Frickin' Eh Movie News 10.07.09: Poster Edition

Posted by Matthew Motiuk on 10.07.2009

Another cast member of Thor is announced, new trailer for Shutter Island, the next project for the director of Paranormal Activity, the next ridiculous video game adaptation coming to theaters, and more!

Three writing assignments due this week, two of them around 1500 words. And of course, the busiest week of the year so far just happens to be both the week of the poster sale (an absolutely massive sale of posters at the university, just about anything you could imagine, and then some) and Thanksgiving. The tradition continues this year as I'm hosting Thanksgiving for my friends at my apartment again, which is fun, except it's going to be a lot of work come Friday afternoon. But anyway, let's jump into things:


The Mid-Week Box Office Time Machine

Alright folks, last weekend saw a triumphant Zombieland take the top spot with $24.7 million. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs fell a spot to second, making another $15.8 million. The Toy Story double-feature opened at third with $12.5 million. Surrogates fell from second to fourth in its second week, making $7.2 million. The Invention of Lying opened at fifth with $7 million while Whip It opened at sixth with $4.7 million. Fame fell from third to seventh, and Capitalism: A Love Story opened at eighth with $4.4 million. The Informant fell from fourth to ninth, and Love Happens rounded out the top ten, falling from seventh and making $2.7 million.

This week's releases are slim, especially compared to last week. The first is Couples Retreat, starring Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell, and Jason Bateman. This one doesn't look too exciting or original, but Vaughn has that inescapable charm about him that might save this. The other opener of the weekend is Free Style, kids fare taking advantage of High School Musical and motocross. Meh. I wouldn't be surprised to see last week's openers hanging around the top for another round.


Transformers 3 Already in Motion, Fox Sells Out Again

Director Michael Bay has announced on his official website the release date for Transformers 3 and says they are jumping right back into it! Oh, and he included a note to Megan Fox as well...

Well its official: We have a great Transformers 3 story. The release date is now July 1st 2011. Not 2012.

Today is Day One. This morning started with an ILM meeting for five hours in San Francisco. Currently I'm flying with writer Ehren Kruger to Rhode Island to talk to Hasbro about new characters.

P.S. Megan Fox, welcome back. I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture. Please consult your Physician when working under my direction because some side effects can occur, such as mild dizziness, intense nausea, suicidal tendencies, depression, minor chest hair growth, random internal hemorrhaging and inability to sleep. As some directors may be hazardous to your health, please consult your Doctor to determine if this is right for you.

Pain and Gain is right after shooting of Trans 3.

Michael

This puts it up against the Peter Berg-directed Battleship, also based on a Hasbro property, so we're guessing Universal will be moving that adaptation somewhere else.

Transformers made $709.7 million worldwide and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen has made $832.4 million.

UPDATE: Universal and Hasbro have already moved Battleship from July 1, 2011 to August 5, 2011, soTransformers 3 now has the spot to itself.

This should come as a surprise to no one, considering how much the last two movies made and the hype still surrounding the franchise. I have as of yet to see the second one, but I never fell headfirst onto this bandwagon. Bay will pull in another hefty cheque and lots of praise for doing what people made fun of him for doing for years. As for Megan Fox? After slamming the movie so much I'm amazed they agreed to take her back; I would have booted her out of there as fast as I could. Then again, a pretty face sells. We'll see where this all goes in due time.


Fox, EA Bringing Spore to the Big Screen

20th Century Fox has teamed up with Electronic Arts to turn the publisher's popular "Spore" game into an animated creature feature, with Chris Wedge (Ice Age) attached to direct.

Greg Erb and Jason Oremland, who penned Disney's upcoming The Princess and the Frog and Ben Stiller pic The Return of King Doug at Paramount, will write the script for the movie. It will be produced as a CG-animated toon by EA and Blue Sky Studios.

In the game, which was released in September 2008, players create their own creatures and the worlds they live in and share them with other gamers to create an overall universe.

"I'm always looking for unique worlds to go to in animation," Wedge said. "From every perspective -- visually, thematically and comedically -- the world of 'Spore' provides the potential to put something truly original on the screen."

Last week, the Fox locked down the animated film Leaf Men for Wedge to direct and Blue Sky to produce.

My first reaction to this piece of news was that this is absolutely ridiculous. Bringing games to the big screen is one thing; bringing completely open-ended games whose main purpose and fun revolves around what the user creates is just plain stupid. But if there's anyone out there who could make this fun and creative, it's Chris Wedge, so there is some hope. I have no idea where they are going to go with this one, but I hope Wedge has some good ideas.


Skarsgard Joining Thor

Stellan Skarsgård has revealed to TT Spektra that he will have a role in Marvel Studios' Thor movie. Swedish site Ystads Allehanda reported on the casting in Swedish, but here is a rough translation:

Stellan Skarsgård is ready for a role in action movie "Thor."

Everything is still secret about the project and Skarsgård can not reveal what role he will play.

"They wanted me to sign without reading the script. That I refused to do. Then they sent one to me that was so coded that I could only print one copy," said Stellan Skarsgård to TT spectra.

Some time ago it was said that Stellan Skarsgård's son, Alexander Skarsgård, was on his way to the title role in "Thor." In the end however, it became Chris Hemsworth, known for "Star Trek," who got the job.

Paramount is eying a May 20, 2011 release for Thor. Kenneth Branagh will direct the comic book adaptation, starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore and Samuel L. Jackson.

The epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Skarsgard probably won't have all that big of a role; the main characters are already laid out and he's not that big of an actor, although he is a fantastic actor and I'm excited to see him in this. Perhaps one of the other Norse gods? This movie seems to have an unnecessary amount of protection around the story; I just want to hear what it's going to be about and see some early work on it, and then I'll get excited.


Neeson to ‘Cameo' in The Next Three Days

Liam Neeson, who is currently filming The A-Team in Vancouver, will star alongside Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks in the new Paul Haggis thriller, The Next Three Days.

In the adaptation of the 2008 French film Pour Elle, Crowe will play a teacher whose wife (Banks) is arrested and convicted of a murder she says she did not commit. He comes up with a desperate plan to free her.

Neeson's scenes, which are cameo in nature, see the actor playing a man who escaped from prison several times and wrote a book about the subject. He gives advice to Crowe's character.

The cast includes Brian Dennehy, Lennie James, Olivia Wilde, Aisha Hinds, Daniel Stern, Jonathan Tucker, and RZA.

The Lionsgate release began filming Friday in an around Pittsburgh, and is scheduled to wrap Dec. 12.

I'm definitely looking forward to this one, with a stellar cast and interesting story. I'm curious as to why Neeson's role is billed as a cameo. I guess we'll see in the end.


Miramax Cutting Films

The Walt Disney Studios announced that it is downsizing its specialty division Miramax Films:

Miramax Films will reduce the number of films it releases annually while consolidating certain of its operations within The Walt Disney Studios (TWDS), Alan Bergman, president, TWDS, announced today.

Daniel Battsek, president of Miramax Films, will continue to oversee all aspects of creative, development, production and business and legal affairs out of New York. TWDS will handle certain marketing, distribution, operations and administrative support functions from its Burbank headquarters.

"Disney has a first-rate marketing and distribution team operating globally," Bergman said. "This restructuring maximizes operating efficiencies and provides significant cost savings while allowing Miramax to focus on its greatest strength; the creation of high-quality entertainment."

In 2008, Miramax released eight films and by the end of 2009 will have released six films this year.

Sounds like Miramax is on the way out if basically everything is being consolidated with Disney. And less than six films . . . that's not a lot of movies in a year. It's sad seeing a slightly more borderline studio going out, but maybe Disney will keep them on until things pick up again and Miramax will be up and running again at full power in the future.


Paranormal Activity Director Going to Area 51

Writer/director Oren Peli is set to start production next week on Area 51, his follow-up to the supernatural chiller Paranormal Activity which after creating exceptional underground notoriety since its production in 2007, is now in the early stages of its US release by Paramount.

The Area 51 storyline is a closely guarded secret but is reputedly centered around three teenagers whose curiosity leads them to the legendary and mysterious Area 51 Air Force base deep in the Nevada desert. Area 51 will, like Paranormal Activity employ a "found footage" narrative strategy. Though Peli will enjoy a significantly larger budget than the $11,000 he spent to make Paranormal Activity, he will continue to work with undiscovered actors.

Area 51 is produced by Jason Blum under his Blumhouse Productions banner, with Room 101's Steven Schneider and IM Global chief Stuart Ford serving as executive producers. The film was co-financed by Aramid Entertainment Fund and Incentive Filmed Entertainment, with IM Global handling worldwide sales and CAA co-repping the title in the U.S.

Paranormal Activity has enjoyed sell out midnight screenings in 33 cities over recent weeks and Paramount is set to expand the film to around the clock screenings in 40 cities this weekend.

Said Peli: "Actually, I'd rather not say anything about 'Area 51' except that I am very pleased to be working with the same team who have stood by me for the two or three years it took 'Paranormal Activity' to get into theatres."

Said Blum: "Oren has already proven that he has a unique gift for using technology and our inherent fear of the unknown to tell simple yet emotionally compelling stories. In this case his canvas is just a little larger."

Said David Molner, Chairman of both Incentive and Aramid Capital Partners: "Not since 'Blair Witch' has such innovative film-making set off such a stampede among young movie audiences. We are proud and privileged to be in business with Oren and Jason and our longtime partners at IM Global."

Said Ford: "We've already had a crazy ride with Oren and Jason on 'Paranormal Activity' that looks set to get even crazier. It's exciting to be launching into 'Area 51' with Oren just as a worldwide audience is discovering his thrilling debut."

Peli had better get used to the fame, Paranormal Activity is getting bigger and bigger every day. There's buzz about it everywhere you turn, and it's about to explode across the country in a wider release. It's good to see a creative director with a vision rise up. I wish they wouldn't compare it to The Blair Witch Project, but them's the breaks. Area 51 sounds like a fun spot for Peli to turn to next, and hopefully this one is even bigger than Paranormal Activity.


Second Shutter Island Trailer

Paramount Pictures has released a second full trailer for the Martin Scorsese-directed psychological thriller Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson and Max von Sydow.

Opening February 19th, Shutter Island is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island's fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

The mind's a dangerous thing. This thriller looks like it might actually do a pretty good job of delving into that, and if they could pull it off and do it convincingly . . . well, then this is going to be a pretty amazing thriller. Leo looks comfortable in the role, and Ben Kingsley is of course awesome. Check out the trailer and see what you think.


Rapid-Fire: Star Trek (2009, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana)

I usually shy away from reviewing relatively new movies, partly because I like to have time to see movies a couple time and get an appreciation for them, or let the hype and buzz die down a bit and take a sober second look. I have broken that rule before, but I figure this one should be fine. And don't worry, I've had a chance to see it again since I originally watched it. So this week I present:

The reboot to the Star Trek franchise is not really a reboot, so much as a revision or rewriting. They completely erase the past of Star Trek and start on a fresh page. You'll have to watch it to get the story, but suffice it to say it involves the staples of time travel, Romulans, and strange science, packaged in a shiny new wrapper.

This movie is setting up for a new franchise, obviously, so it's the starting point. Most of the movie is exposition; setting up how the characters get to where they are, which might sound like a slow pace, but Abrams does a pretty good job of keeping things lively, starting with a bang and then speeding along to some action. Which is nice; it's paced well, and there's always enough going on to keep you interested.

The visual style of this movie is big, as they have spared no expense in decking out everything. The Enterprise is filled with lights and colours, and it's actually a little disorienting in some scenes where they pan around and there are lens flares and lights going off all around. It's a little over-the-top but you don't notice it if you're not looking for it.

The acting is, on the whole, pretty good. Pine is a good James T. Kirk, although I wasn't completely impressed with him. He'll have lots of time to iron out his character in the future, I'm sure. Quinto is the same; a passable, if not fantastic, Spock. I think the reason these characters are the hardest to like is that they have such a background and preset personality, and striking a balance between new and old is hard. Also, being the focus, they didn't have the easy to pick up quirks of the other characters. My favourite choice is by far Karl Urban as Bones McCoy. I didn't think they would ever hit a character as spot on as Urban managed to, but does he blow it away. Anton Yelchin as Chekov is the other one that they nailed really well; he does a fantastic job in that role. I know a lot of people really liked Simon Pegg as Scotty, and he does good, but he wasn't my favourite. As for the other members of the cast, Bruce Greenwood does good as Captain Pike, despite it being a relatively small role. I was not a big fan of Eric Bana as the villain; something was lacking from that character, but I'm not quite sure what. Overall, the cast holds together well.

I still have some problems with how they handled things, but I have accepted most of it. The rewriting of the story, if they were going to have to do it, was good, and it did tie things together somewhat nicely. Perhaps a stretch, but about the best they could have done if they wanted to do it. I still take issue with them basically turning this into Star Wars, though. Flashy and exciting it is, but the movie is stripped of the old Star Trek feel and filled with a hybrid leaning much more toward Star Wars. I like to call it ‘whoring the franchise out' because it's basically an attempt to draw a bigger audience, and that's one of my biggest beefs.

Overall, this movie is an enjoyable science fiction movie that should please fans and newcomers alike. You can go into this with no knowledge of the franchise and enjoy it, and if you're not as finicky as me, you can go into this as a fan and enjoy where they're going, too.


Closing Time . . .

Due to Thanksgiving, it's a long weekend, and with most everyone out of town for family dinners, I should finally be able to catch back up on my sleep, and hopefully some reading, too. And maybe a movie or two if I can fit it in. To all my Canadian brethren, enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend! I'll see you back here next week.


[All news, images, and other stuff from www.comingsoon.net, www.imdb.com, www.rottentomatoes.com and www.youtube.com.]