2007 National Film Registry Films Announced

The Library of Congress has made its annual announcement of the 25 films to be added to the Library's National Film Registry, and as in years past, the films are a combination of modern favorites and older classics ranging from the Charley Chase silent comedy short Mighty Like The Moose (1926) and the all-star cast drama Grand Hotel (1932) to the Steve McQueen crime drama Bullitt (1968) and 1985's science-fiction comedy Back To The Future.

Also included on this year's list are the noir's In A Lonely Place (1950) and The Naked City (1948), the western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), the Walt Disney cartoon The Three Little Pigs (1933), Algonquin Roundtable member Robert Benchley's comedy short The Sex Life Of The Polyp (1928) and the musical Oklahoma! (1950).

"Even as Americans fill the movie theaters to see the latest releases, few are aware that up to half the films produced in this country before 1950—and as much as 90 percent of those made before 1920—are lost forever," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington, in a press release. "The National Film Registry seeks not only to honor these films, but to ensure that they are preserved for future generations to enjoy."

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act of 1992, each year the Librarian of Congress, with advice from the National Film Preservation Board, names 25 films to the National Film Registry to be preserved for all time based on their "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significance.

The films on the Registry range from silent classics Intolerance (1919) and It (1927) to popular blockbusters like Star Wars (1977) and Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) to historically important film footage such as the Hindenburg Disaster Newsreel Footage (1937) and Abraham Zapruder's infamous home movie footage of the John F. Kennedy assassination. The complete list of films on the National Film Registry can be found here.

The complete list of films added to the Registry this year is as follows-

• Back To The Future (1985)
• Bullitt (1968)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
• Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)
• Dances With Wolves (1990)
• Days of Heaven (1978)
• Glimpse of the Garden (1957)
• Grand Hotel (1932)
• The House I Live In (1945)
• In a Lonely Place (1950)
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
• Mighty Like a Moose (1926)
• The Naked City (1948)
• Now, Voyager (1942)
• Oklahoma! (1955)
• Our Day (1938)
• Peege (1972)
• The Sex Life of the Polyp (1928)
• The Strong Man (1926)
• Three Little Pigs (1933)
• Tol’able David (1921)
• Tom, Tom the Piper’s Son (1969-71)
• 12 Angry Men (1957)
• The Women (1939)
• Wuthering Heights (1939)

INCREDIBLE HULK: First Look

While 2004's Hulk film from director Ang Lee wasn't well received by comic book fans or the general moviegoing public, the studio thought that there was still something to the concept of adapting Marvel Comics' Jekyll and Hyde-inspired superhero to try again, with the upcoming Incredible Hulk.

This time, Ed Norton will be taking over the role of the ill-fated Bruce Banner, the scientist who, after being exposed to an overdose of Gamma radiation finds that his hair doesn't fall out and he contracts cancer, but instead has the ability to change into a large, green-skinned, brutish man monster. Looking on the ability as a curse rather than a fun way to throw cars and tanks around, Banner searches for a cure while being pursued by the military.

The new film is due this coming summer and Universal has now released the first two pictures from the film, both showing Norton's Banner on the trail for a cure for his condition.

Is it just me, or does the contraption that Banner is seated in in the first photo look awfully similar to one that Bill Bixby used in the pilot episode for the 1970s television adaptation of the character?




Via MTV Movies Blog.

LOST BOYS 2: First Look

Will a Lost Boys sequel with only one Corey but only half as good? That's the big question facing the folks behind the upcoming Lost Boys 2: The Tribe, which will feature Corey Feldman, seen below blasting away with a Holy Water Bazooka, but will go Haim-less.


The sequel will see the return of Feldman's Edgar Frog character, still battling southern California vampires. In this case, he is called upon to help a young man save his sister from a clan of vampires led by Angus Sitherland.

Although the studio conceived the project as a direct to DVD release, there is reportedly some thought to giving Lost Boys 2 a theatrical release. Are you interested in spending some hard earned cash at the cineplex box office to see this film or does it seem more like the kind of thing you are apt to grab off a video store shelf when it is five minutes to store closing and the clerks are looking at you to hurry it up?

Via SlashFilm.

Review: ALIEN VS PREDATOR: REQUIEM

When the first Alien Versus Predator film failed to excite fans of both franchises, many placed the blame on the film's softer PG-13 rating.

The creative forces behind this sequel have listened, and Alien Vs Predator: Requiem sports the demanded R rating, promising more scares and gore to be had.

But is just the promise of more flying viscera enough to make this new film a better experience than the last one was?

Read our review to find out.

Happy Holidays From FilmBuffOnLine!!

The staff here at FilmBuffOnLine would like to take a moment to wish everyone out there a happy holiday season and to thank you for stopping by here during your travels around the internet.

This past year has been a busy one, but one that has seen much growth in our reading audience. I can only surmise that means you like what we're doing here, so rest assured, in 2008 there will be more of the same and then some. We have some more articles and script reviews coming your way in the upcoming weeks and months, so stick around.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the small staff I've been assembling this past year for their contributions both in terms of what you folks see and what goes on behind the scenes. Bill, John and Rich have provided me with unimaginable help and advice and I'm looking forward to continuing that into the new year.

Again, happy holidays everyone!

DVD Review: RUSH HOUR 3

I've been a fan of Jackie Chan's work since I first saw a multiple generation dupe bootleg of his seminal Armor Of God. And while he's a star the world over, it has always had trouble finding the right Hollywood-produced film to fully showcase his talents. Although the Rush Hour films have come close, they never struck much of a chord with me. I'm in the minority though, as all three films in the series have been box office successes. And for fans, the two-disc DVD release for Rush Hour 3 gives fans of the series much band for their buck.

The first disc sports a good transfer of the film, accompanied by a commentary track featuring director Brett Ratner and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson. My feelings about Ratner as a director aside, he comes across as fairly amiable and personable and quick to point out where he's showing the influence of his favorite films or where a technical error may have crept into the film.

The second disc supplies much meat for those who enjoy looking behind-the-scenes at film production in the form of a "Making Rush Hour 3" feature that runs nearly as long as the film's 90-minute run time. In both the "Making of..." feature and a separate visual effects demo reel there are montages of the Eiffel Tower sequence dissolving back and forth between the finished film and the raw footage showing exactly where reality ended and computer created visuals began. What's even more amazing than seeing what parts of the Eiffel Tower were recreated in a computer is seeing what stunts Jackie Chan actually did on the location in Paris. (Also, look out for an Easter Egg where technicians at George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic created a variation of one of the effects shots they produced for the film.)

The "Making of..." portion is fairly comprehensive featuring interviews with everyone from screenwriter Nathanson, a majority of the main cast and crew members from editors to effects technicians. To be sure, at times some of the interview subjects get a little self-congratulatory about their work, but that is to be expected. The overall result is a comprehensive look at the film's production and makes for fascinating viewing, no matter what you may have felt about the film itself.

The movie is also being released on Blu-Ray, for anyone who scores a player this holiday season and is looking for something to play in it.

This Week's Theatrical Releases.

A big week this week. And I'm feeling a bit Grinchy about it. I hope that you'd forgive me for it.

1. National Treasure: The Book of Secrets (3,832 Theaters, 124 Minutes, Rated PG): Nicolas Cage returns as Treasure hunter Ben Gates in the next installment of Disney's Da Vinci Code-lite series.

This time, he finds out that his great-great grandfather might have conspired to kill Abraham Lincoln. This sets him on a globe-spanning (based on the poster to London and Paris) to clear his family name.

This got me to thinking, would I go to the same lengths if my great-great grandfather was involved in the Lincoln assassination? First, I'd be shocked because I wouldn't have believed that my family had arrived in the U.S. by that time. Second, I would think, well, that sucks for great-great grandpa, but doesn't affect me all that much.

This is another movie, much like Fred Claus a few weeks back, which is mindless popcorn fare but has a powerhouse cast. It features three Oscar winners (Nicolas Cage, Helen Mirren, and Jon Voight) and two nominees (Ed Harris and Harvey Keitel)

Oh, and that part of the trailer were Cage sticks his hands in the rocks and then screams? Hate it. Hate it a lot.




2. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2, 650 Theaters, 96 Minutes, Rated R): I am conflicted over this one. I have imbibed on the Judd Apatow Kool-Aid and believe everything he touches has the chance at being great. And I am a big fan of movie parody--when done right. However, Walk the Line, the Johnny Cash biopic this movie seems to parody most, is one of my favorite movies. I don't know if I can stand to see it mocked.

Who am I kidding? How can I resist this movie? It's worth it just to see Jack White's whacked out portrayal of Elvis and Paul Rudd and Justin Long portrayal of a bickering John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The movie also pokes fun at the 50+ years of popular music as the poster can attest. Any Doors fan will recognize what picture it is aping.

Of course, the main draw has to be John C. Reilly. Talladega Nights seems to have established him as a top rate comedic actor. Who knew? And his performance in this movie has already garnered him a Golden Globe Nomination. Could an Oscar nod be in his future? Wouldn't that be funny?

By the way, the only trailer I could find on iFilm is the International Trailer, which means it is a bit raunchier than you'd expect. So, be forewarned--don't click on it if you're easily offended or under 18. If you are either and you click, we hold no responsibility for the damage the trailer will do on your psyche.




3. Charlie Wilson's War (2,574 Theaters, 97 Minutes, Rated R): I love the way they are marketing this as a wacky, feel-good comedy about a colorful Senator who sorta stumbles into helping end the Cold War. But if you pay attention closely, the way he helps to end the Cold War is by funnelling money and arms in to Afghanistan to help them fight the Soviet invasion of their country. The money and arms, some people say, also helped bring the Taliban to power and helped train and arm Al Queda. So, what you really have (if you believe the above) is a wacky, feel-good comedy about a colorful Senator who sorta stumbles into helping bring about Osama Bin Laden. Kinda spoils the vibe a little bit, doesn't it?

However, no matter how the studio markets it, it is almost mathematically impossible for the movie to be bad. It is directed by the legendary Mike Niichols. It is written by the often witty and usually good Aaron Sorkin, and all the three principals have won Oscars--well deserved Oscars if you ask me. But then again, I am a big fan of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman




4. P.S. I Love You (2, 454 Theaters, 126 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Yet another movie where the trailer makes it seem like it is a peppy, fun chick bonding flick. But in reality, it is much darker.

See, Gerard Butler, that guy from 300? The guy with his name above the title? He dies. And he leaves messages for his widow, Hilary Swank, teaching her how to adjust to life after his death. This adjustment apparently involves her singing karaoke, ice skating, getting drunk and flirting with the guy who is playing the Comedian in the Watchmen flick.

So, while the trailer seems peppy, I'm sure the movie will have more than its fair share of weepy and wistful moments. So be sure to bring your hankies to the theater.

And, while I'd love to provide you with a trailer for the movie, I can't find one on iFilm. Aw Shucks. Because anytime you can see Hilary Swank falling off of a stage in a bar after singing karaoke, well, life doesn't get any better than that.

Okay, okay. If you really want to see it, with ads, you can click here.

5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1,249 Theaters, 117 Minutes, Rated R): Just so everybody is on the same page here, this movie is a musical. I'm sure some cuts of the movie didn't makes it seem that way, but it is. Yes, you will get to see Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, two actors not know for their singing voices, belting out Sondheim songs.

Outside of it being a musical, the movie would be right in Tim Burton's wheelhouse. After all, it about a barber who kills his clients and has the woman downstairs cook them up for meat pies. How macabre is that? Totally Tim Burton-esque.

I did not realize that there was a revenge motive involved it the film until I saw the latest trailer. This kind of ruins it for me. I mean, Sweeney Todd being a murdering psycho appeals more to me than him having justification for the killings.

What? Stop staring at me like that?




6. The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2,772 Theaters, 117 Minutes, Rated PG, Opening 12/25): Or, in other words, The True Scotland Story: Nessie: Under the Loch.

Yes, the Water Horse in question is supposed by the Loch Ness Monster. Or, a close cousin of it. What's next? Bigfoot starring in "The Forest Ape: Legend of the Forest"?

I love that they are advertising that Walden Media, one of the production companies on this movie, was also the ones "who bought you The Chronicles of Narnia." I see what they're getting at. Narnia was a fantasy movie where children interacted with fantasy creatures, this movie is a fantasy movie where children interact with fantasy creatures. But just because the "brought" us both movies doesn't mean they will both be good. They also "brought" us the Jackie Chan version of Around the World in 80 Days. You don't see them mentioning that, do you? They also brought us The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising. Where is that on the posters and trailers?



7. Alien Vs. Predator-Requiem (2,563 Theaters, 86 Minutes, Rated R, Opening 12/25): Ah! Nothing says Christmas like to hideously ugly alien monsters causing rampant destruction and loss of human life as they try to beat the snot out of one another. Ranks right up there with eggnog, mistletoe, and Rankin-Bass specials!

Yeah, all you Sci-Fi fans should shoot a letter off to Dark Horse Comics thanking, or, in some cases, I'm sure, blaming them for this hybrid franchise. These two Fox franchises met up in the comic book world first and their success there surely is part of the reason why we now have two movies with them fighting.

I have heard a lot of fuss and excitement about how this movie is rated R. Like having more gore will make the movie any better.

And it is one bad day for trailers (and me trying to post this as well, but that's another story). The only trailer on iFilm is the Red Band trailer. This is the trailer that usually airs before R rated movies. So, page up to the Walk Hard entry, read what it says above that trailer, and apply it here as well.





8. The Great Debaters (1,164 Theaters, 123 Minutes, Rated PG-13, Opening 12/25): I think it's safe to say that Denzel Washington is one of the best actors of this generation. His name might not immediately pop to mind when you think of the best actors, but his is a man who makes bad movies good, good movies great and great movies exceptional.

And, like some actors do when they react a certain plateau, he has branched out into directing. And he's done a pretty good job at that too.

This is the second film he's directed, following after 2002's Antwone Fisher, and follows in the same "Based on the inspirational true story. This film tells the tale of the true life story of the debate team from Wiley College, a small, all-African-American school in Texas, from its inception to its going on to challenge Harvard in the National Debate Championship in 1935.

The movie has already been nominated for a Golden Globe (Curses on the Foreign Press guys, getting to see all these movies early!) and is generating serious Oscar buzz.



Now on to the predictions. This is what I called for last week:

1. I Am Legend
2. The Golden Compass
3. Enchanted
4. The Perfect Holiday
5. This Christmas

And this is how it actually was:

1. I Am Legend
2. Alvin and The Chipmunks
3. The Golden Compass
4. Enchanted
5. No Country for Old Men

Witness the awesome power of the CGI Chipmunk. And I didn't think it would make the Top 5 at all! So, I am 1 for 5 this week, bringing my 18 week total up to 38 for 90 and my average correct to 42%

Since there are no movies released next friday, I'll double up my weekend predictions thia week. This will be the excellent time to catch up. Or, more likely, fall further behind.

So, this is how I think it will look for this weekend:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
3. I Am Legend
4. Charlie Wilson's War
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

And next week:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
3. Alien Vs. Predator-Requiem
4. I Am Legend
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

And to all of you out there, have a happy and safe holiday!

MPAA Stupidly Rejects Documentary Poster

The Motion Picture Association of America have rejected the poster for Taxi To The Dark Side, a documentary that traces the use of torture in the United States’ recent military campaigns from from Afghanistan's Bagram prison to Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay.

The poster depicts two soldiers walking away from the camera, escorting a hooded detainee. In a statement to Variety, an unnamed MPAA spokesperson-

We treat all films the same. Ads will be seen by all audiences, including children. If the advertising is not suitable for all audiences it will not be approved by the advertising administration.

It appears that the offending image, at least to the MPAA's eyes, is the hood on the detainee. Last year, the MPAA rejected a poster for the documentary The Road To Guantanamo which featured a hooded prison hanging by his handcuffed wrists. At the time, Howard Cohen, co-president of Roadside Attractions, who released Road To Guantaamo, stated that the reason he was given for the refusal was that the burlap bag over the prisoner's head depicted torture, which was not appropriate for children to see.

Taxi’s producer/writer/director Alex Gibney finds that reasoning spurious and unacceptable, considering that the poster’s image is based on a photograph taken by photojournalist Shaun Schwarz.

Not permitting us to use an image of a hooded man that comes from a documentary photograph is censorship, pure and simple. Intentional or not, the MPAA's disapproval of the poster is a political act, undermining legitimate criticism of the Bush administration. I agree that the image is offensive; it's also real.

Taxi To The Dark Side has already played to acclaim on the festival circuit and is currently on the short list for nomination for a Best Documentary Feature Academy Award. The film is scheduled to open on January 11, 2008.

In addition to running the rating system, the MPAA also has approval over all advertising materials, including posters, used. If ThinkFilm were to go ahead and use the poster anyway, it would run the risk of the MPAA revoking the film's R rating. While ThinkFilm could still release the film unrated, it would face an uphill battle with distribution as many theater chains will not screen and many newspapers will not carry advertising for unrated films.

I'm no fan of the MPAA. I find the rational given for many of their decisions to be hopelessly simplistic and condescending. I find it hard to believe that the MPAA is expressing concern for children over this image. Where was this concern when they approved the phallic visual puns in the posters for Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo and Balls Of Fury?

Congratulations MPAA! Yet another stupid decision in your organization's long line of stupid decisions.


Via Cinematical

TERMINATOR 4 Story Details Leaked (Spoilers)

Over at CHUD, Devin Faraci has posted a story piecing together various bits of information he has been able to piece together about the upcoming fourth Terminator film, Terminator: Salvation Run.

Due to some possible heavy spoilers, and the fact that I'm not very confident this film (the first in a planned trilogy) will be any good, I've decided not to post any of the specifics here. The story does talk about how the filmmakers seem to have a broad plan for the trilogy, what a major plot point or two might be and exactly how actor Christian Bale's character fits in to things. I invite you to click on the link above for all the gorey details.

Behold! Gilliam's IMAGINARIUM!

Here are two pictures of the titular Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus from director Terry Gilliam.



We first told you about Gilliam's latest film back in October, when we noted that the director's description of the film's lead character Dr. Parnassus - "A person with eternal life who's basically a storyteller, but the world has moved on and his brand of storytelling is of no interest" - seems to have just the faintest whiff of autobiography about it. It's an assertation that Gilliam confirmed last week in a Variety article noting the film's start of principal photography.

It's autobiographical. I'm trying to bring a bit of fantasticality to London, an antidote to modern lives. I loved this idea of an ancient travelling show offering the kind of storytelling and wonder that we used to get, to people who are just into shoot-em-up action films. Parnassus is trying to bring amazement to people, and not doing a very good job of it, because they aren't paying attention to him. But if they will enter his mirror, and allow their imagination to mix with his, they enter these extraordinary worlds, and they come back transcendent -- or they strangely disappear.

Production on the film has already commenced in London (Just Jared has a couple of spoilerish pictures featuring star Heath Ledger) and we can expect The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus in theaters in early 2009.

Via (a semi-retired) Film Ick.

SPEED RACER Teaser Poster

Below is the first teaser poster for next summer's live action animae adaptation Speed Racer. Although you can click on the poster to make it ginormous, you might want to check it out at your local cineplex, as it is lenticular (that cool 3D thing).

Kevin Smith. PORNO. You. Perfect together.

Are you a fan of Kevin Smith movies? Have you ever wanted to appear in one? Well, you are in luck.

The director has announced on his blog that he is holding an open casting call for his latest film, Zach and Miri Make a Porno.

The movie, starring 40 Year-Old Virgin castmates Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as the titular Zach and Miri, tells the tale of two platonic friends with cash flow problems who decide to enter the world of pornography to ease their money woes. During the filming, they find that their might be more than just friendship between them.

The message on the blog reads as follows:

If you wanna be an extra in “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”, here’s how to do it…
1) Take two pictures of yourself: headshot and full body shot (clad, please).
2) List your personal details: age, contact info.
3) Mail that [Expletive Deleted by FilmBuffOnline] to…

I Wanna Be in “Porno”!
Nancy Mosser Casting
attn: Katie Shenot
239 Fourth Ave
Suite 1217
Pittsburgh PA 15222

4) Wait for response.

Helps if you live near Pittsburgh, but if you’re willing to travel from other parts of the country, then you’ll definitely be considered (however, you’ve gotta spring for your own travel/hotel stay, naturally). And in case you’re thinking “I’m gonna get RICH off this mug!” lemme reality check you: the gig pays minimum wage (which breaks down to about $57.20 for 8 hours). But if you don’t care about the money and just want an experience you can tell people about for years, then send us your deets now! Hope to see you on set.

Wow. A chance to be in a Kevin Smith movie and stay in Pittsburgh? I wonder if I can convince my wife to let me go out for this.

Via Paste by way of Pop Candy.

It's Official! Jackson To Produce Two New HOBBIT films!

Christmas just landed early for fans of JRR Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings and of director Peter Jackson's film adaptations of those books.

Jackson and New Line Cinema have finally settled their differences and announced today that they will be producing, in conjunction with MGM Studios, two new films based on Tolkien's The Hobbit and other material which will serve as a prequel to Jackson's fantasy trilogy.

A press statement released earlier today confirmed what many had felt would be the plan if the project ever got off the ground. The first of the two films will adapt Tolkien's Hobbit while the second film will be drawn from numerous notes about the story's Middle Earth setting and will serve as a bridge between The Hobbit film and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Pre-production is expected to begin almost immediately, with a tentative 2009 start date for filming. Both films will be shot simultaneously, with The Hobbit hitting screens in 2010 and the second film a year later.

The press release does not confirm, however, a previous report that the two films might be shot in 3D.

While Jackson is set to produce, there has been no word has been said as to who may actually write and direct the films. Surely the first choice of everyone involved would be to have Jackson himself helm the pictures. However, his plate is a bit full right now. Location shooting for his current film The Lovely Bones has just wrapped this past Friday in Philadelphia and is scheduled to resume in the new year at his home studio in New Zealand. Also, Jackson is set to direct one of the three animated Tin Tin films he is currently developing with Steven Spielberg. Will he have both of these projects out of the way in time for a 2009 production start for these two films? Will his work on Lovely Bones and Tin Tin keep him from co-writing the screenplay?

The complete text of the press release is as follows-

PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT"
December 18, 2007

ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT," EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC

NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE
DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE
TWO FILMS BASED ON "THE HOBBIT"

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, The Hobbit and a sequel to The Hobbit. New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on The Hobbit. New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) Trilogy.

Said Peter Jackson, "I’m very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. The Lord of the Rings is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey."

"Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making The Hobbit," said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. "Now that we are all in agreement on The Hobbit, we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film."

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, "We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with The Hobbit movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with The Lord of the Rings Trilogy."

"Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with The Lord of the Rings," notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. "We’re delighted he’s back for The Hobbit films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord."

The two Hobbit films – The Hobbit and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of The Hobbit release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, Return of the King swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.

For more information about The Hobbit films, please visit http://www.thehobbitblog.com/.

About New Line Cinema
Corporation:Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Inc.:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

About Peter Jackson/Wingnut Films:Peter Jackson is one of the world’s most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Currently, Jackson is directing an adaptation of The Lovely Bones, from the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge.

Via The Hobbit Blog

DARK KNIGHT Trailer And Yet Another Poster!

If you happened to have skipped I Am Legend this weekend - and I don't blame you if you did - you wound up missing the premier of the new trailer for Christopher Nolan's upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight. While cruddy looking bootleg versions have been popping up all over the internet all weekend, Warner Brothers has officially released it online at one of the film's many viral marketing websites.

Also this weekend, another teaser poster has shown up, this time over at Ropes Of Silicon. This latest poster harkens back to a poster from a few weeks back that also carried the "Why so serious?" tag line.

New Bond Film Gets A Title?

Although the next film in the long running James Bond franchise has been progressing through pre-production with the simple working title of Bond22, it seems that numbers may just play a part in the film's as-yet-officially-unrevealed title. AintItCoolNews has posted the following report from a British reporter who caught an interview with current Bond, Daniel Craig, on a British morning chat show.

I was watching Daniel Craig on the This Morning interview discussing The Golden Compass.
Well, he was asked about Bond 22 and he might have blew the cover and revealed the title for it.
Paraphrasing: "It's more of a number. Because the first movie dealt with him earning his 00 status and now he is 007 for the first time".
He was asked if 007 is actually the title, but said he might have said too much.

If there is some truth to this rumor, it will probably come as a surprise to the film's screenwriter Paul Haggis. According to an interview in Britain's The Guardian earlier this week, the scripter has problems with titles.

Even if the strike ends and Haggis returns to Bond 22, his contribution is unlikely to include advice on the title. He admits to never knowing what to call his scripts and when writing Crash, only used it as a working title, assuming it would be changed. The director David Cronenberg, maker of a 1996 movie of the same name, is still, he acknowledges, "quite upset with me".

CLASH OF THE TITANS Gets A Director

Warner Brothers has announced their choice for their remake of the 1981 fantasy film Clash Of The Titans- Steve Norrington. Previously, Norrington has directed two comic book adaptations- the first Blade (1998) and the much reviled The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003).

Previous directors rumored to have been approached for the project include Robert Rodriguez and Sam Raimi. Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan is behind the script for this new version. Warners hopes to have production underway next year.

I think the main question here, is why remake Clash Of The Titans at all?

It's not a great movie, but is noteable as being stop-motion effects great Ray Harryhausen's last film work. Why sully that place in cinema history with a new version which will feature all computer generated effects? Since no one owns the copyright on the Greek myths the original film is based on, the only reason for using the Clash Of The Titans title is due to its name recognition factor. Will that be enough to get audiences into the cineplexes?

Via Variety

MY NAME IS BRUCE Trailer

"Bruce Campbell is the greatest actor of his generation!"

So one character tells another in the trailer for the upcoming comedy My Name Is Bruce, merely confirming what I've already known.

If you haven't heard about the film yet, the premise is simple- cult movie fan favorite Bruce Campbell plays a cult movie fan favorite actor named Bruce Campbell who is recruited by a small town to help them rid themselves of a supernatural horror that is plaguing them. Sure, the plot sounds like "The Three Amigos find Big Trouble In Little China," but it's got Bruce Campbell in it!

I've seen Campbell speak a few times and he definitely has a sense of humor about himself and his place in the Hollywood pecking order. He's further proved it with his books If Chins Could Kill and Make Love The Bruce Campbell Way. Hopefully, this will follow in the same vein. Check out the trailer and decide for yourself-

New DARK KNIGHT International Poster (Updated With Second Poster!)

If you can't wait for your first look at footage from the upcoming Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight - a trailer for the film will be attached to standard prints of I Am Legend while the film's first five minutes or so will screen in front of IMAX presentations of I Am Legend - then we have this treat for you- the new international poster for the film.


I really like this design, especially the way it creates the ambiance that Batman is the protector of Gotham City, yet this role leaves him isolated. While it's a different feel than the recently released "Why So Serious?" poster released two weeks ago, both posters definitely evoke the right tone for the characters they are featuring.

The Dark Knight is set to open on July 18, 2008.

Via Collider.

Update: A second poster has shown up online, this one featuring Ledger's Joker.

Click on either poster to make bigger.

John Singleton To Direct A-TEAM

Although it was rumored earlier this week, director John Singleton has confirmed that he will be helming a big screen adaptation of the 1980s television series The A-Team.

The original series focused on four Vietnam vets wanted by military authorities for a crime they didn't commit. As the show's opening reminded us every week-

These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team.

A target for some watchdog groups for its over the top violence, no one on The A-Team ever seemed to actually get hurt amidst all the gun play. Reports are that this new version, being overseen by original series producer Stephen J. Cannell, will be in a more serious vein than the original and the team's background will be updated from being Vietnam vets to Gulf War vets.

Via BlackVoices

This Week's Theatrical Releases.

1. I Am Legend (3,606 Theaters, 101 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Any savvy Sci-Fi fan will tell you that this is not first time Richard Matheson's 1954 novel has been adapted for the screen. Actually, it is the fourth. First was the 1964 Vincent Price vehicle The Last Man on Earth. Next came 1971' The Omega Man, part two of Charlton Heston's trilogy of thinking man's science fiction, coming between Planet of the Apes and Soylent Green. Most recently, certainly not by accident, The Asylum released a direct-to-video version called I Am Omega.

This particular adaption has been in the works since 1997, when Ridley Scott and Arnold Schwarznegger were attached. Will Smith was involved in the second go around, with Michael Bay to direct, in 2002. Finally, Smith and Francis Lawrence brought the story back to the screen.

Why is this story so popular? Well, my guess is that people can relate to being the last man on Earth--the sense of isolation and loneliness. The fact that he has to fight diseased, flesh-eating, creatures of the night is just a bonus.

Certain things have been changed from the book. The diseased are now more zombies than vampires and rumor has it that the movie's ending is a bit more cheery.



2. Alvin and the Chipmunks (3,475 Theaters, 90 Minutes, Rated PG): I have a confession to make. When I was a little kid, I was a big fan of the Chipmunks. On Saturday mornings, if my parents stopped on the Alvin Show for more than a millisecond, and I heard the theme song, I would instantly wake up and be in front of the TV in nothing flat. I am still the not-so-proud owner of cassettes featuring sped-up versions of Beatles and Christmas songs.

So the curmudgeon in me likes to grumble about this update of the singing rodent brothers. Not a big fan of the CGI or fart humor in this version.

But a post by comics blogger Valerie D'Orazio opened my eyes a bit. The producers are not making this movie for me. Sure, I'd bet they'd love if I came out to see the flick, that would be gravy. But they are aiming squarely at the kids of today. Kids whose education in social graces have apparently broken down to such a point that farting in peoples faces is downright hilarious.

This, however, does not mean the movie will not be awful.



3 The Perfect Holiday (1,307 Theaters, 96 Minutes, Rated PG): A little girl asks a department store Santa Claus to find a boyfriend for her divorced mom for Christmas. Hilarity ensues.

Tyler Perry has shown us that there is an untapped market for comedies featuring a predominantly African-American casts. But is the holiday season big enough for two Christmas-themed films in that genre?

My guess? Probably yes. This Christmas came out of nowhere and did fairly well at the box office. and is showing lasting power. And this flick has something else going for it. Namely, past Oscar-nominees Terrence Howard and Queen Latifah in small roles.

Sure, the films might take away audience share from one another. That is always a possibility. But I believe the market is big enough to support them both.





Now, the predictions. This is what I predicted for last week:

1. The Golden Compass
2. Enchanted
3. Beowulf
4. This Christmas
5. Awake

And this is how it turned out:

1. The Golden Compass
2. Enchanted
3. This Christmas
4. Fred Claus
5. Beowulf

I was 2 for 5 for a total of 37 of 85 in 17 weeks for an average of 43%. This is my picks for this weekend.

1. I Am Legend
2. The Golden Compass
3. Enchanted
4. The Perfect Holiday
5. This Christmas

What do you think?

GOLDEN GLOBE nominations announced.

The nominees for the 65th Annual Golden Globes were announced today. This is the list of the Motion Picture nominations:

Picture, Drama: "American Gangster," "Atonement," "Eastern Promises," "The Great Debaters," "Michael Clayton," "No Country for Old Men," "There Will Be Blood."

Actress, Drama: Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"; Julie Christie, "Away From Her"; Jodie Foster, "The Brave One"; Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart"; Kiera Knightley, "Atonement."

Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"; Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"; James McAvoy, "Atonement"; Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises"; Denzel Washington, "American Gangster."

Picture, Musical or Comedy: "Across the Universe," "Charlie Wilson's War," "Hairspray," "Juno," "Sweeney Todd."

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Amy Adams, "Enchanted"; Nikki Blonsky, "Hairspray"; Helena Bonham Carter, "Sweeney Todd"; Marion Cotillard, "La Vie En Rose"; Ellen Page, "Juno."

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd"; Ryan Gosling, "Lars and the Real Girl"; Tom Hanks, "Charlie Wilson's War"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "The Savages"; John C. Reilly, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"; Julia Roberts, "Charlie Wilson's War"; Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement"; Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone"; Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."

Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"; Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War"; John Travolta, "Hairspray"; Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."

Director: Tim Burton, "Sweeney Todd"; Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men"; Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"; Ridley Scott, "American Gangster"; Joe Wright, "Atonement."

Screenplay: Diablo Cody, "Juno"; Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, "No Country for Old Men"; Christopher Hampton, "Atonement"; Ronald Harwood, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"; Aaron Sorkin, "Charlie Wilson's War."

Foreign Language: "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," Romania; "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," France and U.S.; "The Kite Runner," U.S.; "Lust, Caution," Taiwan; "Persepolis," France.

Animated Film: "Bee Movie," "Ratatouille," "The Simpsons Movie."

Original Score: Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Edder, "Into the Wild"; Clint Eastwood, "Grace Is Gone"; Alberto Iglesias, "The Kite Runner"; Dario Marianelli, "Atonement"; Howard Shore, "Eastern Promises."

Original Song: "Despedida" from "Love in the Time of Cholera"; "Grace Is Gone" from "Grace Is Gone"; "Guaranteed" from "Into the Wild"; "That's How You Know" from "Enchanted"; "Walk Hard" from "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

I am slightly disapointed that Russell Crowe didn't get a nod for American Gangster. Sure, Denzel Washington had the showier role, but Crowe did a great job in an equal role. Anyhow, the Golden Globes usually give us a sneak peek at what the Oscar Nominations might look like. Take a look at the above and see if you can guess the Academy will select.

And I got this via CNN. They are the ones who credited the original score for Into the Wild to Eddie Edder instead of Eddie Vedder. So all you Pearl Jam fans out there, direct your correspondence to them, not me.

Welles' CITIZEN KANE Oscar Statue A Bust At Auction

An investment is only as good as the price you can get when you ultimate divest yourself of it, and it looks like the Dax Foundation's 2003 investment in the Academy Award statue awarded to Orson Welles for co-authoring the screenplay for Citizen Kane might not have been a wise move.

As we reported back in October, the Dax Foundation had purchased the Oscar statue back in 2003 and was planning to have it auctioned by Sotheby's earlier this week, hoping to earn anywhere between $800,00 and $1.2 million. However, it failed to find a bidder who would meet the minimum price that the Dax Foundation had placed on it.

Welles' personal copy of the film's 156-page script, the last revised draft before the final shooting script, was sold for $97,000 to an anonymous telephone bidder.

I have to admit to some surprise that there wasn't a single bid that met the reserve price the Oscar had on it. Since the Academy clamped down on the sale of the statues starting in 1950, very few Oscars have hit the auction block and recent years, those that have were bought up by Academy members who then donated them back to the Academy. Steven Spielberg is known to have done this on a couple of occasions and I figured the historical value of this particular Oscar would have pulled an Academy-friendly philanthropist out of the woodwork.