Gordon Gekko is back !

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.

Edge Of Darkness gets a pass...

I thought it was a pretty good crime thriller. Not great. But Mel is convincing as the revenge filled father out for revenge. He really sells the charatcer's loss of his daughter and his deep feeling of contempt believable. Plus... with a little added bonus there was actual a story involved here and wasn't just all mindless violence.

Kick-Ass

April 16

Starring Aaron Johnson, Nicholas Cage, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Lindsy Fanseca, Michael Rispoli.
With that title, I can see where people would not take the film seriously and the kid looks like a big geek, but test screenings have came back very well and I think the movie will be pretty well received.

Jack Goes Boating

Now making the rounds at Sundance Film Festival, Jack Goes Boating stars and is directed ( for the first time ) by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and also co-stars past Oscar nominee Amy Ryan ( from Gone Baby Gone ) and John Ortiz. No release date is confirmed as of yet.

More trailer's for upcoming films...

Death At A Funeral April 16, 2010

Directed by Neil LaBute ( Nurse Betty, Lakeview Terrece ) this is a re-imaging ( or American version ) of the 2007 UK comedy from Frank Oz. This version will star Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Peter Dinklage, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Keith David, Luke Wilson, James Mardsen, Loretta Devine.

Shutter Island Preview/Synopsis

Shutter Island Feb. 19

Directed by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Jackie Earle Haley, John Carroll Lynch, Ted Levine, Patricia Clarkson, Elia Koteas. Written by Laeta Kalogridis ( Alexander ) Cinematography by two time Oscar winner Robert Richardson ( JFK, The Aviator ), Editing by Oscar winner Thelma Schoonmaker ( The Departed, Raging Bull ) Production design by two time Oscar winner Dante Ferretti ( Sweeney Todd, The Aviator )

Adapted from the popular novel by Dennis Lehane, this psychological thriller is set in 1954, where the set up is U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his partner Chuck Aule, who are investing a murderess that has gone missing from a prison for the criminally insane, and is presumed to be hiding on Shutter island. Once they get there they soon find out that nothing it what it seems.

Rated R for disturbing violent content, language and some partial nudity. 138 min.

Oscar chances ? Very good. Do not let the February release date fool you. Silence Of The Lambs was released in February and we all know how well that did Oscar night. This has to potential for 6-9 Oscar nominations.

The Wolfman Preview/Synopsis

The Wolfman Feb. 12

Directed by Joe Johnston ( Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo ) Starring Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Elizabeth Croft. Written by David Self ( Road To Perdition ) Cinematography by Shelly Johnson ( The Last Castle, Sky High ) Editing by three time Oscar winner Walter Murch ( Apocolypse Now, The English Patient ) Original music by Paul Haslinger ( Vacancy, Into The Blue )

Remake or a " re-telling " of the 1941 horror classic that starred Lon Chaney Jr. This time Del Toro will portray Lawrence Talbot, Blunt the love interest and Hopkins as his father.

Rated R for bloody horror violence and gore. 125 min.

Oscar chances ? Good possibilities for make-up, visual effects and sound.

De Niro and Norton team up for 2nd collaboration

There is no exact release date set as of now for the re-teaming of Robert De Niro and Edward Norton in the crime drama Stone, directed by John Curran ( The Painted Veil ) The pair's first work being in the Frank Oz directed The Score along with the late, great Marlon Brando. Milla Jojovich will be playing Norton's wife in the film.

The great Peter Weir is back behind the camera

One of the best director's in the movie business, is back behind the camera with the WW II film, The Way Back. 4 time Oscar nominee for such impressive films as Master and Commander, The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society and Witness, Peter Weir has come back from his 7 year filmmaking sabbatical, and the 65 year old Aussie is bring you a film based during World War II, about 7 prisoners who put on a daring escape from a Siberian gulag to make a dangerous pass through the India passage. The film stars Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell, Saorirse Ronan and Mark Strong. Filming took place in Bulgaria, Morocco and India. Oscar winner Russell Boyd ( Master and Commander ) served as director of Photography. The film look to be getting a winter 2010 release.

Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg will be playing " buddy " cops

Adam McKay ( Anchorman, Step Brothers ) is back directing his friend Will Ferrell in a buddy cop comedy teaming Ferrell with Mark Wahlberg as his detective partner. Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne " The Rock " Johnson, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Anne Heche, Steve Coogan co-star, and look for a cameo by New York Yankee Derek Jeter with long hair. Film will drop on August 6th.

Cult fave The Mechanic gets a remake

One of my favorite cult classics's of all time, 1973's The Mechanic, is getting a remake made with Jason Statham in the Charles Bronson role and Ben Foster taking the role that Jan Michael Vincent portrayed in the original. Donald Sutherland has also been added as a principle cast member. The film is directed by Simon West ( The Rock, The General's Daughter ) with it seeing a December 15th landing.

The Green Hornet to get December 22 release...

Seth Rogen endured a strict training regimen to get in shape for the role as famous newspaper publisher Britt Reid, in this winter's take on The Green Hornet, directed by Michel Gondry ( Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind )

Not to be without his trusty sidekick from the original 1960's TV series Kato ( played by Jay Chou ) with the film also starring Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson and Edward Furlong. Script was also written by Rogen and his collaborator Evan Goldberg.

Not very many surprises at the SAG Awards

Other than Sandra Bullock beating Meryl Streep in the Best Actress category.

It looks like it's playing out to be...

Jeff Bridges- Best Actor
Bullock or Streep- Best actress
Mo'Nique- Best Supporting Actress ( In a landslide )
Christoph Waltz- Best Supporting Actor
James Cameron or Kathryn Bigelow- Best Director ( my pick is Bigelow, though with how hot Avatar is and the buzz and momentum, it would not surpise me in the least if Cameron wins )

What's next for The Hurt Locker trio ?

In 2010, as in Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. Up next for Renner is to play side kick opposite Ben Affleck in The Town co-starring Jon Hamm, that will see Affleck in the director's chair for the second time ( Gone Baby Gone being the first ).

For Anthony Mackie he will be seen in Boldin and then also appear along side Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and John Slattery ( Who plays Mad Men's Roger ) in The Adjustment Bureau.

And finally for Geraghty, he will be Open House along side Anna Paquin.

Sophia Coppola's next

Sophia Coppola's next film, an indie, written and directed by her, is a heartfelt drama about a hard living Hollywood actor ( Stephen Dorff ), who receives a shock in his life, when there is the sudden appearence of his estranged 11 year old daughter ( Elle Fanning ) The film also has Michelle Monaghan, Benicio Del Toro and Chris Pontius in the cast.

Film will be making the rounds at the Sundance Film Festival this month but there is no official release date set as of now.

The Departed scribe to direct first film

Oscar winning screenwriter William Monaghan ( The Departed ) is going behind the camera for the first time to direct ( as well as write ) London Boulevard.

The film is loosely based on the classic 1950 film directed by Billy Wilder, that starred William Holden and Gloria Swanson ( I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille ! )

This version is about a London criminal that is befriended by an actress who lives reclusively in her Holland mansion. Two time Oscar winner Chris Menges serves as the director of photography and Graham King ( The Departed, Ali, The Aviator ) will produce. Also starring is Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Stephen Graham and Ben Chaplin. Look for a fall 2010 release date.

Bill Clinton/Tony Blair project

Directed by Richard Loncraine ( Firewall, Wimbledon ) the film, The Special Relationship, is about the relationship between former British Prime Minister Tony Blair ( 1997-2007 ) and 42nd, President Bill Clinton.

The cast stars Dennis Quaid as Clinton, Michael Sheen as Blair, with Hope Davis playing Hillary Clinton and Helen McCrory as Cherie Blair. The film is in post production and is negotiating deals on who will buy distributorship and is looking for a late spring/early summer 2010 release.

Few surprises at the Golden Globes

At least the Globes were more entertaining and less irritating than the Critics Choice Awards.

There were hardly any surprises other than Robert Downey Jr. winning Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy. I thought for sure that was the trophy for Daniel Day-Lewis to lose since he did a role that required him to dance and sing, and for the first time ever, and then pulling it off. Pretty impressive, when all the other actor's nominated just did performances that didn't require them to do anything extraordinary or different maybe other than Matt Damon putting on extra weight for The Informant !. And probably the only other win that may have raised some eyebrow's was Up In The Air winning Best Screenplay over Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal. All the Avatar wins seems normal as the THFP is very predictible in their choices over the years.

I still hold out a good chance for Katheryn Bigelow to become the first female director to win the Oscar for The Hurt Locker. The Oscar's and The Golden Globes do not always match up. On Globe night though, the award went to her ex husband James Cameron for Avatar.

Rent this: Gangs Of New York

Originally released in 2002 to good-mixed reviews by critics, I truly believe this is one of the most underated films of the decade. Yes, I said the decade.

It's classic good vs. evil storytelling. Based on the real gangs that ruled the lower east side in the mid 1800's, it was nominated for 10 Academy Awards for Picture, Director, Actor, Original Screenplay, Editing, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound and Original Song, but coming away with a goose egg. The direction by Martin Scorsese is top notch and meticulous of the period which takes place between 1847 ans 1863. The re-creation of The Five Points does not look like a set at all, but an actual place in all it's squalor.

The acting is solid by most that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, Brenden Gleeson, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas and Stephen Graham to name several that had prominant parts. But it's Daniel Day-Lewis and his charismatic turn as the ruthless gang leader Bill The Butcher, that steals every scene he is in, and makes the movie rise up from just being average fare. ***1/2

The original Karate Kid was on TV today

Why doesn't Hollystrange just leave the classics alone. Not that the Karate Kid was a Oscar type of film, but the original touched many young people, and as you can see, with the showing of it on TV today, it's still in demand. So why a remake ? I already know the REAL Karate Kid, I won't be seeing the remake. I don't see the point.

Critics Choice Awards this year was cringe worthy

I know I may be offending Kristen Chenoweth fans, and I'm sorry if I do, but I just think that was a wrong choice for a host. Is that Minnie Mouse voice her real voice or is that schtick ?

And why do award show writer's continue to try and write terrible quips for the presenter's ? It really throws off any good momentum and creates awkwardness. Just have them come up to the podium, say something nice and present the nominees.

I have seen many award shows in the past and this one had to be close to the worst.

New A-Team Trailer

Wow... Liam Neeson sure went to work fast after Natasha's passing. Maybe it's good for him. People grieve in different ways.
Anyway.. I'm not too much of an action film buff, but this has an edgy look to it. I was expecting total cornball, but I didn't get that feeling after viewing.

My favorite page to screen of 2009

Best screenplay's of 2009

* 1) THE HURT LOCKER- MARK BOAL

2) Inglourious Basterds- Quentin Tarantino
3) The Messenger- Oren Moverman, Alessandro Cannon
4) Up In The Air- Sheldon Turner, Jason Reitman
5) The Road- Joe Penhall
6) Crazy Heart- Scott Cooper
7) District 9- Neill Blomkamp, Teri Tachell
8) The Last Station- Michael Hoffman, Jay Parini
9) 500 Days Of Summer- Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
10) The Hangover- John Lucas, Scott Moore

My favorite photographed films of 2009

Best cinematography of 2009

* NINE- DION BEEBE------------------------

Avatar- Mauro Fiore
Inglourious Basterds- Robert Richardson
---The Hurt Locker- Barry Ackroyd
A Serious Man- Roger Deakins
Public Enemies- Dante Spinotti
The Lovely Bones- Andrew Lesnie
District 9- Trent Oplach
Sherlock Holmes- Philippe Rousselot

Season Of The Witch trailer

Starring Nicholas Cage, Ron Pearlman, Ulrich Thomsen, Stephen Graham and Clair Foy.
March 19.

Tom Hanks to direct

Tom Hanks will going behind the camera for a second time ( That Thing You Do being his first ) to direct Larry Crowne, and has also cast Julia Roberts, who last were seen together in 07's Charlie Wilson's War. The film was written by Hanks and the premise is about a man forced to reinvent himself and his career. Filming to get underway in April.

Brooklyn's Finest trailer

Antoine Fuqua ( Training Day, King Arthur ) directs Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin, Vincent D' Onofrio, Lili Taylor, Will Patton, Jesse Williams in this crime drama based in Brooklyn New York. March 5.

The Runaways trailer

Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning as Cheri Currie, Scout-Taylor Compton as Lita Ford. With Michael Shannon as band manager Kim Fowley. March 19.

Dear John trailer

Channing Tatum gets to flex his romantic lead chops. Also starring Amanda Seyfried and Richard Jenkins. Due out February 5.

Valentines Day trailer

Romantic comedy gets a February 12th release date.

Extraordinary Measures Preview/Synopsis

Directed by Tom Vaughn ( What Happens In Vegas ) Starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, Keri Richards, Meredith Droeger, Jared Harris, Alan Ruck, Dee Wallace Stone, Courtney B. Vance. Written by Oscar nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs ( THe Waterhorse, Chocolat ) Cinematography by BAFTA nominee Andrew Dunn ( The Madness Of King George, Gosford Park ) Editing by longtime editor and Oscar winner Anne V. Coats ( Lawrence Of Arabia, In The Line Of Fire ) Original music by Golden Globe nominee Anne V. Coats ( The Pursuit Of Happyness )

Film is based on a true story about the life of a married couple, John and Aileen Crowley and their efforts to find someone that can help them find a cure for their two children's rare gentic disorder.

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, language and a mild suggestive moment.

Oscar chances ? There's a possibility it could earn a screenplay and editing nomination.

Slumdog Oscar winner Danny Boyle's return

After winning the Best Director Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire last year, many were very inquistitive to what Danny Boyle's next project was going to be. Well, he has made his choice and he will be directing James Franco in the movie 127 Hours, based on a true story.
Franco will play real life mountaineer Aron Rolston, who in 2003 got his forearm pinned under a boulder on a hike high in the mountains of Utah. To survive and not bleed to death and or starve, he had to amputate the limb with a dull knife, and then make his way down the mountain and scale a 65 sheer and hike out.
Utah will be the filming location in March of this year.

44 Inch Chest trailer

Starring Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, Joanne Whalley, Stephen Dillane. January 29.

More movie trailers for 2010

Saint John Of Las Vegas Feb 12

Starring Steve Buscemi, Romany Malco, Peter Dinklage, Sarah Silverman, Tim Blake Nelson, Emmauelle Chriqui.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice Trailer

Directed by John Turteltaub ( National Treasure, Phenomenon ) Starring Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Monica Bellucci. Out July 16.

Edge Of Darkness Preview/Synopsis

Edge Of Darkness Jan. 20

Directed by Martin Campbell ( The Mask Of Zorro, Beyond Borders ) Starring Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, written by Oscar winner William Monahan ( The Departed ) Cinematography by BAFTA nominee Phil Mehuex ( Casino Royale, Entrapment ) Editing by Oscar nominee Stuart Baird ( Gorilla's In The Mist, Superman ) Original muisc by 3 time Oscar winner Howard Shore ( LOTR: Trilogy, Silence Of The Lambs, Big )

Mel Gibson returns after a 7 year acting absence, as a detective Tom Craven, who is investigating the death of his activist daughter. In that meantime, he soon learns that she was hiding a secret that had to do with a corporate cover up.

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language. 108 min.

Oscar chances ? Not with a January release date, but from the trailer I saw looks like a solid, taut crime thiller.

Rent this: Shane

Shane- 1953

You want to check out a classic western that is just all around fun, well acted and one of the best western's of all time ? Then I highly suggest checking out Shane.
It snagged 6 Oscar nominations and won one for Loyal Griggs snatching Best Cinematography. Also earning nods for Best Picture, Director ( George Stevens ) two for Best Supporitng Actor ( Jack Palance, Brandon De Wilde ) and Best Screenpaly. This is a classic on every facet of movie making. Like you here so much in this day and time regarding movies, they just don't make them like this anymore.