Movies/TV's 3R’s 12.29.09: X-Men, James Cameron, Ricky Gervais, Charlie Sheen, More

Posted by Shawn S. Lealos on 12.29.2009

From James Cameron being hounded by fans, David Cronenberg assembling some Basterds, Hollywood breaking records, and Ricky Gervais getting animated to Nic Cage being sued, the Balloon Boy parents going to jail, Jersey Shore being protested, Charlie Sheen spending Christmas in jail, and more, 411's Shawn S. Lealos breaks down the Right, wRong, and Ridiculous from the week in Movies/TV!



Welcome to Week 27 of The 3 R's for the Movie/TV world.

THEATRICAL PICK OF THE WEEK

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK

Without any further ado, here is...

The Right

Magneto is dead: X-Men Origins: Magneto is probably dead in the water according to director Bryan Singer. While this might be a wRong to David Goyer, I consider it a Right because, in my opinion, this will make for a better movie. Goyer's origin story is no longer relevant now that Singer has announced what his X-Men: First Class movie is going to encompass. The Singer directed film will tell the story of the original class of X-Men, which I assume will include Cyclops, Jean Grey and maybe The Beast. However, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Singer stated the movie will also deal with the deteriorating relationship between a young Xavier and Magneto, one of the main plot points of Goyer's Magneto story. Singer's exact words are that his movie will "supersede" the Magneto story. I like this idea because it adds the whole dimension of The X-Men to the story of Holocaust survivor Magneto which will increase the marketability of an otherwise limited story.

It's been a long time...: since Tom Cruise was in a movie that looks really entertaining.



Cronenberg assembles some Basterds: David Cronenberg is working on his next film, an adaptation of the stage play The Talking Cure. Anytime Cronenberg makes a film, it is going to be a Right in my eyes but his cast seals the deal. Keira Knightly, Christopher Waltz and Michael Fassbender have signed on to the lead roles. I have been interested in what Waltz has on his plate since he knocked me out as Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino's amazing Inglourious Basterds. I think Waltz is a lock for an Academy Award nomination for that role and he could do much worse than a Cronenberg film. As for the story, it is a period piece, something that should not surprise you since it is a Keira Knightly movie. The film will tell the story of the deteriorating friendship between psychologists Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. I figure Waltz will play Freud with Fassbender (also from Basterds) as Jung. Knightly will play the Yoko Ono of the relationship.

More Machete?: Danny Trejo, the star of the upcoming Robert Rodriguez movie Machete, has revealed that he and Rodriguez have hopes of making Machete into a trilogy with Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again as the next two films. I am pretty excited about this movie because it is the genre Rodriguez does best. Trejo's costars in the movie will be Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Lindsey Lohan, Rose McGowan, Tom Savini, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson and Lost alums Jeff Fahey and Michelle Rodriguez. This movie is going to rule your soul and two more is only icing on the cake.

A horror remake I am actually interested in: I am not a fan of many horror remakes. I think The Hills Have Eyes remake was actually pretty decent but many remakes (The Omen, The Hitcher, Black Christmas, The Wicker Man, The Fog, When a Stranger Calls) have sucked. Well, George Romero's The Crazies is being remade and, damn if I don't like the trailer. It feels really creepy and disturbing and I hope the movie is as good as the trailer looks. **If you are not interested in the remake, the original is being released on Blu-Ray and is available for presale from Amazon for only $17.95.

The wRong

21 Jump Street gets animated creators: A film version of TV classic 21 Jump Street, the show that launched the amazing careers of Johnny Depp and Richard Grieco, is currently in development. What has me confused is the creative talent Columbia Pictures is in talks with to helm the property. They are speaking with the directing team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) to make their live-action debuts with the film. Miller also co-directed Shrek the Third. Jonah Hill is already signed on to executive produce and star. I don't understand the choice of directors.

Who is in the wrong here?: James Cameron was asked for an autograph and refused. When the autograph seeker continued to press the issue, Cameron called him a "fucking asshole" causing the guy to go on a tirade about who is the asshole in this situation. Take a look at the video and decide for yourself.



Vanessa Hudgens don't want us to see her nekkid: Vanessa Hudgens is suing the owners of www.moejackson.com for posting pictures of her "self-portrait photographs." See, her lawsuit claims that photos taken in a private home on her cell phone and were meant for her and not for others. She says in the lawsuit that the "photos were obtained by an unknown person without Hudgens' knowledge or consent." She has also, strangely enough, registered the nude pictures with the U.S. Copyright Office. Wait, what?

Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins split up: They were together for 23 years and have two sons. I just find this sad.

The Ridiculous

What Recession?: This is a Right for the film industry but a wRong for anyone who has been laid off from film studios because of the "bad economy." While I have read numerous reports of studios laying off employees because of economic hardships, the domestic Hollywood box office will cross a new milestone this year as revenues will pass $10 billion for the first time. That number one more time is $10,000,000,000 in revenue for Hollywood domestically. This tells me the only people really suffering the economic hardships in Hollywood are the little people.

And what about DVD? The decline is highly overrated. Yes, DVD sales are down 13% from last year but studio execs believe it is due to the recession. While the sales are down, DVD rentals are up 8.2% in the first nine months of 2009. Also, in the first nine months of 2009, consumers spent $568 million on Blu-Ray purchases, 83% more than the first nine months of 2008. About 3.3 million Blu-Ray players were also sold during this time frame, 13% up from a year ago. Hollywood is in no financial danger.

** Update: The $10 billion mark was passed last Tuesday.

Marmaduke speaks: I already said a couple of weeks back how much I hate the idea of a Marmaduke movie. When I saw a teaser poster that showed they were using a real dog for the Great Dane. That made me a little less weary about the entire idea. It can't be any worse than those stupid Beethoven sequels. Then this trailer hit and Owen Wilson is voicing the dog. Yes, Marmaduke, who has NEVER once spoken in his 55-year history, will speak. And now I believe it might be just as bad as those stupid Beethoven sequels.

Just take a damn paycheck: I hear over and over and over about a movie star or rock star who is being sued because they somehow lost all their money. This time it is more Nic Cage lawsuits. Red Curb Investments loaned Cage $3.5 million for a real estate deal back in July 2007. Nic now owes a balloon payment of $1,850,297.67 and isn't paying it. The company is also filing suit because they claim Cage defrauded the company because he never told them he was deeply in debt to the IRS and used the money to pay back taxes. They are also suing Cage's former business manager Samuel Levin, who Cage is also suing blaming him for the actor going into debt to begin with. Just make The Rock 2 and pay off your damn debt Cage.

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The Right

Ricky Gervais to be an animated comic: Ricky Gervais will be debuting The Ricky Gervais Show, an animated series based on his, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington's podcasts, the most downloaded ever according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The three men will voice the show, animating past podcasts. This is Gervais' third collaboration with HBO, following the excellent Extras and his standup special Ricky Gervais: Out of England. This is great news as Gervais has been underwhelming in his feature films (Ghost Town, The Invention of Lying.) It will be nice to see him getting back to what he does best and that is being funny. To learn more about his podcasts click here and watch for him as he will be hosting this year's Golden Globes awards.

Balloon Boy's parents to pay big time: The Balloon Boy, the poor kid whose parents locked him in the attic and pretended he was on a runaway balloon for attention have received the bill for their actions. The bill is reportedly for $42,000 from local, state and federal agencies. The couple's lawyer is, of course, fighting this bill because he doesn't believe it should be so high. Whatever. These people face up to six years in prison but their lawyer reports they will receive no longer than 90 days and probation. I just found out the Balloon Boy's name is Falcon. Why do I find that funny?

* Update: The attorney was correct in the jail time they will serve. The father will serve 90 days with a 60 day work release. His wife will serve 20 days. Here is the best part: if the parents attempt to profit from the incident at all (books, TV, movie, or other deals) their probation will be provoked. This was a heinous attempt at publicity and they failed on every count. Justice is served.

Karma is a bitch: Jon Gosselin is reaping what he sows. He came home and found his apartment had been broken into. According to his attorney, the entire place was "sliced and diced into a million pieces." His shoes, shirts, luggage, bed, curtain, rugs and other furnishings had been slashed with a knife. His television, coffee maker, CD player, Nintendo Wii, dishes, pots and pans were taken from his apartment. A Ming vase, believed to be over 100 years old was smashed as well. A note was also left, stuck to the dresser with a knife calling Jon a cheater and signed with the name of his ex-girlfriend Hailey Glassman. Life's a bitch isn't it Jon?

The wRong

American Idol winding down?: Paula Abdul jumped ship last season and, according to his brother, Simon Cowell will follow when his current contract for American Idol ends after the 2010 season. Tony Cowell, who hosts a weekly podcast The Cowell Factor says his brother will leave the show to concentrate on developing the American version of The X-Factor. This makes sense because his current Idol contract prohibits him from making a move with The X-Factor. This will leave Randy Jackson as the only original judge remaining, with Ryan Seacrest as the host. I personally don't think the show will survive without Cowell's unique personality so, if you are a fan, enjoy Season 9 as it kicks off Jan. 12 at 8/7c.

* Update: Fox ordered three more seasons of Idol, regardless of Cowell's eventual decision, so you get the show no matter who judges.

Jersey Shore Offends Guidos everywhere: New Jersey Lawmakers have asked MTV to cancel their latest reality show Jersey Shore. The show follows eight housemates spending their summer on the New Jersey Shore. It is a Real World type series that shows them living, working and partying. The controversy began when the cast used the terms "Guido" and "Guidette" Because these terms are derogatory for Italians and, to make it worse, none of the cast members are from the area. Other groups who have spoken out against the show's stereotypes are the National Italian American Foundation, UNICO National, and the Order Sons of Italy in America. What these protestors need to understand is their complaints are counter-productive. The debut drew 1.3 million viewers but ever since the controversy has erupted the show has risen to 2.5 million viewers for its most recent episode. I hate stupid shows as much as the next person but people need to have a little thicker skin.

Can't we all just get along: I don't watch American Chopper but after a recent promo I asked my wife why it isn't about making choppers anymore. She told me the relationship between father and son was the main storyline everyone was interested in now. Well, news came out this week that the father/son team are locked in a bitter lawsuit now - over stock options. Paul Teutul, Sr. wants over a million bucks from his son, claiming they had a deal where he could buy his son's stock in the Orange County Choppers Holdings, Inc. Senior said he wants to cash in that option but his son won't let them know. He is asking that the judge force his son to give up his stock. This is just a sad thing to happen to any family.

The Ridiculous

Charlie Sheen falls again: I really thought Charlie Sheen was above the "wild boy" days of his youth. His once promising career was almost flushed down the shitter thanks to the escapades of his younger days but he seemed to have straightened things out with his strangely popular Two and a Half Men television show. Well, early on Christmas Day Sheen was arrested on domestic violence charges, second degree assault and menacing and criminal mischief. His agent told people not to jump to conclusions even though TMZ reported that Sheen's wife, Brooke Mueller, claims he threatened her with a knife. However, she has recanted most of her story and had a blood alcohol level of .13, legally drunk.

Make money off death: I'd think things can't get any worse in reality TV, but wait. Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor being investigated in the death of Michael Jackson, returned to work on November 23 and was followed by a camera crew. The doctor struck a deal with a British documentary crew to film him returning to work to get the reactions to patients when he returned. Nice. He is being investigated in Jackson's death and is making money off the notoriety.

Shawn if you knew anything about the box office you would know Avatar will gross way more domestically than New Moon, which would not make it past $300m. At this point, with its incredible WOM and holiday season, Avatar will show great legs. Nothing is ever a lock but $300m is almost certain for it. It might even push $400m if its lucky. - Posted By: Dangerous (Guest)

I agree that Avatar will have to try really hard to break even, but if it gets Oscar buzz and Oscar noms, then a bunch of people will see it. Almost all "Oscar" movies get inflated box office, so people can be "in the know". - Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest)

Plus, New Moon is a sequel/based on a super popular book, while Avatar is an original film. It had the second biggest December opening ever(higher than Return of the King). Bet money that it'll end up with a bigger gross than New Moon(which was incredibly frontloaded, it dropped a huge 70%) - Posted By: Jeremy (Guest)

That $600 million number seems a bit excessive. Most of the recent reports on the internet from reliable news sources seem to peg the actual budget for the film somewhere in the $250-300 million range with another $100-150 million for advertising and such (have to love Hollywood math... its worse than Wall Street). Now I completely agree that $450 million on the high end is still a lot of dough, but I don't think the movie will struggle to make that back when you take in to account overseas box office, licensing agreements (video game, toys, the McDonald's promotion, etc), DVD/Blu-Ray sales, and whatever else the studios can squeeze money from. At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure it'll turn a profit. - Posted By: Tom N. (Guest)

To follow up on my previous post, Avatar grossed an estimated $16,385,820 on monday. That is only a 30% drop, which is freakin' insane. It should go over $200m by the end of the week. At this point the sky is the limit for the movie. Hell $400m is almost a sure lock at this point. Don't be surprised if it actually challeges $500m. James Cameron is a god. - Posted By: Dangerous (Guest)

I think New Moon will reach $300 million (it is at $280 million right now) barely. New Moon is also currently sitting at $658 million worldwide. As for Avatar, it is doing very good and questions about the budget since I wrote my opinion has been mixed. First, the movie did not break the records the studio originally indicated. While the $77.03-million take overshadowed the final numbers of Cameron's other films (including Titanic) it is much less than other films (mainly summer blockbusters like The Dark Knight).

Its worldwide opening of $236 million is far short of Half Blood Prince's $394 million take. The fact that Half Blood Prince almost hit $1 billion, that is a good sign for Avatar, which will hit almost $600 million if it tracks the same as the Harry Potter film. Now, the great news for Cameron is Fox Film chairman Jim Gianopulos says that the claims the movie even reached $500 million in budget are "ridiculous." However, he refused to give the actual number, only expecting people to simply take his word. The second weekend totals of $75 million is great, beating Sherlock Holmes by almost $10 million and Alvin and the Chipmunks by $25 million. Overall, it was a huge weekend for movies and Avatar will do much better than I predicted.

As for the "reliable" news sources that claimed the movie was nearing $500 million (not the $600 million I said), including marketing costs, it is The New York Times that gave those numbers. The Wall Street Journal reported that the movie was nearing $300 million, thanks to reworking, and if you add the marketing costs to that number you still sit at $450 million. This means that the movie will probably reach the break even number by the time the holidays are over with. The film will turn a profit with DVD/Blu Ray sells BUT the film will not be seen by the majority of the world the way Cameron intended because TV's are not up to that level yet, so I see Avatar as a big rental, not a big seller.

** Update: Damn, I was VERY WRONG. The weekend numbers, worldwide, are $618 million. I am a person who will admit when I was wrong and, in this case, I was dead wrong. This movie is going to hit a billion. James Cameron can apparantly do no wrong.

Maybe FOX just wants House on that night to run one more Monday ad for 24. Competition isn't wrong and if people want to watch House over Chuck (or vise-versa) they should have the right to. - Posted By: The Dutch (Guest)

I'm pretty sure Fox could give a flying fudge about Chuck. House will likely beat it in the ratings regardless of when new they start to show new episodes. - Posted By: Mario (Guest)

I'm of two minds when it comes to House. This season really hasn't been very good so far. In my opinion, the last GOOD episode was when House's "father" died last season. It's been downhill since. I'm no fan of Chuck, I still think it should have gotten axed over Journeyman in 2007, but I don't think it'll get killed in the ratings as much as people seem to think. - Posted By: Steve307 (Guest)

Maybe I think too much like a professional wrestling fan where the competition does everything it can to hurt each other. I can see the new House episode being used to promote the new 24 but at the same time, with so much word-of-mouth momentum leading up to Chuck's premiere, I like to think they are putting the screws to their competition.

Just a side note: Hong Kong Phooey was actually a Hanna-Barbera character. :D - Posted By: Spyke (Guest) - You are right.

Clash of Titans looks awesome- but where is the devil looking guy with the tail that gets his hand chopped off?? -
Posted By: FUZEY (Guest) - He's in the trailer.






2009, MY YEAR IN RANKINGS
** Click on movie to read a review of the film**

1. Inglourious Basterds


2. The Lovely Bones


3. The Hurt Locker


4. Up


5. Zombieland


6. Sherlock Holmes


7. The Hangover


8. District 9


9. Where the Wild Things Are


10. Star Trek



11. Drag Me to Hell


12. Watchmen


13. (500) Days of Summer


14. Bronson


15. Coraline


16. Paper Heart


17. Nine


18. Up in the Air


19. A Serious Man


20. Precious



21. Trick ‘r Treat


22. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince


23. Adventureland


24. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra


25. Anvil! The Story of Anvil


26. 35 Rhums (35 Shots of Rum)


27. Burma VJ


28. Extract


29. I Love You, Man


30. The Men Who Stare at Goats



31. World's Greatest Dad


32. Monsters vs. Aliens


33. Public Enemies


34. Miss March


35. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen


36. Race to Witch Mountain


37. Saw VI


38. Terminator: Salvation


39. Angels & Demons


40. 9



41. Defiance


42. X-Men Origins: Wolverine


43. Fanboys


44. Push


45. No Impact Man


46. My Bloody Valentine 3D


47. He's Just Not That Into You


48. Dead Snow


49. The International


50. The Unborn



51. Outlander


52. The Uninvited


53. The Taking of Pelham 123


54. Whip It


55. New in Town


56. The Girlfriend Experience


57. Albino Farm


58. 2012


59. Donkey Punch


60. Van Wilder: Freshman Year

PREVIOUSLY ON 411MANIA

Sherlock Holmes Review

The Lovely Bones Review

Nine Review

Alternate Takes looks at the best actors of 2009

I take part in this week's Wrestling Fact or Fiction