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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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Cher’s Publicist Enjoys Catwoman Rumors

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Warner Bros, Adaptation, Sequels, Casting, Celebrity Gossip, Rumors

CherC’mon. Does anyone really believe the rumors are real?

Last month, Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported that Britney Spears was being sought for a role in a Quentin Tarantino film. And while that story has since been shot down, the same newspaper is back at it again.

Over the past week, buzz has been spreading about the next installment in the Batman series. According to the Telegraph, director Christopher Nolan is currently talking to Cher about playing Catwoman. The paper cites a ‘studio exec’ who says Nolan has strong visions for the Vegas singer. “Cher is Nolan’s first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years,” said the source.

By the way - did I mention that Johnny Depp is supposedly on board to play The Riddler as well?

Click to continue reading Cher’s Publicist Enjoys Catwoman Rumors

Read More | TV Guide

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Actors Donate Paychecks to Heath Ledger’s Daughter

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Adventure, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases

Heath Ledger and MatildaBack in February, it was announced that Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell would all be chipping in to complete Heath Ledger’s final project. Now we’re learning the trio had more than their fellow thespian in mind when they agreed to help. They were also thinking of Ledger’s daughter, Matilda.

Heath, who died of an accidental overdose back in January, had been working on at the time of his passing. Although it was feared the magical movie would have to be scrapped, director Terry Gilliam was able to have other actors play different versions of Tim, Ledger’s character.

According to Gilliam, the generosity of the fill-ins extended beyond the film’s set. Out of concern for 2-year-old Matilda, the three fathers donated their paychecks to young girl.

Click to continue reading Actors Donate Paychecks to Heath Ledger’s Daughter

Read More | The Sun

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

Go Gonzo with Hunter S. Thompson

Posted by K.C. Morgan
Categories: Documentary, New Releases

Hunter S. Thompson

Unless you were well-read and politically savvy in the late 60s and early 70s, you might not have heard of Hunter S. Thompson until the somewhat obscure film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas helped push him back in the limelight. But if you think the documentary-style Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson will take you back into that drug-soaked world, you’re wrong.

Known for his self-destructive ways, inebriated days and off-color behavior, Hunter S. Thompson was a larger-than-life character. But he was also a fantastic writer. It is to this side of Thompson that Gonzo pays homage.

Reviews of the film are full of praise. Variety says the flick “has a wealth of delightful archival footage to draw on, both directly involving Thompson and evoking the cultural landscape around him.” The Associated Press critic called it “a remarkably balanced look at a man whose creativity sprang from his perpetual state of imbalance.”

Click to continue reading Go Gonzo with Hunter S. Thompson

Read More | Yahoo! News

In Theaters This Holiday Weekend (7/2)

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Columbia Pictures, IFC Films, Magnolia, Sony, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Romance, Comedy, Lists, New Releases

Hancock

Here are some possible suggestions for your three-day weekend:

Colin Farrell Comments on Heath Ledger Role

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Adventure, Casting, Obituaries, Upcoming Releases

Collin FarrellJust last week we told you about the interesting plan devised for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the movie Heath Ledger was working on when he died.

A trio of A-list actors - Jude Law, and Johnny Depp - will be combining their efforts to fill the void left behind.  Given the magical nature of the film, the substitutes would be able to appear as different versions of Ledger’s character.

In an interview with Australia’s Herald Sun, Farrell commented on his invitation and the unusual circumstances:

“It makes me feel uncomfortable to think about it too much and to get into it really here but it’s an incredibly painful honour to have, you know, and an honour I wish wasn’t bestowed but an honour nonetheless.

It’s about getting Heath’s work out there, get his work out there, he’s too good for any of his work not to be seen, you know, and I’m really keen and looking forward to doing it and just doing the best job I can do.”


Farrell’s recent project, In Bruges, is still currently in theaters.

Read More | Herald Sun

Will Depp, Farrell and Law Fill in for Ledger?

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Adventure, Independent, Casting, Obituaries, Rumors, Upcoming Releases

Heath LedgerA few weeks ago, we said there was a chance Heath Ledger’s last project might still go forward.  Director - who also worked with Ledger on 2005’s The Brothers Grimm - was doing his best to rework the uncompleted film.

Now a new report claims that Heath (and Terry) may be getting a little help from a group of friends.  According to Ain’t It Cool News, Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp will all be helping to fill the gaps in .

Parnassus revolves around a theater troupe and their magical mirror.  Audiences members are magically taken through the mirror to have their imaginations explored.

Click to continue reading Will Depp, Farrell and Law Fill in for Ledger?

Read More | Ain't It Cool News

The 80th Annual Academy Award Nominations

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Picturehouse, DreamWorks, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Miramax, Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Warner Independant Films, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Independent, Period, Political, Romance, Comedy, Awards, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip, Lists

Academy Awards statueThe nominations for the were announced bright and early Tuesday morning from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.  Assuming the ceremony goes on as scheduled, you can see the live broadcast Sunday, February 24th on .

Notable additions/omissions from today’s announcement:

Click to continue reading The 80th Annual Academy Award Nominations

Read More | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Will Christian Bale and Johnny Depp Face Off?

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: Universal, Adaptation, Drama, Period, Thrillers, Casting, Upcoming Releases

Christian BaleJohnny Depp

, the director credited with bringing one of the most buzzed about matchups to the big screen, may be set to do it again.  Thirteen years after and squared off (briefly) in 1995’s Heat, another electrifying pair is in talks to do the same.  With any luck, you may soon be seeing with at a theater near you.

Bale, 33, and Depp, 44 - arguably two of the most respected and exciting actors working today - have been named as possibles for , the adaptation of a Brian Burrough’s book.  The film would pit Depp, as notorious bank robber John Dillinger, against Melvin Purvis (Bale).  Purvis was the FBI agent who eventually brought the notorious bank robber down in 1934.

If all goes as planned, the two actors will begin production with Mann later this winter.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Box Office Breakdown: Atonement Joins Juno in Top Ten

Posted by Veronica Santiago
Categories: DreamWorks, FOCUS, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Foreign, Horror, Music, Musicals, Period, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases

Atonement

When the final numbers were tallied on Monday, something exciting happened at the top of the charts.  After a very close race, surpassed for the second place finish.  ( was tops for its third week in a row.) Already in its fifth week, the comedic charmer continued its steady climb up the box office ladder.  After gaining five spots last week, Juno rose another two spots this weekend.  (A wider release contributed to this feat.) If the movie continues at its current pace, it is expected to be the most successful film from .  Sideways grossed $71.5 million while last year’s darling, , earned $59.9 million.

Meanwhile, another praised film is slowly making an ascent in its fifth week.  , starring ribby and (the man who has replaced ), made its first entry into the Top Ten.  Although the -nominated drama is only being seen in about 1/6 of the theaters Treasure is in, Atonement had a per screen average of $8687.  In comparison, the film only had a $5332 median.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Atonement Joins Juno in Top Ten

Read More | Yahoo! Movies

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