Get on the "Lifeboat"

Writers Michel Shane and Anthony Romano ("I, Robot," "Catch Me If You Can") have been summoned to write a World War II story about four chaplains onboard the Dorchester. The Dorchester was sunk by a U-boat in 1943.

The story is said to be inspired by the sacrifice of a rabbi, a Catholic priest, two Protestant ministers and an African-American Coast Guardsman who sacrificed their lifejackets as the Dorchester sunk in below-40 degree waters. (With that said you can probably tell where this movie is heading with its characters.)

War films have been plentiful during every decade of film it seems. Most of them are highly praised, but do they all deserve it? I was thinking about it recently-- It seems some people are afraid of slamming these films. Why? Don't want to be unpatriotic? What about war movies that aren't so kind to our own soldiers? Well, "Platoon" is certainly praised. Maybe these movies really are just that good. Who knows. As always a plot to a war movie could be an amazing spectacle or a giant, catastrophic cliche. Either way, I like Shane and Romano's track record. I have full confidence that the script will be solid.

The Spirit!

A poster for the ominous film "The Spirit" has been unleashed. Directed by Frank Miller, the co-director of "Sin City" and creator of "Sin City" and "300," "The Spirit" is actually a creation by comic writer Will Eisner. I wonder why Miller is adapting his own stuff and instead deciding to bring other people's comic works to screen? Interesting. Here's the teaser poster. Pretty classy look to it.

Hulk Smash!

Ah! So the marketing department for "The Incredible Hulk" is finally getting off their couches! Below are two small, unspectacular pictures. Take a look:


Along with this comes the news that Lou Ferrigno (the Hulk from the classic television series) apparently did some voice work for the Hulk in this movie-- His (in)famous Hulk Smash! is rumored to be heard in the film. That sounds... Uneventful really.

Poll Revision

Yup, you may have noticed the poll has been reset with the addition of "Speed Racer." I felt bad for not adding it so... there we go. Re-vote if you wish, or if you have to vote go for it! Sorry about the spastic change.

Jovovich Part of Secret "4th Kind" Project

"Resident Evil" star Milla Jovovich has signed on to star in the upcoming, "The 4th Kind." The film will be Olatunde Osunsanmi's directorial debut and much information about the production is being kept under wraps.

What is known is that it takes place in Alaska (please... anything but a repeat of "30 Days of Night.") and explores many unexplained disappearances of people over the last 40 years. Jovovich will play an investigator of some sort.

The first thing that comes to mind when I look at the title and what little we know about the plot is: Aliens. Is it? Could it be? It's possible, but there's also the possibility that this thriller won't have any sci-fi aspects and plays it pretty straight. As with many people, the lack of knowledge has me very interested, but that could change as more information comes forward.

"Joe's" Scarlett

I don't get "G.I. Joe." I never have. But with the success of something like "Transformers" I suppose making a live action movie makes sense... doesn't it? Maybe not? "Transformers" had potential because of the insane concept of characters that transform in to vehicles. "G.I. Joe" has... what? Lots of characters that look like an armored "Mortal Kombat" lineup with over-the-top military material? I'd rather pop in an old "Au-nold" DVD.

In any case, another character from the toyline-turned-cartoon adaptation has been revealed. Check out Rachel Nichols as Scarlett. Click to enlarge:

"X-Files: I Want to Believe"

The title for the X-Files sequel has been revealed! "X-Files: I Want To Believe."

I'm going to have to let this one grow on me as I'm not sure if I like it, or rather... believe in it. In one sense is kind of cool to have the text on one of Mulder's posters in his office as the title. On the other hand it seems... cheap? (Time to broaden my vocabulary.) I'm excited to see another X-Files story, but the more I stand back and look at this thing, the less and less likable it looks. Werewolves? A standalone storyline? Is this going to be a movie, or a really long episode, i.e. "Star Trek: Insurrection."

It makes me wonder... Is "X-Files" too far past its prime to pull out something decent?

Norton Speaks on Concerns for "Hulk"

Edward Norton recently came out to speak about some internet ranting about "The Incredible Hulk." It was recently reported that there was some great dispute about the final cut of the film and Norton was fighting hard to defend what he thought was the definitive edition of the movie. He sent EW the following:

"Like so many people I've loved the story of The Hulk since I was a kid, so it was thrilling when Marvel asked me to write and help produce an altogether new screen incarnation, as well as play Bruce Banner. I grew up reading Marvel Comics and always loved the mythic dimension and contemporary themes in the stories, and I’m proud of the script I wrote. In every phase of production, including the editing, working with Louis Leterrier has been wonderful...I've never had a better partner, and the collaboration with all the rest of the creative team has been terrific.

Every good movie gets forged through collaboration, and different ideas among people who are all committed and respect the validity of each other's opinions is the heart of filmmaking. Regrettably, our healthy process, which is and should be a private matter, was misrepresented publicly as a 'dispute,' seized on by people looking for a good story, and has been distorted to such a degree that it risks distracting from the film itself, which Marvel, Universal and I refuse to let happen.

It has always been my firm conviction that films should speak for themselves and that knowing too much about how they are made diminishes the magic of watching them. All of us believe The Incredible Hulk will excite old fans and create new ones and be a huge hit...our focus has always been to deliver the Hulk that people have been waiting for and keep the worldwide love affair with the big green guy going strong.''

I've seen some people comment that this assures nothing, and while they may be correct, even if he did sound overtly reassuring it doesn't do anything. I think Norton's words are very professional and I'm very pleased with what he said.

"The Last Airbender" isn't "Avatar"

M. Night Shyamalan's next project is already being talked of, and his latest project, "The Happening" still hasn't 'happened' at the box office yet. But some interesting things have been said about the upcoming movie based on the Nickelodeon television series he'll be adapting to the big screen.

The live action "Avatar: The Last Airbender" will simply be called "The Last Airbender" in order to avoid confusion with James Cameron's movie, "Avatar." This makes no sense to me because Cameron's "Avatar" is being released next summer, where as "The Last Airbender" has been given a release date of July 2, 2010. (Sorry "Avatar" fans, including my little sister, you'll have to wait over two years to finally see this thing.)

On adapting it, Shyamalan had some interesting things to say during an interview with Empire Magazine:

"Buddhist and Hindu philosophies run through the stuff," Shyamalan says. "When I realised that is what it was, it really drew me as the template for putting storytelling on a new level. There is a kind of thread that connects Star Wars and The Matrix – the first one. That same thread is in this story, about a forgotten belief system, or the illusion of the world now."

He continues, "Obviously [there will be] some breathtaking visual effects," the director says. "Just imagine if you saw a little girl bending water out of a glass into the air as an extension of her own personal discipline. It’s three movies about the hero learning three elements. Live action.[But] It can’t be special effects for the sake of special effects, it has to be [that you use] take seven because the girl breathes properly on take seven. I have to tell the animators that. Everything, has to have that detail. I can’t leave it. I have to make sure that I make it the same kind of storytelling, but with just one more tool."

Very interesting. He seems very passionate about the production and fans of the Emmy Award Winning series should rest assured that he wants to make a good movie. This seems like it will be very different compared to the stuff he's done in the past, and despite my original reaction to Shyamalan's involvement with this movie, I've grown more accepting of the notion.

July 2nd, 2010. We'll see then if this thing goes well.

"Ghost in the Shell" Goes Live Action?

It seems the next big thing in Hollywood, after the comic book movie craze, will be bringing anime to live action. "Dragonball" is well underway. "Akira" is being fast-tracked by Leonardo DiCaprio. And "Robotech" is going to be Tobey Maguire's big "producer" gig. Now, Dreamworks has secured rights to bring the anime franchise "Ghost in the Shell" to the big screen. Guess who was intricate in gaining the rights for it? Mr. Steven Spielberg himself.

"'Ghost in the Shell' is one of my favorite stories," said Spielberg. "It's a genre that has arrived, and we enthusiastically welcome it to DreamWorks."

The plan is to not only make "Ghost in the Shell" a live action movie, but a forefront of the 3-D wave that will soon sweep multiplexes. Avi Arad ("Spider-Man," "X-Men," "Fantastic Four") is set to produce and Jamie Moss ("Street Kings") is set to write the adaptation. No word on a director. (It's far too early anyway.)

I hope Dreamworks (and Spielberg, if he's involved) understands that you can't pull a "Transformers" with this one. "Ghost in the Shell" has an enormous fanbase and is widely considered one of the greatest anime stories out there. "Ghost in the Shell" follows intricate police members that specifically target technology related crimes in the not-too-distant future. (That's a very vague explanation paraphrased from my friend wikipedia.) I've seen bits of the show and most of the movie, but I've yet to sit down and actually look deep in to it. I do understand how important it is to its genre though. No word on when we can expect this "Ghost."