New Trek Posters

Nothing extravagant, but there's certainly a charm to them. From two previously released photos comes two new black and white posters for "Star Trek." I'm hoping for better when it gets closer to the film's release, but the anything is good. Click to enlarge:



Once again, I'm very optimistic about this movie. Looks kickass so far. May 8.

TRAILER - The Day The Earth Stood Still (5-Minute Trailer)

If you saw the 5 minute trailer, then there's probably not a huge reason to watch this... Unless you want to see Gort-- Which I have to admit looks pretty cool. Other than that I want to thank Fox for raping yet another fine movie. This thing looks more like a bad sequel to "War of the Worlds" than it does its predecessor of the same title.

'The Day the Earth Stood Still' 5 Minute Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

Voices Rise to Defend "S. Darko"

The blasphemous sequel to the cult masterpiece, "Donnie Darko," is underway and we've heard little about it. Probably because no one cares, but at least one actor wants to put his foot down and defend the project.

Jackson Rathbone ("Twilight"), who plays Jeremy in the upcoming "S. Darko" fights back at the fan backlash:

"Look at the original Donnie Darko. When it was first released, did anybody like it? No, it was a year later," he says. "Through people talking, people got it. We're in an opposite boat, because people loved the first one after a while. Maybe they'll warm up to this, too. Or, they'll hate the idea of it, but once they see it, I think they're going to turn around."

"It takes the idea of the film and it goes beyond, answering and delving into more questions than Donnie Darko did. A lot of people are pissed that Richard Kelly is not involved, but he did sell the idea. He did give the license to do it. So it's not like he's opposed to it."

Oh, aren't we just full of such hormones? Rathbone's example of the original film's negative reviews is a pretty lame comparison. "Donnie Darko" was original. It was made from scratch and it was different enough to be flaunted. That was its risk and it eventually got praise for it. "S. Darko" is riding on the success of the original film and hoping to cash a fat check because of it. The originality is absent. The thoughtfulness? There is none.

And Richard Kelly isn't oppose to it? Lets see:

“Over the last couple of days, a few people have asked me what’s up with “this Donnie Darko sequel.” said Kelly. So to set the record straight, here’s a few facts I’d like to share with you all - I haven’t read this script. I have absolutely no involvement with this production, nor will I ever be involved. I have no control over the rights from our original film, and neither I nor my producing partner Sean McKittrick stand to make any money from this film.”

Take what you will from that last quote. In the meantime, Rathbone dropped some ideas as to what to expect from his character in "S. Darko."

"I play this crazy character and it has to be one of the best character developments I've seen," Rathbone says of the new Darko. "I just jumped at the chance to play it. Chris Fisher is an amazing director. [Makeup artist] Christel Edwards did this amazing prosthetic effect on me, it was so much fun. It was a month in Utah and we just had a blast [shooting] up there."

Well you heard it from "Twilight" hunk/dimwit Jackson Rathbone himself. It's "one of the best character developments" he's seen.

Fox's milking of the Darko "franchise" arrives sometime 2009.

And Comes "The Avengers"

Even before we hear from "Captain America" or "Thor," news on the horizon comes for the upcoming "Avengers" movie. I think it's a little ridiculous considering we've yet to hear who's cast for the "Captain America" or "Thor" movies. But I guess the prospect of seeing many superheroes together is more exciting to some fans than seeing them individually.

In any case both Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle have signed on for "The Avengers." Both will be appearing in "Iron Man 2," and Cheadle will be replacing Terrance Howard as James Rhodes/War Machine.

Jon Favreau, director of the "Iron Man" films, is being brought on as an executive producer. As far as we know, however, he will not be directing the film.

"The Avengers" will bring together Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Thor to face the greatest foe yet... but who will it be?

Now lets just get Edward Norton and William Hurt to sign on and we'll be set with the current list of actors! That's when I'll start getting really excited.

"The Avengers" arrive in theaters, July 15th, 2011.

Yet More "Star Trek"

The time is growing closer. As "Star Trek's" original December release date looms, it's no surprise that there's plenty of publicity shots for the upcoming Trek. Click the images to enlarge:








Notice how the new view screen is actually a window now and a holographic grid seems to go over it for different views, ala "Minority Report." I love how you can see the forward saucer of the Enterprise outside the window.

May 8, 2009.

Nolan Speaks on "Batman 3"

Bat-fans, film-geeks and Jedi Knights have been wondering what director Christopher Nolan has in store for a third Batman ever since the "The Dark Knight" exploded multiplexes in July. Frankly, I've been too caught up in the majestic sequel to really care too much. But the man behind the masterpiece has finally broken the silence.

When asked about the possibility of a sequel, Nolan chose his words carefully:

Well ... let me think how to put this. There are two things to be said. One is the emphasis on story. What’s the story? Is there a story that’s going to keep me emotionally invested for the couple of years that it will take to make another one? That’s the overriding question. On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question: How many good third movies in a franchise can people name? [Laughs.] At the same time, in taking on the second one, we had the challenge of trying to make a great second movie, and there haven't been too many of those either. It’s all about the story really. If the story is there, everything is possible. I hope that was a suitably slippery answer.

Can't you just hear his terrific English accent while reading that? I thought his reply was a very responsible answer.

Nolan has also expressed desire to make something on a "smaller scale." Aaron Eckhart said in an interview, not too long ago, that Nolan is an "independent filmmaker at heart," and that he "has a lot of wonderful ideas." I believe that. I can understand if Nolan wants to do other things-- Who would want to direct sequels for the rest of their career?

I myself have even questioned: Should there be a third Batman? The second film was so majestic and beyond any film of that particular genre I've ever seen that it almost feels like the only way to go is down. I'm not saying a third Batman would be a bad movie, but would it hit the bar "The Dark Knight" topped? Tough call.

And as I type this, Warner Brothers is sacrificing more and more virgins in Nolan's name.

"Ninja Scroll" Goes to Live Action

Warner Brothers has picked up the rights for a "Ninja Scroll" movie based on one of anime's finest films of the same name. Alex Tse ("Watchmen") is set to pin the script for the film.

The original "Ninja Scroll" was released in 1993 and follows a lone swordsman, Jubei, who inadvertently walks in to a secret war against demons and sorcery that ties in with his past and locks him in with his destiny. The animation was quite brilliant and the characters were rich with excellent dialogue and development. It's also one of the most violent movies I've ever seen and it borderlines NC-17 in the States with its graphic sex and violence.

My concern comes with how Tse intends to pursue the film. Will it be Americanized to fit with our own culture? Or will it reflect the samurai days as depicted in the anime film? What actors will be called on for such a project? Will it adhere to the must-have R rating? (Lets face it... NC-17 isn't marketable.)

It will be a difficult film to pull off properly. It's in the best hands it could possibly be with Warner Brothers-- But can any studio truly do "Ninja Scroll" justice? Too early to say, but until then I look forward to seeing more on its development.

Abrams' "Star Trek" Photos

Yeah, I'm a bit late with this, but it's too cool not to post. Several new photos from J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot has been released. There's a lot of things that look familiar, and there are other things that are quite new. Take a look, and as always, click to enlarge:

The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The new bridge.

Captain Kirk flees an Enterprise escape pod.

Commander Spock gets a tad emotional.

Sulu

Dr. McCoy

Eric Bana as the Romulan villain Nero

An older class starship, the U.S.S. Kelvin, on a very, very poor day of boldly going...

So far I love everything I've seen. The uniforms look fantastic, I can very much buy the character looks, and if the U.S.S. Kelvin is any factor, the Enterprise should look fabulous.

The bridge is clearly altered, but I rather like the update. It looks like something different. We've been force-fed such standard looking control stations in past films that this set really does feel like a breath of fresh air.

I've had a lot of faith in J.J. Abrams since this movie was announced, and I hope my faith and patience pays off. I like what I see. I hope this is the film to put the magic back in Star Trek.

TRAILER - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (International)

Though I'm pretty sure the trailer was cut before the release date was moved, this trailer for the sixth Harry Potter film is nothing short of incredible. Next to "Quantum of Solace," and "The Dark Knight," this trailer is one of the best I've seen this year.

The last trailer left me a bit dry. Many of the fans were gasping over it, but those of us who had not read the books weren't too enthralled. This trailer, unlike the last one, is made to appeal to more than just the fans and it works beautifully. The voice over, the camera angles, the special effects-- Everything is simply astounding. Here's to hoping that the next installment will be as powerful as this trailer.



Let me know if the link goes dead. This is one not to miss!

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" hits theaters July 17th, 2009.

Teaser Poster for "Watchmen"

The promotion for "Watchman" has been really impressive. First the mind blowing trailer that has everyone listening to the featured song by The Smashing Pumpkins, and now this: No main characters. No heroes. No villains. Just speculation. I'm very excited to see this movie. Click the poster to enlarge: