"Man Of Steel" Teaser With Some John Williams Magic

I was anticipating the Man Of Steel teaser coming out for what seemed like months, then several days before, we were told what the teaser featured and my anticipation sort of died. What we got was music lifted from Lord Of The Rings with beautiful visuals of butterflies, ships, and some laundry. Doesn't exactly scream Superman.

To be fair, their are two versions of the teaser, each featuring very sharp dialogue from Pa Kent (Kevin Costner) and Jor-El (Russel Crowe) respectively. Also, there is a great shot of what looks like a young Clark Kent wearing a makeshift red cape around his shoulders and a amazing shot of Superman shooting upwards through the clouds breaking multipl;e sound barriers. Not all is bad.

There was just something missing from the teaser to me, it seemed very similar to the Superman Returns teaser, which was fantastic at the time. However, in a post Superman Returns world, the marketing needs to go in a different direction. Bolder. Bigger. Action.

All of that being said, a youtube user decided to get nostalgic with the Man Of Steel teaser and threw the John Williams Superman theme over the pretty pictures. I have to admit it gives me goosebumps.

"Robocop" Poster & Official Synopsis

In RoboCop, the year is 2029 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the centre of robot technology. Their drones are winning American wars around the globe and now they want to bring this technology to the home front. Alex Murphy is a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit. After he is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp utilises their remarkable science of robotics to save Alex’s life. He returns to the streets of his beloved city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before.

The Daily Blam!

'The Expendables 2' Officially Rated R

Well after much tossing and turning over if the film would be rated R or PG-13 (I've probably read at least four different stories over the past six months claiming the film would be going in one direction then changing back the other way), the MPAA has officially given an R rating to The Expendables 2 for "strong action and bloody violence throughout, and some language." 

Notably, there's nothing about strong language in there so I guess Chuck Norris won out on that one.

Anyway, with the film hitting theaters in less than a month (August 17th), expect to start seeing a lot of the all-star cast hitting the press tour promoting the film.

I for one am psyched to see Schwarzenegger and Van Damme actually talking up a movie that's going to be in theaters (who would have thought it have taken them this long to make it back?).

The film's official synopsis is listed below:

In The Expendables 2, Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Toll Road (Randy Couture) and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews) -- with newest members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) aboard -- are reunited when Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) enlists the Expendables to take on a seemingly simple job. The task looks like an easy paycheck for Barney and his band of old-school mercenaries. But when things go wrong and one of their own is viciously killed, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time - six pounds of weapons-grade plutonium; enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that's nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary who savagely murdered their brother.

"Little White Lies" Trailer With Marion Cotillard Debuts

IMDB has exclusively debuted the trailer for Little White Lies. Written and Directed by Guillaume Canet
the cast includes François Cluzet, Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel, Gilles Lellouche, Laurent Lafitte, and Jean Dujardin.

LITTLE WHITE LIES follows a close-knit group of friends whose bonds are tested and strengthened over a summer holiday.

Bringing together some of the top names from France's current generation of actors, Guillaume Canet weaves a joyous and heartfelt ensemble film out of the dilemmas of eight thirty and forty-something close friends as they vacation together in the summer beach house of uptight restaurateur Max (Cluzet). Starting out light and carefree, tensions begin to fill the air when Ludo is clinging to life following a motorcycle accident, and Max is grappling with unwanted affections from Vincent (Magimel), whose married life and sexuality are under fire. Womanizing actor Eric (Lellouche) and free-spirited ethnologist Marie (Cotillard) navigate the challenges of single life while lovelorn Antoine (Laurent Lafitte) pines for his ex-girlfriend after a sudden breakup.

With its nostalgic soundtrack of classic hit songs from The Isley Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Nina Simone and others, LITTLE WHITE LIES is Canet's spin on The Big Chill, a generational statement on youthful frivolity giving way to middle-aged pleasures and sorrows, with a finely observant eye on contemporary relationships.

The Hobbit Wasn't Stretched Out Enough - Now It's a Trilogy?

The story they tell on the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD (the Extended Editions, duh!) is how Bob Shaye was dumbfounded at the thought of turning J.R.R. Tolkien's literary trilogy into two films. "Now Peter... why in the world would anyone want to make two movies? Isn't it three books? Then it should be three movies!"

If only Shaye's wisdom was around today to slap some sense into Peter Jackson.

What was supposed to be The Hobbit and an untitled Lord of the Rings "bridge" film has ballooned into The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Instead of one three-hour cinematic undertaking on Tolkien's children story is going to be two, three-hour endeavors, caulked full of brand-new characters, like Evangeline Lilly as a warrior Elf (Not picking on her; just giving an example) and including favorites who had nary a presence in the afore-mentioned novel.

But that isn't enough for Jackson, who must wear out as much good will as possible and remind me why Guillermo del Toro's exiting was the last straw in my giving a shit. THR confirms discussions first brought aloud by Jackson at Comic-Con. He, along with producer/wife Fran Walsh and co-writer/producer/pal Philippa Boyens are in talks with Warner Brothers to stretch The Hobbit into a trilogy.

All comes to down "figuring out the logistics." Translation: if the studio will agree to hand over enough cash to everyone to willingly return for more, since reshoots are already scheduled next summer anyway for There and Back Again. Of course, it will happen. Warner Brothers is still hurting for sure-thing money-printing franchises in the wake of Harry Potter and Christopher Nolan's Batman ending and the status of Zack Snyder's Superman in the "Too early to tell" phase.

I despise the very notion of treating us movie-goers as idiots, thinking we'll just keep coming back for more. But in this case, especially overseas, you couldn't find a safer done-deals.

Life of Pi Trailer is Gorgeous

Talk coming out of ShoWest was nothing short of raves, not to mention the generally-overblown "Oscar buzz," for Ang Lee's Life of Pi. Then there was that single production still Fox sent out. Not aware of the originating Yann Martel novel. So while it was intriguing, couldn't get past how odd it looked.

Until viewing the 3D preview scene in front of Prometheus. Good enough to consider my ticket sold then and there. Hopefully the reaction from your screening(s) wasn't mine. Lots of "Huuuh, what was thaaaaat?" (Yes, I'm adding to Southern stereotypes).

Now Fox has released the theatrical trailer for your viewing pleasure:

"You May Not Kiss the Bride" Opens Sept. 21st

Freestyle Digital Media (FDM) and Hawaii Film Partners Distribution (HFPD) have joined forces to release the new tropical adventure-comedy-romance YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE, written and directed by Rob Hedden (“Clockstoppers”).  The film, which was produced by Rann Watumull, Gina Watumull, David Jackson and Shauna Shapiro Jackson, stars Katherine McPhee (“Smash”), Dave Annable (“Brothers and Sisters”), Rob Schneider (“Grown Ups”), Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Kathy Bates (“Midnight in Paris”).  YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE is slated for a red carpet destination premiere in Honolulu, with its U.S. mainland theatrical release to follow in additional markets including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
 
YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE is a charming tale of adventurous high jinx and budding romance involving an unassuming pet photographer (Annable) who is thrown head first into a series of unforeseeable events when he's forced to marry a Croatian mobster’s daughter (McPhee) and spend his honeymoon at a secluded Tahitian resort where the bride is kidnapped. 
 
The deal was negotiated by FDM’s CEO Susan Jackson; Mark Borde, Co-President of Freestyle Releasing; and the principals of HFPD, David Jackson, Rann Watumull, Gina Watumull and Shauna Shapiro Jackson.
 
Said Susan Jackson: “This is a hilarious film with a fantastic cast and we are delighted to team up with Hawaii Film Partners on the domestic distribution of the film.”  Added Rann Watumull: “Freestyle is exactly the type of company we wanted to partner with because it provides smart theatrical distribution expertise and accountability in a collaborative working environment.”
 
The film, which was shot on location in Honolulu, Chicago and Los Angeles, has also been licensed in virtually every territory outside the U.S. and boasts an impressive supporting cast including Tia Carrere (“True Lies”), Kevin Dunn (“Luck”), Vinnie Jones (“Kill the Irishman”), Stephen Tobolowsky (“Groundhog Day”) and Ken Davitian (“Borat”).

"Marley" On DVD & Blu-Ray August 7th

 

“‘Marley’ will go down in cinematic history as one of the greatest music documentaries of all time.”~~BET.com~~

“Oscar®-winning director Kevin Macdonald keeps the late musician's spirit alive with riveting performance footage and revealing interviews.” ~~ Los Angeles Times~~

Synopsis:

Bob Marley's universal appeal, impact on music history, and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, legend, and the man, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, never before seen performances, previously unreleased music, and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

Bonus Features:
-- Around the World
-- Extended Interview with Bunny Wailer
-- Children’s Memories: Additional Interviews with David “Ziggy” Marley, Stephen Marley and Cedella  Marley
-- Listening to “I’m Loose”
-- Photo Gallery
-- Commentary with Director Kevin Macdonald and David “Ziggy” Marley
-- Theatrical Trailer

Blu-ray Disc:
Blu-ray Price: $29.98
Street Date: August 7, 2012
Running Time: 145 min
Catalog: 10476
MPAA Rating: PG-13
 
DVD:
DVD Price: $26.98
Street Date: August 7, 2012
Running Time: 145 min
Catalog: 10475
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Christian Bale Visits Victims of Aurora Theater Shooting

It's in times of tragedy that the best in people always seems to come out.

In the case of the recent mass shooting in Aurora, CO, that sentiment has been none the more true.

From an extended trip by President Obama, to an already $2 million raised in donations, to now a visit by none other than Batman himself, Christian Bale, this horrific event has brought out the genuine good in others.

First reported by the Denver Post, Bale reportedly spent around 2 1/2 hours at the Medical Center of Aurora, paying visit to seven patients who were injured in the shooting during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises this past Friday.  Accompanied by his wife, he also met with several doctors, police officers, and EMTs who were first responders on the scene.

Governor John Hickenlooper also spent some time speaking with Bale.

When the actor first reached out to the medical center to inquire about his visit, he asked only that the media not be notified.

Warner Bros. - the studio behind The Dark Knight Rises - had this to say:

"Mr. Bale is there as himself, not representing Warner Brothers."

Class act Mr. Bale, class act.

Source: Denver Post

"Jack And Diane" Trailer

Jack and Diane, two teenage girls, meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough skinned heart. But when Jack discovers that Diane is moving she pushes her away. Unable to grasp her new feelings, Diane's emotions begin to cause unexplainable violent changes to her body. Through these awkward and insecure feelings, the two girls must struggle to turn their first love into an enduring one.