Babes, Bombs, and Blockbusters Movie News Report 10.20.09

Posted by Mike Gorman on 10.20.2009

Clichés are the topic of the day, specifically those that haunt our favorite horror flicks. Check out the 3Bs News Report for the Top Ten Horror Movie Cliches, a slew of X-film rumors, and pictures of the gorgeous Kelly Brannigan.

Shake off your Columbus Day hangover (is it really a big party day?) and come on into this week's Babes, Bombs and Blockbusters.

If you're a fan of TV's Deal or No Deal than you may recognize our Babe of the Week. Kelly Brannigan is a model best known for holding case #24 on the Howie Mandel hosted game show. Whether you win or lose, Kelly seems like the right choice.














Check out today's news bombs!

Wolverine 2's going to have ninjas!
This weekend producer Lauren Shuler Donner was interviewed by Empire Online and shared quite a bit of information about what's coming down the pipeline when it comes to X-Men related film projects. Up first was the sequel to this summer's Wolverine film which is the furthest along in its development amongst the projects Donner discussed. This time around the film will be set in Japan focusing on the classic Chris Claremont and Frank Miller storyline that found Logan clashing with the Yakuza and falling in love with Mariko Yashida. Donner stated that she had hoped for this story to have been in the first film but that the studios decided instead to go with an origin tale. I think this could really be some great news if it all comes to fruition. The first film was truly a mess but we all know there are many stories to tell about this character and this storyline proposed is one of the best.


So, ignore what you saw in Wolverine when it comes to Deadpool… already done!
Schuler Donner went on to talk about the Ryan Reynolds led Deadpool film. She confirmed that Deadpool would indeed break the fourth wall during the film as previously reported by Reynolds himself but more importantly she said she was can plan to forget the Deadpool mess in the Wolverine film. Donner said, "I want to ignore the version of Deadpool that we saw in Wolverine and just start over again. Reboot it, because this guy talks, obviously, and to muzzle him would be insane." She also addressed concerns about Reynolds appearing in two comic book films simultaneously by referencing Harrison Ford's turns as Han Solo and Indiana Jones not distracting audiences from either film. I have always like Lauren Schuler Donner and really she cements that in this interview. She seems to have a grasp on what needs to be done to ensure the success of these characters that do truly have great potential. Now if only she can assure that the films will follow these paths.





Harry Potter + the X-Men = Success?
One last highlight from Donner's interview was her discussion of the X-Men: First Class film that she envisions having the feel of the later, darker Harry Potter films. She sights those films as role models for the production that she hopes will capture the fun of the comic series while maintaining the grittier elements of the X-Men universe. The only character specified to be a member of this first class so far is Scott Summers aka Cyclops. I do think that this could be a fun project if they stay true to who was at the school back in the day and do not try to wedge in people like Emma Frost. Donner said she wants to see the film set before the world was aware of the mutant population and I think that this would capture the feel of the team's early adventures. This one is not set up for production yet so we will see what happens when and if it does materialize.


Whedon to direct "Glee"
EW.com's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Joss Whedon is set to direct an upcoming episode of FOX's musically inclined "Glee." No stranger to the musical with the Buffy episode "Once More with Feeling" and the internet sensation "Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long Blog" under his belt, Whedon will most likely helm one of the last 9 episodes of the season as the first 13 episodes of "Glee" are already in the can. This will be the second television series Whedon will direct where he is not a writer/producer. The first was "The Office." I feel like "Glee" is a show that I should love but leaves me with mixed feelings each week. Perhaps Whedon's magic touch will clear things up for me!





Sinestro rumors addressed by Jackie Earle Haley himself
According to IGN, Haley was asked about the rumors that he may play Sinestro in the upcoming Green Lantern film while on the red carpet at this weekend's Spike TV 2009 Scream Awards. Basically he debunked the rumor saying it was news to him and that he had not been approached about testing for the role. IGN goes on to make the point that this is a similar situation to the net rumors that popped up first about Haley's casting as Freddy Krueger. I'd like to think this is one that has some actual legs. Haley would be a great choice for the rogue Lantern.


The first two members of Smallville's "Society" have been revealed
Fans have been eagerly anticipating details of the upcoming Geoff Johns' penned episode of "Smallville" entitled "Society." The episode will feature members of the Justice Society of America. IGN reports today that two of the Golden Age heroes have been cast and each shares a connection to the "Stargate" universe. Michael Shanks, Dr. Daniel Jackson on "Stargate SG-1," will be portraying Hawkman. Joining him will be Brent Strait, who guest starred in "Stargate Atlantis" and the direct to dvd film "Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods", will playing the mystic Dr. Fate. Geoff Johns has hinted on Twitter that the third member of the group will be a girl who likes the stars which leads one to believe it will be Stargirl. I am very much looking forward to this episode and how it will affect what may be the series final year. Johns is the master of continuity and character revival so I trust he will find a way to bring this group into the shows mythos as he did the Legion of Superheroes.















This past weekend the film Paranormal Activity saw its nationwide release after 1,000,000 fans demanded it to happen. Yes, I was one of those fans and I made my way to the first showing I could get to this past Friday. This is definitely a project that I cannot give a definite thumbs up or down to so I figured what better topic to explore in this week's ‘buster or Busted?! than the film and the experience that accompanied it. SPOILERS AHEAD!


The Hype: Midnight showings. Limited release. Would enough people demand it? It was tense, I liked it. 'buster!

Social media good for more than letting people know you're showering?:Who knew Facebook and Twitter could be used to help get a movie released? That people would actually seem to care even. All good. 'buster!

The budget: Made for less than $20,000, can you believe it? Yes I can, it did feel cheap. Busted!

The actors: Katie was great. She was believable and in the moment. Micah's performance felt forced and a bit cheeky at times. I'm split down the middle.'buster and Busted!

The Faux-umentary style: I went in expecting it to be a played out mechanism but it did really fit this project. And unlike Blair Witch the camera was not too shaky, so no nausea. Bonus. 'buster!

The Build ups: The film had a fair amount of "down time" that felt like eternities. The build up to each of the big scares went on way too long and at times made you question the worth of waiting for the payoffs. Busted!

The Scares: The true meat of the film and damn was it some fine meat. There were several jump out of your chair moments that I will not spoil here but I will say they get your blood flowing quick. 'buster!

Overall I am glad to have seen the film and will say that I think it is something that you need to see in the cinema. The greatest moments of this so-so production will not play well on the small screen.









Clichés abound in the world of horror films and to be honest it was quite difficult narrowing down the list of forty or so I brainstormed to a manageable ten. Most of these clichés started out as conventions that intensified the terror for an audience but soon became overused and common place as the genre grew. These days they are sadly expected to be a part of the formulaic films that get pumped out by the dozens. Perhaps if we drag these abominations out into the light of day they will wither and day like a vampire in the sun.


10. Running up the stairs instead of out the door
Really now, what is up with this happening? If you are being stalked or chased by a psycho killer who you know is in the house and you get near the front door and a stairwell, do not run up the stairs. This never works out well for anyone. Even in the Scream films where they mocked this convention, many of their heroes made this exact mistake. If you have a well stocked panic room upstairs or a helicopter on the roof then maybe this choice would make sense. If not, get out the door!


9. Nothing works
Apparently the universe that most horror films inhabits is a cell phone dead zone, prone to rolling black outs, and cars only work ten percent of the time. Technology should be mankind's best friend but in the realm of terror it often turns on you when you need it most. I also wonder if there is a Learning Annex course offered to psychotic murderers that teaches them the best way to cut phone lines and mess with vehicles without being obvious. It would seem so.


8. Inheritances never go well
Excited that you just got a letter from a lawyer telling you that a long lost relative has died and left you a mansion or some similar property? Don't be. Nothing good will ever come from traveling to explore your new property. It will be haunted, inhabited by demons, surrounded by insane children, a portal to another world, sinking into a black hole, and also usually a trap to lure you there as an object of sacrifice. Reject all inheritances of this sort. This also includes cursed jewelry and other similar demonically inclined items.




7. Parents just don't understand
The Fresh Prince had it right when he warned that adults do not get the troubles of youth. This extends beyond simple issues with borrowing a car to any opportunity the adolescents in a horror film get to explain the danger they are in to anyone in a position of authority. Parents, police, neighbors… it does not matter. They will not believe you even if they see the killer lumbering towards you with an axe. Instead they will let their ignorance lead to their own inevitable demise.


6. Someone is going to trip
It does not matter how slow the hockey masked killer chasing you is moving, you're going to trip on something as you attempt to escape. Sure this makes sense when a teen is wearing nothing but a bra and panties while running through the woods but it would happen even if you were in a pair of killer cross trainers walking on a clear level surface. That slow moving maniac needs some advantage when it comes to the chase and the "trip" is the go to move. Even if you do not trip, the killer will find some way to get in front of you. Usually stepping out from behind a convenient tree. You're doomed.


5. Axe/whatever through the door/wall/floor
Whether it is an axe coming through the bathroom door or a dorsal fin breaking the surface of the night water, when a horror film finally gives its hero a moment of piece something is going to rip that peace to shreds. When it happens, the audience will shriek and jump even though they knew something was coming. This is a formula repeated in countless films with countless variations.




4.Splitting up and investigating
This one is a combo of two seriously poor decisions. First of all, why do you have to investigate that noise coming from the darkness? Why not just stay where you are and be safe? And second of all, why split up? Why make yourselves more vulnerable. Sure you may cover more ground more quickly but you are dooming one of your groups if not all of them. Sticking together and staying in the safest, most well lit area are ideas that will extend your life.


3. Boobs
I know I am going to catch hell on this one but does every horror movie have to squeeze in a gratuitous boob shot? If it makes sense for the character to be topless, I am all for it. If every horror film could find a way to integrate the nudity into their storylines then there would be no problem. What I disagree with is the way that many horror films take the easy way out and just randomly slap a tit shot in when their stories start to weaken. Unless of course the film is in 3D, then you want to have as many random boob shots that you can get.


2. Evil children
They get possessed by demons, haunted by ghosts, and always seem to want to head towards the light. Children have a track record of turning bad in horror films. And I am not just talking about puking bed shakers like Regan in The Exorcist. I am referring to the truly evil monsters that come in little packages like Damien in The Omen, the ubiquitous Children of the Corn, and Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. Oh wait, I think I meant the Good Son for that last one. There is something truly disturbing about cute like kids turned murderous bastards.




1. The killer is not dead
No one act makes audiences scream at the screen during a horror movie more than when characters assume the killer is dead. Sure you shot him a dozen times in the head. Maybe you stabbed their heart and watched it pump its last pint of blood. This does not matter. The killer will always come back for at least one last scare. This cliché reaches its apex when a character assumes the psycho is dead and then gets in close to them to check and be sure. No. This is dumb. The obvious solution to this issue was proffered in the rules of Zombieland, the Double Tap. So you shot Jason in the face and he seems dead, shoot him again. You chopped off Freddy's head with a machete, keep going and get the arms and legs too. Really though, no matter what you do, they will come back. Plan for it and be ready. Is that too much to ask for?

Which horror cliché really gets you riled up? Did I list it here or did I miss it? Let me know!



Your Tuesday ‘Tube Bonus Clip

I leave you this week with the trailer for Daybreakers. It looks like a pretty cool take on the vampire story bringing it to a logical end point of sorts. What would happen if the blood ran out in a world of vampires?




And now one last look at Kelly with a four legged friend.




Until next week watch out for the bombs, catch a good blockbuster and check out a sweet babe or two. Oh, and for goodness sake, bookmark http://www.411mania.com. Are you using Twitter? You can follow me and 411mania's zones on these pages:

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(All information and gossip gathered from Fark.com, Aintitcoolnews.com, Hollywoodreporter.com, Moviehole.net, Reuters.com, Variety.com, MTV.com, IMDB.com, IGN.com WENN news, and Darkhorizons.com)