Remake News: American Werewolf, Bride of Frankenstein and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, MGM, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Classics, Drama, Horror, Remakes, Science Fiction, Comedy, Casting, Rumors, Upcoming Releases, Videos

An American Werewolf in London: While fans are reminiscing over Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, it seems just appropriate that a remake of John Landis’ horror film is in the works. (Werewolf was the inspiration for the music video.) In the 1981 original, two college students (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne) are attacked by the creature while backpacking. The survivor eventually goes on to attack other victims. Dimension Films has tapped Sean and Bryan Furst (Daybreakers) to produce.

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Read More | Entertainment Weekly

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Sequel News: Mission Impossible, Haunting in Connecticut and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Paramount, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Upcoming Releases

Here’s the latest scoop on the sequel buzz spreading across Hollywood:

Mission Impossible: Even though he could do just about anything he wants these days, Star Trek‘s J.J. Abrams will be returning to familiar territory. Three years after the debut of MI:3, the director has agreed to reteam with Tom Cruise on a fourth installment. (Apparently the actor wasn’t listening when I said he should stay away from this project.) Although they are both only listed as producers at this point, things could change for the busy men once a script is finalized. Paramount is currently aiming for a 2011 release.

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Read More | Variety

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Sorority Row and Destination Mark Reemergence of Bad Teen Horror

Posted by Kathleen Kane Categories: New Line, Horror, Mystery, Remakes, Thrillers, Casting, Trailers, Upcoming Releases

As much as raping Asian horror films like The Eye and One Missed Call irked me, I’m fairly sure that Sorority Row and The Final Destination (trailer after the jump) are leaving me even more distressed at the fate of American horror.

By the looks of the trailer, the remake of 1983’s The House on Sorority Row strikes me as a bad mix of I Know What You Did Last Summer and The House Bunny (seriously, what is Rumer Willis‘s character from that film doing in this one?). I’m happy to see Carrie Fisher get work, although I find it disheartening that the only gig she can get is this egregiously-looking thriller. Then again, this is a Summit production…

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In Theaters This Weekend: June 19, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, IFC Films, Sony, Touchstone, Action, Adventure, Biopics, Documentary, Foreign, Horror, Period, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• The Proposal (PG-13): starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen (directed by Anne Fletcher)
• Year One (PG-13): starring Jack Black, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (directed by Harold Ramis)

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Box Office Breakdown: Hangover Hangs on for Another Win

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Remakes, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

This is one hangover that’s taking a while to recover from.

For the second week in a row, the must-see comedy of the summer has taken the top spot at the charts. The Hangover, which already had a greenlighted sequel prior to its debut, raked in another $32.7 million over the weekend. The film has now earned over $100 million and given Bradley Cooper his second #1 entry of the year. (His first was February’s He’s Just Not That Into You.)

Sitting in third place this week (right behind Up), was The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, a remake of a 1974 version starring starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. The action thriller, which had Denzel Washington working with director Tony Scott for the fourth time, pulled in a respectable $23.3 million. Meanwhile, Imagine That, Eddie Murphy’s latest stinker, earned $5.5 million in wide release. That gross bests the premiere of Meet Dave by approximately $200,000.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Hangover Hangs on for Another Win

Read More | Variety

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Whedon Confirms Non-Involvement in Buffy Remake

Posted by Kathleen Kane Categories: Action, Adventure, Classics, Drama, Horror, Remakes, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

We can all stop holding our breaths: Joss Whedon will not be involved with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer remake. In other words, do not pay money to support this film when it comes out.

Okay, so perhaps that’s a little mean of me; it’s hard not to be such a protective fan of the Whedonverse.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly about Dollhouse, Joss confirmed what we were all dreading: “I believe [the producers] did ultimately reach out to my agent after the news broke. I think that’s something better left untouched by me. So, I wish them luck.”

I’m pretty sure that they’ll need lots of that, anyway.

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

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This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 16, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Action, Drama, Horror, Period, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases

Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:

• Dr. Strangelove: Blu-ray
• Fracture: New Line
• Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter: DVD
• Friday the 13th, Part 2: Blu-ray
• Friday the 13th, Part 3 (3D): Blu-ray
• Friday the 13th, Part V: A New Beginning: DVD
• Friday the 13th, Part VI: Jason Lives: DVD
• Ghostbusters: Blu-ray
• The Greatest Game Ever Played: Blu-ray
• Kickboxer: Blu-ray
• Miracle: Blu-ray

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: June 16, 2009

Read More | Amazon

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Box Office Breakdown: The Hangover Rises Above Up

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

Unlike most Mike Tyson fights, The Hangover‘s win was no knockout.

After a back-and-forth battle with Up, Todd Phillips’ film about an eventful bachelor party edged out the animated pic by less than $1 million. Hangover - which features no major stars (unless you count the boxer) - grossed nearly $45 million on its opening weekend. That’s the third best debut for an R-rated comedy ever. (Only Sex and the City and American Pie 2 have done better.)

Meanwhile, a project actually featuring an A-lister became the summer’s first stinker. Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, Anna Friel and Danny McBride, earned a sad $18.8 million over the past three days. Although that amount was good enough for third place, the film cost an estimated $100 million to make.

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Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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Box Office Breakdown: Disney/Pixar Flying High with Up

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

The word “Pixar” always seems to generate smiles, and that’s exactly what Up did for Disney.

Over the weekend, the Cannes Film Festival opener generated $68.1 million, over $40 million more than its nearest competitor. The movie - which was also offered in 3D - also bested last year’s Wall-E (by $5 million) and had Pixar’s 3rd-best debut. (The Incredibles opened to $70.5 million in 2004; Finding Nemo grossed $70.3 million in 2003.)

Friday’s other new wide release, Drag Me to Hell, scared up only $15.8 million for a 4th place finish. Although it originally looked as if the horror film would surpass Terminator Salvation, the final numbers were $8 million below Sunday’s projections.

Another noteworthy mention: Star Trek officially crossed the $200 million mark after only four weeks in release. The Paramount feature is now the first movie of the year to reach that achievement.

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Read More | Variety

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Remake News: Cliffhanger, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Navigator and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Warner Bros, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Horror, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Upcoming Releases

Cliffhanger: The 1993 action thriller is the latest Sylvester Stallone project to get a new life. The only difference is that Sly won’t be in this production. In the Renny Harlin-directed version, a mountain rescue worker is forced to help criminals retrieve money stolen from a U.S. Treasure plane. The reboot will reportedly involve a group of climbers and multiple locations. Shooting is expected to begin sometime next year.

Click to continue reading Remake News: Cliffhanger, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Navigator and More

Read More | Variety

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