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Oh great. Just what the world needs. Another lame-ass corporate-owned movie blog that doesn't know a freakin' thing about ... just kidding! We're actually quite happy to share the news that MTV Movies is now offering a brand spankin' new movie blog. Or at least I'm happy about it, and here's why: I'm a big fan of MTV's movie coverage. For the last year or so, they've done some really solid stuff. Aside from the clunky interface and long load times at the website, those guys do a damn good job with the scoops, the news and some consistently excellent interviews. So it's not like a "new" blog as much as it is an upgrade. A much more aesthetically pleasing and bandwidth-friendly upgrade.

Set your browser on 'favorites' and then click right here to pick through the inaugural entries from Brian Jacks and Josh Horowitz: there's a Sarah Silverman video, some news on a potential follow-up to L.A. Confidential, a good deal of palpable fanboyism regarding Rutger Hauer (Horowitz and I may have been separated at birth), a piece about the possibility of a Sopranos movie, and (of course) more, more, more to come. So while MTV Movies is certainly not a newcomer to the world of online flick geekery, we at Cinematical would like to officially welcome MTV to the "blogosphere" -- but since I freaking HATE the word "blogosphere," I'll just say "keep up the good work, guys, and thanks for the linkage on the left-hand side."

Well, we don't have long to wait before we find out if Rocky Balboa will be the swan song of Stallone's iconic character, or whether it's just going to be embarrassing -- from what we've seen so far, it could go either way. Rocky is one of film's most famous underdog stories, and the one thing that everyone remembers from Rocky mythology is the famous run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope, and Happiness at America's Most Famous Steps was written by two Pulitzer Prize winners who were fascinated by the people who came to the steps thirty years later to re-live that moment. Michael Vitez and Tom Gralish spent a year at the museum photographing and interviewing the people that had come to have their very own Rocky moment.

The book wasn't created directly to be a tie-in for the film, but I'm sure the timing doesn't hurt for everyone involved. Sylvester Stallone contributes his own theory in the forward to the book as to why people are still running up the steps after all these years: "You can't borrow Superman's cape. You can't use the Jedi laser sword. But the steps are there. The steps are accessible." The continued fascination with the Rocky steps goes to show how much movies can mean to us sometimes. If you could visit a famous film spot, which one would it be?

So here I was thinking we had all seen the last of the remakes. We've had curses, ghosts, bad plumbing, and soggy little girls climbing out of TV sets -- the whole kit and caboodle. It looks like I spoke too soon though, because Vertigo Entertainment (producers of The Grudge and The Ring remakes) are at it again.

The Hollywood Reporter announced that Vertigo will produce an English language remake of the popular Filipino horror film Sigaw (The Echo). The story revolves around an ex-con who manages to awaken a curse when he interferes with an abusive cop and his family. The new script is being written by Eric Bernt and the original director, Yam Laranas, is on board to direct again.

Since English language remakes of Asian horror have worked at the box office before; I won't be surprised if Sigaw isn't the last of the horror imports. You have to wonder though how these movies will hold up as compared to the current crop of horror films -- curses and ghosts haven't exactly been a staple of the genre lately. Does anyone else think it's time to give these remakes a rest? Or, do they serve as a nice alternative for people who enjoy a good scare but not necessarily a high body count?

[via Dark Horizons]

The movie business is a competitive one. No surprise there, but here's the downside: Every film that gets the green light needs to trump the one before it. For example, it can't just be a serial killer; its needs to be the most gruesome serial killer ever known to man. When the stakes keep rising, how do you know when to stop? Enter: The Akula Job.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Impact Films has picked up the heist action title The Akula Job, penned by relative newcomer Mark Distefano (Friends and Enemies). The film will be about a high stakes jewel heist that -- get ready for this -- has to take place aboard a moving submarine 600 feet underwater. I don't want to jump to conclusions about this one but, for some reason, the fact that the movie will be produced by the same people who brought us DOA and The Hole gives me this sinking feeling in my stomach. I wonder why?

Add to that the fact that there is already a glut of heist movies on the go and the production seems a little unnecessary, not to mention downright silly. No casting announcements have been made as of yet, but really, when a movie is about robbing a submarine, does it really matter?

[via ComingSoon.net]

Harry Potter may have made kids-lit respectable for grown-ups again, but many authors still enjoy using the old fashioned "nom de plume" to keep their work in two very separate camps. Author Daniel Handler, probably better known as Lemony Snicket from the series of children's books, began using that name in 1999 for the series Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. The series followed a family of orphans with more than their fair share of bad luck. While he will probably be forever known for the Lemony Snicket series, Handler has also written a book or two for the over 18 crowd.

Handler's novel Adverbs has been picked up by GreeneStreet Films. The book is a collection of interconnected stories about love and relationships that are grouped under headings of different adverbs -- briefly, madly, deeply, etc. It isn't an easy read -- for one thing, there are a lot of characters and events to keep straight. Variety has announced that Handler will be adapting the script himself and while he will try to keep the original tone of the book, it might not be possible to keep all of the different storylines intact.

The production is still in the early stages, so no casting has been announced yet. I am curious to see if the studio tries to cash in on the Lemony Snicket connection or whether they want to avoid the "kiddie table" at all costs.

Since the last futuristic flick with Ewan McGregor I saw was The Island, you'll have to forgive me if I have some trouble raising the proper enthusiasm for this one: Variety has announced that McGregor has now officially signed to star in the futuristic drama Franklyn. The film is the brainchild of first time director Gerald McMorrow. No other casting announcements have been made, but Double Negative F/X, who have worked on Batman Begins and World Trade Center, have been hired for visual effects. So far, McMorrow has only directed a handful of music videos but has dabbled with sci-fi in the past with his short Thespian X snagging him a TCM Classic Shorts prize in 2002. The film would parallel story lines of present day London with a futuristic theocracy, including a tragic event that creates consequences in both the present and the future.

Ewan McGregor has always been one of those actors whose easy charm on screen has helped him through some great and some not-so great parts. So, for every Renton, there was an Obi-Wan. Although to be fair, he can hardly be blamed for the nightmare that was The Phantom Menace. For the sake of Franklyn though, I hope that charm of his will be in full effect.