When creator/writer Rob Thomas announced that he and his cast were going to raise the funds to make a Veronica Mars movie on Kickstarter, the response was decidedly mixed.  The experiment was an enormous success, with the total topping out at over $5 million, but some were uneasy about the fact that Warner Bros. was essentially making fans assume all the risk by funding a film that they would in turn distribute.  Many wondered what this meant for independent financing going forward, and now another major star is turning to the fundraising service to get his next film made: Zach Braff.

Though Braff hasn’t directed a feature film since 2004’s Garden State, he’s hoping to secure financing for his follow-up Wish I Was Here with an eye towards a Sundance 2014 debut.  Unlike Veronica Mars, though, Braff’s Kickstarter is 100% independent with no studio involved.  Hit the jump for much more. 

I realize that it’s a little too March to be discussing my favorite holiday gifts, but I only recently had the opportunity to dive into one of mine and, as a result, I feel the need to share it’s greatness with our readers. The ESPN 30 for 30 Collector’s Set Blu-ray is an outstanding collection of sports documentaries that is rife with social commentary and almost sure to have something for sports and/or documentary fans alike. Before I get accused of paid programming, I’ll disclaim that all thirty of its films aren’t home runs (that’s right, a sports pun). Moreover, I’m fairly sure that all of the series’ entries are available to watch instantly on Netflix right now making the physical collection redundant for some. Regardless of how you partake, I encourage you to sift through the series, find a topic that interests you, and give it a shot.

All recommendations aside, this week’s Top 5 features a healthy portion of Iron Man 3 coverage (including the new trailer), Oz the Great and Powerful interviews with Sam Raimi, James Franco, Mila Kunis, and more, the first trailer for The Hangover Part III, a sizable Justice League movie rumor, and the new trailer and poster for Will Smith and Jaden Smith‘s After Earth. As you may be expecting, a brief recap and link for each of the above waits after the jump.

Opening this weekend is Disney and director Sam Raimi’s fantastic prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Oz The Great and Powerful.  The film centers on a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics (James Franco) who finds himself transported to Oz and drawn into a battle between the three witches Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams).  Loaded with incredible visuals, amazing 3D, and a beautiful world created by production designer Robert Stromberg (Alice in Wonderland, Avatar), Oz is the type of movie that definitely should be seen on a movie screen and it’s absolutely worth the extra charge to see it in 3D.  Oz The Great and Powerful also stars Zach Braff and Joey King.

Recently, I got to speak with Braff.  We talked about what it was like to walk on the yellow brick road for the first time, his reaction to the finished film, 3D, the unusual way he brought his character to life, and more.  In addition, Braff talked about his upcoming film, Wish I Was Here, which he wrote with his brother and plans to direct later this year.  Hit the jump to watch.

We can find truth in deception.  We find the deeper truth beneath the artifice.  Sam Raimi‘s Oz the Great and Powerful makes no secrets of its deception, and shows how deception can be used for good or evil.  We just don’t call it deception when it’s used for good.  Then it’s an illusion, not a trick.* Oz creates a beautiful illusion that we can get lost in not because of the visual effects wizardry or the size of the canvas, but because of the honesty of the characters and Raimi staying true to his oddball style.

Two new clips and 13 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage have been released from Sam Raimi‘s Oz the Great and Powerful.  The film centers on a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics (James Franco) who finds himself transported to Oz and drawn into a battle between the three witches Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams).  We previously saw a clip showcasing the conflict between Theodora and Evanora, as well as Oz and his cohorts “traveling by bubble”, which should be impressive on the big screen in 3D.  The new clips showcase the film’s attempt at comedy by showing Oz’s frustration with his traveling companions, Finley (voiced by Zach Braff) and China Girl (voiced by Joey King).

Hit the jump to check out the previously released clips and the new ones as well as the behind-the-scenes footage.  Also, click on the respective links for Steve’s set visit: 30 things to know about the film plus a video blog, and his interviews with Sam Raimi, James Franco, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, and Joey King.  Oz the Great and Powerful opens March 8th.

Disney has released the first featurette for director Sam Raimi’s Wizard of Oz prequel Oz the Great and Powerful.  It’s actually a fairly in-depth look behind the scenes of the film, as we’re treated to interviews with Raimi and many of the cast members including James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Zach Braff.  The focus is on how Raimi brought the world of Oz to life with the help of production designer Robert Stromberg and costume designer Gary Jones, and it’s clear that this was an absolutely massive production.  Jones and Raimi also provide insight into designing the iconic Wicked Witch, with Raimi noting that he wanted “a big, scary green witch,” instead of taking a more subtle approach to the character.

Hit the jump to watch the featurette.  If you missed any of Steve’s set visit coverage, check out 30 things to know about the film plus a video blog, and his interviews with Sam Raimi, James Franco, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, and Joey King.  Oz the Great and Powerful opens in 3D on March 8th.

Prior to last Sunday, Zero Dark Thirty was my favorite pic of 2012 by a considerable margin. However, after my matinee viewing of Silver Linings Playbook, that margin has been replaced with a draw. Whereas Zero provided me with a tension that left me on the verge of breathless at moments, Playbook‘s spectacular performances and head-on portrayal of mental illness and our ability to help each other cope/prevail proved not only hugely entertaining but also quite cathartic.

My 2012 movie scorecard aside, this week’s Top 5 includes our set visit coverage of Oz the Great and Powerful, Duncan Jones being tapped to helm the World of Warcraft movie, more visit coverage from the set of Jack the Giant Slayer, a slew of news from X-Men: Days of Future Past, and a Sundance 2013 wrap-up. A brief recap and link to each of the above is promised after the jump.

Just like Joey King, Zach Braff is playing two characters in Oz The Great and Powerful.  When the film opens in Kansas, Braff plays someone that works with James Franco in the circus.  But when the film gets to Oz, Braff plays a CGI monkey named Finley that helps Oz transform into who he’s meant to be.

When the production was filming in Michigan in late 2011, I got to visit the set with a few other online reporters.  Even though Braff wasn’t filming that day, he came in to talk with us.  During our interview he talked about how he was cast, what it was like working on such a big production, collaborating with Sam Raimi, the challenge of voicing a character off set, working with 3D cameras, and so much more.  Hit the jump to either read or listen to the interview.

New TV spots have been released for Beautiful Creatures and Oz the Great and Powerful.  Beautiful Creatures is a supernatural love story centering on Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) a “caster” (a.k.a. a witch), her relationship with Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich), and her dread at being chosen for good or evil.  This TV spot sells the love-angle, but I can’t help but being slightly intrigued by the supernatural element of the story.  As for Oz the Great and Powerful, the TV spots are about ringing in the New Year with Sam Raimi‘s Wizard of Oz prequel.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spots.  Beautiful Creatures opens February 13th.  Oz the Great and Powerful opens in 3D on March 8th.

A new trailer for director Sam Raimi‘s Oz the Great and Powerful has been released.  Watching this trailer, I can’t help but be confused as to why three witches (Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams) need the help of the Wizard (James Franco) simply because we’re going to the lame plot device of “the prophecy”.  Theadora comments that she doesn’t have a broom, but–and correct me if I’m wrong–a witch is a woman who can do magic.  So why does the entire kingdom of Oz depend on one guy showing up when there are three ladies who already have magical powers?  As for the look of the movie, I’m seeing lots of special effects but almost none of Raimi’s personality.  Billed as “From the Director of the Spider-Man  Trilogy” and “The Producer of Alice in Wonderland“, Oz looks like it’s more from the latter.

Hit the jump to watch the new trailer.  The film also stars Zach Braff, and Abigail Spencer.  Oz the Great and Powerful opens on March 8, 2013.

As we move closer toward pilot season, two new high profile comedies have headed into development.  First up, The Daily Show correspondent Jason Jones will write and potentially star in an untitled family comedy at Fox.  THR reports that another Daily Show vet, Steve Carell, will executive produce the series alongside About a Boy and New Moon director Chris Weitz.  The story revolves around a single guy with no desire for having a family who is forced to take care of his sister’s two kids when she’s called back to active duty.  Should the show get picked up, Jones would likely (and sadly) leave The Daily Show.

Hit the jump for news concerning Zach Braff’s return to the small screen.

The first trailer for director Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful has been released.  The pic serves as a prequel to the classic fantasy The Wizard of Oz and stars James Franco as the eponymous wizard.  The story centers on Franco’s small-time circus magician with dubious ethics who finds himself transported to Oz and drawn into a battle between the three witches Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams).  I love how the trailer begins in Academy ratio and black-and-white before expanding to widescreen and color once Fracno’s whisked away to Oz.  The visuals are gorgeous and it’s obvious that this is one big movie, I’m just hoping that Raimi’s quirkiness and signature style isn’t pushed to the side in order to make “the next Alice in Wonderland.”

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film also stars Zach Braff and Abigail Spencer.  Oz the Great and Powerful opens on March 8th, 2013.

The first bits of footage from Sam Raimi’s Oz: The Great and Powerful have gone online.  The behind-the-scenes video features a great look at costumes used in the film for a number of characters, including Theodora (Mila Kunis) and Oz himself (James Franco).  Franco and Kunis also talk at length about their characters and the world they live in, along with a comparison of the similarities and differences to the beloved film, The Wizard of Oz.  They also comment on being fans of the L. Frank Baum source novels and reflect on memories of the original film they viewed as kids.  Hit the jump to check out the footage and a few screencaps highlighting the costume design.

It’s always a fun treat when a now-famous actor pops up in a small role in an older movie you haven’t re-watched in a while.  We previously posted a “Before They Were Famous” supercut, but now someone has edited together a montage of actors in their very first feature film roles. While you’re most likely aware of the majority of these appearances, I’m willing to bet you’ll find at least a few surprises in this video.  I had no idea Jon Hamm was in Clint Eastwood’s “old guys can be astronauts too” movie Space Cowboys, but I now feel compelled to move the pic to the top of my Netflix queue.

Watch Jack Nicholson, Woody Allen, Emma Thompson, Zach Braff and many more make their feature debut after the jump.

Principal photography has begun on Sam Raimi’s next film, Oz The Great and Powerful and now we have the first official synopsis for the film.  We now know that the eponymous’ wizard’s real name is Oscar Diggs.  Diggs is “a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics” who finds himself transported to Oz and drawn into a battle between the three witches Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams).  The film also stars Zach Braff as Diggs’ circus assistant, and Braff will also lend his vocal talents to one of the CGI creatures in the story — Finley, the winged monkey who accompanies the magician on his journey to Oz.  I’ve always said that the only thing better than a monkey sidekick is a flying monkey sidekick.

Hit the jump for the full synopsis and press release.  Oz The Great and Powerful is set to open on March 8, 2013.