spratt89

Spielberg, Levy team for 'Real Steel'

DreamWorks has tapped Shawn Levy to direct its robot boxing movie Real Steel.

Levy, who most recently helmed Night At The Musuem 2, will steer the futuristic action film, which centres on a father and son training a humanoid robot to fight in the ring.

John Gatins penned the script for the project, the producers of which include Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Don Murphy.

"Steven's passion for this project was absolutely infectious and I'm so excited to bring this story to life," Levy told The Hollywood Reporter. "In a movie filled with these mechanical warriors, at its core Real Steel is an incredibly human story."

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spratt89

'Italian Job' writer Kennedy Martin dies

The Italian Job screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin has passed away at the age of 77.

Kennedy Martin, who also created long-running TV drama Z-Cars, lost his battle with liver cancer yesterday, reports The Guardian.

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Kennedy Martin worked for BBC Television on several plays before moving into features in 1969 with iconic heist movie The Italian Job. He later went on to write Kelly's Heroes, Red Heat and 2004's Red Dust starring Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The Mel Gibson-led big screen remake of Kennedy Martin's acclaimed Edge Of Darkness BBC series is scheduled to open in cinemas next February.

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spratt89

Galifianakis, Roberts circle 'Funny Story'

Zach Galifianakis and Emma Roberts are in talks to star in comedy-drama It's Kind Of A Funny Story.

The project, to be directed by Sugar pair Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, is based on Ned Vizzini's novel about a teenage boy who finds himself in a mental institution for adults.

The Hangover star Galifianakis is being eyed for one of the adult roles, while Roberts will play the love interest for the lead character, says The Hollywood Reporter.

It's Kind Of A Funny Story is expected to begin production this year.

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spratt89

Abrams "open" to 'Mission: Impossible IV'

J.J. Abrams has admitted that he he "open" to a return to the director's chair on the Mission: Impossible franchise.

The Star Trek helmer, who steered the third instalment in the Tom Cruise spy series, told Sci-Fi Wire that he hopes to see a script for M:I:IV before the end of the year.

"We have a really cool story," he said. "It's being written right now by Andre Nemec and Josh Applebaum."

Asked if he would come back to direct the Paramount film, Abrams replied: "I'm open to anything."

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spratt89

Fox 'responds to Transformers letter'

Megan Fox has reportedly responded to the open letter that Transformers crew members wrote about her.

The 23-year-old was referred to as "dumb-as-a-rock" and "as ungracious a person as you can fathom" by the film crew. They were apparently responding to comments she made in a Wonderland magazine interview in which she likened director Michael Bay to "Hitler".

The filmmaker came out in her defence and said that he did not "condone" the letter, while he expects "more crazy quotes" when the third Transformers movie is released.

The actress has now revealed that she has addressed the film's behind-the-scenes team, according to Entertainment Weekly.

"I have spoken with the parties involved privately," she said in a statement through her publicist. "I am very fortunate to be involved in this amazing franchise and look forward to Transformers 3."

It was previously reported that Bay, Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Ehren Kruger are meeting this week to determine possible plotlines and a release date for the third film.

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spratt89

Cage 'not interested' in 'Green Hornet'

Nicholas Cage has explained why he turned down a role in the upcoming film adaptation of The Green Hornet.

Speaking to The Canadian Press, the actor revealed that the deal fell through due to creative differences with screenwriter Seth Rogen and director Michel Gondry.

"The Green Hornet was something that I wanted to do, I think Michel Gondry is very talented and I had hoped it would work but I think Seth Rogen and Michel had a different take on the character," said Cage.

"I had to have some humanity and to try to give it something where you could understand why the character was the way he was but I don't think there was enough time to develop it."

It was previously announced that Inglourious Basterds actor Christoph Waltz has been cast as the film's antagonist Chudnofsky. Cameron Diaz and Tom Wilkinson will also star in the movie alongside Rogen.

Originally created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in the 1930s, the masked crime fighter has appeared in numerous film serials, a network television programme and multiple comic book series.

The Green Hornet arrives in cinemas next December.

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spratt89

Lucas added to 'Life As We Know It' cast

Josh Lucas has been added to the cast of romantic drama Life As We Know It, says Variety.

Starring Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel and Christina Hendricks, the movie centres on two single adults who are named joint guardians of a young girl after her parents, mutual friends of the pair, are killed in a car accident.

Greg Berlanti is directing the Warner Bros film from a script by Ian Deitchman and Kristin Rusk Robinson. Heigl and her mother Nancy are serving as executive producers.

Lucas has previously appeared in Poseidon, Stealth and American Psycho.

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spratt89

Gael Garcia Bernal circles 'Earthbound'

Gael Garcia Bernal is in talks to star alongside Kate Hudson in romance Earthbound, according to Variety.

The movie will tell the story of a terminally ill woman who falls in love with her doctor.

The Woodsman director Nicole Kassell will direct the film, which is scripted by Gren Wells. Shooting is scheduled to begin in January.

Bernal is currently working on Letters To Juliet opposite Amanda Seyfried, while Hudson's next project is Rob Marshall's musical Nine.

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spratt89

Huston 'not expecting Pattinson stardom'

Twilight newcomer Jack Huston has admitted that he is not expecting to receive the same level of attention as co-star Robert Pattinson.

The Eastwick actor was recently cast in third instalment Eclipse as Royce King II, a human who lived during the Great Depression and was engaged to Rosalie (Nikki Reed).

Speaking to E! News, he said: "I don't think I will [face the madness] because of my part.

"I'm actually kind of a nasty guy. I'm her fiancé who ends up basically trying to rape her. It's rather horrible."

He added that the only cast member that he had met so far was Reed, saying: "She's actually a real sweetie and the very first day she made me feel very welcome. We were away from the madness which is, I think, Robert and Kristen [Stewart].

"I think they have hundreds of incessant fans following them, which, fair enough. We were quite lucky. We were in the park, beautiful, and it was fun... It's a great film to be a part of. This is a small part, but a relevant part in the movie. I think it'll be cool. Hopefully."

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spratt89

Winfrey, Mendes team for 'Netherland'

Oprah Winfrey and Sam Mendes have teamed up with Focus Features to produce drama Netherland.

Christopher Hampton will adapt Joseph O'Neill's acclaimed novel, which centres on an isolated Dutchman in New York who finds himself drawn to cricket and the city's immigrant culture, says Variety.

Mendes, whose new film Away We Go opens this Friday, may also direct the movie through his Neal Street firm and Winfrey's Harpo's production label.

"This project's emotional power has resonated with us all," remarked Focus Features CEO James Schamus.

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spratt89

Barrymore: 'Ellen Page is my muse'

Drew Barrymore has described Whip It star Ellen Page as her muse.

Speaking at the movie's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Barrymore praised the 22-year-old's performance in her directorial debut.

"It was the ideal situation where you hope that you'll fall in love with your muse and your hero and I literally could burst into tears about how much I did fall in love with her," she explained.

Page was equally as enthusiastic about working with the actress on the comedy-drama, saying: "Unbelievable, mind-blowing. Drew's amazing, she's incredibly grounded, she treats everyone the same. She's so compassionate, a luminous quality like no other person [and she has] an energy on set where she just constantly gives."

Whip It, about a small town misfit who joins a roller derby team, co-stars Barrymore, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis and Alia Shawkat.

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spratt89

'Nice guy' Hopkins 'wows movie co-stars'

Sir Anthony Hopkins has impressed his latest movie colleagues by displaying a generous attitude on set, a report claims.

The 71-year-old actor has been working on an as-yet-untitled project directed by Woody Allen in recent months.

A source on the film told the Daily Express: "He has to be the nicest guy in showbiz. During filming he flew off for a weekend break to Italy and came back bearing presents for everyone.

"He bought silk scarves for all the make-up girls and even painted them a picture each."

The insider added: "He kept everyone laughing with his proper dad-style jokes. He's so funny."

Hopkins's new movie also stars Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin.

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spratt89

No Edward Norton in 'Iron Man 2'

Edward Norton has revealed that he has not been approached to reprise his role as the Hulk in the upcoming superhero movie Iron Man 2.

After starring as Bruce Banner in last year's The Incredible Hulk, Norton has been linked to a cameo role in the Iron Man sequel. However, the actor recently debunked these rumours in an MTV interview.

"I heard that. I don't know where that's coming from," he said. "I am not in Iron Man 2 to my knowledge."

Norton's future as the Marvel character is currently uncertain, with the star previously refusing to comment on whether he would appear in The Avengers film. It is also unknown whether Marvel has designs for another Hulk movie in the foreseeable future.

Iron Man 2 arrives in theatres on May 7, 2010. The Avengers is slated for 2012.

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spratt89

Damon "pleased" with Douglas team-up

Matt Damon has admitted that he is hoping to learn from Michael Douglas in Steven Soderbergh's new project about American entertainer Liberace.

The Informant! star is to play the younger lover of the late pianist, who will be portrayed by Douglas.

Damon told PA: "I'm sure Michael can teach me a few things, I'm pleased it's Michael."

The biopic will see the pair share an on-screen kiss in a scene which the actor compared to Douglas's Basic Instinct romp with Sharon Stone.

He added: "Well I'm not doing that thing with my legs! I haven't actually thought about that stuff seriously. I'm sure it will be a bit awkward but the roles are great and the story is great and the script is great so we'll work our way through."

Soderbergh's as-yet-untitled movie is due to start shooting next year.

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spratt89

Matt Damon to lead Eastwood's 'Hereafter'

Matt Damon will lead the cast of Clint Eastwood's supernatural thriller Hereafter, says Variety.

The film is expected to be the next directing job for Eastwood, whose sports drama Invictus, also starring Damon, will open in December in the US and next February in the UK.

Details on the Peter Morgan-scripted Hereafter are being kept secret by studio Warner Bros, however the film is thought to be in a similar vein to M. Night Shyamalan's ghost movie The Sixth Sense.

Eastwood will also produce the movie alongside Kathleen Kennedy. Steven Spielberg and Morgan are among the executive producers.

Source

spratt89

Litigation delays 'Superman' movie

The ongoing litigation between Warner Bros/DC and the estate of Jerry Siegel has been revealed as the cause of the delay of a new Superman movie.

Earlier this week, Warners announced that it had no current plans to make a follow-up to 2006's Superman Returns.

Warner Bros senior vice president of corporate communications Scott Rowe confirmed in an email to the Superman Homepage that this was due to the legal dispute.

"Superman is an important member of our family," he said, "but because of ongoing litigation we cannot announce any concrete plans at this time. That said, at some point in the future, you're likely to see a new Superman. So... have no fear."

A prior legal ruling states that Warner Bros must either get another movie into development by 2011 or seek the permission of the heirs of Siegel and Superman co-creator Joe Shuster if it wishes to make a film beyond that date.

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spratt89

Michelle Monaghan gets 'Due Date' role

Michelle Monaghan will star opposite Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis in road comedy Due Date.

The Eagle Eye actress has been cast as the pregnant wife of a man (Downey Jr) who must race across the country with a friend (Galifianakis) to make the birth of his first child.

Director Todd Phillips is helming the movie before going on to make a sequel to his and Galifianakis's summer hit The Hangover, reports Variety.

Phillips and Daniel Goldberg are producing Due Date, with Downey's wife Susan Downey acting as executive producer.

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spratt89

Noel Clarke making thriller '4.3.2.1'

Production has begun on Noel Clarke's latest directorial outing 4.3.2.1, says Screen Daily.

Emma Roberts, Ophelia Lovibond, Tamsin Egerton, Shanika Warren Markland, Rosanna Arquette, Adam Deacon, Ben Miller and Sean Pertwee will star in the heist thriller, which Clarke is co-directing with Mark Davis.

Producer Damon Bryant said: "I'm incredibly excited to be working with Noel Clarke as I have been a long-term fan. When he asked me to get involved there was no question what my answer would be."

Clarke, who appeared in Doctor Who and wrote and directed Adulthood, won the Orange Rising Star Award at this year's BAFTAs.

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spratt89

'X-Men' actor confirms 'First Class' role?

Tim Pocock has confirmed that he is to star in the upcoming X-Men: First Class film.

The 23-year-old was featured as the younger version of James Marsden's Cyclops character from the original trilogy in X-Men Origins: Wolverine earlier this year.

It is understood that the actor wrote on his Twitter page that he will reprise his role and that filming begins after February of next year, Ace Showbiz reports.

He wrote: "[I am] currently shooting Australian TV series till February 2010... then X-men first class."

In April, franchise producer Lauren Schuler Donner announced that the project - which details the early days of Professor Xavier’s school for mutant youngsters - was in development.

Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz was commissioned in November to write the Marvel Comics-based superhero prequel.

Wolverine director Gavin Hood recently said that he didn't expect filming on the sequel to happen anytime soon.

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rickman

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009



By KAORI SHOJI
A favorite aunt of mine used to try one diet fad after another and upon the failure of each one, pull out her old standby excuse: "Marie Antoinette worried over her weight her whole life. In which case there's just no help for the rest of us!" Never mind the lack of logic, I believed her. Now a similar conviction assails me when watching "Homecoming (released in Japan as "The Watchers"). Mischa Barton — "O.C." beauty queen — is the centerpiece of this grisly tale of jilted jealousy gone haywire and through it all I could only recall my auntie. I mean, Barton in the role of a woman who's alone, up all night in disheveled nonglory, simpering, swearing vengeance on a guy who rejected her like a bag of wet trash left out on the wrong day of the week. Well, really. We may as well relax girls, because there's just no help for the rest of us.

Homecoming        Rating: (2 out of 5)
   

Vengeful vixen: Mischa Barton in "Homecoming" © 2008 HOMECOMING THE MOVIE LLC
Director: Morgan J. Freeman
Running time: 88 minutes
Language: English
Opens Sept. 26
[See Japan Times movie listing]
Directed by Morgan J. Freeman (no relation to the actor), "Homecoming" has the makings of a spectacular B-movie, but sadly lacks the guts necessary to push itself onto a truly cheesy level of existence.

Barton, who plays a small-town barkeep named Shelby, comes off as a mere gal unhinged when she could have been grossly, gorgeously deranged. Tsk. Apart from the fact that Shelby has probably watched "Misery" on her DVD player one too many times, there's not much in her behavior that's inspiring in a horrific way and the story hovers indecisively between Shelby's relationship woes and her not very original stalker antics (Kathy Bates should have stepped in to give a tutorial) while the camera never misses an opportunity to zero in on her cleavage and stay there for as long as decently possible. On the one hand, how could a woman this hot be treated like this? On another hand, fairly quickly into the story there comes a tremendous urge to stamp "He's just not that into you!" on Shelby's forehead.

But at least Shelby has a lot of zing and cuteness going for her while her love object, Mike (Matt Long), is the type of clueless lout you never want to meet in real life. In high school Mike was captain of the football team and prom king, going out with Shelby the prom queen and earmarked for a smashing future (yawn). Now playing college football at Northwestern University, Mike returns home in hammy glory with a girlfriend on his arm (and the whole, football-centric town gathers to greet their local hero and cheer) — choosing to ignore the effect such a scene may have on his still love-struck ex. Even klutzier is Mike's willingness to reunite with Shelby and introduce her to his current love, Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup), right in Shelby's bar-cum-bowling alley, with her presiding over the party and carrying drink trays. There's Shelby, passing around the beer and telling Mike that she's decided to make additions to her house, to accommodate the "babies we'll be having." There's Mike, scratching his head and wondering what the hell could that mean?

One dumb decision leads to another and Mike and his terrifically laid back sherrif cousin, Billy (with this guy as law-enforcer, it's a wonder the town wasn't plundered and destroyed long ago), drop Elizabeth off at a motel so she can rest and be fresh to meet Mike's parents in the morning. But the place is fully booked and Elizabeth finds herself walking 5 km to the next motel, her iPhone inexplicably refusing to work. A car brushes past her, Elizabeth takes a fall, the driver steps out and who should it be but her blonde nemesis Shelby. From here on Elizabeth spends the rest of the story with a broken leg, incarcerated in Shelby's bedroom which is covered floor to ceiling with photos and memorabilia of high school and Mike. The decor alone (never mind the gaping plot contrivances) would drive a woman to the depths of insanity.

Still, Shelby turns out to be the one beacon of light (color: shocking pink) in this terrifically antiseptic suburbia-land where everyone apparently goes to bed at 9:00 p.m. and are oblivious to the wails of agony heard from her house. And Mike feels perfectly at home here? It may be the best thing for Elizabeth if she never does get to meet his parents.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20090918a3.html