Centurion trailer

Centurion is about the ill fated 9th legion marching north to Caledonia to wipe out the Picts and their leader in AD 117.
Directed by Neil Marshall ( Dog Soldiers, The Descent ) Starring Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Ulrich Thomsen, Olga Kurylenko, David Morrissey.

July 30

Crowe's next is The Next Three Days

Russell Crowe's next film after Robin Hood has already been wrapped up. It will be called The Next Three Days. The story is taken from a film that was a 2007 French film originally called Pour Elle. The crime drama, murder mystery, is about a woman who is accused of murder, and her husband believing she is innocent will takes extreme measures in attempt to free her from prison.
The film also stars Elizabeth Banks as the wife, with Brian Dennehy, Olivia Wilde, Lennie Jones, Daniel Stern and Jonathan Tucker with a cameo from Liam Neeson rounding out the cast. Stephen Fontaine ( What Just Happened ) handled the cinematography duties.
The film will see a November 19 release date.

The Kid's Are Alright Preview/Synopsis

July 9

Directed by Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon ) Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowski and Josh Hutcherson. Written by Cholodenko herself, cinematography by Igor Jadue-Lillo ( The Hitchiker's Guide To The Universe ) editing by Jeffrey M. Werner ( Religulous ) original music by Carter Burwell ( Fargo )

This film has been getting good reviews ever since it showed at Sundance and also won the Berlin Film Festival for best feature film, about a teenage brother and sister who bring the father that supplied his sperm for artificial insemination for their lesbian mothers back into the family fold.

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drinking and drug use. 134 min.

Oscar chances ? Looks pretty good for Bening in lead actress and Moore in support. Also very good chance for original screenplay and possibility for the film to make one of the ten slots.

Red trailer

When is the last time you saw Helen Mirren using automatic weapons ?

Red

This action/comedy film is about an ex CIA agent ( Willis ) who is now leading the idyllic life, is threatened by an ex Black Ops agent and once again has to reassemble his old CIA cohorts in order for him to survive.

Directed by Robert Schwentke ( Flight Plan ) Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary Louise Parker, Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Cox, Julian McMahon, Brian Cox, Karl Urban, James Remar and Ernest Borgnine. Cinematography was done by Florian Ballhaus ( Flight Plan ) son of multiple Oscar nominee Michael Ballhaus.

The Social Network teaser trailer

October 1

Facebook creators film, directed by David Fincher ( Benjamin Button, Seven ) Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Joseph Mazzello, Justin Timberlake, Rashinda Jones, Max Minghella, Rooney Mera.
Screenplay by Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin ( The West Wing, A Few Good Men ) Cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth ( Seven, Sleepless In Seattle )

Predators trailer

July 9

What a surprise...another remake, this time redoing " Ahnald's " 1987 Predator. I once again have severe doubts this can improve on the original...especially this casting opposite the cast from the original film.
Directed by Nimrod ( yes his parents named him Nimrod )Antal ( Armored, The Vacancy ) Starring Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburene, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Danny Trejo, Walter Goggins.

Love Ranch Preview/Synopsis

Love Ranch June 30

Directed by Taylor Hackford ( Ray, The Devil's Advocate ) Starring Helen Mirren, Joe Pesci, Gina Gershon, Bryan Cranston, Ling Bai, Taryn Manning, Scout Taylor- Compton, Sergio Peris- Mecheta. Written by Mark Jaconson, cinematography by Kieran McGuigan ( The Other Boylen Girl ) editing by Oscar winner Paul Hirsch ( Star Wars, Ray ) Original music by Chris Bacon ( Charlie Wilson's War, Defiance )

Love Ranch is the true story based on the lives of Joe and Sally Conforte, who are now in this version Charlie and Grace Botempo, a married couple who were the very first people in the U.S. to open a legal brothel; The Mustang Ranch in the 1970's. The premise in the story does get some tweaking when all falls apart when their marriage gets tested by infidelity.

Rated R for sexual content, pervasive language and some violence.

Oscar chances ? A long time ago I may have thought so but this film has been in the can for over two years. Not a good sign. I guess there could be a slight chance for Mirren, but as of right now I wouldn't bet on it.

Restrepo Preview/Synopsis

July 2

This documentary, by many who have seen it, report it's a must see. Restrepo won the 2010 Grand Jury prize for Best Documentary at The Sundance Film Festival.
It was made by author Sebastian Junger ( The Perfect Storm ) and photograpger Tim Hetherington. The film explores the year in which Junger and Hetherington spent in Afghanistan for a Vanity Fair assignment living with the 173rd Airborne, 2nd Platoon B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry in the Korengal Valley, considered one of the most dangerous places in that country. So far in it's early stages, the film has recieved a 95% approval rating by reviewers.

Rated R for language throughout including some descriptions of violence. 93 min.

Oscar chances ? Most definitely in the Documentary category.

Dustin Hoffman and Anthony Hopkins for The Song Of Names

If this movie doesn't sound like Oscar bait I don't know what does. Hoffman and Hopkins ( who will play the adult versions of their childhood friendship ) are signed on to star, and yes, for the first time sharing the screen, in this adaptation from the Norman Lebrecht novel of the same name, with the screenplay being adapted by Oscar nominee Jeffrey Caine ( The Constant Gardener ) and the film directed by Vadim Perelman ( House Of Sand and Fog ) Perelman has landed 7 time Oscar nominee James Horner to score the film and it will be interesting to see who he chooses as his director of photography. The great Roger Deakins who worked with Perelman on House Of Sand and Fog, does have some room on his itinerary having just finishing work on the Coen brothers True Grit. Deakins would be a great choice.

The story of The Song Of Names starts with Martin Simmonds, the President ad Owner of Simmonds Ltd. (a music publishing company), has been asked to judge a music festival in the small town of Tawburn. He hears nothing remarkable until one young player - a violinist - plays a certain rubato, one that reminds Martin of the young man who stayed with his family in London, pre-WWII. The young man was a virtuoso, showing great promise but disappeared from Martin's family and from the world mysteriously, on the day of his debut performance.
What follows in Norman Lebrecht's "The Song of Names," is a story of remembrance and devotion. With that one rubato, Martin travels back in time, to when his father took in the promising young violinist, Dovidl Rapoport, while his father returned to Warsaw to protect his family. He remembers all the devotion the two shared and the pain that was caused to him and his family upon Dovidl's disappearance. The grown-up Martin begins a search for Dovidl, forcing both of them to face up to their pasts.

The characters are very well-defined and believable. Plus, Lebrecht's descriptions of life in pre-War London from a child's perspective are quite remarkable. You really feel as though you are biking through the streets with the two young boys or watching the Germans warplanes flying over London. He also gives the reader insight into the different sects of the Jewish community in both the past and the present.

The Big Year comedy also boasts a big cast

I came across an interesting story of a movie being made about one of the wackiest competitions around; every year hundreds of obssessed bird watchers participate in a contest known as The North American Big Year, with the hope of becoming the one to spot the most bird spieces during the course of 365 days, all for the glory of being recognized by the American Birding Assosciation as The Big Year Birding Champ Of North America.
The film which is currently lensing in British Columbia, is starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson as the top three competitors.
The film is an adaptation from a book written by Mark Obmascik and being directed by David Frankel ( Marley and Me, The Devil Wears Prada ) the film also boasts a huge supporting cast with the likes of Angelica Huston, Kevin Pollock, Dianne Wiest, Tim Blake Nelson, Rashinda Jones, Rosamund Pike, Brian Dennehy, JoBeth Williams, Joel McHale and Anthony Anderson. I also attached a set photo as well.
This is such a weird and original premise, it just might work.

Filming has commenced on POTC 4

For the 4th installment of the Pirates Of The Caribbean, Nine and Chicago director Rob Marshall is the new helmer and Gore Verbinski, who directed the previous 3 is out. Also not returning this go around is Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom's characters and in their place are Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz as Blackbeard and his daughter respectively.
Filming has began in Hawaii and interiors with be shot at Pinewood Studios in England. Geoffrey Rush will be returning as Barboosa, with Jami Gertz, Stephen Graham, Gemma Ward in new characters added to the cast. The three main technical director's are back as well, John Myhre as Production Designer, Dariusz Wolski as cinematographer and Penny Rose as Costume Designer.
On Stranger Tides, the premise goes that Jack Sparrow and Barboosa are on the hunt for the fountain of youth only to find out that Blackbeard and his daughter have their sights set on it as well.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will see a May 11, 2011 release.

Another unnecessary remake...Arthur

I'm feel like a broken record bitching about remakes all of the time, but it seems like it's weekly I find out Hollyweird has signed off on another reboot of some film that has already been made.
I am at the point that I really don't care if they remake films that were average in the first place but leave the iconic characters alone.
Russell Brand is going to give it a go to a character Dudley Moore personified and is still a great performance to this day that hasn't got old.
How do they possibly think they can improve a film that was nominated for 4 Academy Awards and winning two; for original song and supporting actor ( John Gielgud ) and Dudley Moore nabbing an Oscar nod for his much iconic Arthur character.
I am beginning to feel like Hollywood is scared of originality. They are basically insulting our intelligence these days thinking this is the kind of movies we want. That's why I am always on the look out for independent movies with original writers and stories. I wouldn't waste my time with a remake of Arthur. I have already seen the movie. There are so many more original stories to be seen and heard if you just keep your eyes and ears open.

Conviction trailer

If you haven't came across this news yet, the Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell drama that was originally titled Betty Anne Waters, has changed it's title to Conviction.

Jonah Hex taking a beating by critics

Jonah Hex wasn't a movie I expected the critics to get all warm and fuzzy about, but I didn't think it would be this so ill received. So far it hasn't captured one positive review from well regarded film critics.
It's not the kind of movie that is film critic friendly, but I didn't think it would be taken this negative. The biggest complaint is the editing and that many feel a lot was left on the cutting room floor and the film's story suffers from it.
Personally, I never had a strong feeling about the movie as far back as when the film was in pre-production, but like any movie, I will have to at least see this for myself to base my own opinion on it and to see Josh Brolin's performance and find out if he can be good in a film that isn't.

Jonathan Demme's next projects in line

Many movie pundits felt that famed director Jonathan Demme was finally back on track with 2008's Rachel Getting Married that garnered his lead actress Anne Hathaway her first Oscar nomination, after the last decade or so of somewhat average to below films like The Manchurian Candidate remake, The Truth About Charlie and Beloved recieving mixed reviews at best.
Demme who is known best for directing his back to back Oscar winning/nominated films The Silence Of The Lambs and Philadelphia, now has two interesting projects in the works. The first being a Bob Marley documentary, simply titled Marley, which is set for release this year and then he has expressed interest in adapting the 2006 David Eggars novel Zeitoun, about a man who stays in his home during the Hurricane Katrina floods and makes it through the storm to lend aid in a second hand raft to those that need it. Zeitoun is currently in the very beginning of the in production stage.

Cameron Diaz to do comedy again

I think Cameron Diaz is one of the more natural and genuine actresses that can pull off comedy with ease and without looking like she is trying too hard or transparent. So for her next project she currently wrapped, she decided to go the comic character route again for a film tentatively called Bad Teacher.
Directed by Jake Kasdan ( son of famed director Lawrence ) who last brought us Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and co-starring with Diaz is Jason Segal, Justin Timberlake, Molly Shannon, Thomas Lennon and John Michael Higgins. The screenplay was a co-writing effort by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnisky who previously scribed Year One.
Diaz has two more films releasing in the next 7 months; Knight and Day opposite Tom Cruise out on the 23rd of this month and then the Green Hornet in January of next year.

Jet Li to tackle autism in new film

Jet Li won't be attacking or getting attacked by would be bad guys in his next film called Ocean Heaven. The first non action film of his in 30 years.
The premise of the film is about a parents love and understanding dealing with autism.
It shall be interesting seeing LI in a non action film and see if he really does have legit acting chops. The film is to be released this year.

Peter Jackson should direct The Hobbit

Now that director Guillermo del Toro ( Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy ) has announced he's leaving The Hobbit movies due to conflicting shooting schedules, it's obvious the studio is on a fast track for a replacement. I have read many suggestions and all probably worthy of the job, but I just can't see a better candidate more suited to step in than Peter Jackson ( who was only co-producing ) taking over and helming the movie. It just makes perfect sense since it's he who directed the three previous Lord Of The Rings films. He knows the source material probably better than anybody and is familiar with how to make this certain type of films. I would be disappointed if he doesn't step in and direct this project.

Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce

Just in case you haven't found this news out yet, here are some pics of Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood in the remake of director Todd Haynes ( I'm Not There, Far From Heaven ) version of Mildred Pierce for HBO.
The original film won Joan Crawford the Oscar for best actress and recieved 4 other nominations.
The 2010 version also co-stars Melissa Leo, Mare Winnigham and Guy Pearce.

Ben Stiller's next directing project

Ben Stiller's production company Red Hour Films is in pre-production on his next directorial effort titled Help Me Spread Goodness from a script written by Mark Friedman ( Home Of The Brave ) about a banker from Chicago who falls into a Nigerian internet scam. Talk about a pretty original premise to a movie. Still will also prodcue and star in the film. He's looking for a 2011 release date.

EW's 100 Greatest Characters ( yeah right ! )

Wow talk about an upside down list. There is a ton of characters in the back that should be in the front of the list and some that don't even belong on the list in the first place.
I have no prob with Homer J. Simpson as # 1. Still going strong after 21 years, but here's who I'd switch out to name only several. Some of it insults any intellegence one might have in their brain. Another thing...I don't think they should have movies and tv competing against eachother because they are two different entities.

# 99 Kill Bill's The Bride
# 95 Truman ( The Truman Show )
# 90 Marge Gunderson ( Fargo ) Should be in the top 20
# 85 Daniel Plainview ( TWBB ) Should be in the 15-20
# 64 Maximus ( Gladiator ) Top 30-40
# 52 Annie Wilkes ( Misery ) Top 10-20
# 37 Kayser Sose ( The Usual Suspects ) Top 10-20
# 29 Vincent Vega/Jules Winnfiled ( Pulp Fiction ) Top 10-15
# 14 Jeff Lebowski ( The Big Lebowski ) Should be in the top 5-10
# 4 Tony Soprano ( The Sopranos ) I personally would have him 1 or 2

It's an embarrassment some of these even made it as high as they did. Now think about THESE names were chosen higher than the names listed above...

# 48 Harold and Kumar
# 40 Ron Burgandy
# 28 Madea
# 24 Felicity ( Please )
# 20 Ally McBeal ( Borderline shouldn't even make the list )
# 9 Carrie Bradshaw ( Sex and The City ) 50-75
# 6 Rachel Green ( Friends )
# 3 Buffy The Vampire Slayer ( this is mind boggling )

To have # 9, # 6, # 3 televison character's listed above 4 Oscar winning performances is flat out laughable. Now if they were just in a TV category I wouldn't have a problem with it, but Carrie from Sex and The City above Marge Gunderson and Annie Wilkes is a joke. Madea over Daniel Plainview ? Like I said, I literally laughed when reading some of these names. Buffy the Vampire Slayer over Tony Soprano ?

Ondine Preview/synopsis

Ondine June 4th

Directed by Oscar nominee Neil Jordan ( The Crying Game, Interview With The Vampire ) Starring Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Stephen Rea, Dervla Kirwin, Tony Curran. Written by Jordan, Cinematography by Christopher Doyle ( Rabbit-Proof Fence, Paranoid Park ) Edited by Tony Lawson ( The Brave One, Michael Collins ) Original Score by newcomer Kjartan Sveinsson.

Ondine is a fantasy based story about an Irish fisherman named Syracuse ( Farrell ) who happens upon a women named Ondine caught in his fishing net who he thinks just might be a mermaid. As she slowly becomes part of the small fishing community town, many people have different theories as to the orgin of this mysterious woman. It is in the period of time where Syracuse begins to fall in love with Ondine. But there is a secret Syracuse doesn't know about this strange but beautiful women that has a dark side.

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sensuality, and brief strong language. 111 min.

Oscar chances ? Probably not. Maybe some indie nominations. It did receive four Irish Film and Television nomination's in February though.