Cinematical

Warner Bros Has Until 2011 To Pull Superman Out of Limbo

Elisabeth Rappe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Politics, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

When Warner Bros announced it was rebooting the Superman franchise, we all held our breath a little bit waiting to see what Gigantic News would come next. Of course, nothing happened. Last week, Omelete talked to Brandon Routh on the Scott Pilgrim set, who revealed that his Superman contract had expired, and that he had no idea when or if he would return to the character. (Pause for a moment and realize how much it has to suck to get the part of Superman, and have it go utterly sour.) That news suggested one of two things: that Warner Bros would let the franchise expire too, or that they were planning on picking out a new Man of Steel.

Now, Warner Bros and DC Comics have won a favorable ruling in the suit filed by Joanne Siegel and Laura Siegel Larson, the heirs of Superman co-creator Jerome Siegel. If you're curious about the lawsuit in its entirety, ThinkMcFlyThink has a pdf of it, but the part that concerns Superman fans is this: Warner Bros president Alan Horn testified that he'd like to make another movie, but that the project wasn't currently in development at the studio. There isn't even a script being written. The earliest another Superman film could hit theaters would be 2012.

More at SciFiSquad!

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Discuss: Little 'Orphan' Aneurysm

William Goss — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, Celebrities and Controversy, Movie Marketing

Another day, another snafu on the ol' political correctness front. It seems that adoptive parents and adoption agencies are up in arms because of a line in the trailer for Warner Brothers' forthcoming thriller, Orphan: "It must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own."

A full ABC News report has parents calling for the studio to remove the line from the trailers, which it did, despite the fact that the trailer can only play before other R-rated films. But that's not enough, because apparently, the film itself can be and has been taken as one big campaign playing up the stereotypes and exploiting the fears of adoption.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'd like to think that any potential parent who finds themselves scared off from real-world adoption because of something they saw in a heavily exaggerated movie probably do not have the proper judgment to serve as a parent in the first place. As for the effect that line and the whole premise might have on adopted kids specifically, I really can't speak to that, as I don't know how exposed to the film's marketing they'd be if watching appropriate channels and seeing appropriate movies.

What are your thoughts? Over-reaction? Just right reaction? Or are we simply overdue for this summer's next big controversy?

[Thanks to Shock for the heads-up.]

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Damon + Soderbergh + Corn = New Trailer for 'The Informant!'

William Goss — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Comedy, Drama, Thrillers, Awards, Warner Brothers, George Clooney, Trailers and Clips

The way casting announcements and pics of a pudgier Matt Damon had come down the pike, one had every reason to think that Steven Soderbergh's The Informant! (now with exclamation point) was going to skew more serious than its newly debuted trailer sells.

It's not that there's anything wrong with telling the real-life story of a bi-polar whistle-blower (Damon) with a more decidedly comedic bent, but 'thriller', this does not scream. Then again, maybe Soderbergh just wanted to lighten things up after the epic Che and the austere The Girlfriend Experience, and if that's indeed the case, things do seem to be heading more towards the Ocean's Whatever lark end of his spectrum.

Although most sites seem to have The Informant! with an October 9th release date, the trailer and the page around it (you know, with the 40-Year-Old Virgin-like possible poster art) both state September (in line with a 9/18 date we've seen floating around elsewhere). Either way, I suspect that an appearance at one of this fall's high-profile festivals will help assure us that the film does indeed merit its especially enthused punctuation and that the Damon does indeed merit his schlub-tastic appearance.

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When Is It OK to Change the Original Ending?

Peter Martin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Drama, New Releases, New Line, Warner Brothers, Fandom

How faithful should film adaptations be? The issue arises both with novels and with films that are remade: fans of the original are none-too-pleased to see the personality of beloved characters changed, settings or time periods moved, or -- horror of horrors! -- the ending changed. Watchmen ignited a mini-firestorm with the decision to alter the ending of the original graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. On a somewhat smaller scale, faithful readers of Jodi Picoult's novel My Sister's Keeper are upset that the ending was changed for Nick Cassavetes' just-released movie version.

Author Picoult disclaims responsibility while trying to be diplomatic. "Yes, I know the ending is different," she writes on her official site. "Yes, I know some of you are very upset. I didn't change it. The author has no control over the movie, and it was hard for me to accept too. However, there's a great deal in the movie that I think is great, and I enjoyed watching it - and I hope you did too." She suggests that her fans let Warner Brothers know how they feel. As a point of interest, four out of five comments on my review for Cinematical have complained about the ending.

It seems foolish to try and establish a hard-and-fast rule that original endings should never be changed -- filmmakers should have the artistic right to exercise dramatic license when adapting a work to a different medium. Yet how often have film versions actually improved endings that they've changed?

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Frank Darabont Will Die To Make 'Fahrenheit 451'

Elisabeth Rappe — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Classics, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thrillers, Casting, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp

A new adaptation (I refuse to use the word remake here) of Fahrenheit 451 has been in the works for ten years now. I was very excited by the news that Mel Gibson was planning it as a Braveheart follow-up, as it seemed like that would mark a new and serious phase of his directing career. I wish that was something I could have been right about.

Frank Darabont was the next one to take it on, and he's been attached to it since 2001, rewriting Terry Hayes' script and being delayed by everything from Indiana Jones IV, Mission Impossible III, The Mist, and Law Abiding Citizen. SciFi Wire caught up with Darabont at the Saturn Awards, and the director / writer declared that it was really time to get on with it already ... and that it might actually get underway this time, depending on whether or not the Big Name Actor he wants signs on.

"Fahrenheit is the thing I'm trying to get up next, which is casting-dependent, so it's one of those. I'm out to somebody at the moment, fingers crossed, because, boy, do I want to make that movie. I'm not giving up. I'll die in the traces before I don't make that movie ... It's not one of those movies that are vastly expensive by any contemporary standard, but money is still money, and it's of a price that requires somebody that will justify that investment. This is definitely going to be more than The Mist, so those other considerations do come into play."

You can go crazy wondering just who that Big Actor who can pull in the money and box office might be. Could it be someone that rumors have long attached, like Tom Hanks (Darabont's pick for years), Brad Pitt, or Tom Cruise? Or could we be looking at someone newly bankable, like Johnny Depp?

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Ricky Gervais Invents Lying in New Trailer

Jessica Barnes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Comedy, Universal, Warner Brothers, DIY/Filmmaking, Movie Marketing, Images

It's not like my love of British comedian Ricky Gervais is a secret around these parts. No worries, though I'll be keeping my inner fangirl at bay, and you don't need to worry about this turning into a 'gush-fest'. The first trailer for The Invention of Lying has debuted over at Yahoo! Movies UK and we have our first glimpse at the story of an alternate universe where human beings have never learned the art of deception. Gervais plays a man working in the film industry who becomes the inventor of lying, and quickly uses his newfound skill for romantic and financial gain.

Gervais seems to have no trouble inspiring praise from his peers, and the cast list for Lying is proof of that comedy clout. Just some the names in the Lying cast are; Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., John Hodgman, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jason Bateman. Gervais has even gotten his first advance review for Lying from J.J. Abrams, who said, "The Invention of Lying' is as funny as it is biting, wholly original, and surprisingly moving. Is there such thing as an important comedy? Turns out there is, and this is it." It's an unlikely source of praise, but after watching the trailer, I guess the big question is: could Abrams be right? The Invention of Lying arrives in theaters on September 25th, 2009.

After the jump: Gervais' working class 'dramedy', Cemetery Junction, goes into preproduction and Gervais stalks the paparazzi...

Continue reading Ricky Gervais Invents Lying in New Trailer

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Review: My Sister's Keeper

Peter Martin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Drama, New Releases, New Line, Warner Brothers, Theatrical Reviews, Summer Movies

I'm not ashamed to say that I cry at the movies. Not frequently, but occasionally a story and its characters will grab hold of me to the extent that I'm completely caught up in the emotions and feelings being expressed. Films as disparate as John Ford's The Searchers and Wong Kar-Wai's Chungking Express have caused me to weep with joy, relief, and sorrow.

Despite a relentless barrage of scenes evidently designed with the sole goal of jerking tears, Nick Cassavetes' My Sister's Keeper did not make me cry. It is, however, one of the most glorious-looking terminal cancer pictures I've ever seen. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (The Black Stallion, The Natural) paints the oft-mundane proceedings in an otherworldly glow, as though the transition to the next life had already begun. That's the guiding principle of the movie as a whole; even though an inflammatory and emotionally wrenching issue serves as the linchpin for the plot, great pains are taken to soften the blows so as not to inflict lasting damage upon the viewer.

Frankly, that latter point, much more than whether I personally shed tears, is what prevents My Sister's Keeper from escaping middlebrow territory. Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric are splendidly noble as Brian and Sara Fitzgerald, whose daughter Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) is diagnosed at a young age with leukemia. Brian and Sara conceive another child with genetic modifications so she can serve as a donor to her sister. Anna (Abigail Breslin) (*) seems fine with all the body part donations until Kate's condition worsens to the point that she needs a kidney transplant. Then 11-year-old Anna marches into the office of well-known lawyer Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) and demands medical emancipation from her parents.

Continue reading Review: My Sister's Keeper

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The Latest on Live-Action 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Robotech' Movies

Jessica Barnes — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Scripts, 20th Century Fox, Comic/Superhero/Geek

It was just last week that anime fans the world over breathed a sigh of relief that Leonardo DiCaprio's live-action Akira was no more. But, that doesn't mean Hollywood has lost its taste for anime, and there are still plenty of other reboots headed our way. So while most of them have stayed in development limbo, two of the more popular titles: Cowboy Bebop and Robotech have started to make new ground, and some of the people involved are starting to talk.

Cowboy Bebop:
When the live action film of the beloved anime was first announced, fans were not thrilled with the idea. Plus, it probably didn't help that Keanu Reeves was taking the role of Spike. But, maybe we shouldn't count out the film yet, because when it comes to the film's screenwriter, there is good news and some bad news. But, let's start with the good news. In an interview with Anime Vice, Craig was asked about whether or not he was familiar with the series, and to his credit, Craig went into full fan-boy mode, telling them about some of his favorite episodes and that both he and Reeves have been meeting with Sunrise studio (the creator of the anime) to make sure that the original 'feel' of the show remains intact. According to Craig, "they [Sunrise] were very specific about their vision for the series, and how it might convert to a live-action film." -- sounds promising, right? Well, the bad news is that Craig has zero experience with sci-fi, and made his name writing about con-men and dysfunctional families. But, I'm going to remain hopeful that with Sunrise watching over the flick, there might be a chance we get something a little better than expected.

Read the rest over at SciFi Squad

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Zack Snyder Might Deliver a PG-13 'Sucker Punch'

Elisabeth Rappe — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand

While Zack Snyder was out talking up the Watchmen Director's Cut, he managed to find a little time to sit down with Devin Faraci of CHUD and give an update on Sucker Punch. If you were dying to hear a few more details about that glorious grindhouse throwback, look no further, but beware of what might be a spoiler.

The biggest surprise is that Snyder might actually aim for a PG-13 rating -- but don't think he'll soften the action any. "If you can make Taken PG-13, you can make this movie PG-13. That's what I believe. Because it's more fantastic. No one really dies in the movie. I think Sucker Punch is a smart movie. It absolutely is challenging, and it's f***ing hardcore. [A]t the end she gets ... it's dark! But it's f***ing actiony like nobody's business. We hope the action we're creating is off the charts, and it's not stupid."

The action really will be off the charts, as the institutionalized Baby Doll and her companions battle are all kinds of crazy, ranging from WWI soldiers to creatures straight out of Dungeons and Dragons, but with realistic grit. "I like fight choreography and I like being able to see what's happening in action. When the girls are fighting, [like] they're on their way to kill a baby dragon, they've killed all of these orc-like creatures and they're entering a door [and] it's this classic, real Navy SEAL style room clearing. They have machine guns but they're fighting mythic creatures, impossible creatures. The hand to hand stuff is all brutal, because Damon [Caro] did all the [fights] in Bourne and it has that vibe to it." I'm so on board with this ... even if we might already know the ending!

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David Yates Teases 'Deathly Hallows' Split

Elisabeth Rappe — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, Scripts, Distribution, Family Films, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Harry Potter, Remakes and Sequels

With so many disappointments this summer, it's easy to forget that we'll finally get to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and that we'll finally start hearing more about the final chapter as it makes its way to the big screen.

But of course, the biggest question about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows still centers on where they'll make the split between Film 1 and Film 2. Director David Yates dropped a hint to the LA Times, and if you haven't read the book, here be spoilers:

"We're here in the forest, we've just finished the scene where Harry, Hermione and Ron are captured by the Snatchers after being chased through the woods. The Snatchers are brutal and scary but they aren't the most intelligent of creatures.They're trying to figure out exactly who it is they've caught ... Things can change when you edit, of course, but the idea now is that it will be not long after the sequence that we are filming here today. That's what we're experimenting with. We've had three or four different ideas about where to cut off the seventh film. Traditionally, the movies have ended with a death or a bereavement, some sort of passage or arrival. This time we think we will end with more a cliffhanger. Again, though, that's the thought as of this moment."

I haven't read Deathly Hallows since it came out (and oh, I still remember pulling an all nighter at ComicCon for fear someone would spoil it) , so I had to go back and check this part out. The book is chock full of cliffhangers, but ending it here would definitely give Part 1 a terrifying conclusion, the kind I'm still disappointed Peter Jackson didn't go with in The Two Towers.

Continue reading David Yates Teases 'Deathly Hallows' Split

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Now They're Trying to Remake 'Teen Wolf'

Peter Martin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Comedy, Horror, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Remakes and Sequels

Stop me if you've heard this one before: a cheesy but beloved 80s flick may suffer the indignity of a remake. Teen Wolf is under consideration for a new version, according to Moviehole. Before you light your torches and grab your pitchforks, though, be advised that the phrase "currently out to writers" is used, which means there is definitely no guarantee that the project will move forward. You may now breathe a sigh of (temporary) relief.

Michael J. Fox starred in Rod Daniel's 1985 original as an entirely normal high school kid who discovers he's a werewolf. Once he fully embraces his wolf-itude, he becomes a star on the basketball team and gets lucky with his dream girl. Of course, Teen Wolf must learn some lessons along the way. The low-budget movie had the sheer luck to star Fox. When the unproven TV actor broke out that summer in Back to the Future, little Atlantic Releasing Corporation quickly rolled the family-friendly comedy into theaters the following month. Teen Wolf cemented Fox's broad appeal.

Teen Wolf spawned a sequel, Teen Wolf Too (with Jason Bateman as the hairy hero), as well as a cartoon series. Two years ago, rumors of a remake starring Tom Welling (The Fog remake) were floated. Maybe Universal's upcoming The Wolfman is making current rights holders Warner Brothers think about their own potential franchise? I think the original was sweet but thoroughly mediocre, so a remake would be alright with me. But does the possibility of a new Teen Wolf make you howl with outrage?

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Hal Jordan Will Have a New Lantern To Hang With

Elisabeth Rappe — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek

I'm reaching a point that I don't even want to report on The Green Lantern because its casting and script rumors just haven't reached a satisfying end, despite having a director, a shooting location, and a start date.

Nevertheless, Marc Guggenheim is always dropping a few interesting tidbits when he talks about the Lantern script. The MTV Splash Page was the latest to catch up with him, and he tried to put worried fans to rest by clarifying just what his latest script revisions were. "It's basically the exercise of changing the movie from being just a script that people are reading to being a script that people will actually shoot, perform and produce." He stressed again to pay no attention to casting rumors, even when they're as ruggedly handsome and popular as Bradley Cooper.

But here's the part you Lantern fans will find the most interesting. Guggenheim wouldn't comment on which faces of the Green Lantern Corps will appear in the film, but you will see familiar ones. "One of our rules has been: 'Don't create a new Lantern when a pre-existing one from the comic books would work just as well. There's only one Lantern who we've decided to completely create from scratch, but there's a very specific reason why we've made that decision." Speculate away, my friends, and start those Kilowog petitions now.

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Is Christopher Nolan Returning for 'Batman 3'? The Rumor Mill Says No

Elisabeth Rappe — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Thrillers, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, Scripts, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels

It's hard to believe it's been a year since The Dark Knight, and the Batman 3 rumor mill just hasn't stopped grinding. Someone, somewhere, is always trying to flog a rumor of who will be Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, or Robin. When they get tired of fantasy casting, they ponder when Christopher Nolan will abandon this Inception thing, and get going on Batman 3.

In a piece passed wildly around the net, Batman on Film is reporting that Nolan is very uninterested in returning to Gotham City. The story goes that Heath Ledger's death upset him greatly, and dismantled any and all plans he had for a third installment. The Joker was set to return (is that really a surprise?), and now there's simply no story. While Nolan and David S. Goyer are working on ideas, it's unlikely you'll see anything before 2012 at the earliest, with 2013 being more likely.

Continue reading Is Christopher Nolan Returning for 'Batman 3'? The Rumor Mill Says No

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Platinum Dunes Producers Spill on 'Friday the 13th' Sequel, 'The Birds' Remake, etc.

William Goss — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Thrillers, New Line, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Fandom, Scripts, Distribution, Remakes and Sequels

On a recent visit to the Chicago-based set of the A Nightmare on Elm Street remake, producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form gave us online types a good hour with which to poke and prod about that film and countless other projects in the works. The Elm St. stuff will have to wait until the time is right, but at the moment, you're just a hop, skip and jump away from finding out where Platinum Dunes currently stands with a Friday the 13th sequel, their present involvement in reported remakes of The Birds and Rosemary's Baby, and how exactly the little-seen Horsemen ended up slipping through the cracks last spring...

Read the full interview at Horror Squad!

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Buy This For You and the Kids: Dave Eggers' 'Where the Wild Things Are'

Elisabeth Rappe — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Family Films, Newsstand, Movie Marketing

Look what's available for pre-order on Amazon.com! Dave Eggers' The Wild Things, which is loosely based on the Maurice Sendak story, and the screenplay he cowrote with Spike Jonze for the upcoming movie. That means it's original and smart, not just one of those florid novelizations. (Not that Eggers would write something like that, of course.) If the cover, the author, and the movie isn't enough to hook you, here's the synopsis: [The Wild Things] is about the confusions of a boy, Max, making his way in a world he can't control. His father is gone, his mother is spending time with a younger boyfriend, his sister is becoming a teenager and no longer has interest in him. At the same time, Max finds himself capable of startling acts of wildness: he wears a wolf suit, bites his mom, and can't always control his outbursts. During a fight at home, Max flees and runs away into the woods. He finds a boat there, jumps in, and ends up on the open sea, destination unknown. He lands on the island of the Wild Things, and soon he becomes their king. But things get complicated when Max realizes that the Wild Things want as much from him as he wants from them. Funny, dark, and alive, The Wild Things is a timeless and time-tested tale for all ages.

It's also a classy version you can read on public transportation without getting stared at the way you might if you're reading the classic Sendak book. Although if you're brave, you can opt for the fur-covered edition. There's no photo, but I imagine it looks like this cute copy of Little Fur Family. (If you don't own Little Fur Family, you should buy a copy immediately. Cutest. Book. Ever.)

[via the never sleeping Slashfilm]

Gallery: Where the Wild Things Are

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Kevin Lima to Helm 'The Incredible Mr. Limpet'

Elisabeth Rappe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Animation, Comedy, Deals, Warner Brothers, Family Films, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels

Someone out there will undoubtedly scream "sacrilegious!" or at least "LAME!", but I've always wanted to see The Incredible Mr. Limpet remade. It's a favorite film of both my parents, and so my sister and I loved it too.

Remake talk has been floating around for years, with everyone from Robin Williams to Jim Carrey being attached to star (I always thought Lee Evans would have been a good pick), and the talents of Mike Judge behind the camera. Now The Hollywood Reporter says that Kevin Lima is the next to try and get it off the ground ... and considering his wonderful work on the live action / animated hybrid of Enchanted, he's a natural fit.

The original Limpet takes place during WWII, and centers on a fish-loving fellow (played by Don Knotts, King of '60s Children Cinema) that is belitted by his wife, and rejected by the armed forces. He falls off a pier and magically turns into an animated fish, and ends up a WWII hero because he can help battle U-Boats and submarines. He also meets a sexy girl named Ladyfish, who picks him up in a "Let's spawn!" scene that undoubtedly left many children asking awkward questions.

It's a cute film, and could really benefit from a beefier story and improved effects. The only downside is that they'll probably update the WW2 setting -- although if they got really clever and set it during the Cold War, I would be very impressed.

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Interview: Mike Tyson

Todd Gilchrist — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:15:00 EST

Filed under: Warner Brothers, Interviews

It seems redundant and pointless to talk about how intimidating Mike Tyson is, but I admit that I was nervously excited when Cinematical was offered the opportunity to interview him in conjunction with the release of The Hangover. Having spoken to Tommy Lee Jones, the toughest of tough celebrity interviews, I'd survived gauntlets far more fearsome than dealing with a former heavyweight, especially since I'd recently seen Tyson, which offers a portrait of him at his most reflective, self-aware and lucidly articulate. But I did want to get a good, and more importantly real interview with him, not just lob softballs in his direction and be yet another guy who was too scared to ask a substantive question.

Tyson's cameo in The Hangover is just one great moment in a film with plenty of other ones, but it seems to mean more for him, if not also to him: while the film's $45 million opening-weekend haul means higher paychecks and better roles for co-stars Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, its visibility and success gives Tyson a sense of humor, and moreover, a humanity that he's never quite achieved on such a significant scale. Cinematical spoke to Tyson on May 17 in Las Vegas, where the former prizefighter discussed what it meant to appear in the movie, looked back on the experience of making Toback's documentary, and talked about what the future holds for him following his recent adventures on the silver screen.

Continue reading Interview: Mike Tyson

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'Trick 'r Treat' Won't Wait 'Til Halloween

William Goss — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Horror, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Distribution, Fantastic Fest

Mike Dougherty's horror anthology film Trick 'r Treat has been bumped back by Warner Bros. for going on two years now, since its premiere at Austin's Butt-Numb-a-Thon back in December of 2007. We wrote up a piece last December wondering where it was, and we shant need to write one up this December, because not only is TrT scheduled for a home video release in October, but it's working up to a roadshow run starting in July.

According to Bloody Disgusting, the film will hit several genre festivals -- from FanTasia to Fantastic Fest (squee!) -- and hopes to be booked in other theaters along the way. Those who know of any ideal venues to show the film have been encouraged to contact Dougherty himself through either his Twitter account or his MySpace page.

Now, I know several colleagues who loved or at least liked it, though one cautions not to get our hopes up too high. I'm all for keeping expectations in check, but if anything, I'm slightly more for supporting apparently good and genuinely original horror offerings. It's like my equivalent of asking you to prevent forest fires, only instead of forest fires, we're talking Prom Night sequels. Ya dig?

(Trailer's after the jump...)

Continue reading 'Trick 'r Treat' Won't Wait 'Til Halloween

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Clint Eastwood's Latest Has a New Title and a Release Date

Elisabeth Rappe — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Drama, Sports, Awards, Warner Brothers, Distribution, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand

As I drink my fourth cup of coffee and contemplate a nap, I look to my right at smiling, dapper Clint Eastwood and desperately want to know his secret to life. Because he's already finished his Nelson Mandela biopic / rugby film, and is probably prepping Hereafter or casting around his desk drawers for another script to film as he casually puts it on the awards path. How do you do it, Clint? How?!

According to Variety, Invictus, formerly The Human Factor, will arrive in theaters on December 11, 2009. Starring Matt Damon as rugby player Francois Pienaar, and Morgan Freeman in the daunting role of Mandela, it's based on John Carlin's book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation. It follows Nelson's release from prison, his election as president, the fall of apartheid, and his use of the 1995 Rugby World Cup to heal the nation. Its new title comes from the the William Ernest Henley poem which Nelson has recited often. And while that's a lot of history for one movie, this is also the director who did two WWII movies in one year.

Invictus' release date pits it against the long awaited The Lovely Bones, which is also being groomed for award season. Who will be victorious? Who will fail? Who cares, as long as Eastwood's still in the game, right?

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'Watchmen' Blu-ray Bulked Up in UK

Peter Martin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Home Entertainment, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Blimey! Will the Brits get to watch more Watchmen than the rest of us? A two-disc Special Edition Blu-ray will be released in the UK by Paramount Home Entertainment, featuring a stack of content that will not be available in the edition coming from Warner Home Video, according to The Blu-Ray Blog.

Even before the theatrical release in March, Zack Snyder was teasing fans about the director's cut he had prepared, which he said would run 190 minutes -- 27 minutes longer than the theatrical version -- and be "considerably more violent ... and sexier." The North American edition will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 21, featuring the director's cut, two featurettes, and two BD-exclusive features, along with a digital copy of the theatrical version. A single-disc DVD edition will also be available, without all the features.

The UK edition releases on July 27, evidently with only the theatrical cut, plus two featurettes (one of which is a BD-exclusive on the North American edition), plus 11 video journals (webisodes) and four viral videos. As The Blu-Ray Blog points out, neither of these editions includes the rumored "final complete cut," which would presumably feature the 25-minute animated Tales of the Black Freighter. Also, neither has the 37-minute, live-action / interview piece Under the Hood. For now, the only way to see Black Freighter and Hood is to buy the separate DVD or Blu-ray. Here in the States, you can also buy a pretty cool Blu-ray Nite Owl Ship Edition exclusively through Amazon (see images below).

Based on my feelings about the film, I'm inclined to play the waiting game. No doubt a complete collector's edition will be announced eventually ... right after you finally break down and buy all these separate editions.

Gallery: Nite Owl Ship Edition

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