Friday, September 30, 2011
Tony Bennett and Lady GaGa's 'Lady Is a Tramp' Video Teaser
Kelly Osbourne, 26, Still Sucks Her Thumb
Kelly Osbourne sleeps with her thumb in her mouth and her dog by her side. She told Access Hollywood, "I do suck my thumb... (and) if you don't like a dog in my bed then get outta my bed."
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Drafthouse Films Acquires 1981 3D Spaghetti Western 'Comin' At Ya!'
A semi-forgotten bit of weirdness from 1981 is the Fernando Baldi western Comin At Ya!, which was the first, and probably only, 3D spaghetti western. And now, after a successful run at Fantastic Fest, the newly restored film, with 3D re-done for a RealD 3D presentation, is coming to theaters courtey of Drafthouse Films.
The film is basically a revenge story that kicks off when a man's bride to be is kidnapped, leading to several rounds of table-flipping revenge. And it's all accompanied by what sounds like the most ridiculous collection of '80s 3D gags.
Drew McWeeny from HitFix describes the film:
What makes the film worth seeing theatrically is that it might be the most aggressively 3D movie I've ever seen in 3D… This is the old school of thinking about 3D, and in the Q&A afterwards, it's obvious that both Anthony and Stern think very little of modern 3D and what directors are doing with it. This is 3Dsploitation, pure and simple, and even the opening titles are done as live on-the-set shots that push things right out into the audience with the various opening titles written on them. It's hilarious, and the entire film is so earnest that it's hard not to laugh. It's just fun and ridiculous and so blatant about the 3D stuff and so adventurous in terms of things it tries that I ended up really won over by it.
Here's the press release from Drafthouse Films:
The Highest Grossing Independent 3D Film Of The 1980s Becomes First Fully Restored Classic 3D Film Using State-Of-The-Art RealD™ Technology
DRAFTHOUSE FILMS LOGO Drafthouse Films. (PRNewsFoto/Drafthouse Films) AUSTIN, TX UNITED STATES
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, announced the acquisition of North American rights to COMIN AT YA! 3D following the premiere of its stunning new restoration at Fantastic Fest 2011. In 1981, armed with exclusively developed, cutting-edge 3D technology co-writer/producer/star Tony Anthony enlisted Italian genre veteran Fernando Baldi to realize the first-ever 3D spaghetti western – a grindhouse-fueled tale of a vengeful gunslinger. Breaking indie box office records, COMIN' AT YA! 3D is credited with igniting a resurgence of studio-produced 3D films. Thirty years later, Anthony and producer Tom Stern of STERNCO 3D have broken new frontiers again with the first fully restored classic 3D film in high-definition, utilizing contemporary state-of-art RealD™3D technology. A limited theatrical re-release tour is planned for 2012.
"We felt that Drafthouse Films, with their young and aggressive leadership, combined with a new model for 3D distribution, gave us the best chance to reach both longtime fans of the film and new audiences," says Tony Anthony.
"In a barrage of flying arrows, snakes and old-school 3D thrills COMIN' AT YA! certainly delivers," Drafthouse Films director Evan Husney says, "and matching quintessential 80s-style 3D with cutting-edge contemporary technology is going to make for the ultimate 3D experience for movie-goers."
Check out the official website here.
- Drafthouse Films to Distribute Post-Apocalyptic Video-Game Dancing Movie 'The FP'
- Fantastic Fest 2011 Announces First Wave of Depraved, Awesome Genre Programming
- Alamo Drafthouse Announces Distribution Arm; First Release Will Be 'Four Lions'
Crystal Harris Puts Hugh Hefner's Engagement Ring Up For Auction
Hugh Hefner's former fiancee Crystal Harris has put her engagement ring up for auction. The 25-year-old model broke the Playboy boss' heart earlier this year when she called off their wedding jus...
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Casting Bits: Malin Akerman in 'Cottage Country', Diego Klattenhoff in 'Pacific Rim', John Hurt in 'Labyrinth'
Malin Akerman has signed on to star with Tyler Labine, Lucy Punch, and Daniel Petronijevic in Cottage Country, an dark indie comedy by Canadian director Peter Wellington. Written by Jeremy Boxen (Endgame), the story follows Todd (Labine) as he plans to propose to Cammie (Akerman) at his family cottage. However, Todd's plans are ruined by the arrival of his slacker brother (Petronijevic) and the brother's free-spirited girlfriend (Punch).
The film will be Wellington's first feature since 2003′s Luck. Wellington has been working primarily in television over the last several years, on shows including Rookie Blue and Slings and Arrows. The film is currently shooting in Ontario through late October for a 2012 release. [The Hollywood Reporter]
After the jump, Pacific Rim gets another star and John Hurt joins a project called Labyrinth that is totally unrelated to Jim Henson's Labyrinth. Bet you got worried there for a second that it would be a remake.
Diego Klattenhoff (Homeland) is the latest addition to the cast of Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim, an action-packed epic penned by Travis Beacham. Set in 2025, twelve years into a war against alien invaders in the Pacific, the film follows a group of humans who team up to create huge robots to fight the otherworldly monsters. Or, as del Toro so succinctly put it, it's about "giant fucking robots versus giant fucking monsters."
Also starring in the film are Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Rob Kazinsky, Willem Dafoe, Rinko Kikuchi, Max Martini, and Clifton Collins Jr. Klattenhoff will reportedly appear in the opening scene of the movie, but the specifics of his role have not been revealed. Pacific Rim has a targeted release date of July 12, 2013. [Showblitz]
John Hurt is set to star in Labyrinth, the Christopher Smith-directed three-part miniseries based on Kate Mosse's novel of the same title. Hurt joins an large, international roster that includes Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The First Avenger), Katie McGrath (Merlin), Emun Elliott (Game of Thrones), Janet Suzman (Nicholas and Alexandria), Jessica Brown-Findlay (Downton Abbey), Vanessa Kirby (The Hour), and Claudia Gerini (The Passion of the Christ).
The thriller, which was adapted by Adrian Hodges (Primeval), jumps between two interlinked plot threads that unfold 800 years apart. In the present day, Alice Tanner discovers two skeletons and a ring engraved with a labyrinth while on an archaeological dig in France; in the early 13th century, newlywed Alais and her father Bertrand fight to protect sacred books that hold the secret of the Holy Grail.
The series is scheduled to begin filming next month in France, and then South Africa, with an expected premiere in late summer 2012. [Collider]
- Casting Bits: Jonah Hill in 'Neighborhood Watch;' Rufus Sewell in 'Paradise Lost;' Clifton Collins, Jr. in 'Pacific Rim'
- Guillermo del Toro Promises Amazing Monsters and Robots in 'Pacific Rim'
- Release Dates: 'Pacific Rim,' Soderbergh's 'Contagion,' 'The Host,' 'Carnage' and More
- Guillermo del Toro's 'Pacific Rim' Adds Rob Kazinsky, Willem Dafoe in Talks
- Casting Bits: Jason Bateman in 'We're the Millers', Max Martini in 'Pacific Rim', Rebel Wilson in 'Struck by Lightning'
- Casting Bits: Giovanni Ribisi in 'Gangster Squad;' Rinko Kikuchi in 'Pacific Rim;' J.B. Smoove in 'The Dictator'
Simon Cowell Denies Calling Lady GaGa and Beyonce Boring
Casting Bits: Ellen Page Joins 'The East', Anthony Mackie Developing Jesse Owens Biopic, Tom Everett Scott Boards 'Us & Them'
Ellen Page is in final negotiations to star with Brit Marling and Alexander Skarsgard in The East, Zal Batmanglij's thriller about a mysterious eco-terrorism organization called The East. Marling, who co-wrote the script with Batmanglij, leads as an undercover agent who infiltrates the group but then finds herself developing feelings for the group's leader (Skarsgard). Page will play Izzy, a member of The East and Skarsgard's ex, who becomes jealous of relationship between Marling and Skarsgard. Page replaces Felicity Jones, who had to drop out of the project due to press commitments for Like Crazy.
The addition of the Oscar-nominated Page should add even more buzz to a film that's already been getting plenty of it. Marling and Batmanglij broke out at this year's Sundance with Sound of my Voice, and True Blood star Skarsgard has a handful of interesting projects in the works. Page's next big-screen appearance will be in next year's Woody Allen-directed Bop Decameron, alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Penelope Cruz, and Alec Baldwin.
The East is set to begin shooting in Nashville in October. [Variety]
After the jump, Anthony Mackie dreams up a new project for himself and Tom Everett Scott pairs up with Marisa Tomei.
Anthony Mackie isn't wanting for work these days, but it seems like he's getting more supporting roles than leads at the moment. Thankfully, it looks like he himself could be about to change that pattern. Mackie is currently developing a biopic of Olympic runner Jesse Owens, whose victories in the 1936 Berlin Olympics helped discredit Adolf Hitler's ideas about a superior Aryan race. Mackie hopes to star as Owens. The project is in the early stages, with Mackie "looking at and working with" writers at the present. Once the script is complete, Mackie will look for a director who can do both action and storytelling.
Mackie's next onscreen appearance will be in this week's What's Your Number, followed by next week's Real Steel. Other projects he's got coming up are Man on a Ledge, Ten Year, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and The Gangster Squad. [The Playlist]
Tom Everett Scott is set to join Andy Fickman's comedy Us & Them, based on an idea by Billy Crystal. The story follows two "grandparents left alone to care for their grandkids. But grandpa's old-school methods soon clashes with their daughter's more modern parenting style." Crystal and Bette Midler are set to play the older couple, with Marisa Tomei as their daughter. Scott will play Tomei's husband.
Scott's best known role to date was in 1996′s That Thing You Do!, in which he played drummer Guy Patterson. Among his other notable film credits are An American Werewolf in Paris, Dead Man on Campus, and Race to Witch Mountain. Us & Them will begin filming this fall in Atlanta. [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Casting Bits: David Oyelowo in 'One Shot;' Marisa Tomei in 'Us & Them;' Nathan Lane in 'The English Teacher'
- Alexander Skarsgård Joins Brit Marling in 'The East'
- Sundance 'It' Girl Brit Marling Pursued by Robert Redford, Tom Cruise & Steven Soderbergh
- Indie Star Brit Marling Announces Next Three Projects: 'Arbitrage,' 'Breaking the Girl,' and 'The East'
- Fox Searchlight Finally Acquires Sundance 'Sound of My Voice'
- Watch a Clip From One Of My Favorite Movies of Sundance 2011 – Zal Batmanglij's 'Sound of My Voice'
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Critic's Notebook: New York Film Festival, Now Bigger, Beckons
This year's New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center has grown, with more films and new theaters.
'Up All Night' Recap: 'Working Late and Working It'
When we last caught up with the Brinkleys, they were preoccupied with maintaining their coolness. On this week's "Up All Night," Chris starts to wonder where sexy went and tries to persuade Reagan ...
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Celebrity Birthdays - September 29, 2011
Happy Birthday to: Actor Ian McShane (1942) Actor Doug Brochu (1990) Chuck star Zachary Levi (1980) Playboy Playmate/Baywatch actress Erika Eleniak (1969) Primus bassist Les Claypool (1964) D...
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Peter Gabriel Almost Joined Phish For 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' Spectacular
Peter Gabriel and rockers Phish once talked about teaming up to perform landmark Genesis album "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" in its entirety. The jam band was planning to revisit the classic 19...
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Monday, September 26, 2011
Disney Extending Theatrical Engagement of 'The Lion King 3D'
Briefly: The original plan for the 3D re-release of Disney's 1994 smash The Lion King was to put the film in theaters for two weeks in anticipation of the film's October 4 Blu-ray release. But the 3D conversion of the film has dominated the box office for two weeks in a row, falling only 27% in its second weekend, for a cumulative two-week take of $61.7 million. And so, according to CNN (via The Disney Blog), the head of Disney's theatrical distribution arm has pledged at least another week for the film to live in theaters. That means The Lion King will be on movie screens right up to, and perhaps even after, the film's blu-ray release.
Details for the extended theatrical run have not been disclosed, but they likely boil down to keeping the film on the big sceeen as long as it is making money and isn't cutting into Blu-ray sales. Expect another week, perhaps two.
- UPDATE: 'The Lion King' 3D Blu-ray Trailer; Plus Full Theatrical Re-Release
- Disney to Finally Release 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Lion King' in 3D… on Blu-Ray?
- Disney Converting The Lion King to 3D; Roger Rabbit Sequel Update; The Snow Queen Shelved for Now
- 'The Avengers,' 'Brave,' 'Oz The Great and Powerful' and 'Monsters University' Among Confirmed D23 Attendees
- The Top Ten Most Paused Movie Moments
- VOTD: Reel Wisdom: Lessons from 40 Films in 7 Minutes
Video: 'Puss in Boots' is the Cat Your Cat Could Act Like
If you can see the header image, you probably already know exactly what's coming next. A new viral video has been released for DreamWorks' Shrek spinoff Puss in Boots, and yup, it's a fairy-tale spin on Old Spice's The Man Your Man Could Smell Like ad, with the feline adventurer standing in for Isaiah Mustafa.
Directed by Chris Miller, the movie goes back in time to tell a story from Puss' pre-Shrek days, in which he joins forces with Humpty Dumpty and Kitty to steal the Goose that laid the Golden Eggs. Banderas lends his voice once more to the character of Puss, with Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Amy Sedaris contributing their vocal talents as well. Watch the video after the jump.
The ad itself is fine. The animation looks good, the character is still adorable, and the slick, womanizing Puss does indeed seem like he'd have a thing or two in common with Mustafa's ladykiller. What I don't get about this video is the timing. The Old Spice ad came out a year and a half ago, and has inspired countless parodies since then. (My personal favorite being this one from Sesame Street.) The Puss in Boots riff comes right at a time when the reference is old enough that it's no longer fresh, but not old enough to be retro-cool or nostalgia-inducing. It seems especially off when you contrast it to the savvy marketing for The Muppets, which released its takes on Green Lantern and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo right as those films were getting tons of hype.
All this to say, it's not an auspicious sign for Puss in Boots. One of the more annoying aspects of the Shrek franchise has been its overuse of outdated pop culture references. Between this and the Most Interesting Cat in the World video (a spin on the Dos Equis "Most Interesting Man in the World" campaign, which launched in 2006), it seems a quite likely that Puss in Boots is going to have the same problem.
Then again, I suppose it could be worse. At least Puss isn't singing Bad Romance in an obnoxiously high-pitched voice.
Puss in Boots drops November 4 in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D.
- 'Puss In Boots' Theatrical Trailer
- 'Puss In Boots' Teaser Trailer and Poster
- Puss in Boots Will Feature All New Characters
- DreamWorks Animation Announces 2009-2012 Releases
- 'The Skin I Live In' US Trailer and Poster
- Casting Bits: John Cusack Replaces Tobey Maguire in 'The Paperboy', More for 'He Loves Me'
Report: Bristol Palin's Fight With Heckler Was Set Up for Her Reality Show
Sunday, September 25, 2011
DJ Qualls Assaulted By Cop In Vancouver
Actor DJ Qualls has accused a police officer of brutally attacking him for no reason during a night out in Canada on Friday. The Road Trip star claims he was tackled to the ground by a cop in Vanc...
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Ana Ortiz Gives Birth To Baby Boy
Former Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz is a new mom after giving birth to a son on Saturday. "We are trying to come up with some names that we can agree on... It has to be Spanish, but something non-spe...
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Kat Von D: 'I'm Not in a Relationship' With Jesse James
Celebrity Birthdays - September 25, 2011
Happy Birthday to: Actress Heather Locklear (1961) Actor Jansen Panettiere (1994) Actress Emmy Clarke (1991) Actor Donald Glover (1983) Rapper T.I. (1980) Rapper T.I. (1980) Singer Santigold...
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