-and-costumes/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/halcyon-auctions-off-terminator-salvation-props-and-costumes/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/halcyon-auctions-off-terminator-salvation-props-and-costumes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This is getting ridiculous, and I can only assume that James Cameron is shaking his head somewhere and muttering: "Jacka**es." We wondered if the Terminator franchise was in trouble back in August, and then learned that Halcyon -- the company who owns the rights to the franchise -- filed for bankruptcy and was gearing up to auction the whole thing off. Being a stand-up kind of guy, Joss Whedon then offered to buy the rights for ten G's. Now? Still in a crunch for money, IESB reports that The Halcyon Company has teamed up with Hollywood Parts online auction service to sell off all the movie props and wardrobes now that Terminator Salvation is out on DVD (guess we can wave goodbye to any sequel set in this world).

Rather than doing this the eBay way, where awesome props start off cheap and work their way up, these items start with a price of a couple hundred dollars and then work their way up to $10,000 for a full John Connor costume. However, they do allow buyers to make an offer price and see what happens -- but you just know that no person who bids $100 on that Connor costume has a shot in hell of getting it even if no one else bid.

For any fans who like the film enough to fork over some cash, this should be a sweet deal, but it's just an added piece of embarrassment to a franchise that started off so wonderfully. I wonder what's next -- some cult company like Troma or Asylum turning it into cult pulp?

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]]>CinematicalHalcyon CompanyHalcyonCompanyTerminator FranchiseTerminator SalvationTerminator Salvation propsTerminatorFranchiseTerminatorSalvationTerminatorSalvationPropsMonika BartyzelWed, 02 Dec 2009 14:15:00 ESTEverything You Need to Know About Peter Berg's 'Battleship'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/battleship-peter-berg-story/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/battleship-peter-berg-story/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/battleship-peter-berg-story/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When it comes to films based on board games, folks are immediately inclined to make fun of the idea and trash the project -- which is why Universal decided to get out in front of the negative buzz by sending a group of movie writers down to San Diego to meet with Battleship director Peter Berg prior to production to find out exactly what the man (and studio) have planned when it comes to this particular board game adaptation (which is the first of many in the pipeline). So ... what, are we looking at a film set in 1987 about two 10-year-old kids trying to sink the other dude's Battleship before mom calls them inside for dinner? Not quite. Here's the quickie version:
  • Battleship will follow a small fleet of American and international (ie: Japanese) ships (5 in total) that for some reason get separated from the rest of the Navy and must take on an opposing fleet of alien ships that have arrived on earth in order to build some sort of "bridge" that will help their alien race in some way.
  • These aliens are called The Regents (which has nothing to do with the High School exam ... we think), and they're not here to destroy earth or humankind -- they're just here to use the planet to help save their own species. However, they will defend themselves if provoked, and, well, what else are we to use our giant massive Naval ships for?
  • The aliens will be a mix of human actors and CGI. Berg compared them to Davey Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • The Regents aren't all that superior to us either, as Berg noted that the fight will be a fair one. The story will be more strategic, like the game, in that it will focus on each party (human and alien) using their skills to locate and destroy the other before they themselves are destroyed.
  • And yes, someone will say "You sunk my Battleship!" at some point during the film.
For tons more details, head over to read reports from CHUD and Latino Review.

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]]>battleshipcinematicalfeaturedpeter bergPeterBergthe regentsTheRegentsErik DavisWed, 02 Dec 2009 11:15:00 ESTCelebs Return to Their Most Iconic Roles for Photo Shoothttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/celebs-return-to-their-most-iconic-roles-for-photo-shoot/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/celebs-return-to-their-most-iconic-roles-for-photo-shoot/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/celebs-return-to-their-most-iconic-roles-for-photo-shoot/#commentsFiled under: ,



To celebrate their 20th birthday, Empire Magazine invited a whole ton of actors and actresses to ever-so-briefly reprise their most iconic roles for a pretty cool photo shoot. Curious to see what Arnold Schwarzenegger would look like now if he donned those famous black sunglasses and threw on his best badass pose for a photo in front of a motorcycle? Or what about wanting to see Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster reunited for the first time since the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs?

Other cool photo ops include Mel Gibson wearing face paint in honor of Braveheart, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost looking back at Shaun of the Dead, Christian Bale returning to his American Psycho days, Ben Stiller showing us all that Zoolander totally deserves a sequel, Gerard Butler giving us his best 300 roar, Laurence Fishburne calling back Morpheus and more. It's a pretty cool idea, even if Tom Cruise's most iconic role is certainly not Minority Report (20 bucks says Empire couldn't get him to wear that Top Gun jacket). Check out some of the images below and the rest over at Empire.

Gallery: Empire's 20th Birthday Shoot

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]]>american psychoAmericanPsychoanthony hopkinsAnthonyHopkinsarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerchristian baleChristianBalefeaturedmel gibsonMelGibsonnick frostNickFrostsilence of the lambsSilenceOfTheLambssimon peggSimonPeggterminatorErik DavisWed, 02 Dec 2009 09:45:00 ESTSite of the Day: My Life is Twilighthttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/site-of-the-day-my-life-is-twilight/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/site-of-the-day-my-life-is-twilight/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/site-of-the-day-my-life-is-twilight/#commentsFiled under:



Just when you thought it was safe to welcome that delirious Twi-hard family member back into your life comes a new website that's just ... well, all kinds of hilarious. It's called My Life is Twilight, and it consists of a bunch of little notes from fans who want you to know that their life is all about Twilight. I'm sensing an MTV True Life episode in 3 ... 2 ... 1...

But seriously now ... no wait, how can we really be serious about this? I know, they're young kids obsessing over a harmless entertainment property -- which, I imagine, is better than doing hard drugs or killing squirrels or whatever it is bad kids do these days. However, some of these little notes are just ... yeah. Here's a sample from the site:

"Today, as in every day, when I reread all of the Twilight books, I will cry, and when my boyfriend walks in the room I will intentionally start a fight with him & yell at him for "not being Edward Cullen". He knows now not to come in the room while I'm reading."

"Last year, my friend and I were out dancing. It was the middle of winter, so when her boyfriend came in from outside, he was freezing cold. Snatching his hand in hers, she proceeded to place it on my face, proclaiming "He feels just like Edward."

"Today I realized that ever since I read Twilight I highlight the word "twilight" in every other book I read just to give myself satisfaction that it MUST be a good book!"

"I work with juveniles that have just been arrested. Even though I know these kids have just committed a crime, I smile a little wider and act a little nicer when I talk with one named Edward."

Read the rest over here, and tell me if this is completely normal behavior or if there really is some sort of weird epidemic at play here.

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]]>my life is twilightMyLifeIsTwilightnew moonNewMoontwilightErik DavisTue, 01 Dec 2009 19:45:00 ESTCheck Out Concept Art From Marvel's Futuristic Theme Parkhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/marvels-theme-park-concept-art/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/marvels-theme-park-concept-art/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/marvels-theme-park-concept-art/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Two years ago the Al Ahli Group announced a partnership with Marvel Entertainment that would see to fruition a massive, cutting-edge amusement park to be built in Dubai and feature rides and exhibits tailor themed to the likes of Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, and all the rest of Marvel's impressive stable of superheroes (and villains). Obviously a lot has changed since then. First, Disney purchased Marvel outright, and though there was plenty examination of what that meant for future Marvel film franchises and existing properties, I don't recall any talk of this new theme park being bandied about. Second, and more recently, the financial crisis world wide has taken a particularly heavy toll on the rather lofty model Dubai had based its construction-heavy economy on, halting many planned projects.

Considering those two bits of news, chances aren't looking too good that the Marvel park will ever be a reality, but that doesn't mean we can't run down what could have been. The Disney and More blog has posted a fascinating smattering of concept art developed by the Chimera Design Company, showcasing a number of different attractions planned for Marvel Dubailand. Obviously rollercoasters are a mainstay of any theme park, but this hypothetical wonderland looked to have been hiding a few tricks up its sleeve. Though the designs lack full explanation, some of them are too intriguing to be immune from speculation. Take the concept art above, for example, which features Spider-Man fighting off the Green Goblin and Dr. Octopus while a group of people are in free fall from a skyscraper.

Gallery: Marvel's Dubai Theme Park Concept Art

Continue reading Check Out Concept Art From Marvel's Futuristic Theme Park

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]]>featuredMarvelMarvel DubailandMarvel Theme ParkMarvelDubailandMarvelThemeParksuperheroesTheme ParksThemeParksPeter HallTue, 01 Dec 2009 17:32:00 ESTNew 'Iron Man 2' Photos Have Everyone Thinkinghttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/iron-man-2-photos/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/iron-man-2-photos/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/iron-man-2-photos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


On the heels of the first Iron Man 2 poster come a few official stills straight from Paramount. Everyone looks very serious. Whiplash is seriously working on something, surrounded by pictures of Tony Stark to keep his hate burning and his ethic cheerful. Black Widow is seriously up to no good, even if she looks slinky doing it. Even Tony isn't taking things lightly -- not the destruction to his house, and not whatever he's brewing in his latest science project.

There's nothing really new on display here -- the Black Widow photo has been around in varying degrees of resolution since before San Diego Comic Con -- but it's just nice to see the characters out and about, isn't it? If you're given to intense plot speculation, you can all give your take on just what Tony and Whiplash have brewing, and just who caused Tony's marble floor to shatter into a dozen pieces. Did he fly through the ceiling again? Is he building an access portal so that it doesn't ever happen again? Or did some nefarious individual blast a hole into his luxurious tile, hoping to get into his secret lair of Iron Man suits?

We'll know on May 7th, 2010. Until then, just spin your own stories, and delight in a peek at the finished product. The first stills from a film always remind me of the good old days of Disney Adventures when this is all you'd have to go on until summer rolled around.

Gallery: Iron Man 2

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]]>black widowBlackWidowGwyneth PaltrowGwynethPaltrowIron ManIron man 2IronManIronMan2Jon FavreauJonFavreauMarvel StudiosMarvelStudiosMickey RourkeMickeyRourkeParamountparamount picturesParamountPicturesrobert downey jr.RobertDowneyJr.scarlett johanssonScarlettJohanssonTony StarkTonyStarkWhiplashElisabeth RappeTue, 01 Dec 2009 17:02:00 ESTWatch This: A Montage of New York City Biting the Dust on Filmhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/watch-this-a-montage-of-new-york-city-biting-the-dust-on-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/watch-this-a-montage-of-new-york-city-biting-the-dust-on-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/watch-this-a-montage-of-new-york-city-biting-the-dust-on-film/#commentsFiled under: ,


Being one of the largest cities in the world comes with its own set of problems. Sure, dense populations tend to lead to higher rates of crime and homelessness, and maintaining the general welfare of any major metropolis is a gargantuan undertaking, but being a globally recognized city overflowing with landmarks means you've also got a cinematic bullseye on your back; and there is no bigger bullseye than New York, New York. Anyone with a big effects budget and a rampaging [insert name of monster, alien, meteor, or climate disaster here] is going to want to see NYC burn to the ground in their film. And if the box office haul of massive disaster pictures is any indication, most movie goers are also going to want to see NYC burn to the ground.

But why wade through the savagely long run time of 2012 (only to not even be treated to a NYC demolition) or the cinematic sadness that is Godzilla 1998 just for a glimpse of NYC getting its skyscraper face pummeled in? For just such an occasion, the kind folks at Goodie Bag have assembled Hollywood vs New York, a lovely three-minute montage of the Big Apple getting a big bite taken out of it and set the whole thing to the tune of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". There are 22 films that contribute to the montage, and fortunately Roland Emmerich's offerings don't monopolize the screen time. It's a nice array of titles that have all given NYC an apocalyptic makeover over the years, but the fun is placing the structural carnage, so I won't rattle off the list here.

I'll also stop rattling myself, as seeing NYC get beat up on to a jazz composition is what this post is all about, anyway.

Continue reading Watch This: A Montage of New York City Biting the Dust on Film

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]]>disasterdisaster pornDisasterPornmovie montagesMovieMontagesNew York CityNewYorkCityPeter HallTue, 01 Dec 2009 16:02:00 ESTDoes 'Paranormal Activity' Deserve a Best Picture Nomination?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/does-paranormal-activity-deserve-a-best-picture-nomination/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/does-paranormal-activity-deserve-a-best-picture-nomination/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/does-paranormal-activity-deserve-a-best-picture-nomination/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Indie Spirit Awards announced their nominations this morning, honoring a whole bunch of films that were only seen by film critics, artsy intellectuals and/or people who accidentally walked into the wrong theater while on their way to watch Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I kid, of course, because if it wasn't for shows like the Spirit Awards, a number of really great independent films (and performances) would probably go unnoticed. So I command you to check out the list of nominees after the jump and start tracking them down one by one (either in theaters or on DVD). Go! Now!

This year's crop of nominees is definitely stirring the pot a little bit. Surprises include Maria Bello for Best Female Lead in Downloading Nancy, a film that all of about one person (me!) actually enjoyed. 500 Days of Summer also took home a couple nods for Best Feature and Best Male Lead (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and even the viciously panned Gentlemen Broncos walked away with a nod for Best Supporting Male (Jermaine Clement). One of the more interesting (and talked-about) nominations went to Paranormal Activity in the Best First Feature category, alongside other notable indies like A Single Man, Crazy Heart, Easier with Practice and The Messenger.

But does Paranormal Activity really belong there, or is it being honored more because of what it achieved at the box office versus how good it actually is? I've seen some already poking fun at the nomination on Twitter, as if it doesn't deserve to shine the shoes of the other films listed alongside it. But is that just because it doesn't fit the 'Best Picture" mold? Is it because it's become a "fanboy" film?

Continue reading Does 'Paranormal Activity' Deserve a Best Picture Nomination?

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]]>cinematicalindie spirit awardsIndieSpiritAwardsparanormal activityParanormalActivityTransformersRevengeOfTheFallenErik DavisTue, 01 Dec 2009 12:40:00 ESTThis Week's Comfort Movie: 'The Blind Side'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/this-weeks-comfort-movie-the-blind-side/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/this-weeks-comfort-movie-the-blind-side/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/this-weeks-comfort-movie-the-blind-side/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sandra Bullock in 'The Blind Side'The holiday season usually issues forth an avalanche of award-contending dramas, feel-good family films, and oddball counter programming. Last weekend was no exception, with the debuting Old Dogs, Ninja Assassin, and The Road jostling for attention with New Moon and The Blind Side. Of all those movies, the one that jumps out at me is The Blind Side, which actually increased its audience in its second week of release.

That's a pretty rare feat, especially for a wide release, and speaks to the broad appeal of the film. "Yes, Virginia, Sandra Bullock is the biggest female star in the world... again," in the words of David Poland at The Hot Blog, and there's no doubt that Bullock's celebrity, even more than her compelling, measured performance, is a big draw. Yet with big stars like Will Farrell and Jim Carrey failing to bring in the expected box office this year, Bullock is not the whole story. Nor is it only a matter of the movie being "generically acceptable [for families] to watch together over the holiday weekend," as our own Eugene Novikov suggested, although, to be fair, it's likely that 'the Sandie Bullock football movie' would be an easier sell to more families to watch together than 'the bare-chested boy vampire romance' or 'the violent ninja flick.'

No, I think it's clear that positive word of mouth has spread. What have people told their friends? Maybe that the first, widely-seen and frequently-mocked (by me) trailer was not representative of the movie as a whole, which comes by its emotions honestly.

Continue reading This Week's Comfort Movie: 'The Blind Side'

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]]>comfort moviesComfortMoviessandra bullockSandraBullockthe blind sideTheBlindSidePeter MartinTue, 01 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST