Mark Millar Already Plotting Kick-Ass Sequel

Posted by Kathleen Kane Categories: Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Mystery, Satire, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Despite the fact that Mark Millar has yet to finish neither the first arc of his Kick-Ass comic nor the film adaptation of it (he has so far only published six issues in thirteen months), the Scottish author already wants the sequel to shoot within two years.

“Kick-Ass 2 is already being plotted out. We’re planning it, because all the actors are quite young and we have to make it relatively quickly. So we’ll definitely do that inside the next 18 to 24 months,” he told Sci-Fi Wire.

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Read More | Sci-Fi Wire

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Casting Corner: Jennifer Garner, Kevin Spacey, Aaron Eckhart and More

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Columbia Pictures, Adaptation, Drama, Independent, Period, Political, Satire, Comedy, Casting, Celeb News

Here’s a quick look at some of the casting announcements made recently:

Jennifer Garner: The former Alias star will be replacing mad fighting skills with carving skills in Butter. The political satire will feature Garner as a butter sculpture phenom in a Midwestern town. No director has officially been assigned to the project.

Click to continue reading Casting Corner: Jennifer Garner, Kevin Spacey, Aaron Eckhart and More

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In Theaters this Weekend: October 31, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: MGM, Universal, Warner Bros, Weinstein Company, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Period, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• The Haunting of Molly Hartley (PG-13): starring Haley Bennett, Jake Weber, Chace Crawford (directed by Mickey Liddell)
• Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R): starring Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes (directed by Kevin Smith)
• Changeling** (R): starring Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan (directed by Clint Eastwood)
• Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father* (NR): starring Kurt Kuenne, David Bagby, Kathleen Bagby (directed by Kurt Kuenne)

Click to continue reading In Theaters this Weekend: October 31, 2008



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Box Office Breakdown: Beverly Hills Chihuahua is Weekend’s Top Dog

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Independent, Political, Religious, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists

On a weekend with seven new wide releases, it was Beverly Hills Chihuahua that emerged as Best in Show. The film, one of the few family-oriented titles currently being offered, earned nearly $30 million over the past three days. That amount was enough to easily surpass Eagle Eye, last week’s #1. The talking-dogs feature also gave Disney its best October opening thus far.

Of the other new entries in the Top Ten, one was religion-centric while the other had political overtones. (Could this be an election year?) Coming in at #10 was Religulous, the documentary from Bill Maher. Although the movie was only offered in limited release, it pulled in $6,792 per theater. That was the second highest average amongst the chart toppers. Meanwhile, An American Carol, a right-wing satirical comedy, found itself in 9th place.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Beverly Hills Chihuahua is Weekend’s Top Dog

Read More | Variety

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Gregg, Rockwell, and Huston Bring Choke to Silver Screen

Posted by Kathleen Kane Categories: 20th Century Fox, Adaptation, Independent, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Casting, New Releases, Scripts

What do you get when you mix an elderly, female Tyler Durden with a choking con artist and a recovering compulsive masturbator? Clark Gregg’s dark, vulgar comedy with a surprisingly big heart, Choke.

Being a fan of the novel from which the film is based (written by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk), I was overwhelmed with geeky fan-girl joy when I read that Choke was to be translated into film. That was three years ago. After nearly waiting an excruciating year after hearing about its premiere at Sundance, the indie film with an all-star cast helmed by writer/director/actor Clark Gregg is finally hitting theaters this weekend, and it certainly will not disappoint movie-goers. That is, unless, the trailer fooled you into believing that the film is a romantic comedy.

Romantic? In a punk rock way. Comedic? Most definitely. Chick flick? Far from.

Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the novel, Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) wonderfully brings Victor Mancini to life as the med school drop-out sex addict who pays for his mother’s hospital bill by choking in restaurants. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Kelly MacDonald (No Country for Old Men) round off the supporting actresses as Mancini’s mother and the new, attractive doctor who assumes care for her. Clark himself makes an appearance as High Lord Charlie, Mancini’s anal-retentive boss at a colonial theme park, where Mancini works as a historical interpreter (a job, as we’re reminded in the film, which is not to be confused with a tour guide).

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In Theaters This Weekend: September 12, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Adaptation, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Independent, Musicals, Satire, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

• Burn After Reading (R): starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand (directed by Joel and Ethan Coen)
• Righteous Kill (R): starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Carla Gugino (directed by Jon Avnet)
• Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (PG-13): starring Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, Kathy Bates (directed by Tyler Perry)
• The Women (PG-13): starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes (directed by Diane English)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: September 12, 2008



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Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Musicals, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

At any other time of the year, a $14 million take would probably get you a decent ranking in the Top Ten. This holiday weekend, that box office total was enough to put Tropic Thunder into first place. Again.

Despite a new Vin Diesel entry, the Ben Stiller comedy led the top of the pack for the third weekend in a row. (If it reaches that mark a fourth time, it will have officially reached Dark Knight territory.) Meanwhile, Babylon A.D. settled for second place with only $11.5 million in ticket sales. I’m guessing the sci fi film’s reviews - in particular, the one from the movie’s own director - might have had something to do with the disappointing turnout.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Tropic Thunder Makes It Three for Three

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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In Theaters This Week: August 27, 2008

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Independent, Period, Religious, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Once again, theatergoers will have new options to choose from starting on Wednesday:

• Babylon A.D. (PG-13): starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Melanie Thierry (directed by Mathieu Kassovitz)
• College (R): starring Drake Bell, Andrew Caldwell, Nick Zano (directed by Deb Hagan)
• Disaster Movie (PG-13): starring Matt Lanter, Vanessa Minnillo, Carmen Electra (directed by Jason Friedbeg, Aaron Seltzer)
• Traitor (PG-13): starring Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Saïd Taghmaoui (directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Week: August 27, 2008



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Youth in Revolt Finally Starts Casting

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

Producers of the upcoming C.D. Payne adaptation, Youth in Revolt, decided to spill the beans on developments in casting at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

While Nick Twisp’s shoes have long-since been filled in by Michael Cera, fans of the novel had been curious as to which actors would fill the rest of the slots, as all the roles are quite difficult to tackle. That is, until now! Steve Buscemi will be playing Twisp’s playboy, two-timing father George Twisp while Ray Liotta, Jean Smart, and M. Emmet Walsh have jumped aboard as well.

The Good Girl director Miguel Arteta is attached to the film, adapted by Charlie Bartlett writer Gustin Nash.

Click to continue reading Youth in Revolt Finally Starts Casting

Read More | Variety

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Box Office Breakdown: Fans Make a Date with Prom Night

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Sports, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

1. Prom Night, Sony, $20,804,941 (avg. $7,706)
2. Street Kings, Fox Searchlight, $12,469,631 (avg. $5,055)
3. 21, Sony, $10,470,173 (avg. $3827)
4. Nim’s Island, 20th Century Fox, $9,111,667 (avg. $2,590 )
5. Leatherheads, Universal, $6,276,665 (avg. $2265)
6. Horton Hears a Who, 20th Century Fox,  $5,920,566 (avg. $1845)
7. Smart People, Miramax, $4,092,465 (avg. $3700)
8. The Ruins, Dreamworks/Paramount, $3,385,395 (avg. $1203)
9. Superhero Movie, MGM, $3,216,247 (avg. $1273)
10. Drillbit Taylor, Paramount, $2,044,988 (avg. $927)

(You can review last week’s numbers here.)

Read More | Variety

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