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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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Tim Burton’s Alice Is Off to England

Posted by Kathleen Kane
Categories: Disney, Adventure, Animation, Classics, Family, Mystery, Books, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Filmmaking, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Tim Burton starts filming 'Alice' in Plymouth this month

Disney’s favorite eccentric director Tim Burton is at it again, and this time he’s digging a bit older and traveling a bit further for his latest classic remake: Alice in Wonderland.

Burton is taking the cast and crew across the pond to Plymouth, where they will be holding auditions this week for the film’s extras. Casting director Ilenka Jelowicki explains why the locale is perfect for production:

“It’s a period movie, set in Victorian England, so we’re very specific about the look we need. In an ideal world, out of the 125 women we need, they would all have long, naturally coloured hair. We’d love men with beards or facial hair – lamb chops or big sideburns, that sort of thing.”

The only confirmed cast member is HBO’s Australian actress Mia Wasikowska (In Treatment), who is set to play Alice. Take a wild guess who might be casted as one of the crazy Wonderland characters—I dare you!

Click to continue reading Tim Burton’s Alice Is Off to England

Read More | The Independent

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Robert Downey Jr. Will Star In Competing Sherlock Holmes

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Mystery, Books, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Robert Downey Jr.We now know who Team Ferrell/Cohen will eventually have to face off against at the box office: .

Just last week, we told you that former Talledega Nights co-stars Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen would be reuniting for film about Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, their Columbia Pictures comedy did not have a director or release date attached to it yet. It also faced comparison to a similar project being formed at another studio.

Now Warner Bros. has announced that will be donning the detective’s cap for their take on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels. While there will most likely be tone differences between the two movies, Downey’s version will reportedly be “less stuffy” than what we have seen in the past.

The Guy Ritchie film will start production in October (before the Columbia version) in hopes of a October 2009 opening.

Read More | Variety

Scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Adventure, Science Fiction, Sequels, Books, Upcoming Releases

Thanks to USA Today, we are now getting glimpses of what’s to come for .

According to director David Yates (Order of the Phoenix), the “bloody Death Eaters turn up and cause all sorts of anarchy” in the saga’s sixth film. We can also expect to see some sparks between Potter and Ginny Weasley.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

(You can view a few additional pics after the jump. More can also be found here.)

Click to continue reading Scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Read More | USA Today

Sacha Baron Cohen, Will Ferrell Reunite for Sherlock Holmes

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Mystery, Comedy, Books, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen

For his next production, Judd Apatow has once again reached into his bag of funny men to decide on casting. This time around, and Sacha Baron Cohen - rivals in 2006’s Talledega Nights - will be working as a team on a comedy about Sherlock Holmes.

In the currently-untitled project, the star will play the famous literary detective. Meanwhile, Ferrell will take on the role of Watson, his crime-solving assistant. The movie will be penned by Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) for Columbia Pictures. No director has so far been assigned.

Although a target date hasn’t yet been determined, Apatow’s film could face comparisons to another upcoming project. Warner Bros. has plans for its own adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books; that version will be helmed by ’s Guy Ritchie.


Box Office Breakdown: Ashton Kutcher Drives Past Speed Racer

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Family, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Books, Lists, New Releases

What Happens in Vegas

Despite arresting visuals and a $120 million budget, the Wachowski brothers were unable to bring to life.  The Warner Bros. movie - which many had already predicted would fall behind Iron Man - did even worse than originally thought.  At one point, it was believed the anime adaptation would debut in 2nd place.  Unfortunately, the final box office numbers placed the PG film in third.

Meanwhile, became the second wedding-themed entry in the recent Top Ten.  The comedy, starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, replaced Made of Honor as the go to ‘chick flick’ of the week.  The movie grossed $20.1 million, a slim $1.6 million more than Speed.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Ashton Kutcher Drives Past Speed Racer

Read More | Variety

Movie Remakes: Killer Tomatoes, Rosemary’s Baby

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Paramount, Adaptation, Drama, Horror, Comedy, Books, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases

Attack of the Killer TomatoesAlthough I have a hard time believing there are people out there born after the ‘70s, I understand there are many who’ve never even heard of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.  Fortunately for them, there will soon be a remake.

Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine - the creators behind the “Ask A Ninja” web shorts - have taken on the challenge of retooling the cult classic.  Although the update’s budget will undoubtedly be larger than the original’s (the first film reportedly cost less than $100,000), it’s unclear how far the writers will deviate from the 1978 storyline.

The movie about murderous fruit spawned three sequels including Return of the Killer Tomatoes and Killer Tomatoes Strike Back.  (’s career managed to survive an appearance in the former.) No target date for the redo has been announced.

Click to continue reading Movie Remakes: Killer Tomatoes, Rosemary’s Baby

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Michael Cera to Star in Film Adaptation of Youth in Revolt

Posted by Kathleen Kane
Categories: Weinstein Company, Adaptation, Adventure, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Books, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Michael Cera to portray Nick TwispYouth In Revolt, both a critically acclaimed novel by C.D. Payne and a failed MTV mini-series, has been adapted into a screenplay and began production early this year. This original and hilarious black comedy will star (Juno, Superbad) as the story’s overly sex-crazed protagonist, Nick Twisp, who - along with an inconvenient hair trigger on his erectile response - involves himself in arson, car theft, homelessness and even an identity change to satisfy his pubescent desires and finally lose his virginity. Although no other cast members have been confirmed, Cera’s recently built reputation for the role as the awkward teen with no grip on a decent romantic or sex life (which rightfully won him 2 nominations for Best Young Actor this year) will certainly do great justice for the role.

Click to continue reading Michael Cera to Star in Film Adaptation of Youth in Revolt

Read More | New York Times

Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: 20th Century Fox, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Books, Lists, New Releases

Cloverfield

Final numbers for the three-day weekend revealed what many had suspected: toppled New York and the competition.  The strong numbers were a result of smart marketing.  In addition to the eerie trailers, the film debuted in January - usually a fairly quiet month for decent films.  Cloverfield’s $46 million take has already covered the movie’s budget (estimated at around $25 million).  That dollar amount also earned the flick the title for best MLK and January opener ever.

Although raked in $20 million less than the horror flick, had nothing to cry about.  Thanks to more strategic marketing - this time by - the film was able to take advantage of those looking for something less dark.  Dresses was originally scheduled to debut last week but was repositioned so it could open during the busy weekend.

Unfortunately, female focus on the romantic comedy didn’t help the female-filled .  The movie - co-starring , and - cashed out in 8th place.  This makes two disappointing debuts in a row for the Clan (the first being Tom’s ).  Let us not forget that Katie opted to do this film instead of the for her post-Tom movie return.  Come to think of it, maybe it was for the best.  I could just hear Tom telling us now that if he had known Heath was doing drugs, he would have cured Ledger himself.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Cloverfield Attacks the Charts

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

‘The Golden Compass’ vs. Religion: An Opinion

Posted by David Onda
Categories: New Line, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Religious, Science Fiction, Thrillers, Books, New Releases, Theatrical Reviews

Polar Bears = Evil?

We saw this weekend. I’m a guy who loves movies. And as such, I set out Friday night to go see what was supposed to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the holiday season. I saw The Golden Compass despite negative critical response and Catholic protests and without reading any of the three Philip Pullman books off which the film is based. The film was dazzling, imaginative and certainly innovative. After having seen the movie I checked out the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly (as well as a few anti-Compass sentiments online) and simply could not believe the garbage I was hearing.

I saw the movie. I watched the fuzzy talking animals. And I tried, with little success, to connect the dots and see how this film was so evil. I tried to pick out the atheistic sentiments. And I tried - really, really tried - to put myself in the Catholic League’s shoes. And honestly - what is the big freakin’ deal?

Ok, I get it - Philip Pullman isn’t exactly going to win “Christian Of The Year.” The allegory within his His Dark Materials trilogy is not exactly what one might call “God friendly.” But why, in a country based on the principals of religious freedom, is this man, this movie, and everyone behind it, being vilified? I’ve read the arguments and I understand what they are saying, but for the life of me (and with all personal religious beliefs set aside), I can’t understand how this one film is going to be detrimental to society?

Click to continue reading ‘The Golden Compass’ vs. Religion: An Opinion


‘The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ Trailer

Posted by David Onda
Categories: Disney, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Drama, Family, Religious, Sequels, Thrillers, Books, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

Prince Caspian TrailerThe very first trailer for Walt Disney Pictures’ has been released and it looks freakin’ awesome! Caspian, which opens this summer, is the sequel to the 2005 box-office smash, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which is based off the classic novel by C.S. Lewis. The franchise’s principal cast returns for this film, which will find Pevensie kids back in the magical fantasy world of Narnia. But what was a one year hiatus for them, has been a couple thousand for the folks in Narnia - and things aren’t quite the same.

Check out the first heart-pounding The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian trailer after the jump.

Click to continue reading ‘The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian’ Trailer


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