The Big Screen Bulletin 04.14.08: Issue No. 100 and a 1/4th

Posted by Chad Webb on 04.14.2008

The birthday bash featuring all women, the box office results, Natalie Portman in "Wuthering Heights", "MEG" the shark movie could finally be made, new DVD releases, new trailer ratings, new quickees, and much more!

The Birthday Bash

Claire Danes turns 29 - She doesn't pose a lot in magazines, but Ms. Angela Chase is certainly sexy in my eyes. I guess we'll have to pause that scene in Shopgirl until she takes the clothes off again, hopefully not for Steve Martin this time. Her next project is Me and Orson Welles directed by Richard Linklater.






Sarah Michelle Geller turns 31 - In this all female edition of the birthday bash, we have Buffy, who also never hesitates to be hot in her pictures, or with any hair color. She has Possession coming out fairly soon, and three films after that such as Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, Veronika Decides to Die, and Alice.






Julie Christie turns 67 - She might not have looked like much in her touching performance in Away From Her, but Julie Christie was once quite a catch. Her only future project is contributing to New York, I Love You which I hope is great.






Abigail Breslin turns 12 - Ohh how precious, she's holding her monkey. Ok, I don't care if I'm being too harsh or not, but Ms. Breslin needs to select some better roles other than Nim's Island, Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl, or My Sister's Keeper. She is capable of better.






Emma Watson turns 18 - Nothing gets my engine going more than Hermione picking out underwear. And guess what guys, now she's legal. I guess I can stop my perverted and creepy thoughts. She has Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on the way, along with the final installment, and a movie called The Tales of Despereaux.

The News Bulletin

Not a Scary Weekend for "Prom Night"
Sony and Screen Gems' remake "Prom Night" terrorized the competish at the weekend box office, grossing an estimated $23 million from 2,700 theaters and scoring one of the best bows for a horror pic in recent months. "Prom" is the highest bow since Lionsgate's "Saw IV," which opened to $31.7 million last October. Fox Searchlight and New Regency took the No. 2 spot at the B.O. with Keanu Reeves-Forest Whitaker cop actioner "Street Kings," which grossed an estimated $12 million in its debut from 2,467 runs, according to Rentrak. Pic, distributed by 20th Century Fox for Searchlight, was directed by David Ayer and co-written by James Ellroy. Miramax's Sundance buy "Smart People"--the weekend's other new wide release--only placed No. 7, grossing an estimated $4.2 million from 1,106 runs. Dramedy's cast includes Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker and Ellen Page.

Among holdovers, Sony's gambling drama "21" played another strong hand in its third frame, coming in No. 3. Pic declined a slim 28% to an estimated $11 million from 2,736 runs for a cume of $62.3 million. Both in their second weekends, Fox-Walden's adventure fantasy "Nim's Island" continued to outplay Universal's period screwball laffer "Leatherheads." "Nim's" declined only 32% to an estimated $9 million from 3,518 runs to place No. 4 for the weekend. Cume is $25.3 million. "Leatherheads," directed by and starring George Clooney, fell 51% to an estimated $6.2 million from 2,771 runs for a cume of $21.9 million. Film came in No. 5.

On the specialty side, Overture's "The Visitor" nabbed the highest per screen average of the weekend at $22,000. Pic grossed an estimated $88,000 from four locations in New York and Los Angeles. Fox Searchlight's feel-good docu "Young @ Heart" posted the second highest location per average of the frame. Film grossed an estimated $52,312 from four locations for a per screen average of $13,078. Pic's five day cume is $63,606. Nothing, however, could stop the box office from continuing to slide. Weekend was down a hefty 19.6% from the same frame last year, according to Media by Numbers.

I didn't really make a prediction last week, so I'm neither wrong or right. Honestly I had no idea what would win, but I certainly wouldn't have selected Prom Night. Evidently the promotional stand in theater lobbies with a door that opens and screams told people the movie might be good. Decent showing for Street Kings, which looked unremarkable from the trailer, and 21 is still running strong. Leatherheads is dropping fast. That's a major disappointment for the Cloonster. Horton Wears a Who! is standing tall, but The Ruins has really performed bad in its second week. Next week is packed. You have The Forbidden Kingdom for martial arts fanatics, 88 Minutes with Pacino for the middle-aged group, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall which is my pick for #1.






Portman Reaches for New Heights
Natalie Portman will star as Catherine Earnshaw in a new big screen adaptation of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" for Ecosse Films and Hanway Films reports the trades. Bronte's only novel, 'Heights' is a true classic of English literature. The story tells of the intense and yet ultimately thwarted passion between Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Olivia Hetreed ("Girl With a Pearl Earring") will adapt the script and John Maybury will direct, but no start date has been set. Portman beat out both Keira Knightley and Lindsay Lohan who were previously attached to star. Ecosse and Hanway previousl re-teamed on the forthcoming "Brideshead Revisited" opening late July. The book has been adapted numerous times before, most memorably in a 1939 film with Laurence Olivier and David Niven which only portrayed events in half of the novel. Timothy Dalton starred in a 1970's version, whilst Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche had early career success in a 1992 version. The most recent was an MTV production with Mike Vogel and Erika Christensen in 2003.

Approximately 14 different versions of Emily Bronte's classic can be viewed from mini-series, made-for-TV movies, and feature films. William Wyler's 1939 masterpiece has been on top of that mountain for the better part of six decades, and the most recent attempt was hardly seen by anyone on MTV in 2003 as the article states. Hollywood I ask you, what is the point? As a general rule, messing with perfection in cinema is a bad idea, and at the very least, a huge risk, but a 15th stab at the novel makes no sense, for moviegoers or the career of Natalie Portman, who should be choosing more ambitious projects. Ellen Page is quickly knocking her off my list of cool chicks. John Maybury is best known for 2005's The Jacket with Adrien Brody, so now we are aware of how substantial this new adaptation will be. I speak for all when I say…pass!






James Cameron Looks Into His Own Crystal Ball
James Cameron may still be hard at work on his upcoming 3-D sci-fi epic Avatar, set for release in December 2009, but the "Titanic" filmmaker is already thinking about his next project. Cameron, who seems hooked on the three-dimensional big-screen experience tells Variety, "I plan to shoot a small dramatic film in 3-D... after "Avatar." In "Avatar", there are a number of scenes that are straight dramatic scenes, no action, no effects. They play very well, and in fact seem to be enhanced by the stereo viewing experience. So I think this can work for the full length of a dramatic feature. However, filmmakers and studios will have to weigh the added cost of shooting in 3-D against the increased marketing value for that type of film." "Avatar" follows a paralyzed former marine who undergoes an experiment to exist as an avatar, another version of himself. The avatar is not paralyzed, but is an alien — 10 feet tall and blue. The film pits a human army against an alien army on a distant planet, using live actors and digital technology to make a large cast of virtual creatures. Cameron's small 3-D drama could be something that hasn't been announced yet, or it could be the story of freedivers Francisco "Pipin" Ferreras and his wife Audrey Mestre. Cameron picked up the rights to their story in 2003.

Cameron appears to be jumping the gun on this one. For a studio to approve a 3-D drama feature, forking over all the extra money, and having to place it in thousands of theaters for a positive return would be an enormous risk. Normally dramas do not bode great box office results unless it is a special circumstance. That being said, Cameron's name alone could be that special circumstance, but then again, his films have been popular because of visuals and story, but a drama would not have the added aid of CGI, so how will 3-D benefit the studio? I for one, would love to see a drama in 3-D, but I am not the general public, the same folks who made Met the Spartans and Prom Night #1. Cameron is slated to have Battle Angel on the way next according to IMDB. That premise follows a female cyborg being rescued from a scrapheap by a scientist. Cameron's streak is virtually unblemished, so I would enjoy a change of pace from him. Only time will tell.






Apatow to be Honored at the Key Art Awards
Judd Apatow will be honored with the Visionary Award, recognizing a filmmaker who inspires movie marketers, at the 37th annual Hollywood Reporter Movie Marketing Key Art Awards. The awards ceremony will be held June 13 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Apatow, working as a writer, director and producer, has become a comedy brand name in recent years with such hit films as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad." He serves as producer of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which bows Friday. Jeff Garlin, who plays Larry David's manager and sidekick on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," will contribute to the evening's laugh quotient as host.

The Key Art Awards is the only international competition honoring the individuals responsible for the design and creation of theatrical and home entertainment motion picture marketing materials in such categories as posters, standees, outdoor, trailers, TV spots, motion graphics, new media and copywriting. This year, the awards will introduce a new prize for best campaign, given to the studio or distributor that creates and implements the year's most innovative and successful overall movie marketing strategy

The companies behind five of the year's most notable campaigns will be invited to submit a cross-section of marketing materials, and a blue-ribbon panel of veteran movie marketers will evaluate the nominees, deciding how the campaigns maximized each movie's boxoffice potential, whether the film is a mainstream studio film or an indie sleeper. Tickets, priced at $200, go on sale May 13. Details: www.keyartaward.com.

I just felt like inserting this news bit in hopes that some of my readers take note that those posters and trailers we sit through do receive some much deserved attention. It should also be noted that Judd Apatow was rated as Entertainment Weekly's #1 smartest person in Hollywood, so the dude understands the ins, outs, and whathaveyou's of movie making. Off the top of my head, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street had probably the best and most effective marketing strategy, so that is where my vote goes. Congratulations to Apatow, and all the winners. Your hard work is not unnoticed.






The Frustrating History of "MEG" Could Have a Happy Ending
One of the most troubled film projects in recent film development history has been "MEG". Steve Alten's book dealt with the modern day re-emergence of an 80-foot long prehistoric shark which can eat a Tyrannosaurus Rex for breakfast. The book came out in 1997 and soon after plans were hatched to turn the property into a movie. Over a decade later and the project remains unproduced, despite a long history and many millions spent in development costs at both Hollywood Pictures and New Line Cinema.

Now, according to The Los Angeles Times, a new financier has stepped forward. Apelles Publishing Inc. has optioned the rights from Alten. Veteran producers Lawrence Gordon ("Die Hard") and Lloyd Levin ("Boogie Nights") remain attached to produce, along with Virginia-based film financing consultant Belle Avery. Whilst at the now defunct New Line, director Jan de Bont ("Speed," "Twister") was hired to helm the project, using a script by Shane Salerno ("Armageddon") and brought in a team of special effects and production experts to assist him.

Ultimately though the plug was pulled a few months before the studio was folded back into Warners earlier this year, a spokesman citing the project's expense ($157 million+ budget estimates) along with the several producers already being attached to the project without the studio's say. Guillermo Del Toro and one of my oldest online mates, CHUD.Com creator Nick Nunziata, were previously attached to produce. Del Toro has since left the project.

Movies that were never made, but should have been, has always been a fascinating tour through history for me. I have a good many books on the projects in developmental hell, and one would be surprised how many have since been made and greenlit since those books were published. This is also an adaptation that 411's own Owain J. Brimfield discussed in his column several weeks back. The point is, this shark movie could be a lot of fun, providing someone puts restrictions on the darn special effects. That is what skyrockets the cost, and ultimately dooms the promise. We need to cross our fingers here. I will not believe anything until I see a poster and a trailer, but I will purchase the first book (it had four sequels) and read it because the concept is intriguing.






ThinkFilm Escapes with Sundance Premiere
ThinkFilm has picked up all North American rights to the Sundance-premiered British prison drama "The Escapist" from Parallel Films and Picture Farm says the trades. Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper and Damian Lewis star in the gritty, stylish movie about a group of inmates trying to break out of a London prison. Directed by Rupert Wyatt from a script he wrote with Daniel Hardy, the project uses dual time structure that cuts between the planning for the escape and the escape itself in a race against the clock to see his drug-addled daughter. ThinkFilm expects to release the movie in October, following a similar platform rollout as it did with last year's "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead."

Wait, Joseph Fiennes isn't starring in a melodramatic period piece? I'm in for this just to see if he can act beyond that genre. Well this cast looks fantastic, and I am always interested in prison break films. Along with treasure hunt movies, it is one of my guilty pleasures. This will be Rupert Wyatt's debut feature, but he has worked with Brian Cox before on a short entitled Get the Picture. His mini-biography on IMDB has me anxious to see his abilities.

The 20 Second Sermon

Gisele Bunchen is rumored to be the new female lead for the next Austin Powers sequel. Ok, well this role in my mind means nothing now. Elizabeth Hurley was the best, and it's gone downhill since then. The question is…how much worse than Goldmember will the new installment be? The FCC plans to fine Sears, Wal-Mart, and Circuit City for not informing the customers who buy analog TV sets that they will not receive signals from any stations after February 17, 2009. After unannounced visits to various locations, they had proof. It is plain asinine and insulting that these stores had employees that could not say one simple sentence. Fine them up the wazoo as far as I'm concerned. Granted, most people should know this, but it still should be expressed as a precaution. I bought the new REM album Accelerate. It was the best stuff they have put out in years, and it was heavy on the rock site shockingly. I don't care for Michael Stipe, but this was a solid record. Sevendust released their 7th album, Hope & Sorrow: Chapter VII. Overall a standard rock/metal affair. but I'm a loyal fan of the group so I picked it up.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - Juno is the more popular and obvious buy, but this overlooked gem deserves attention. Watch Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke screw up a heist. It is gripping. Buyable

Juno (Two-Disc Special Edition) - One of the best films of the year despite what any commenter on 411 claims. Ellen Page portrayed one of the most memorable heroines in years. Preorderable

Lars and the Real Girl - I love Ryan Gosling, and he turns in a wonderful piece of work here, but the fact that the entire town stops their lives for this doll is ridiculous. Honestly, I don't know why this was so critically acclaimed. Borrow

Alien vs. Predator: Requiem - Look for my review of this new DVD tomorrow on the site!

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale - Uwe Boll delivers one of his more tolerable films, one that is laughably bad, and still manages to be one of the worst of 2008. Trashable

Mannequin & Mannequin 2: On the Move - This is a double feature that is cheap, and catches my attention just because the movies are bizarre. Plus, I never saw the sequel, and would like to.

The Final Season - Some sort of weird baseball story starring Tom Arnold, Sean Astin, and Rachel Leigh Cook. The straight to video nightmare potential is high on this one. I'm there.

Blast of Silence - Criterion Collection - A new criterion release about a hitman on assignment during Christmas time. This is one to add to the Netflix queue.

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With - This is a romantic comedy that received some average reviews, and stars Jeff Garlin and Sarah Silverman. I like Garlin, but not Silverman, so who knows if I'll ever see this.

A Passage to India (2-Disc Collector's Edition) - Director David Lean's final film is one that should garner him praise more often. This new edition of the epic adaptation would be a grand addition to the collection. He has some updated editions of Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai out this week as well. Buyable

Movie Dictionary: Word of the Week

Dry for Wet - Dry for Wet is a film technique in which smoke, colored filters, and/or lighting effects are used to simulate a character being under water while filming on a dry stage. Fans and slow motion can be used to make hair or clothing appear to float in the current. In recent years, it has become possible to digitally add rising bubbles post-production, heightening the realism. Examples of the technique in use include the final scene of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" when Sam sinks in a river, and in the underwater scooter scene in "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life." Many underwater scenes in "For Your Eyes Only" were shot this way due a medical condition actress Carole Bouquet suffered that precluded her from doing any underwater stuntwork. The exterior shots of the submerged Red October in the film "The Hunt for Red October" were also achieved using this technique, with a model hung by wires that could be tilted and turned in three dimensions.

Day for Night - Day for night, also known as nuit américaine ("American night"), is the name of a cinematographic technique to simulate a night scene. Mainly intended to avoid costly (and technically challenging) night filming, outside scenes can instead be shot during the day, with special blue filters and under-exposed film to create the illusion of darkness or moonlight. Lighting the characters two to three stops more than the background also helps the effect, but doing so requires powerful lights to compete with the sun. Many of the night scenes in the film "Jaws" were done this way. While this technique has largely disappeared owing to advances in film technology and increasing viewer expectations, it was recently used in the 2007 film "28 Weeks Later", due to the impossibility of shooting in an entirely dark London.

Interior day-for-night shooting can be more time consuming and labor intensive. Grips need to cut all the daylight entering onto set. If the scene is "blocked" or staged away from windows or other openings to the outside, the light may be simply blacked out with cloth or plastic sheeting. However when windows or doors are seen from camera, these openings must be tinted to allow some exterior dressing to be seen.

While never fully successful in creating "realistic" night, the special visual style of the American night nowadays has many fans among historic movie buffs, thanks to its frequent use in early B-movies, Westerns, and film noir. Day-for-night shooting seems to have become more common in recent years which goes against the trends of a decade ago. The title of François Truffaut's film "Day for Night" (1973) is a reference to this technique, since the film is about the process of moviemaking.

The Critic's Quickee

Leatherheads - Here is a movie I saw with a totally open mind. On one hand I love Clooney's direction, but on the other I have seen the trailer an excessive amount of times. The result Clooney's third effort is a mixed bag of enjoyment and nonsense. The pic reminded me of A League of Their Own in certain ways. The problem is, that film maintained a steady focus on the central plot, while Leatherheads cannot seem to settle. Had it stayed with the football storyline involving the transition of popularity and so forth due to a star college player, that would have made a fantastic night at the theater. Unfortunately, His Girl Friday elements are thrown in for good measure concerning a tough newspaper journalist looking to cook Carter Rutherford's goose, and then a romantic sub-plot as that same character, played by Renee Zellweger, flirts with the two main gridiron males. If that wasn't enough, several mindless gags at the speakeasies fell flat as a pancake. The snappy banter between Clooney and Zellweger was fun, but not consistently. At times, this unraveled as an admirable homage to Capra style 50's films and such, while the rest of the time it came off as a silly imitation. The performances were fabulous though. John Krasinski displayed oodles of charisma and appeal as "The Bullet." He could have a prosperous career outside of The Office if he wished, and kept his distance from scripts like License to Wed. Clooney is well…Clooney, walking around looking dashing and smirking up a storm. He is not to blame here. He captures a very vivid and captivating atmosphere. Screenwriters Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly hampered the material because they could not cut away some of the unnecessary fat. Consider it this way, in A League of Their Own, the women were worried about the men at war, but no battle scenes were shown. That was wise because it stuck to the main characters' POV. Leatherheads did the opposite, and it cost them. However, if this is the worst Clooney has done as a filmmaker, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Final Rating = 6.5/10.0

The Ruins - Apparently when a novelist adapts his own material to a screenplay, that alone is supposed to impress viewers watching the film. Point in fact, Scott Smith wrote the book and the script in which this insipid horror flick is based. I don't understand how audiences fall for the same sludge wrapped in new packaging. This is simply another case of stupid characters making stupid decisions that make no sense in the real world whatsoever. In this case, a group of four meet a weird German dude, who asks them to go exploring the woods for an ancient Mayan temple. Sure, even though they just met this person, they trust his judgment. I'm sorry, but this is on the same vein as both absurd Hostel movies and Turistas and on and on. Comparing this to The Descent, as one mainstream critic did, is plain ridiculous. This film, directed by Carter Smith in his feature debut, is simply dull, pointless, and predictable. At no point are these cookie cutter characters intriguing, and at no point is this suspenseful. I mean, come on now, we're dealing with vines as the villains here. Oh, I forgot about the tribe that surrounds the pyramid. They have bows and one gun, yet it is as if they are an invincible wall. I've said once, and I'll say it again. This is not the book. This is a movie, and a bad one at that. Perhaps the book is good. From what I've heard, the ending was changed. I could care less. The problem with horror is that the same tired formula is churned out as if the studio thinks it still works well. Final Rating = 2.5/10.0

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers
The Legend of Zelda - Yes, this was an April Fools joke, but a creative one nonetheless. Judging the trailer like others, this would be atrociously cheesy on the level that the original unreleased Fantastic Four was. Still, it made me laugh, especially the horrid CGI. Why would anyone want this movie to be made for real? Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Zombie Strippers - Now this is what we need more of in the theater. A nice craptastic, yet funny and entertaining B-movie. And this one features Jenna Jameson, and I've :cough: never seen her in a movie before. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

April Releases

Sex and Death 101 - Simon Baker is a very underrated actor, and Winona Ryder is ok too, but this film looks like the definition of mediocre. At least it will have a decent cast. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Baby Mama - I wouldn't mind this trailer if Amy Poehler wasn't in it. I really think she is annoying on a whole new level. Tina Fey is amusing, but I think this will be a very blasé comedy. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

88 Minutes - I do think this will be a competent thriller, mostly due to Pacino. For once the trailer revealed a lot without exposing too much. Hopefully this delivers. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? - Morgan Spurlock hunts for the Al-Qaeda leader. Morgan Spurlock is funny, and he tackles interesting topics, but this just seems goofy to me. What is the goal of this documentary keeps popping into my head. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Visitor - From Tom McCarthy, the director of The Station Agent, comes this new drama which actually looks pleasant and heartwarming with Richard Jenkins. I'll give it a shot. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - The new pic from the Apatow pack looks hilarious with Jason Segel in the lead role. At this point, we'd go see anything with Apatow's name attached. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

May Releases

Redbelt - A new David Mamet drama with Tim Allen in a serious role. I have to see it just out of sheer morbid curiosity. I have to admit, the premise does seem complex and intriguing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Iron Man (2) - At first, this looked ok to me, but now, I can't wait to see it. Robert Downey Jr. is terrific, and this trailer was fantastic. Who can't love a bald Jeff Bridges? Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Hey, it Indy, our favorite history professor, and he has returned. This preview was wonderful. The action looks fantastic. I am so there. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Iron Man - I must admit, any trailer that has Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" is ok by me. This looks funny and could be a decent blockbuster. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Speed Racer - This film looks weird. I mean, it should visually amazing like only the Wachowski's know how, but I'm not sure about this one yet. It should be entertaining though. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Speed Racer (2) - I had massive doubts from the first trailer, but this new one is worlds better, and I actually an amped to see it. If it sticks to a family tone, it could work. It still may be a huge dud, but you never know. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Son of Rambow - Since this was tagged to Rambo the action movie, one can't help but think this looks cute. It should be an entertaining children's film despite the peculiar title. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Sex and the City (2) - The teaser was fine, and that should have been it, but this new trailer spoils the end of the series, and most of the plot in the film. Why bother seeing it now? This is one of the worst kind of previews. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

What Happens in Vegas - This is a movie that gives people reason to say there is nothing good out. This will be a total and complete piece of junk. You know it, and I know it. Trailer Rating = 2.0/10.0

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I must admit, after disliking the first one, this trailer actually has me anticipating the sequel. Perhaps they improved with age. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Midnight Meat Train - You watch this preview, and it strikes you as a riveting thriller, then the title comes up, and you can't help but chuckle. It seems to take itself way too seriously for a bizarre title like that. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

June Releases
You Don't Mess With the Zohan - What a shame that Adam Sandler's films seem to be getting worse. I have no interest in seeing this, and I did not laugh once during this trailer. Same old song and dance from him. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

Kung Fu Panda - This could be funny. Jack Black has solid voice for CGI, and the premise is intriguing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Get Smart - I need to catch a few episodes of the original show before seeing the film. The trailer is funny, which means it should be somewhat fun. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Love Guru - I usually enjoy Mike Myers, but this new character might not be as popular as Austin Powers or Wayne Campbell. I laughed a few times, but this has not really jumped out as all that spectacular. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Incredible Hulk - I love Edward Norton, but I fail to see how this will right all the wrongs of Ang Lee's version. Is the origin story the biggest demand from fans? This just looks ok so far, and the CGI appears sloppy. It is a long ways away, but I'm not impressed. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

Wanted (2) - This movie does look extremely cool, but I still se a lot of Matrix elements. Oh well, Angelina Jolie is sexy, Morgan Freeman is playing his customary wise instructor role, and the special effects look neat. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Wall-E - Another Pixar classic is under our belt, and I can't wait for the next one. This robotic adventure should be great, and easily superior to Robots. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Wall-E (2) - The second trailer for Pixar's upcoming film makes me want to see it even more. I'm sorry, but this company is doing wondrous things right now. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Wall-E (3) - How can some people not be lovers of Pixar? This movie looks wonderful, and I'm pleased this trailer revealed some added characters. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Happening - While many have lost all faith in Shyamalan, I think he can still supply riveting thrillers if he puts his mind to it. I actually see this as a vast improvement from Lady in the Water. Here's hoping anyway. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl - The new Abigail Breslin vehicle. I'll bet this blows as it looks similar to Nancy Drew, which was horrendous by itself. I'll be passing on this one. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0

July, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Righteous Kill - The new crime thriller with Pacino and De Niro! This looks average at the moment, but it should be fantastic with the two of them as a duo on screen for most of the film. The supporting cast looks excellent as well. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Meet Dave - Just when you think Eddie Murphy will only dove lower for his comedies, this to me, actually looks kind of funny. I'm having trouble admitting that after Norbit, but this seems original. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Madagascar: The Crate Escape - This is some sort of weird DVD trailer, but we see the basic layout of the plot, and it is not very funny or interesting. I could care less about this one. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Lost Boys: The Tribe - I stumbled upon this trailer for the Direct-to-DVD sequel starring Corey Felmdman. For a B-movie, it doesn't look half bad, though Feldman is not the actor he once was. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Mamma Mia! - I have never seen this musical on Broadway, but I suppose I'll have to see this film, featuring music from Abba…ugh. It doesn't look terrible, but it's not my type of thing. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D - This will most likely be cheesy and preposterous, but hey, it's in 3D, and it has Brendan Fraser, so it should be semi-enjoyable. This should be fun in the theater, but not much else. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Bangkok Dangerous - Nicolas Cage continues his "Next" phase with this assassin story. Ehh, Cage is starting to piss me off. He's such a talented actor, and he does this junk. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Duchess - This is a goofy trailer. You wonder who could be introduced, and then the title "The Duchess" comes up, and you wonder why all the hassle of building it up. Knightley is to period pieces as Seagal is to B-movie action. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Hancock - Will Smith plays one of the most extraordinary looking super heroes in history. I'm actually excited to see this. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - I generally hate the term "chick flick", but really what else applies here. Never saw the first one, won't see this one, and this trailer is not up my alley. That is all. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Step Brothers - Now this is a Will Ferrell comedy I can't wait to see. The premise is unusual, and the jokes in this preview are hilarious. Plus, it's directed by Adam McKay, who knows his stuff. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Star Trek XI - The teaser was superbly placed before Cloverfield, and this causes me to be amped for the next installment despite my doubts about the cast. I hope it's as good as we deserve. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - I loved the first film, and am greatly anticipating the sequel. It looks to have kept the same sense of visual excitement and adventure. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

The Dark Knight (2) - I have to admit, despite the endless news bits about this film, the trailer is marvelous and could not have been handled better. This will rock. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Tropic Thunder - I am liking the plot to this film, and the trailer is pretty funny. Hopefully this is a Ben Still flick I don't hate. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Pineapple Express - This is the red band trailer by the way. I Haven't laughed this hard at a trailer in awhile. This is going to be great. The cast is fantastic, and James Franco is being put to good use. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Defiance - This new Edward Zwick film looks outstanding with Daniel Craig leading the cast in World War II story. This gave me chills. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From A to E
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From F to J
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From K to O
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From P to T
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From U to X
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From Y to #

411 April Roundtable - This month Owain J. Brimfield takes the reigns and compiled the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the spring releases for April!
Fact or Fiction - Ben Piper gathers the thoughts of Bryan Kristopowitz and Leonard Hayhurst this week!
Furious on Film - Arnold Furious gives you his opinions on various films every week in his brand new news report.
What!!-This-Column!?? - Bryan Kristopowitz continues his column about…stuff. Check out his B-movie column too.
Two Tivos to Paradise - Al Norton brings all the news and updates in television that you can handle.
Ask 411 Movies - Leonard Hayhurst answers all the questions in Ask 411 movies.
The USB Evening Movie News - George Sirois brings the Thursday news for you.
Misunderstood Masterpieces - Will Helm gives you his weekly misunderstood masterpiece for your reading pleasure.
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.

Make sure to check out all of this week's reviews of DVD's, Movies, Music, and more!
And of course read every movie review with the name Chad Webb attached to it.
Thanks for reading the whole way through, and make sure to tune in next week.