The set visit video blogs I post are usually professional.  We usually stay on topic. We usually just talk about what we did on set, the highlights from who we interviewed, and what we thought.  But when I recorded a video blog with Devin from Badass Digest after getting back from the set of Final Destination 5 in Vancouver last December…let’s just say that it was a lot looser than what I usually post.  Of course it might have been because we’d been drinking.  It could have been because Dolph Lundgren was sitting at a table near us as it started.  Or it could have been because it’s a video blog about Final Destination and everyone knows it’s all about the new and innovative ways to kill people.

However, while I might have scared some of you off, during our loose and rambling conversation, we still talked about what we did on set, what we learned, who we interviewed, and what you should be looking forward to.  In addition, we even had one of the cast members (PJ Byrne) join us towards the end, as he was on his way to the bar and we convinced him to jump in.  Watch the antics after the jump.

John Carter can’t stand up.  When he does, he falls over.  Finally, after putting in a lot of effort, he’s able to take a step and he jumps about thirty feet.  He’s stunned.  Looking around, he has no idea where he is and what’s going on.  Of course, if you were transported to Mars from the 19th Century, you’d also have a tough time figuring out what just happened.

What I just described is part of a scene from director Andrew Stanton’s (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) first live-action movie, John Carter.  Based on the celebrated novel, A Princess of Mars, by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter is Disney’s first film in what they’re hoping is a franchise starter and based on what I saw, it just might work.  The reason I know this is the other week I got to go to San Francisco (along with some other online reporters) to see the first teaser trailer, watch some footage, and interview Stanton for almost an hour.  I learned so much about this very cool looking film, so I suggest hitting the jump for more.

I’m standing in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. I see Snape positioned where Dumbledore used to stand at the top of the steps. As the new Headmaster, Snape is addressing a room full of students. He’s telling them that anyone who knows the whereabouts of Harry Potter – whether it be student or faculty – needs to come forward with any information or the punishment will be severe. Snape continues with the news that the school has the best magic protection and Harry Potter will not be able to enter the grounds. The former potions teacher walks among the students, looking at them, his gaze intense and his dialogue slow and methodical. He’s clearly hoping someone will tell him something. As he finishes saying his last line he looks up because he hears the voice of Harry Potter saying, “I don’t think the protection was good enough.” All the students turn, looking shocked. Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts.

The next day, I’m on a plane, flying back from London. Yesterday was March 23, 2010 and I was standing in a place I’ve only seen in the movies, as I was one of the lucky online journalists invited to Leavesden Studios outside London to visit the set of the last Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. As a huge fan of the books and the movies, getting to stand in the Great Hall and Dumbledore’s office was a huge thrill and something I will remember forever. But while getting to see those sets was amazing, we did so much more. Hit the jump for my report and video blog.

I’m standing inside The Muppet Theater.  On my right, I can see where Statler and Waldorf would sit and heckle the performances.  On stage in front of me, I watch as some of the crew attempts to get everything perfect so they can get the next shot.  As they adjust the lights and moves some of the background pieces, director James Bobin is sitting nearby looking at everything on two small monitors.  Eventually he’s happy with the set up and someone calls “action.”  Almost immediately, a hush falls over the room as some hidden speakers start to play something I recognize.  As I look at the stage, I watch Kermit and Miss Piggy sing Rainbow Connection.  I’m suddenly 8 years old and smiling from ear to ear.

But let me back up a second.

Earlier this year, I got to visit the set of The Muppets on two separate occasions.  The first time was with a group of online reporters while the production was filming in Glendale, California and we watched as Amy Adams and a huge group of Muppets filmed a scene in a car.  The second time I got to visit the set by myself and that’s when I got to see The Muppet Theater.  While Disney is releasing The Muppets, the production actually built the theater on the Universal backlot.  As a child that grew up watching The Muppet Show, getting to walk around that set was something I’ll never forget.  Hit the jump for more.

Earlier today I got to watch Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class.  While we’re not allowed to write a review, we’ve been given permission to write our initial thoughts.

If you were nervous the latest chapter in the X-Men franchise might disappoint, I’m happy to report it’s a huge home-run.  Everything from the great script to the awesome performances by the entire cast (with special mention to James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) makes this X-Men film my favorite in the franchise.   Also, the film is loaded with incredible action and a ton of Easter Eggs for the fans.  Even the sets and costumes are great.  Trust me, as soon as the movie is over, you’re going to wish the next chapter was coming out next week.  Hit the jump for more.

When you visit a movie set, you never know how many of the secrets will be revealed.  Sometimes you leave without learning much about the movie, and when the trailer is released and it tells you the whole story, you wonder why everyone was so guarded.  However, every once in awhile, you visit a set and you’re told everything.  In the case of my visit to the set of Green Lantern last summer in New Orleans, it was the latter.  While I walked in thinking Green Lantern might be a cool movie, I left absolutely blown away by the scope and scale of Warner Bros. next comic book movie.  Trust me, while the first trailer for Green Lantern was lackluster, everything I saw and learned on set told me director Martin Campbell’s Green Lantern is a full scale space opera and it smashes open the door for future comic book movies to tell even bigger stories.  I’m truly excited to see the finished film and if it comes together the way I think it will, Green Lantern will show audiences and the studios that comic book movies don’t have to stay on Earth, or even in this galaxy, to tell their story.

But let me back up a second.

It’s August 2010 and I’m in New Orleans on the last day of principal photography on Green Lantern.  While it’s hot and humid outside, I’m standing in a large air conditioned studio being shown hundreds of pre-production images.  They’re lined up on a few walls and each image shows a scene or location in the movie.  Again, while some set visits are guarded, the Green Lantern production is confident in their story and they’re willing to show us everything.  As I walk from drawing to drawing, I’m imagining the movie in my head, and I can’t believe where they take this story.  Much more after the jump.

Jesse Eisenberg is sitting on the hood of his pizza delivery car in an abandoned junkyard.  He’s been tied up.  Standing nearby are Danny McBride and Nick Swardson.  They’re wearing normal clothing, except for the gorilla masks to hide their identities.  The two have captured Eisenberg’s character because they have a plan: instead of robbing a bank on their own, they’ve attached a bomb to Eisenberg and they’re making him do the job.  As you might imagine if you were faced with this reality, Eisenberg is freaking out.  However, it’s hard to take it seriously because McBride and Swardson are improvising during every take and each one is funnier than the last.  I’m starting to think 30 Minutes of Less is going to be awesome.

But let me back up a second.

It’s late August, 2010.  I’m in Michigan with some other online reporters on the set of director Ruben Fleischer’s follow-up to Zombieland.  While rumors had him possibly directing Mission Impossible 4, Fleischer settled on 30 Minutes or Less as his second film.  Even though many might have second guessed this decision, after talking with him on set and learning a lot about the movie, I think it was a smart choice.  I’ll explain why and recap the set visit after the jump.

If you were nervous that Marvel would somehow not be able to bring Thor into the same universe their previous movies occupy, don’t be.  I’m happy to report Thor is not only great, but it kicks open the door to so many other characters.  If audiences respond (which they should), over the next few years, look for many other larger than life characters on movie screens.

But let me back up a second.

A few days ago, on the Paramount lot, I was part of a very small group that got an early look at director Kenneth Branagh’s Thor.  Since my set visit, I’ve known Thor had a great story and it was extremely respectful to the way Jack Kirby and Walter Simonson brought the character to life.  What I was unsure about was the CGI.  Could I believe that Asgard was real?  When Thor throws Mjolnir in battle, would it do the damage I’ve always imagined?  Could Marvel bring Thor into the same universe as Tony Stark and make it work?  Would the movie explain Bifrost, Heimdall and the Rainbow Bridge to average movie goers and make them believe it wasn’t science fiction?  I had so many questions going in, but I’m so happy to say that while I do have some nitpicks with the movie, overall I walked out of the theater extremely happy.  Continued after the jump.

Peter Jackson has posted his first video blog from the set of The Hobbit and if you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, you’re about to be very happy.  Included in the ten minute blog are the soundstages (including Bag End, Rivendell, and another set you might know…) the costume department, and you can watch as Jackson blocks a scene with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and a huge number of Dwarfs.  In addition to everything I’ve already mentioned, just hearing Jackson talk about being back in Middle Earth and hearing the music made me so happy.  As many of you might know, the Lord of the Rings movies are some of my favorite films of all time.  The fact that we’re getting two Hobbit movies and it’s the same team of people behind the scenes, I cannot fully express how excited I am to see these films.  If you’re a LOTR fan, you really want to hit the jump.

Earlier this morning in the Coliseum at CinemaCon, DreamWorks Co-Chairman and CEO Stacey Snider took the stage and introduced the filmmakers and some of the cast from their 2011 slate of films and they also showed footage (or behind the scenes footage) from four films.  In attendance for The Help was Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Chris Columbus and director Tate Taylor, for Real Steel they had director Shawn Levy and Hugh Jackman, for Fright Night they had Colin Farrell and director Craig Gillespie, and for War Horse they had a video introduction from director Steven Spielberg.

Shortly after the presentation ended, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film to talk about our reaction to the footage and to recap the event.  I’ve also written my thoughts in case you don’t have time to watch the video.  Hit the jump for more:

On Monday night at CinemaCon (formerly ShoWest), Paramount, DreamWorks and Marvel world premiered a lot of footage from their 2011 slate to attendees.  Thankfully, I was in the Coliseum theater so I got to watch 20 minutes from Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, almost 20 minutes from Joe Johnston’s Captain America: The First Avenger, 22 minutes from J.J. Abrams Super 8, a number of scenes from Kung Fu Panda 2, and 15 minutes from Puss in Boots.  While all of the footage looked great, the footage from Thor and Captain America made me wish both movies were coming out next week.  Trust me, all you haters that have been writing Thor doesn’t look good, you’re all going to eat some humble pie once you see the movie.  Also, while I’m not one of those folks who thinks Super 8 is the greatest gift to cinema in 2011, I will admit the footage looked very impressive and I think it could be this generations Stand By Me.  I’m excited to see the finished film.

Anyway, while we’ve been asked not to reveal anything specific from what we saw tonight, I recorded a video blog with Peter from /Film and Alex from FirstShowing and we recapped what we got to see and our thoughts on all the footage.  Hit the jump to check it out, and look for a lot more from CinemaCon tomorrow.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is sitting at a huge dining room table in a equally huge room.  The table is in the center, and there is tons of space on every side.  The walls are opulent.  Guards are in the back of the room. Sitting across from Sparrow is King George II (Richard Griffiths) and nearby is Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) – who is now a privateer.   Even though Jack Sparrow has been captured, you can’t help but think this is exactly where he wants to be as he’s heard the King has the map to the Fountain of Youth.  After some back and forth discussions, Sparrow is going to end up with the map, and his escape plan will be put into action.

Let me back up a second.

A few months ago, I got to visit the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides while the production was filming at Pinewood Studios outside London.  While on set I got to see the many stages that were built for the movie, interview most of the cast, and speak with producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Terry Rossio.  As a big fan of the Pirates movies, I have to say it was incredibly cool to see the huge production up close.  Also, while I was unsure if a 4th film was necessary as I was let down by the 3rd, everything I learned on set tells me that the filmmakers understood the problems of the 2nd and 3rd films and this new chapter will capture the magic of the first.  I left London excited by what I saw and I’m truly looking forward to May 20, which is the release date of On Stranger Tides.  For more on the set visit (which includes an epic two part video blog), hit the jump:

In October of 2009, I was invited to visit the set of Jonathan Liebesman’s Battle: Los Angeles while the production was filming in Shreveport, Louisiana.  At the time, I didn’t know much beyond the basics (aliens attack and the Marine’s have to kick ass), but with sci-fi being my favorite genre, I knew that I wanted to see the production up close.

While my set visit illuminated what the film was going to be about and how Liebesman planned to shoot most of the film with handheld cameras, by now most of you already know the basics as the awesome Battle: Los Angeles trailers have been very popular with our readers.  However, for the few that haven’t seen them, Battle: L.A. gets released March 11, and it stars Aaron Eckhart, Bridget Moynahan, Michael Pena, Ne-Yo, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ramon Rodriguez and many others.

Even though there are a number of “aliens attacking” movies on the horizon, I really believe Battle: Los Angeles is going to be very cool and most of it stems from being on set and seeing firsthand what the production was trying to accomplish.  More after the jump:

Opening on April 1 is Summit Entertainment’s awesome looking sci-fi thriller Source Code.  Directed by Duncan Jones (who previously made the incredible Moon), the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright.   If you aren’t familiar with the film, Gyllenhaal stars as a soldier who wakes up in the body of a stranger on a Chicago commuter train: “he learns he’s part of a government experiment called the ‘Source Code,’ a program that enables him to cross over into another man’s identity in the last 8 minutes of his life.”

Anyway, I recently got to visit Duncan Jones in the edit bay with Peter from /film and Alex from First Showing.  While there Jones showed us the first 10 minutes of the film and then we conducted an in depth interview which covered how he got involved in the project, what drew him to this material as his follow up to Moon, how tough is it to promote a movie when the mystery of what’s happening is critical to the story, how he shot on both 35mm and digital and why, the editing process, filming the action, and so much more.  Hit the jump to read or listen to the interview, and I’ve also recorded a video blog with Peter about our reaction to the footage and the edit bay visit:

Back in March, when Marvel’s Thor was still being filmed, before we knew what the costumes looked like and what the story would be about, Paramount invited me to visit the set with a few other online journalists.  Needless to say, I said yes.

While I’ve visited the set of a few other Marvel movies (Iron Man and Iron Man 2), this experience was quite different.  That’s because on the set of both Iron Man movies, the filmmakers were very guarded about revealing too much of the story and they played everything very close to the vest.  But on the set of Thor, Kevin Feige (The President of Marvel) was willing to talk about everything and he even took us on a tour of the art department which showcased the costumes and sets of director Kenneth Branagh’s movie.  While I walked in wondering how Thor could exist in the same universe as Iron Man and Captain America, I left convinced they had figured out how to make everything work.  Much more after the jump: