John Goodman Joins Clint Eastwood in the Baseball Drama TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

The cast for the baseball drama Trouble with the Curve is shaping up to be quite impressive. Clint Eastwood first signed on to the pic to play a baseball scout going blind who decides to take his daughter on one last scouting trip. Amy Adams quickly joined the cast as Eastwood’s daughter, and recently Justin Timberlake—furthering his increasingly impressive film resume—signed on to play a former pitcher and current scout who takes a liking to Adams.  Now Variety reports that John Goodman has signed on to play “an old-school scout and longtime friend of Eastwood’s character who still believes in the man’s ability to spot talent.” Goodman makes a fantastic addition, and I’m becoming more and more interested in this project with each casting announcement.

Eastwood’s longtime producing partner Robert Lorenz is making his directorial debut with the drama, which was written by Randy Brown. Goodman recently wrapped two highly anticipated projects—Robert Zemeckis’ return to live-action Flight with Denzel Washington, and Ben Affleck’s next directorial effort Argo. He’s also set to soon reteam with Joel and Ethan Coen on the folk music pic Inside Llewyn Davis which also stars Timberlake.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone Confirmed to Team Up for THE TOMB; Mikael Hafstrom Will Direct

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

For those who like their action pics packed with extra brawn, The Tomb is shaping up to be your kind of flick. The long-in-development actioner has seen Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger circle the lead role over the years, with Stallone finally signing on last October. We recently heard that Stallone was talking with his pal Schwarzenegger about joining the film in a different role, and today that news has been confirmed as both Stallone and Schwarzenegger are set to star. Stallone plays Ray Breslin, the world’s foremost authority on structural security. Breslin is framed and incarcerated in a prison of his own master design, and must now figure out how to break out (shouldn’t be too difficult if he designed the damn building). Hit the jump for more, including details on Schwarzenegger’s character.

SXSW Midnighters Line-Up Announced; Includes V/H/S, JOHN DIES AT THE END, and IRON SKY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 12:35 pm

SXSW has announced their “Midnighters” line-up for this year’s film festival.  The section includes Sundance premieres V/H/S (my review) and Don Coscarelli’s John Dies at the End, plus other exciting entries like Austin Chick’s Girls Against Boys, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Intruders, Paco Plaza’s [REC] ³ GENESIS, and Timo Vuorensola’s Iron Sky.

Hit the jump for the full Midnighters line-up.  The 2012 SXSW Film Festival runs from March 9 – 17th.

Casting Call: Tom Felton Joins Elizabeth Olsen in THERESE RAQUIN; Jaimie Alexander Lands Female Lead in Thriller INTERSECTION

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 11:55 am

We’ve got a couple of casting stories to share with you today. First up, Harry Potter star Tom Felton set to join the cast of Therese Raquin. Based on the 19th century novel and play by Emile Zola, the dark thriller revolves around young Therese (Elizabeth Olsen) in 1867 Paris, whose aunt, Madame Raquin (Glenn Close), is forcing her into an arranged marriage with her rich, but sickly, first cousin. As Therese soon becomes obsessed with Laurent, a friend of her husband, a devastating affair ensues with a very heavy price. Deadline reports that Felton is in talks to play Therese’s sickly cousin whom she marries. Theater director Charlie Stratton is set to helm, and the dramatic role is a nice get for Felton. It’s a wise decision, as the “sickly cousin” plays against the nefarious type that Felton is surely wary of being typecast as.

Additionally, Thor star Jaimie Alexander has landed the female lead in the thriller Intersection. Variety reports that Alexander will play a woman who plots to murder her husband with the help of her lover. “Things go awry when the lover and husband are involved in a car accident on a remote desert road.”  Frank Grillo (The Grey) stars as the husband, and production begins next month. Alexander recently wrapped The Last Stand with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hit the jump to read synopsis for Therese Raquin.

Beware of Moon Nazis: Official Trailer for IRON SKY

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 11:21 am

Iron Sky has one of those nutty premises I absolutely love.  The story is that Nazis landed on the moon 70 years ago and have been biding their time to launch an invasion.  They decide they’ve been waiting long enough, take to their fleet of flying saucers, and begin a full scale attack of Earth.  Not wacky enough? There’s also a Sarah Palin parody as the U.S. President, and the film takes place six years from now.  Also, the movie co-stars Udo Kier.  But in the end: moon Nazis.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer along with a press release about the film’s upcoming premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.  Iron Sky is set to hit theaters on April 4th.

Acquisition News: IFC Films Lands THE SHINING Documentary ROOM 237; Magnolia Pictures Acquires Rob Reiner’s THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 11:02 am

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival just ended and the Berlin Film Festival is about to get underway, so don’t expect the acquisition stories to slow down. As such, we’ve got two fresh acquisitions to share with you today. First up, IFC Films has picked up the Sundance documentary Room 237. The film examines the numerous theories surrounding the “real meaning” of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. The doc was a big hit at the fest (you can read Matt’s review here), but many questioned the logistics of releasing it theatrically due to the fact that it’s comprised of footage from The Shining, which could possibly lead to legal entanglements. IFC’s acquisition is great news and I’m glad to see that us common folk will get a chance to check out the flick sometime soon.

Deadline reports that the film may screen in the New Directors/New Film series in New York, and it’s a likely bet for the Cannes Film Festival. IFC plans on releasing the pic domestically later this year through a day-and-date theatrical and VOD release. If you haven’t surmised from our previous acquisition stories, VOD is all the rage at the moment and is a likely staple in the future of film distribution. Hit the jump for acquisition news concerning Rob Reiner’s The Magic of Belle Isle.

Ridley Scott Confirms that Harrison Ford Isn’t in Talks for BLADE RUNNER Sequel

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 10:36 am

A couple days ago, Alcon Entertainment debunked the rumor that Harrison Ford might return for Ridley Scott’s sequel to Blade Runner.  Entertainment Weekly, not content to trust the people who are financing the movie, spoke to Scott to double-check that Ford wasn’t really in it.  Guess what: Ford isn’t in it.  Scott explains that they don’t even have a script, so he doesn’t know if there’s even a place for replicant detective Rick Deckard.  But Scott, exercising common sense, wouldn’t rule out the possibility of trying to bring Ford back if that’s what the script calls for.

The Blade Runner sequel is ways off, folks.  If you’re eager for a Ridley Scott sci-fi return, look forward to Prometheus.

Exclusive: Whit Stillman’s DAMSELS IN DISTRESS Poster Starring Greta Gerwig

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 10:26 am

Today, we’re proud to premiere the poster for Whit Stillman‘s Damsels in Distress.  The film centers on a group of women in college whose friendship is strained when they become romantically entangled with a series of men.  Damsels is Stillman’s first film since 1998′s The Last Days of Disco, and I’m bummed that a last-minute schedule change at the Toronto International Film Festival caused me to miss it.  Thankfully, Steve said it was great and the film is set to hit theaters this spring where I’ll be sure to catch it.

Hit the jump to check out the poster and here’s Steve’s exclusive interview with Stillman on the film.  The film stars Greta Gerwig, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, Analeigh Tipton, Hugo Becker, Ryan Metcalf, Billy Magnussen, and Adam Brody.  Damsels in Distress opens in limited release on April 6th.

Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum Talk THE VOW, Memorable First Dates, and More

by Heather Warburton    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 10:14 am

Poised for Valentine’s Day, the Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum love story The Vow opens this weekend. The pair play young newlyweds who are fiercely in love until a car accident leaves McAdams’ character with such severe memory loss that she cannot remember her husband. While her husband tries to make her fall in love with him all over again, she must decide if she wants her old life back.  Based off a true story, the film is absorbing and hits deeply on a variety of emotions. With an excellent supporting cast—Scott Speedman, Sam Neill, and in particular Jessica Lange, the film is an engaging and satisfying love story, and also one that deals with the intricacies of family dynamics. Also, McAdams has a way of injecting believability into all her roles, and she was great in this.

At the film’s press junket, I sat down with the charming duo where we discussed how they got involved in the project, if they met the real life couple, and their favorite dating stories. Hit the jump to watch.

First Trailer and Poster for THE BOURNE LEGACY Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, and Edward Norton

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 9:22 am

The first trailer and poster for The Bourne Legacy have gone online.  The central message of the trailer is this: Jeremy Renner can kick the shit out of people just as well as Matt Damon. It’s clearly the same Bourne flavor, and audiences will be happy to get another great actor beating up bad guys. The editing moves so fast that it’s tough to tell how much writer-director Tony Gilroy‘s style will differ from Paul Greengrass‘ (who directed Supremacy and Ultimatum), but I’m eager to see what Gilroy has in store.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer and poster.  The film also stars Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac, Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, and Scott Glenn.  The Bourne Legacy opens August 3rd.

Natalie Portman Joins Terrence Malick’s KNIGHT OF CUPS and LAWLESS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 9:07 am

Natalie Portman has set her first two films since giving birth to her son back in June, and both movies will be with Terrence Malick.  According to Deadline, Portman will co-star in Knight of Cups and Lawless, which are shooting back-to-back.  She joins Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett in starring in both movies (although as far as we know, the films don’t share a plot or characters).  Knights of Cups also stars Isabel Lucas, and Lawless‘ cast includes Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Haley Bennett.  Knight of Cups shoots this summer and then Lawless will follow in the fall.

Hit the jump for more.

Jason Statham to Star in Brian De Palma’s New Adaptation of William Goldman’s Novel HEAT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 8:44 am

Brian De Palma is set to direct Jason Statham in a new adaptation of William Goldman‘s novel/screenplay Heat.  The action-thriller will have Statham (his role originally played by Burt Reynolds) playing a recovering gambling addict who works protection gigs to pay the bills.  He refuses to use guns in dealing with foes and resorts to using his fists and edged weapons (Statham-y!).  When his friend is beaten by a high-roller, he helps her get revenge, which puts him in even more danger.  I bet he’ll decide to pick up a gun at some point.

Considering that Statham only plays one character (gritty tough guy), it will be interesting to see if De Palma can get a different performance out of him or if the actor will simply be a tool for an exciting action flick.  The last De Palma flick to hit theaters was 2007′s Redacted, but he’s currently at work on the thriller Passion starring Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace.  Statham will be seen later this year in Safe, The Expendables 2 and Parker.  Filming on Heat is set to begin in France in late 2012 or early 2013.  Hit the jump for the press release.

Disney Acquires SAVING MR. BANKS, a Black List Script on the Making of MARY POPPINS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 8:04 am

Disney has picked up Kelly Marcel‘s Black List script, Saving Mr. Banks.  The story centers on how Disney persuaded P.L. Travers sold the studio the rights to make Mary Poppins, and how Travers was dissatisfied with aspects of the film, especially since the story was deeply personal to her.  Per Deadline, “Mary Poppins was highly personal, and reflected hardships in her own life and her relationship with her father, who died when she was 7.”

The movie became one of the biggest hits in Disney’s history, but Travers hated the animated sequences, and she refused to sell any of her other works to Disney (somehow, Disney managed to survive).  Present-day Disney is already looking to make the film a star-studded affair, and according to Deadline, “There have been rumors of the script being considered by Tom Hanks (for Walt Disney) and Meryl Streep (for Travers).  I don’t know if I can buy Hanks as an anti-Semite.

MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS Blu-ray Review

by Seth Oyer    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 5:45 am

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when my 4-year old daughter and I “popped” in Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have kids now so I see a pretty full spectrum of movies for children.  Popper’s stars Jim Carrey, which could be a make-it-or-break-it for many decision makers.  I myself am a fan of Carrey, especially of older work like Fire Marshall Bill (In Living Color), Ace Ventura, and Me, Myself and Irene.

It is pretty well known that Carrey has tried his hand at several other types of roles like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Truman Show, The Number 23, etc.  Some people have different perspectives on how successful he has been at these but I mention it because I would say that Popper’s is a return to form for him.  My review of the Blu-ray after the jump:

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson Reunite for INTERNS; Shawn Levy Directing from a Script by Vaughn

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: February 7th, 2012 at 7:38 pm

Wedding Crashers buddies Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are set to reunite for Interns, with Shawn Levy (Real Steel) directing.  As a producer, Levy is currently in post-production on the Vaughn-led comedy Neighborhood Watch.  Levy was hoping to make Frankenstein next, but Vulture hears that he’ll have to cut the $80 million budget before Fox is willing to consider the project.  Vaughn is in a similar position since The Inane Laws is reportedly having trouble getting off the ground over at Universal.  (The rumor mill whispers that Vaughn is still demanding a Wedding Crashers-era paycheck in the wake of The Dilemma.)  The serendipity led Vaughn and Levy back to Fox to pitch Interns, a comedy that Vaughn wrote about fortysomething friends who get laid off: “Convinced they’ve gone about managing their careers entirely wrong, they resolve to become interns at a Google-like dotcom and start anew.”  Hijinks ensue when Vaughn and Wilson compete against “wily, fresh-faced 22-year-olds” to advance in the company.

Vaughn and Wilson have shown interest in re-teaming, but 2 Guns somehow transformed from a Vaughn/Wilson vehicle to an actioner starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington.  Interns sounds like a suitable replacement, with a fruitful premise for their style as a comedy duo.

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