June 2009 Archives

So, today I spent the best part of five hours brushing with the Tinseltown elite. It has been one of those days when being an online writer really pays off. In fact, I would say today is up there as one of the greatest days I have had as an online journalist for, well, let's say the last five years. Today, I, and a handful of other online journos and newspaper outlets, were given access to a screening of the Michael Mann film PUBLIC ENEMIES (in cinemas this week), as well as access to the critically acclaimed director of HEAT, ALI and MIAMI VICE and this film's star, a little known actor named Johnny Depp. Oh yes, it doesn't get any bigger than this.

The Telegraph newspaper in the UK are reporting that Michael Jackson's family are finalising plans for the late star's funeral.

Members of his family held a series of telephone conference calls with police and city planners over the arrangements.

With as many as 200,000 people predicted to converge on Los Angeles the city's police chief has set aside a special unit to co-ordinate plans.

The paper's website also published a series of suggestions as to what may happen.

Sources said the family wanted a private service for close friends and immediate family.

But such is the interest in Jackson and his untimely death that the service would be relayed via loudspeaker to crowds who are expected to line the streets.

One suggestion is that officials are also looking at beaming the service into sports arenas, such as the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles where thousands of fans could gather.

Click here for more.

The Sun newspaper have published images of Michael Jackson performing just 48 hours before his untimely death. The pics show Michael performing during the last dress rehearsal for his comeback shows at the O2 - the This Is It tour.

The newspaper reports:

"He was preparing for what would have been an absolutely incredible show." A source said.

"He was laughing and joking with his dancers. He seemed to have so much energy -- it's hard to believe that 48 hours later he was dead."

Click here for more and to see the images.

The family of Michael Jackson are said to have spent most of Sunday hammering out details for Michael Jackson, who died on Thursday of last week. The Sun reports:

They met in the LA compound Jacko bought them, discussing whether an intimate ceremony - with a public memorial - should go ahead.

Family lawyer Brian Oxman last night told Jackson's global legions of followers: "I can't imagine that the fans would be excluded."

More here.

The Sun newspaper in the UK have revealed shocking information relating to Michael Jackson's autopsy, and the state of the star at the time of his death. The British rag said:

Harrowing leaked autopsy details show the singer was a virtual skeleton -- barely eating and with only pills in his stomach at the time he died.

His hips, thighs and shoulders were riddled with needle wounds -- believed to be the result of injections of narcotic painkillers, given three times a day for years.

And a mass of surgery scars were thought to be the legacy of at least 13 cosmetic operations.

Experts found the distressing evidence of Jacko's physical decline while investigating his startling death in Los Angeles last week.

More here.

Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson walked the red carpet at last night's BET Awards in Los Angeles, and when asked by a CNN reporter about the people around Jackson during the last moments of his life, he said:

"I have a lot of concerns ... I don't like what happened."

Last night, Michael's hit Man In The Mirror returned to the top of the UK singles chart, while his 1980's album Thriller, the biggest selling album of all time, hit number one in the album chart.

At the BET Awards, comedian, singer and actor Jamie Foxx led tributes by showing off his version of the moonwalk.

Sources close to the family of the late pop icon Michael Jackson have said that the star may be buried at his former home, Neverland in Santa Barbara, California following his funeral. Jackson closed down the famous ranch in 2006 following allegations of child abuse.

But now, a source who was close to the 50-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: "Michael wanted Neverland to be his final resting place but wasn't sure the authorities would give permission. It would give fans a place to focus on and a place to visit.

"Neverland would become a place of pilgrimage. It would also leave his heirs a legacy which could be worth billions." They added.

TWILIGHT star Robert Pattinson has said that he was unsure about becoming an actor prior to getting the lead role in last year's massive teenage vampire flick.

"Before I got the role in Twilight, I didn't really know what I was doing. I didn't know if I did want to be an actor," he told the Daily Star.

"I hadn't got to university and I was just bumming around and not feeling particularly good at anything. At the time I was desperately thinking I would never reach or achieve my goals."

Pattinson has just finished up work on the sequel, NEW MOON.

The online press are reporting tha infomercial star Billy Mays has been found dead at the age of 50. Entertainment website Digital Spy reports:

Known as the 'king of infomercials' and cohost of The Discovery Channel's Pitchmen series, Mays was found unresponsive early Sunday in his home in Tampa, Florida.

The Discovery Channel released in a statement: "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams."

Our hearts and prayers go out to Billy's family.

Colin reviews the 1993 Bruce Willis actioner.

Already successful on TV, Bruce Willis became a legit movie star with 1988's Die Hard. However, within six years, he fell so far that he needed the comeback that 1994's Pulp Fiction brought to him. What happened in the interim? Too many high-profile disasters like Bonfire of the Vanities and Hudson Hawk and too many generic action flicks.

Into the latter category falls 1993's Striking Distance. In this one, Willis plays Tom Hardy, a Pittsburgh homicide detective who gets shunned by his peers when he testifies against his partner - and cousin - Detective Jimmy Detillo (Robert Pastorelli) in a police brutality case. He also ends up injured - and his cop father (John Mahoney) dead - after he tangles with a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "The Polish Hill Murderer". To cap it off, Detillo commits suicide rather than go to jail.

This weekend's box-office estimates are in and Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN grossed a massive $201 million in just five days, easily securing it the number one spot. The film is the second biggest film opening ever, behind last year's slightly better reviewed THE DARK KNIGHT.

THE PROPOSAL, which stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynold had another successful week dropping one place to number two in the countdown, as did THE HANGOVER, which clings on to the number three spot.

Here is the top ten in full, TRANSFORMERS listed with its weekend haul only (still a whopping $112 million.

1. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," $112,000,000

2. "The Proposal," $18,466,000

3.  "The Hangover," $17,215,000

4. "Up," $13,046,000

5. "My Sister's Keeper," $12,030,000

6. "Year One," $5,800,000

7. "The Talking of Pelham 1 2 3," $5,400,000

8. "Star Trek," $3,606,000

9. "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," $3,500,000

10. "Away We Go," $1,678,000

Michael Jackson's millions of fans are awaiting plans for the funeral set to eclipse everything that precedes it (even those of Elvis Presley and Princess Diana), but tonight vigils will be held around the world for the late King of Pop, who passed away on Thursday.

LA Late reports that two such vigils will be held in Detroit (the home of Motown):

Detroit Jackson fans will have two candlelight vigils on Sunday.

The first vigil is at 7:30 pm, Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit. The second vigil is at 8 pm at the Motown Museum, (aka Hitsville U.S.A.) on West Grand Blvd.

Late Friday in Los Angles, the L.A. Coroner's Office released Michael Jackson's body to his family. Reports on FOX News early Friday said that once the Jackson family has the body it can begin funeral preparations.

The family of Michael Jackson have released a statement, following the death of the global superstar last Thursday:

"In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.

We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you - who Michael loved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.

In addition, Joseph Jackson wishes to personally convey: "My grandchildren are deeply moved by all the love and support you have shown for them and their father, Michael Jackson."

Joseph Jackson & Family"

The other evening, Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie BRUNO premiered at the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Cohen was present and on form, straddling a glittering tank as he made his entrance...

Meanwhile, the film has received its first review at trade mag Variety:

Undeniably funny, outrageous and boundary-pushing, this further documentation of Sacha Baron Cohen's sheer nerve will draw an abundant share of "Borat" fans, gross-out seekers and the culturally curious, making for some potent B.O. figures, at least at first. But the content will turn off some (no doubt including some gays), as will the sourness and ill will triggered by the picture's cumulative misanthropy.

Click the link for more.

Just Jared have posted images from the set of HOW DO YOU KNOW? a new comedy that stars Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and one Owen Wilson.

The film was shooting in Washington D.C. yesterday (June 27). James L. Brooks directs.

The former Joker [Nicholson] will play the father to Paul's character. Last week, Jack was spotted filming outside La Tomate restaurant in D.C.

More images of Jack Reese Witherspoon on the set here.

Harry Potter star Emma Watson, who plays Hermoine Granger in the popular film series, has said that she does not know if she will return to acting after taking a break to go to university. The star will take a break from Hollywood after finishing the last movie in the series, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS.


"I need to go away and figure out what I want to do." Watson told Elle Magazine.

"I just want to take a step back and not rush into stuff. I need university to give me that break.

"Maybe I'll keep acting, maybe I won't." She added.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE arrives in cinemas on July 15th.

The LA Times are reporting that there is 'no smoking gun' found in a three hour interview with Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Dr Conrad Murray.

The newspaper's website reports:

Dr. Conrad Murray was "cooperative" in answering detectives' questions, said the source, who requested anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.  Police investigators have been focused on Jackson's use of prescription drugs.

Murray's attorney said that he answered "every and all questions" asked by police.

The BBC are reporting that Michael Jackson's family are asking for a second autopsy to be carried out on the late star, because they still have unanswered questions about his death. The BBC News website reports.

Veteran politician Rev Jesse Jackson, who has been counselling the family, said they were upset the official cause of death might not be known for weeks.

He said the family wanted answers from the star's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, who was with him when he died.

Coroners ruled out foul play after an initial autopsy on the 50-year-old.

But they gave no cause of death, saying the results of toxicology tests could take weeks to come back.

More here.

Michael Jackson's body has been released back to his family, after undergoing an autopsy in Los Angeles yesterday. There are no funeral plans as yet, but there are rumours that a massive public funeral will take place. Wales Online reports:

Michael Jackson was back with his family today after his body was released by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Coroner Investigator Jerry McKibben said the King of Pop's body was returned to his family last night.

No funeral plans have been announced.

More here.

The Los Angeles County Coroner has released a statement saying that there is no signs of foul play after they completed an autopsy on Michael Jackson's body on Friday afternoon. Website TMZ.com report:

The coroner said the cause of death was deferred because additional testing -- including toxicology and other tests -- is needed. It will take 4-6 weeks to complete.

There was no trauma to Michael's body and "no indication of foul play" -- but he said Michael had been taking "some prescription medications."

He said Michael was pronounced dead in the emergency room of UCLA. Jackson's body will be released after 6 PM.

Click here for more.

Dr Conrad Murray, who was Michael Jackson's personal doctor, and was with him at the time of his death, is to talk with Los Angeles police investigating the singer's death.

Sky News reports that Murray has now returned to LA.

According to the internet blog TMZ, Murray was living with Jackson to administer daily Demerol injections into his body. The website claimed that the 50-year-old could have been given "too much" of the synthetic narcotic, which is similar to morphine, on Thursday.

Jackson died of a fatal heart attack yesterday afternoon.

The first trailer for Ricky Gervais' new movie has debuted over at Yahoo! Movies.

THE INVENTION OF LYING takes place in an alternate reality in which lying - even the concept of a lie - does not even exist. Everyone from politicians to advertisers, to the man and woman on the street speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark (Ricky Gervais) suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark easily lies his way to fame and fortune. But lies have a way of spreading, and Mark begins to realise that things are getting a little out of control when some of his tallest tales are being taken as, well, gospel. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves.

Watch the trailer here.

The trailer for DAYBREAKERS, which stars Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe has debuted online.

Two-time Academy Award nominee® Ethan Hawke plays Edward Dalton, a researcher in the year 2019, in which an unknown plague has transformed the world's population into vampires. As the human population nears extinction, vampires must capture and farm every remaining human, or find a blood substitute before time runs out.  However, a covert group of vampires makes a remarkable discovery, one which has the power to save the human race.

Watch the trailer below.

Hollywood is in mourning today at the news of Michael Jackson's premature passing yesterday. Some of Tinseltown's elite who worked with MJ over the years have released their own tributes to the King Of Pop.

"Michael Jackson was extraordinary," Martin Scorsese said. "When we worked together on 'Bad,' I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other.

"Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and - it really goes without saying - a true artist. It will be awhile before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us."

"Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson," Steven Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly. "His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend."

Back in the 1990's, Hollywood came out to appear in the music video for Jackson's superb Liberian Girl. John Travolta, Olivia Newton John, Lou Diamond Phillips, Debbie Gibson and Dan Ackroyd all appear in the promo. Watch it below.

Jokes relating to Michael Jackson have been taken out of Sacha Baron Cohen's upcoming BRUNO film. The film had its Los Angeles premiere last night.

SlashFilm.com reveal what has been removed:

The basic content is that Bruno is interviewing LaToya, and one of the topics that comes up is her brother Micheal. The topics are what you'd expect: his voice, his glove. He also scans through her BlackBerry to find Michael's number, which he then reads aloud. (It's likely not his actual number, which should go without saying.) LaToya, furious, storms out of the 'interview'.

So yesterday Universal had a few pow-wows and decided to cut the scene, which had been included in press screenings, for the premiere "out of sensitivity to the Jackson family." Director Larry Charles said later last night "We decided to take it out for tonight and we'll reassess before the release whether to keep it out."

The word is that now the cuts will be permanent. Hit the link for more.

Internet entertainment blog TMZ.com has posted the 911 call made as Michael Jackson as 12.21pm local time yesterday.

TMZ has just received a tape of the Michael Jackson 911 call made yesterday at 12:21 PM from Michael's house in Holmby Hills, Ca.

The person who makes the call says Jackson was not breathing and unconscious. Jackson was not responding to CPR. The caller says the doctor on scene -- Dr. Conrad Murray -- was the only witness -- "The doctor has been the only one here."

Click here to read the rest and hear the recording released by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

I was shocked by the news of Michael Jackson's passing yesterday. They say that everyone will remember exactly where they were when they heard of the King Of Pop's passing. I was stuck on a tube for near on two hours last night, and only heard of the news via email after I emerged at the tube stop nearest my house.

Michael Jackson died from a heart attack, aged just fifty. He was due to play a huge 50 gig residency at London's O2 arena next month... Today tributes poured in...

"My brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson passed away on Thursday June 25th, 2009 at 2.26pm. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home.

"Our family requests that the media please respects our privacy at this tough time.

"And may Allah be with you Michael, always. Love you." Jermaine Jackson.

"I can't stop crying over the sad news. I've always admired Michael Jackson - the world has lost one of its greats, but his music will live on forever.

"My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless." Madonna.

"I'm just devastated, very, very sad. I pray that his soul is up there now. I'm still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us.

"Michael was in good shape because he was practising, he was training, he was rehearsing for the shows. Michael was careful with what he ate, he was just fine. Last time I heard of what he was doing, he was in great shape. And this is why I'm so absolutely shocked by this news." Uri Geller, friend.

"I'm absolutely devastated at this news. I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we could do through the 80s.

"To this day that music is played in every corner of the world, and the reason is because he had it all - talent, grace and professionalism. I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him." Quincy Jones, producer.

"I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure." John Landis, director of the Thriller music video.

"He was one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry.

"Our hearts go out to the Jackson family, Michael's children and to his fans worldwide." Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing.

"He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him, and the time we spent together.

"My heart goes out to his family and loved ones." Justin Timberlake.

All of us at The Hollywood News send our best wishes to his family and close friends. He will be missed.

News just in, the trailer for Richard Kelly's new movie THE BOX has just debuted over at Moviefone.

Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella star in the flick, which is due in theaters on October 30th.

The film follows the story of a couple who receive a mysterious box that grants them one million dollars, but with one catch: once they open the box, a person who they do not know will die.

Check it out right here.

Britney Spears is apparently to star in a new movie, according to reports, one st during World War II. Let's hope it's as good as CROSSROADS.

Spears is said to be up for the part of Sophia LaMont in THE YELLOW STAR OF SOPHIA ETON, so says OnTheFlix.com.

The story would revolve around her character building a time machine to travel back to the 1940s, where she falls in love with a Jewish man named Eton in a concentration camp and attempts to bring him back to the present day.

The news is yet to be confirmed by the Spears camp, but we'll keep you informed.

A look at the Direct To BD flick...

We get a modern take on Hitchcock-style drama with 2009's Night Train. In this thriller, we land on a train headed on an overnight trip. When conductor Miles (Danny Glover) checks for tickets, he discovers a dead passenger.

And not just any dead passenger. This one possesses a box that contains valuables worth millions. Insurance salesman Peter Dobbs (Steve Zahn) wants to keep the jewels and split them with Miles and med school student Chloe White (Leelee Sobieski), the only other passenger in the cabin.

Simon Pegg has updated his very own website with a bunch of black-and-white images from the set of his next film, the Greg Mottola helmed PAUL, in which he stars opposite his old SPACED and SHAUN OF THE DEAD mate Nick Frost.

Click here to go and have a look at the set.

In related news, the official production blog for the film has also been put up online, but at the time of writing, I couldn't access the thing. See if you have more luck at WhatIsPaul.com.

Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig and Joe Lo Truglio also star in the film.

Whilst browsing the www today we came across these two, as yet unseen posters for two very different movies. There's a pretty crappy poster for Martin Scorsese's next Leonardo DiCaprio starrer SHUTTER ISLAND, and one for Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND. These appeared over at Film1 from the Cinema Expo over in Amersterdam. Click through for a ton more.

Adam Mast reviews 500 DAYS OF SUMMER.

I'm currently working on an independent film. I'm serving as co-producer on a project called 13 Miles East Nowhere, and it's my first foray into actual feature movie making. I've dabbled in short films and have a few un-produced screenplays to my credit, but I'd never attempted to take that next big step until now. For years, I've been writing about movies. Not because I fancy myself a critic, but because I love film with every fiber of my body. Being on the other side has been an exhilarating experience to be sure. As anyone will tell you, writing about film and working on a film are two entirely different beasts. I only bring this fact up because the wonderful new film 500 Days of Summer is inspiring no matter which side of the professional spectrum you're on. As a fan of movies, it's the kind of flick you always hope to see. As a film maker, it's the kind of movie you hope to make.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON helmer David Fincher may have found his next project, a film abour... Facebook.

Fincher is looking to direct THE SOCIAL NETWORK, a flick that Variety says will focus on the evolution of Facebook from its 2004 creation on the Harvard campus by sophomore Mark Zuckerberg to a juggernaut with more than 200 million members.

Scott Rudin and Michael De Luca and Trigger Street are producing for Columbia Pictures.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Daniel Craig is looking at a new flick called DREAM HOUSE, a psychological thriller set up at Morgan Creek, which is to be directed by Jim Sheridan.

In the David Loucka script, Craig would play a man who moves his family to an idyllic small town, only to find his house haunted by its former inhabitants, who were murdered there.

The 82nd Academy Awards, which will take place next March will have ten, count 'em, TEN nominees in the Best Picture category, rather than the traditional six.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences released the big news today via press release, which you can view after the jump.

The word over at the IESB is that Fox have hired a writer to pen a sequel to HITMAN. The news surprises me as the first film sucked!!! Then again, the first film did make over $100 million at the box-office.

HITMAN, based on the video game, was directed by Xavier Gens and stars Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, Robert Knepper, Ulrich Thomsen and Michael Offei.

Adrian Askarieh, Daniel Alter and Chuck Gordon will return as producers.

We are hearing news that Michael BOOM BOOM Bay's TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN made around $16 million at midnight screenings on Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning, making it the third biggest midnight opener behind last year's THE DARK KNIGHT ($18 million) and STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH ($16.5 million).

Is the flick on its way to be the biggest movie of 2009? We'll let you know Monday!!!

The folks over at ComingSoon.net have landed 79 images from the set of Ridley Scott's ROBIN HOOD, which is now shooting.

The film, which arrives in theaters on May 14, 2010,  stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Vanessa Redgrave, Mark Strong, Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand, Alan Doyle, Oscar Isaacs, Lea Seydoux and William Hurt.

Hit this link to see the rest of the pics.

Courtesy of the folks at Warner Brothers and Vertigo Films, we have a brand new teaser trailer for Nick Love's new film THE FIRM.

Loosely adapted from Alan Clarke's 1989 classic TV film, Nick Love's film is set earlier in the 80's and retells a similar story to the original - but from a different character's point of view. The film centers on Dom, a young wannabe football casual, who get drawn into the charismatic but dangerous world of the firm's top boy, Bex.

Accepted for the fast mouth and sense of humour, Dom soon becomes one of the boys. But as Bex and his gang clash with rival firms across the country and the violence spirals out of control, Dom realises he wants out - until he learns it's not that easy to simply walk away.

Humorous, heart-warming and set to a killer jazz funk 80's soundtrack, The Firm is a classic coming-of-age story set amongst one of England's most revered tribes.

Check out the new trailer below. Film opens September 25th in the UK.

Find more videos like this on My Hollywood News

Colin Jacobson looks at the 1980's classic...

When Big hit the screens in 1988, it looked like it'd offer nothing more than another rip-off of 1976's Freaky Friday. I assumed that like fellow releases 18 Again and Vice Versa, Big would be a cheap, tacky comedy without any substance.

To my shock, Big offered a wonderful experience that lifted it well above the level of cheesy kiddie fare. Big introduces us to Josh Baskin (David Moscow), a 12-year-old who feels anxious to become an adult. At a carnival, Josh consults a cheap fortune teller machine and wishes that he could be "big".

The folks over at the extremely reliable Latino Review are reporting that ARMORED and VACANCY helmer Nimrod Antal is to direct the Robert Rodriguez produced PREDATORS.

Don't know how far the negotiations have gone but I fully expect Harry Knowles to ask Robert Rodriguez if there is any truth to my story.

That being said, keep in mind when I said the same thing about Jackie Earle Haley being Freddy, the producer denied my story until it ultimately ended up true.

More here.

The teaser trailer for director M. Night Shyamalan's THE LAST AIRBENDER is online. The film stars Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Dev Patel, Jessica Jade Andres, Aasif Mandvi, Shaun Toub, Cliff Curtis and Keong Sim.

Watch it here!


Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film is set in a world where human civilization is divided into four nations: Water, Earth, Air and Fire.

The Fire Nation is waging a ruthless, oppressive war against the other three nations. The film's hero, the reluctant young Aang (Noah Ringer), is the "Last Airbender" -- the Avatar who, according to prophecy, has the ability to manipulate all of the elements and bring all the nations together. Aided by a protective teenage Waterbender named Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her bull-headed brother Sokka, Aang proceeds on a perilous journey to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Jackson Rathbone plays Katara's brother Sokka, and Dev Patel plays Prince Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation. Mandvi is set to play the role of Commander Zhao, an ambitious and hot-tempered Fire Nation commander. Toub is cast as Uncle Iroh, the retired Fire Nation general and devoted surrogate parent to Dev Patel's character Zuko. Curtis is set to play the ruthless ruler Fire Lord Ozai. Keong Sim has been cast in the role of Earthbending Father.

Word is that Luc Besson and his EuroCorp company are looking to make a sequel to last yera's huge hit movie TAKEN. The reason, well I can think of a couple, or 145 million as that's how much the thing grabbed in hard earned dollars at the box-office. No details are available as yet, but Variety reports that Besson is officially developing the film as we speak.

We'll bring you more news as and when.

Universal Pictures have acquired the rights to the Larry Doyle novel GO MUTANTS.

The book is a teen comedy/adventure set in a high school where all of the tropes from classic 1950s alien invasion movies came true. Years later, the children of those mutant creatures have assimilated among the other kids.

Doyle will finish the novel this summer and work on the script at the same time. The book will be published by HarperCollins next summer.

Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer will produce.

After nearly ten years of being out there, John Grisham's 1999 novel THE TESTAMENT will be developed for the big-screen.

Mark Johnson and Hunt Lowry are teaming with 821 Entertainment Group to option the book, so reports Variety.

In the novel, a billionaire defies his greedy relatives and leaves his $11 billion fortune to a mysterious illegitimate daughter doing charity work in the Brazilian wetlands. A down-and-out lawyer helps her battle her relatives over the fortune.

Variety is reporting that Adam Sandler, Cher, Jon Favreau, Sylvester Stallone and Judd Apatow will provide voices for the animals in MGM's live-action comedy THE ZOOKEEPER, which stars Kevin James and Rosario Dawson.

The trade reports that Sandler will voice a capuchin monkey. Cher's voicing a giraffe, Favreau a bear, Stallone a lion and Apatow an elephant.

The film centers on zoo animals trying to teach the keeper their methods of dating and mating to help him win back the woman of his dreams. Frank Coraci is directing from a screenplay by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, James, Rock Reuben and Nick Bakay.Shooting's set to start in late summer for an Oct. 8, 2010, release.

Cher is joining the already cast Christina Aguilera in BURLESQUE, so reports Variety.

Steven Antin will direct from a script he wrote that was revised by Susannah Grant.

Aguilera will play an ambitious small-town Iowa girl with a big voice who comes of age in a neo-burlesque club on Sunset Boulevard that's run by Tess (Cher), a former dancer who struggles to keep the club open and gives the young girl a chance to shine.

Cher will sing onscreen. While her voice has been heard in many films, "Burlesque" will mark the first time she'll be seen singing in a film she stars in. Cher last starred in "Tea With Mussolini" in 1999.

Donald De Line will produce. Production begins in November.

Check this out. The one-sheet international poster for DORIAN GRAY, the Ben Barnes starrer, Oliver Parker directed flick heading your way later this year.

The film revolves around a corrupt young man who somehow keeps his youthful beauty eternally, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all. The film opens September 18th in the UK.

Here's the poster.

Sacha Baron Cohen's new film, the highly anticipated BRUNO has premiered in Berlin, where the actor turned out to promote it - nude suit and all. This from The Telegraph in the UK.

Baron Cohen did a mockingly provocative dance in front of the Brandemburg Gate, one of the main symbols of Berlin and Germany. Entitled "United Colours of Brunotton" the stunt included a team of young dancers from different ethnic backgrounds. All were dressed in similarly outlandish bodysuits accessorised with genitalia.

More here.

Here's a bit of non-news for you. Pretty crappy non-news too. It seems that Megan Fox will NEVER go nude for a movie. Nope. Check this:

The TRANSFORMERS actress told Parade that she appreciated being called a sex symbol but felt that she was "undeserving" of the label.

Fox said: "I get really embarrassed and I don't know how to handle it. It's like I'm in my underwear every other week in a magazine, so it's not like I'm trying to hide it.

"There's nothing wrong with being sexy or being sexual or being a woman. I'm not afraid of that. I just don't necessarily like to talk about myself that way."

She added: "I haven't even thought about doing nudity in films, but I'm gonna say that I'm leaning towards 'no', as of right now.

"I can't speak for the future. People change. It can be beautiful. And it can have a great impact. And it can win you an Oscar. I mean, not the nudity itself, but the role."

A new trailer for Quenin Tarantino's new film, the highly anticipated INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS has been posted online.

Opening August 21st, the film begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.

Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own...

Check out the trailer below.

Visual effects guru Charles Gibson is to make his directorial debut with the family comedy THE GOBLIN, according to Variety.

The story revolves around a suburban family that moves into its new home only to find a curmudgeonly goblin who doesn't want them there.

Gibson won visual-effects Oscars for Babe and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. He performed visual effects and second unit directing on the "Pirates" franchise and Terminator Salvation.

Take a look at this superb artwork from the upcoming Tim Burton version of the classic Lewis Carroll story ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Here, we can see, for the very first time, Matt Lucas (the Brit comedian, and co-creator of LITTLE BRITAIN) as Tweedledee and Tweedledum. You can check out more images, including one of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, over at SlashFilm. Hit the link to go see.

Here's an interview with John Salcedo, who is the winner of the Reel Show May Film Competition, which we proudly sponsor. John won the contest with his film BRAIN STORM, a short documentary exploring the application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) dealing specifically with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on injured soldiers deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan.

In a word, it's amazing, and is generating some great buzz online. See it here.

Paul: Hi John, tell me a little bit about your background.   

John: Sure, I was stationed on Johnston Atoll during my U.S. Army enlistment from 1997-1999, followed by federal employment with the U.S. Army Technical Escort Unit 2000-2001, then began a consulting career for the U.S. military in Doha, Qatar from 2001-2003.   After military life, I returned to college, graduated with an A.S. Degree in Small Business Mgmt and Entrepreneurialism from Rio Hondo College; and most recently I returned to Los Angeles City College for the Film Director Certificate program.  However, my G.I. Bill benefits expired - so I'm a "free-agent."  

What got you into filmmaking?  

I'd like to consider filmmaking as a continuation of my Public Service career - To broadcast "the voice" of the unsung hero.  This subject is near and dear to my heart as an advocate for veterans.  I can probably summarize this in one of my quotes: "The Things That I Hear - Is NOT The World That I See."

Where did you get the idea for the film?  

I learned about Dr. Harch's HBOT TBI/PTSD pilot study for veterans and wanted to spread the word for the remaining six slots to complete the study.   

How did it all come about?

There was nothing fancy about this film; it was all achieved by simplicity.

Tell me about pre-production and prep for the thing?  

The pre-production was simple; the real question should be about post-production.  The entire production was accomplished with a $ 1,500 budget - $1,000 went towards air travel, food, and lodging.  Like I said, there was nothing fancy about this production.

What did you shoot the film on? 

MiniDV
 
How long was your shoot? 

2 days

Where did you shoot the film? 

New Orleans, Louisiana. Whittier, California.
 
I'm interested in how the editing process went as you edited the film as well as everything else?  

Good question - It's true what Directors say about the editing - editing is what "makes" the film. The original assignment was a 3-6 minute creative cinema piece.  So, after the New Orleans trip I was faced with the decision of cutting 95% percent of Dr. Harch's & Mrs. Hecker's interview or to keep the footage-- but sacrifice my semester grade for an F.  I decided to keep the footage and fail the class, but was given some last minute advice by Jason E. Chang, Edit Lab Supervisor - the advice was to do a movie trailer.  Thank you, Jason!  The final semester grade was a "B." 

How did you find that? 

The editing portion was frustrating at times due to limited school hardware and software capabilities.  By the way the edit lab computers do not have internet access!  I outgrew the school system rather quickly and lab hours were a challenge.  I'll be especially grateful when I have my own advanced editing hardware and software capabilities.
 
What did you edit the film on? 

iMovie6 - try no to laugh.  Hey, you laughed!
 
I understand that there has been huge interest in this since it was put online. Tell me about what's been happening. 

Since the release of the film - here are some of the events that have transpired:

    * A medical journal published Dr. Harch's HBOT TBI/PTSD research - here's the link:   http://casesjournal.com/casesjournal/article/view/6538
    * Dr. Harch was recently asked to write a short article for the Louisiana V.A. statewide newsletter.
    * Dr. Harch his research team is pushing for a Bill in Washington D.C. that will have Tricare pay for treatment of TBI (and HBOT).
    * Dept of Defense announced they have three HBOT trials underway - Dr. Harch is not of them.
    * Mr. Hecker has returned to work with his U.S. Army unit.  Mr. & Mrs. Hecker have returned to New York -   According to Mrs. Hecker, Tim has more energy and motivated to do more with a positive outlook in life.  "He's a new person and it's put a new enjoyment in his life.  If it wasn't for Dr. Harch - We'd surely divorced by now."
    * I was recently interviewed by Marty Callaghan featuring the documentary on a veteran's online-magazine through the American Legion. http://www.legion.org/onlineupdate/2735/brainstorm-explores-treatment-tbi-ptsd

 How are you finding things since winning the Reelshow competition?

Despite the success on the Reelshow - the mission is not complete.  The main objective is to treat six more veterans to complete Dr. Harch's pilot study.  My hopes are that this media release addresses the issue to the appropriate audience.  Dr. Harch deserves credit for his 20+ years of HBOT TBI research, but more importantly injured vets deserve this painless treatment.  Dr. Harch is currently approved for 30 patients, but only has funding for 20.  However, funding may be obtained to treat patients 21-30.  The more patients recruited, the more powerful the statistics, and imaging.  If you know a veteran involved in an IED blast during the recent Iraq or Afghan conflict - please contact Dr. Harch immediately at www.HBOT.com
 
What's your ambition? 

My ambitions are ambitious but not for the sake of being "rich and famous."  I'd like to own several square miles of coastal ranch for a military transition camp to help veterans rehabilitate into civilian life.   It's more like a "decompression camp." A place for vets to decompress and re-build a balanced life that is supported by five pillars: 

1. Higher education

2. Health & Wellness

3. Internships

4. Networking

5. Community Service

What aspect of the industry do you aspire to be involved in?

My sights are on Producing & Directing military themed productions supported by the Department of Defense's Film Liaison Office.  To produce stories that portray military life in an accurate and positive light that may help U.S. military with recruitment and retention.

What's next for you? 

I would like to seek investors to fund a sequel to original documentary.  To further document Dr. Harch's HBOT medical discoveries, the legislation of HBOT, the impact to the families of rehabilitated soldiers, and to study the economic benefits related to wounded soldiers returning to college or civilian jobs.

What are you working on at the moment?

Just completed ACT One of a feature screenplay - details are TOP SECRET, sorry. 

Adam Mast reviews the Kathryn Bigalow flick...

Studio embargo often prohibits writers from discussing movies they see at functions like ShoWest. Usually, its because we're being permitted to see these pictures far in advance of their respective release dates. While The Hurt Locker doesn't open until late June, I'm going to talk about it anyway. Partly because I've seen it reviewed on several other sites, but mostly because I think it's an amazing film. In fact, don't be surprised if you see this baby on my best of 2009 list.

Take a look at the first erm look at Morgan Freeman, in character, as Nelson Mandela in director Clint Eastwood's INVICTUS (aka THE HUMAN FACTOR). The South Africa based rugby cum apartheid drama also stars Matt Damon and hits cinemas on December 11th.

Photo source: Email Jokes.

A top New York forensic expert is to perform an autopsy on the late KILL BILL actor David Carradine, according to reports. The New York Daily News says that pathologist Michael Baden is on his way to California to perform a private autopsy on the body Carradine, who was found hanging in a wardrobe in a Thai hotel last week.

"Baden is one of the most experienced forensic pathologists in the world. If there's something suspicious, he'll find it," said his friend Dr. Lawrence Kobilinsky, chairman of the Department of Forensic Sciences at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Baden, the former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, confirmed to radaronline.com that he will be examining the body of the "Kung Fu" star.

More here.

More on that earlier news item that Simon Cowell is planning to remake the Robert Stigwood produced film SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER for modern day audiences. It seems that one of r 'n' b's hottest producers is going to tackle the classic Bee Gees soundtrack. That man is Timbaland! This from the NME...

Simon Cowell and Timbaland are planning to remake 'Saturday Night Fever' for the big screen. Cowell is apparently on the verge of securing the rights to the film from producer Robert Stigwood, and has drawn up a wishlist of talent he wants to work with on the remake, including super-producer Timbaland, who is set to look after the film's soundtrack. 'High School Musical' star Zac Efron is tipped to play the lead role (The Sun).

More at the end of the links.

I first thought that the content of this article was going to have something to do with Jessica Biel appearing in the new Batman movie. She's not. Gotham? Gotham City? You see, being a British lad, I had no idea that Gotham is an old name for New York City, and that Gotham magazine is associated with that, and is indeed not a Batman fanzine. Anyway, the point of the story is that Jessica Biel is on the cover of the new issue. And she looks nice.

More after the gap.

Big news this fine Tuesday AM. It seems that Irish actor Liam Neeson is in talks with 20th Century Fox and director Joe Carnahan to play Hannibal Smith in the new big-screen film THE A-TEAM.

The trade Variety, as good as an official source, also says that Bradley Cooper has also been confirmed as in "early talks" to portray Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck, which he denied about a month ago...

Shooting kicks off in August for a June 11, 2010 release. We'll keep you posted!

Hot off producing Grease Is The Word on erm, ITV, Simon Cowell is now reported to be reviving the 1977 classic SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, and remaking it into a brand new blockbusting movie. The big news is that Zac Efron may even bag the starring role of Tony Manero, the part made famous by white-suit wearing Travolta in the original.

A source told The Sun newspaper in the UK:

"Simon has been looking into buying the rights for years and opened discussions with Robert [Stigwood, the original's producer] about the remake.

"The charm offensive has been in full swing and they made a breakthrough over the last couple of weeks."

They added: "Robert was keen to get some assurances the original wouldn't be completely butchered before he agreed to the deal.

"Simon has been drawing up a list of people he wants to get involved. When that meets Robert's expectations, the contracts will be signed."

Two words. Jeremy Piven! Too old. Gosh-darnit!

According to Britain's The Daily Mirror, actress Lindsay Lohan and DJ girlfriend Samantha Ronson are back together!!! Wahey!!! We can now all sleep at night:

Amid rumours of restraining orders and changing of locks, it was starting to get a bit embarrassing for party girl LiLo. But her persistence appears to have paid off.

After spending the best part of a week pursuing Sam from one club to the next across London, it seems Linds has finally got her girl.

The tempestuous twosome reunited at the check-in gate at Heathrow yesterday, showing every sign that they're back on.

More here.

The family of late KUNG FU and KILL BILL star David Carradine have expressed upset over the news that a Thai newspaper have allegedly published images of the actor's body in a newspaper. The BBC have more.

The leaked pictures, which Thai police said are probably forensic photos, reportedly show the actor's body in the Thai hotel room where he died.

His half-brother, actor Keith Carradine, threatened legal action against any "invasions of privacy".

He has also called on the FBI to intervene in the investigation.

Click here for more.

Adam Mast on Duncan Jones' MOON...

This effectively shot sci fi piece features an outstanding performance by Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell, a miner whose been stationed on the moon for three long years. He is completely isolated and only has the lunar base computer (voiced by Kevin Spacey) to keep him company. With only a few weeks left on his long and lonely shift, a strange encounter has Bell questioning his own sanity.

Colin gets his teeth into GRAN TORINO on DVD.

For years, Clint Eastwood resisted public demands to bring back "Dirty" Harry Callahan. Via 2008's Gran Torino, he throws fans a crumb, as the movie provides the closest thing to Dirty Harry we're likely to ever get.

Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran who's lived in the same suburban Detroit neighborhood for years. Over that time, the area's racial complexion has changed, which the bigoted Walt doesn't much like. Still, he stays to himself and deals with his own little world.

A look at the new Woody Allen film.

Its a match made in heaven as neurotic heavyweights Woody Allen and Larry David finally join forces in Whatever Works, a new comedy written and directed by Allen. Allen and David in the same film? Is that even possible? Aren't they the same guy?

In Whatever Works, Larry David plays Boris Yellnikoff, a cynical physicist with suicidal tendencies. Against his better judgement, Boris takes in a sweet, 21 year old runaway named Melodie St. Anne Celestine (Evan Rachel Wood), and before long, this unlucky in love sexist-misanthrope is questioning the true nature of love and his possible role in it.

Bullock+Reynolds+Mast = THE PROPOSAL movie review.

I actually saw a special advanced screening of this film two months ago at ShoWest but the all mighty studio embargo prohibited me from writing an early review. Since the film's release is right around the corner, I thought I'd go ahead and throw one together.

The Proposal offers up an easy to digest scenario. Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a shrew of a book editor who gets what she wants, when she wants. Miss demanding finds herself in the hot seat however, when she discovers that she'll be deported back to her native Canada unless...she gets married. Enter Andrew Paxton (played by Ryan Reynolds), Tate's loyal assistant. Truth be told, Andrew can't stand his boss, but if he's ever going to have a shot at a better position, he'll have to play ball. In typical sitcom fashion, the fake vows are exchanged and the zany antics ensue. Faster than you can say; "Fish out of water", Andrew drags Margaret to his home town so that he might convince his family that they really are in love, thereby convincing authorities that Margaret isn't trying to pull a fast one.

GERMANY, June 2006: Mexican football star SANTIAGO MUNEZ (Kuno Becker) is pitted against his Real Madrid team-mates and England players CHARLIE BRAITHWAITE (Leo Gregory) and LIAM ADAMS (JJ Feild) in a mutual quest to lift sport's ultimate prize: the FIFA World Cup.

Santi is motivated to try and win the trophy for his late father and family back in Los Angeles and Madrid. Charile and Liam just want to try and end the Three Lions' "forty years of hurt". For all three charismatic footballers, the path to potential success is one fraught with temptations and torments - and all three have to deal with personal issues off the pitch that affects their roles on it.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Chris Pine, who is Hollywood's hot stuff at the moment after his stint as Captain Kirk in JJ Abrams STAR TREK, is in talks to join director TonyScott's UNSTOPPABLE opposite Denzel Washington.

Mark Bomback's script centers on an experienced train engineer (Washington) about to be laid off as part of company cutbacks and the newbie (Pine) conductor hired to replace him.

They find themselves in a race against time to stop an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train carrying enough combustible liquids and poisonous gas to wipe out a nearby city.

The Clint Eastwood Nelson Mandela film, which was called THE HUMAN FACTOR, but now going by the title INVICTUS, is going to be released in cinemas this coming December 11th, according to Variety. Perfect timing for awards season then...

The story, based on John Carlin's novel "Playing the Enemy", follows Mandela (Morgan Freeman) as he attempted to use the 1995 Rugby World Cup to help heal the wounds of his nation as he was released from prison.

Matt Damon stars as Francois Pienaar, the captain of South Africa's rugby team.

BTW INVICTUS is Latin for Invincible.

The new trailer for the final FINAL DESINTATION, called THE FINAL DESTINATION is over at Joblo Videos. David R. Ellis (FD2 ad SNAKES ON A PLANE) is back for the last movie.

After a teen's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their end.

Here's the promo.

Forbes magazine has profiled super-producer-director Michael Bay, who is apparently loaded. Tell us something we don't know!!!

• When there wasn't enough money to bring back the crew to shoot a sequence where Will Smith punches out a bad guy in Bad Boys, the first time feature director put up $25,000 of his $125,000 fee to shoot the scene.
• Bay declined upfront pay for Pearl Harbor in favor of a 50% split of what remained after the studio recouped production and advertising costs. The film grossed $450 million; and Bay made $40 million.
• Bay gets an estimated 8% on Transformer toys tied to movies, second only to that of George Lucas, who gets an estimated 15% royalty on all Star Wars figures.
• As a producer, Bay gets an average 8% of the studio's net on each film.
• Bay bought James Cameron's visual-effects house Digital Domain in 2007 (when the company had fallen on hard times) with his business partner, John Textor for $35 million.

Thank you. More stuff that you don't know at Forbes.

Adam Mast looks UP...

Is Pixar capable of releasing a mediocre movie? If their latest film Up is any indication, then I suppose the answer to that question is no.

In this magical and endearing film, lonely 78 year old Carl Fredricksen , transports his home to mythical Paradise Falls by way of thousands of helium filled balloons. Why take on such a seemingly impossible journey? To fulfill a life long dream once shared by he and his deceased wife Ellie. Shortly after take off, Carl realizes he has a stowaway in the form of eager scout Russell. Together, this unlikely pair reach Fredricksen's destination, but upon arrival, they discover they are not alone.

Well, we don't know yet, but director Guillermo del Toro says that he is very close to naming a lead for the upcoming LORD OF THE RINGS prequel THE HOBBIT.

The man had previously narrowed down his casting choice for the Bilbo Baggins role in "The Hobbit" films to just four actors.

He now tells MTV News that he since has narrowed down the list even more to just one actor. "I believe we're very close now to saying one name." So who is it? Well, we'll find out just a couple of weeks.

According to Del Toro, the actor has not yet been contacted directly, but talks with his representatives have already started.

Can't wait!

Show the Star Wars love... FANBOYS. Here's CJ with his view.

It seems like Trekkies get most of the "obsessed sci-fi fan" press, but a few projects are trying to give Star Wars fans their due. In addition to the 10th anniversary release of the documentary A Galaxy Far, Far Away, 2009 provided the theatrical release of Fanboys, a flick about a quest led by some diehard Star Wars buffs.

Set in 1998, we meet a bunch of 20-something Star Wars obsessives. Eric Bottler (Sam Huntington) drifts away from his childhood pals Windows (Jay Baruchel), Hutch (Dan Fogler) and Linus (Christopher Marquette). In particular, Linus remains bitter; he and Eric planned to become comic book creators, but Eric bailed to work in his dad's car dealership.

Colin slots Clive Owen into his Blu-Ray.

Although he didn't get to play James Bond, Clive Owen seems determined to stake his claim as an action/thriller star. He takes another role in that domain with 2009's The International.

Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Owen) works on an investigation of the Luxembourg International Bank of Business and Credit, an establishment that appears to be a money laundering operation for organized crime. Because the IBBC boasts a major presence in the Big Apple, he works in conjunction with the New York DA office. When his colleague Thomas Schumer (Ian Burfield) dies of an apparent heart attack, Salinger suspects foul play.

A look at Sam Raimi's return to horror...

To really enjoy Drag Me to Hell, which I did immensely, you have to be a fan of this particular brand of horror. This isn't torture porn (Saw, Hostel, etc.), nor is it a serious work of horror (The Exorcist, The Omen, etc.). While Drag Me to Hell does offer up truly memorable scares, this is clearly a horror/comedy fusion, and for fans of early era Sam Raimi (the amazing director behind the Spider-Man films), you'll definitely feel a big dose of that old Evil Dead magic at work.

Adam reviews THE DA VINCI CODE follow-up.

I wasn't a very big fan of The DaVinci Code as a movie (I haven't read the Dan Brown novels). I was actually somewhat intrigued by the religious hook at he heart of the film, but as a mystery, The DaVanci Code felt tepid and flat. In addition, it was overly long resulting in a film that was more dull than anything else. Angels and Demons, which reunites director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks, is every bit as boring as it's predecessor, but it also happens to be funnier. An amazing feat taking into consideration that Hanks' much talked about mullet is nowhere to be found in this picture. In the end, Angels and Demons is considerably shorter than The DaVinci Code and that should count for something.

TERMINATOR SALVATION is now playing everywhere in the UK (finally), and here we can bring you a new TV spot via You Tube that features the one and only Arnold Scwarzenegger, all CGI-ed up... Check this out...

We have just posted the news of David Carradine's passing yesterday, but now various websites are reporting that the death may be linked to a sex game gone wrong. Digital Spy reports that the KILL BILL star might have died after an auto-erotic asphyxiation game went wrong. That's according to police.

Speaking to reporters, Thai Police Lt. Gen. Worapong Chrewprecha said: "The two ropes were tied together. It is unclear whether he committed suicide or not or he died of suffocation or heart failure due to an orgasm."

He added that production crew told police that Carradine had been drinking beer "from morning until evening the day before he was found dead".

The results of an autopsy completed earlier today have yet to be released - however, officials have speculated that the cause of death might have been accidental suffocation.

There's more here.

KUNG FU and KILL BILL star David Carradine was yesterday founf dead in a Thailand hotel room. The star was found naked in a wardrobe with a cord around his neck and other parts of his body.

This morning, tributes started to flood in from Hollywood including director Martin Scorsese and KILL BILL co-star Michael Madsen.

Scorsese said. "We met when we made Boxcar Bertha together, almost 40 years ago. I have very fond memories of our time together on that picture and on Mean Streets, where he agreed to do a brief cameo.

"David was a great collaborator, a uniquely talented actor, and a wonderful spirit. He loved movies, acting in movies, making movies, and he was always extremely generous."

Madsen added. "David was one of the first actors I ever worked with when I started my career and the closest person to a brother that I ever had in my life," he said.

"I had been thinking about calling him for the last several days and advise anybody who has been thinking about reaching out to a loved one to do so. I have so many great memories of David that I wouldn't even know where to begin."

Carradine was in Thailand shooting a new film. He was last seen in CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE earlier in the year.

The original X-MEN helmer Bryan Singer has expressed interest in returning to the series.

In a recent interview for the July issue of Total Film Singer says:

"I'm eternally intertwined with X-Men now," he told them. "What takes an audience four hours to watch - the first two movies - took six years of my life. So, to not be part of it....It's a shame."

They also asked Singer whether he wished he had directed the third "X-Men" movie, to which he replied, "It's weird for me to watch it, because I'm so close to the universe. And also Brett [Ratner, helmer of X-MEN: THE LAST STAND] is a good friend of mine. But, of course, I would love to return to that universe."

There's more here.

The winners of the 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent are set to star in new British film, to be shot in 3-D. The BBC has the news...

Fellow competitors Flawless will also appear in the film, as will last year's winner George Sampson.

The film, Street Dance, follows a dance crew in training for the Street Dance Championships who are forced to work alongside ballet dancers.

Distributed by Vertigo Films, it has been described as "the first British movie to be shot in 3D".

The BBC adds that casting is still in progress for the film, which will begin shooting in the UK in August under the direction of award-winning video makers Max and Darnia. Susan Boyle will not be appearing...

Winona Ryder has been speaking to Empire magazine via Us Weekly about all of those HEATHERS sequel rumours. Well, it seems that there may be a little truth to said rumours, and yes both she and Christian Slater will be involved in some way...

"Whatever you hear, there is a sequel in the works. I swear to God. But for some reason the writer Dan Waters and director Michael Lehman don't want to talk about it. I've been wanting to do a sequel forever. There is a story, and Christian [Slater] has agreed to come back as a kind of Obi-Wan character."

The 1988 original revolved around three high school girls named Heather, who run an iron clad social clique at high school. One of their anointees, Veronica, isn't sure she wants to fit into the clique, particularly when she has to snub some of her old friends at the Heathers' behest. When Veronica meets the new guy at school, she starts pulling away from the clique, while some of the more popular students start showing up dead with suicide notes.

More here.

The main men and women over at Empire Online have posted the first ten minutes from next week's British horror-comedy DOGHOUSE, which stars Danny Dyer, Stephen Graham and Noel Clarke.

The synopsis is this: six friends head off for a weekend in the country after one of them goes through a divorce and the rest feel that they need a break. Unfortunately for them, they pitch up in a town where all the women have been infected with a virus that has turned them into man-hating cannibals. Cue violence.

Click here to go watch!

Bosses at Pinewood Studios in the UK have submitted planning permission to build massive film sets that include a Venician canels, Paris and New York set streets and a Roman amphitheatre. The Daily Mail reports:

Pinewood Shepperton said that following extensive public consultation, it will today be putting forward the planning application to South Bucks District Council for Project Pinewood.

The project is described as 'a long term scheme of national significance to create a living and working community for the creative industries'.

The development, estimated to cost around £200million, features backdrops, including a Venetian canal, a Roman amphitheatre, a Tudor marketplace for period dramas and street scenes from downtown New York, French Quarter New Orleans, European townhouses, as well as a Chicago suburb, some of which could be visible from the M25.

The company is planning to incorporate up to 1,500 homes - a mix of apartments, town and detached houses - in the development.

The project was announced in 2007. Click here for more.

The full trailer for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON was attached to the broadcast of MTV's Movie Awards last night, and said trailer has since found its way onto the net. You can watch the thing in full below.

Watch the EXCLUSIVE first ever trailer for Twilight New Moon.

 

The New Moon trailer was first played this evening at this year's MTV Movie Awards and was presented by New Moon cast members Robert Pattinson, Kristin Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

The MTV Awards took place last night and the teenage vampire film TWILIGHT swept the board at the annual event, but the big news on the night is that Eminem stormed out as Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno literally landed on top of the rapper. Read more about that here.

Miley Cyrus (above), Robert Pattinson and even Heath Ledger were all winners on the night.  Adam Samberg hosted this year's bash. We have all of the winners from the official press release after the jump.

It seems that Sacha Baron Cohen's creation Bruno ruffled Eminem's feathers at last night's MTV Movie Awards. Bruno entered the auditorium and landed right on top of Eminem's head, thus making the rapper storm out. We're not sure if Slim was in on the stunt, but he sure didn't seem happy. See it here on You Tube...