The Moviefone Blog http://news.moviefone.com The Moviefone Blog is the place for movie lists, trailers, trivia, interviews and features on movies out in theaters and coming soon. http://news.moviefone.com/media/feedlogo.gif The Moviefone Blog http://news.moviefone.com en-us Copyright 2013 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA['Now You See Me' Movie: 7 Things We Learned On Set]]> 20589866 "Now You See Me," a heist movie with magicians standing in as the thieves, is set to hit theaters this May. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as the cocky leader of the Four Horsemen, a group of magicians plotting to steal millions of dollars and give it to their audience.

Filmed on location in Paris, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and New York, the picture, from Louis Leterrier ("The Transporter"), pulls together a surprisingly varied cast from Woody Harrleson to Michael Caine to Mark Ruffalo.

At the 5 Pointz urban graffiti showplace last November, the stars of "Now You See Me" sat down for several roundtable discussions with a few select outlets. Below, are sevens things we learned on-set.

It took a long time to convince the cast to join this movie "We took seven months to cast, so a long time," Leterrier said, "Everybody, anyone, actors, are terrified it's going to be corny and full of visual effects and everything. But when they understood what we were doing, that's how I was able to get these guys, because they understood they would do the real stuff." Enter Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, and Morgan Freeman.

Eisenberg had a personal reason for joining "Now You See Me" One of the reasons the actor decided to sign on was because of an experience he had growing up. "My mom was a birthday party clown, and so when she was sick, or when it was my birthday and she didn't do the party, she bartered a party for this magician, this guy Bruce," Eisenberg said.

Granted, Eisenberg had some trouble sticking to the code while learning magic tricks for this movie "I feel very guilty doing magic because you're deceiving somebody. When I am with David Kwong [our magician consultant] and he does magic, people love it and they don't want to know [how he does it]," Eisenberg said, candidly. "But I ... just feel immediately guilty that I tricked them and tell them how it's done and David gets upset and the night ends pretty early."

Woody Harrelson hypnotized Mark Ruffalo during filming "Woody got very proficient at hypnotizing people. and we were out one night and I don't know if something was dropped in my drink or Woody actually hypnotized me, but something did happen to me," Ruffalo said.

Ruffalo knows why you would sympathize with the "bad guys" in this film In "Now You See Me," Ruffalo plays a cop looking to take down the group of magicians who are stealing money from banks and giving it to their audiences, so the actor realizes why moviegoers may be backing the thieves. "This has a Robin Hood flare to it and right now there's definitely a populist sort of view of the world that people are being taken advantage of and the big people are taking advantage of them. So the idea of taking from the rich and giving to the poor seems to resonate quite a bit right now."

Dave Franco is very dangerous with cards According to director Louis Letterrier, "Dave has become amazing at throwing cards. He can take a card and throw it across the room. You met Steve Pope, the stunt guy, he slit his eye, above his eye, with a card across an entire theater." Note to self: Be careful around Dave Franco.

Eisenberg's character has similarities to one he's best known for playing, Mark Zuckerberg in 'The Social Network" "In terms of characters I've played, he is controlling and probably unsympathetic in the same way that the character I play in 'The Social Network' is."

Eisenberg obviously loved working with Woody Harrleson "I love working with him, everybody does. He is one of these very unique actors that is as comfortable in a movie like this where there's a lot of effects and where it's fact-paced," Eisenberg said. "To have him there and to see how he paces himself throughout a day, and see how he is aware of the camera angles, knowing to not necessarily expend all of your energy when the shot is nowhere near your body, that's helpful to see."

]]> 2013-04-14T21:31:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/04/14/now-you-see-me-movie-set-visit/ <![CDATA[EXCLUSIVE: 'Dead Man Down' Interactive Poster: Learn About The New Thriller (PHOTO)]]> 20590238 For everyone singing the praises of the original "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" adaptation, you're in luck!

Niels Arden Oplev, the helmer of the Swedish series, is making his American theatrical debut with the new action thriller, "Dead Man Down." Re-teaming with his "Girl" heroine, Noomi Rapace, the film follows her irresistible connection to a stranger, played by Colin Farrell. But, instead of romance, it's their mutual desire for revenge that brings them together.

Debuting exclusively on Moviefone is an interactive poster for "Dead Man Down," which will whet your appetite for the the upcoming thriller. Take a look at the memory board above.

Starring Colin Farrell , Noomi Rapace , Terrence Howard, "Dead Man Down" hits theaters March 8. ]]> 2013-02-26T12:10:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/26/dead-man-down-interactive-poster/ <![CDATA['MAKERS': Nora Ephron on Real-Life Inspiration for 'When Harry Met Sally']]> 20590241 Last year, we lost one of the most legendary female movie scribes, rom-com of auteur, Nora Ephron.

Ephron, whose famous films include "Sleepless in Seattle," "You've Got Mail" and, of course, "When Harry Met Sally" passed away after a battle with leukemia at the age of 71 on June 26, 2012.

As a trailblazer in her field -- introducing the ubiquitous theory "Men and women can't be friends" -- Ephron is leading the way in a new special, "MAKERS," which spotlights remarkable women. The special will showcase "hundreds of compelling stories from women of today and tomorrow."

In the video above, Ephron speaks about her most famous flick, 1989's "When Harry Met Sally," and explains how the two titular characters are based on director Rob Reiner and Ephron herself.

"MAKERS" airs February 26 at 8 PM EST on PBS.

MORE 'MAKERS' Carrie Brownstein in 'Makers': Sleater-Kinney and the 'Female Band' Label Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton Makes Her Mark in 'Makers' Documentary PBS Documentary 'Makers' Puts Spotlight On Danica Patrick 'The Makers': One Of NYC's First Female Firefighters Talks Of Hazing And Harassment [VIDEO] The Makers: Xerox CEO Ursula Burns Tells Her Story







]]> 2013-02-26T10:08:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/26/nora-ephron-when-harry-met-sally/ <![CDATA[Oscars 2013: The Stars Head to the After Parties (PHOTOS)]]> 20590247 While the 85th annual Oscars sang us to sleep, for celebrities, their night had only just begun. After all the thank-you's and tumbles, Hollywood's best moved onto what the ceremony is all about: partying!

A smorgasbord of A-listers came out to celebrate their honored brethren and this year was certainly no exception. You've seen all the hits and misses from the red carpet, but now it's time to see who sashayed into the after parties.

Take a look at all the famous faces who made the rounds below.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Oscars After Party Round-Up

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]]> 2013-02-25T10:42:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/25/oscars-2013-after-party-round-up/ <![CDATA[Oscars Best and Worst Dressed: The Fashion of the 2013 Academy Awards (PHOTOS)]]> 20590253 We've reached the apex of awards season: The Oscars.

While its the most prestigious gold one can take home in Hollywood, it's also the red carpet to end all red carpets -- and it wouldn't be the most major ceremony without a few upsets.

At the 85th annual Academy Awards, A-listers from Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain to Anne Hathaway and Kristen Stewart put their best fashion foot forward. Below, we've gathered the best and the worst looks of the evening.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Oscars Best and Worst Dressed

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]]> 2013-02-24T23:13:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/24/oscars-best-and-worst-dressed-2013/ <![CDATA[Oscars Red Carpet: All the Stars From the 2013 Academy Awards (PHOTOS)]]> 20590261 Ladies and gentlemen, we've made it: It's Oscar night! Tonight, the Oscars, hosted by "Family Guy" showman Seth MacFarlane, is being broadcast live from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

But before the envelopes are opened, we have all the red carpet photos of your favorite stars. From Jessica Chastain and Bradley Cooper to Jennifer Lawrence and Ben Affleck, check out all the looks below!

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Oscars 2013 Red Carpet

See All Moviefone Galleries »
]]> 2013-02-24T18:08:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/24/oscars-red-carpet-stars-at-2013-academy-awards/ <![CDATA[Weekend Box Office: McCarthy's 'Identity Thief' Tops Box Office Again]]> 20590264 NEW YORK -- Hollywood's latest films performed tepidly at the box-office on Oscar weekend, with Melissa McCarthy's "Identity Thief" returning to the top spot in its third week of release.

The Universal comedy earned $14.1 million on the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, enough to regain the box-office title after losing it last week to 20th Century Fox's "A Good Day to Die Hard." The Bruce Willis action sequel faded domestically, but not overseas, where it took in $35.7 million. With a cumulative total of $93.7 million, "Identity Thief" is the biggest hit so far in 2013. Though the film has been badly reviewed by critics, the road trip duo of McCarthy and Jason Bateman has proved popular at the multiplexes, where no other comedy has been around to challenge it.

More than anything, "Identity Thief" has proven the stardom of McCarthy, following her breakout performance in "Bridesmaids."

"The holding power of a film always gives you an idea of the strength of its concept or its star," said Nikki Rocco, Universal head of distribution. "In this case, it's both."

With the industry gathering for the Oscars on Sunday, it's always a weekend where moviegoers' attention goes more to the Academy Awards than the movie theater. For the fifth week in a row, the box office was down as compared to last year's business

One of the two new films in wide release, Lionsgate's Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson action film, "Snitch," opened with $13 million. That was a decent but not strong showing for "Snitch" in a year where action films have largely fared poorly.

Though "A God Day to Die Hard," the fourth film in the franchise, led the box office last week, it slid 60 percent in its second week to $10 million. But it continued to dominate internationally, bringing it to a three-week worldwide total to $184.8 million. (It opened a week earlier in some countries.)

Earlier action films from Arnold Schwarzenegger ("The Last Stand"), Jason Statham ("Parker") and Sylvester Stallone ("Bullet to the Head") performed far worse.

The other new wide release was the Weinstein Co.'s "Dark Skies," a PG-13 horror film starring Keri Russell. It debuted with $8.9 million.

The down weekend was unlikely to dampen the Oscar celebration. The nine best picture nominees have largely fared well at the box office. This weekend, eight of them are in the top 21 films.

For the first time since the category's number of nominees was extended in 2009, six of the nominees grossed more than $100 million domestically: "Argo," "Lincoln," "Les Miserables," "Silver Linings Playbook," "Django Unchained" and "Life of Pi." "Zero Dark Thirty" missed narrowly with $91.6 million going into the Oscars.

"It's one of the best performing groups of nominees I've ever seen," said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. "Great night for Hollywood, tough day at the box office."

A box-office bump could follow for Sunday's big winners, though any benefit might be better found overseas, where some of the films are still expanding. The best picture favorite, Ben Affleck's Iran rescue thriller "Argo," is already out on DVD in North America.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Identity Thief," $14 million, ($170,000 international).

2. "Snitch," $13 million.

3. "Escape From Planet Earth," $11 million.

4. "Safe Haven," $10.6 million, ($1.4 million international).

5. "A Good Day to Die Hard," $10 million, ($35.7 million international).

6. "Dark Skies," $8.9 million.

7. "Silver Linings Playbook," $6.1 million, ($5 million international).

8. "Warm Bodies," $4.8 million, ($2.5 million international).

9. "Side Effects," $3.6 million.

10. "Beautiful Creatures," $3.4 million, ($4 million international).

___

Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:

1. "A Good Day to Die Hard," $35.7 million.

2. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $18.6 million.

3. "Les Miserables," $9.3 million.

4. "Django Unchained," $8.5 million.

5. "Wreck-It Ralph," $8 million.

6. "New World," $7 million.

7. "Miracles in Cell No. 7," $6.2 million.

8. "Mama," $5.5 million.

9. "Flight," $5.1 million.

10. "Lincoln," $5 million.

(tie) "Silver Linings Playbook," $5 million.

___

Online:

___

Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC. ]]> 2013-02-24T12:54:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/24/weekend-box-office-identity-thief-wins/ <![CDATA[You Review: What Everyone's Saying About 'Snitch' (VIDEO)]]> 20590266 While Hollywood will be busy celebrating, a new action adventure film,"Snitch" is sneaking into theaters this weekend.

Here, Dwayne Johnson plays a devoted dad-turned-undercover informant when his son is wrongly accused of drug distribution. In order to clear his boy's name, he risks his own life by infiltrating a drug carel.

You've heard what the critics think, but what's the real word on "Snitch"? Take a look at the You Review above to find out! ]]> 2013-02-22T18:08:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/22/you-review-snitch/ <![CDATA[Weekend Movie Reviews: 'Dark Skies' and 'Snitch' Hit Theaters]]> 20590269 Rain or shine, snow or sleet, Oscars or the Academy Awards, the box office delivers! This weekend, "Dark Skies" and "Snitch" are hitting theaters.

From the producers behind "Paranormal Activity," "Dark Skies" follows a suburban family who, after finding themselves haunted by a deadly force, have to take matters into their own hands to solve the mystery.

In "Snitch," Dwayne Johnson plays a devoted dad-turned-undercover informant when his son is wrongly accused of drug distribution. In order to clear his boy's name, he risks his own life by infiltrating a drug carel.

Before you make your selection at the cinema this weekend, take a look at the review roundup for these films below.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Movie Reviews, 2/22

See All Moviefone Galleries »
]]> 2013-02-22T15:37:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/22/weekend-movie-reviews-dark-skies-snitch/ <![CDATA[What is 'Moonrise Kingdom'? Oscar Nominee Guide 2013]]> 20590272 "Moonrise Kingdom"

Nominated For: Best Screenplay (Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola)

What's It About? Two star-crossed tweens (Kara Hayward, Jared Gilman) run away in the name of love, while their New England town bands together to try and find them.

Why You Should See It: Wes Anderson's ode to young love plays to his sense of impossible whimsy. Featuring some old friends -- Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman -- and new faces, "Moonrise Kingdom" is everything you could ever want out of an Anderson flick (amazing soundtrack, styled to a twee) while also managing to do the impossible: tell a realistic story of what it's like to be a kid in love.

It's Kind of Like: The aesthetic of "The Royal Tenenbaums" meets the adolescent romance of "Blue Lagoon"

How You Should See It: "Moonrise Kingdom" is available on DVD/Blu-Ray. ]]> 2013-02-22T11:41:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/22/what-is-moonrise-kingdom/ <![CDATA[Oscar Voter on 'Argo': It's 'A Whole Lot of Nothing']]> 20590274 While the voting process for the Oscars is shrouded in secrecy -- and this year, mass confusion -- one voter was brutally candid.

Revealing his ballot to the Hollywood Reporter, the anonymous voter took major issue with two Oscar front-runners: "Argo" and "Django Unchained." Unswayed by the promotional gifts he was sent -- which, he said, included "just about everything short of Lincoln condoms" -- the voter unloaded on Ben Affleck's drama, which has been nominated for seven Oscars.

"'Argo' is a whole lot of nothing; it's a very engaging story, but with nothing particularly clever in the writing."

The Academy member had plenty more scorn directed at other heavy-hitters -- when casting his vote for Best Picture, he said "Django Unchained" was "basically just Quentin Tarantino masturbating for almost three hours."

For more scathing comments about this year's Oscar nominees, click over to the Hollywood Reporter.

Head back to Moviefone on Sunday night for full coverage of the 85th Academy Awards ]]> 2013-02-22T09:55:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/22/oscar-voter-slams-argo-django-unchained/ <![CDATA[What to Watch This Weekend: Our Picks for Previous Oscar-Winning Movies]]> 20590279 With the Oscars just around the corner, you may be running to your local multiplex in the hopes of crossing a few more contenders off your to-watch list.

But for those of you who need a break before Hollywood's biggest day -- but still want to pay homage to the craft -- your trusty Moviefone editors have compiled a list of other big winners you might want to watch. Below are some of our favorite Oscar winners of all time.

"Schindler's List" (Winner, Best Picture)

This dour, intense film won Best Picture in 1993, and rightfully so. A labor of love by masterworker Steven Spielberg, it's the most expensive black-and-white film ever made, and his first R-rated movie. Based on a true story, the film follows German businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) as he slowly comes to realize the atrocities of The Holocaust all around him. Eventually, after witnessing the horror of Nazi persecution, he rescues some 1,100 Jews from being gassed at Auschwitz. While this is certainly heavy material, the film is hauntingly beautiful -- a cinematic lesson in camera angles, shadow, and light. (Side note: it's also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.) -- Chris Jancelewicz

"Training Day" (Winner, Best Actor -- Denzel Washington)

In honor of Denzel's Best Actor nomination for "Flight," why not go back and relive the role that nabbed him that award the first time around? In "Training Day," he plays Detective Alonzo Harris, a dirty and downright terrifying narcotics officer for the LAPD. Over the course of a day, he introduces a new recruit, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), to the underbelly of Los Angeles, filled with sex, drugs, murder, and corruption. Denzel normally plays the hero, so it's fun to see him branch out and do something completely different here, portraying a cop who routinely breaks the law and has little regard for anyone who gets in his way. Bonus points for an awesome soundtrack. -- Alex Suskind

Any of the Best Picture Nominees from 1975

Inevitably, with every Oscar race, there's always a movie or two that fails to age gracefully; within a few short years audiences are saying "That was nominated for Best Picture?!" But there isn't a weak link amongst the 1975 slate of Best Picture nominees, where five of the greatest filmmakers of all time -- Robert Altman ("Nashville"), Milos Forman ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"), Stanley Kubrick ("Barry Lyndon"), Sidney Lumet ("Dog Day Afternoon"), and Steven Spielberg ("Jaws") -- duked it out with each other for the top prize. Even though "Cuckoo's Nest" actually took home the gold, all the nominees have stood the test of time and are still routinely regarded as some of the greatest movies ever made. If you want to understand why the '70s were considered such a high mark for cinema, the 1975 race offers a crash course in the creative energy that was firing on all cylinders during that decade. -- Eric Larnick

"Titanic" (Winner, Best Picture)

The romance staple first sailed into theaters in 1997, went on to win 11 Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director for King of the World, James Cameron), and has since muscled its way into the tear-jerkers' hall of fame. This past year, in honor of the centennial of the famous sinking, audiences went back to Titanic. Cameron's spiffy 3D upgrade raked in some more money and allowed us to see just how much this movie still tortures Kate Winslet. But above all, the re-release heightened all the reasons we fell in love 15 years ago, and reaffirmed why we should never, ever let go. -- Jessie Heyman ]]> 2013-02-21T14:33:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/21/weekend-movies-must-watch/ <![CDATA[2013 Acceptance Speeches: Who Gets Thanked Five Times More Than God?]]> 20590281 Last year, when Meryl Streep took to the stage to accept her Best Actress Oscar for "Iron Lady" she said, "I want to thank God -- Harvey Weinstein. The punisher. Old Testament, I guess."

Jesting while she may have been, others have followed in her deferential footsteps. People just love to give thanks to the film producer and studio executive. In fact, the Hollywood Reporter tracked the thank-yous of 48 acceptance speeches this year and, as it turns out, Weinstein out-tallied God by five.

Quvenzhane Wallis, the pint-sized star of "Beasts of the Southern Wild" was the only recent star to call out to the actual big man upstairs. When receiving her win at The Critics' Choice Awards, the nine-year-old actress said, "Thanks. Hello. First I would like to thank God for all my blessings."

While Weinstein took the lead in terms of supreme beings, directors came in as the most-thanked group overall, earning 24 effusive shout-outs.

Jennifer Lawrence, a front-runner for this year's Best Actress, has already sung the praises of Weinstein in her three previous acceptance speeches. If Almighty has anything to do with it, it will happen again on Sunday.

[via THR b/w Yahoo] ]]> 2013-02-21T13:28:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/21/harvey-weinstein-thanked-more-than-god/ <![CDATA['Peeples' Trailer: First Look at Tyler Perry's New Movie (EXCLUSIVE)]]> 20590284 From the never-ending in-law-disaster genre comes Tyler Perry's spin on a "Meet the Parents"-style comedy of errors.

In "Peeples," a regular Joe (Craig Robinson) wants to pop the question to his girlfriend (Kerry Washington) but needs her perfect family's approval first. However, when he meets his in-laws-to-be -- spoiler alert! -- things do not go according to plan.

Very, very far from it, in fact. In the newly released trailer, which you can watch above, Robinson gets attacked by a pooch, is found dancing in a '70s-style headdress, and walks through fire, all in the name of love.

"Peeples" starring Robinson, David Alan Grier, Washington, S. Epatha Merkerson and Kali Hawk, hits theaters May 10. ]]> 2013-02-21T10:25:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/21/peeples-trailer-tyler-perry/ <![CDATA[Oscars 2013 Guide: Everything You Need to Know About This Year's Academy Awards]]> 20590288 Well, folks, we've finally made it: It's Oscar week!

This Sunday, the 85th Academy Awards Oscars will air on ABC at 8:30 p.m. EST.

But before first-time host (and musical nominee) Seth MacFarlane takes the stage, it's time to catch up on anything you might have missed. which is why we've rounded up all of our Oscar coverage from the last several months for you to peruse. Think of it as a guide on everything you need to know about this year's Academy Awards. From info on the nominees to weekly prediction posts to Best Of lists, check out the full Oscars' Primer below.

OSCAR NEWS

The Academy Awards Changes its Name ... Sort Of

The Oscar Nominee Snubs and Surprises

And the 2013 Oscar Nominees Are ...

'ParaNorman' Director on Getting an Oscar Nod for Best Animated Film

Roman Coppola, 'Moonrise Kingdom' Writer, Talks About His First Oscar Nomination

Jennifer Lawrence Reacts to Academy Award Nod

'The Avengers' Cast to Present at Academy Awards

The Sad Campaigning Behind the Oscars' In Memoriam Segment

BEST OF LISTS AND FEATURES

A History of James Bond at the Oscars

The Best Picture Kisses of All Time

The Best Oscar Moments Ever

The Weepiest Academy Award Acceptance Speeches

The 30 Sexiest Dresses on the Oscars Red Carpet

The Best & Worst Fashion in Oscars History

Why Jack Nicholson Owns the Oscars

The Best 'Get-Off-the-Stage' Oscars Moments

The Most Ridiculous Oscar Musical Performances

The Creepiest, Craziest Oscar Moments

The Youngest Oscar Winners and Nominees

The Biggest Upsets in Oscar History

OSCAR PREDICTION POSTS

Is There Still Time to Campaign for a Win?

How Did 'Argo' Take the Lead?

The Oscar Race Opens Wide

What Do the 2013 Golden Globes Say About the Oscar Race?

Which Precursor Prizes Matter for the Oscars?

Five Reasons Emmanuelle Riva Can Win the Oscar

OSCARS MADE EASY

What Is 'Argo'?

What Is 'Django Unchained'?

What Is 'Life of Pi'?

What Is 'Les Miserables'?

What Is 'Silver Linings Playbook'?

What is 'Lincoln'?

What is 'Zero Dark Thirty'?

What is 'Amour'? ]]> 2013-02-20T13:21:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/20/oscar-primer-round-up/ <![CDATA['The Academy Awards' Rebranded as 'The Oscars']]> 20590292 This year, the Academy Awards is getting a facelift -- sort of.

The annual awards show is eschewing its illustrious history -- 85 years young! -- for an edgier, more youthful name.

"We're rebranding it," Oscars co-producer Neil Meron told TheWrap. "We're not calling it 'the 85th annual Academy Awards,' which keeps it mired somewhat in a musty way. It's called 'The Oscars.'"

This isn't the first time the show has tried to tap into the youth market (looking at you, James Franco and Anne Hathaway). However, rest easy, Academy Award puritans: despite the title adjustment, it's not necessarily permanent. Spokesperson Teni Melidonian explained that, "It is right for this show, but we could easily go back to using 'Academy Awards' next year."

So what do you think of this change? For a show that loves flaunting its longevity and history, is the rebranding an odd move, or does it even matter? Let us know in the comments.

[via TheWrap b/w Yahoo! Movies] ]]> 2013-02-20T10:46:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/20/academy-awards-rebranded-the-oscars/ <![CDATA['The Call' Trailer: Halle Berry Stars in Kidnapping Thriller (EXCLUSIVE)]]> 20590294 Prepare to think twice about answering your cell phone in a parking garage.

In the upcoming kidnap thriller, "The Call," Halle Berry stars as a seasoned 911 operator who receives a terrifying call from a kidnapped teenage girl (Abigail Breslin). Berry goes above and beyond her job to save the girl's life -- "You're just an operator, what are you going to do?" -- and soon realizes that the abductor is a killer from her own past.

Check out the exclusive trailer above. "The Call" starring Berry, Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, and Michael Imperioli, hits theaters March 15. ]]> 2013-02-20T09:49:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/20/the-call-trailer-halle-berry/ <![CDATA[You Review: What Everyone's Saying About 'A Good Day To Die Hard' (VIDEO)]]> 20590306 Yippie-Kai-Yay, everyone! John McClane is back blasting bad guys -- and spouting one-liners -- at the box office this weekend with "A Good Day to Die Hard."

From John Moore ("Behind Enemy Lines"), the newest action installment follows McClane (Bruce Willis) as he travels to Russia to rescue his potentially wayward son (Jai Courtney). Once there, he discovers his boy is actually a CIA operative (like father, like son, amirite?) Soon the duo find themselves battling (surprise!) terrorists with a taste for destruction/large sums of money.

You've heard what the critics think, but what's the real word on "A Good Day to Die Hard"? Take a look at the You Review above to find out! ]]> 2013-02-15T15:08:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/15/you-review-a-good-day-to-die-hard/ <![CDATA[Movie Reviews: 'Die Hard,' 'Beautiful Creatures,' and 'Safe Haven' Hit Theaters]]> 20590307 Whether you're an action fanatic, YA addict, or romantic softie, this weekend the box office is serving up something for everyone.

From John Moore ("Behind Enemy Lines"), "A Good Day to Die Hard" follows John McClane (Bruce Willis) as he travels to Russia to rescue his potentially wayward son (Jai Courtney). Once there, he discovers his boy is actually a CIA operative. Soon the duo find themselves battling (surprise!) terrorists with a taste for destruction/large sums of money.

If "Die Hard" doesn't get you yippie-kay-ay-ing, check out "Beautiful Creatures." Based on the "Caster Chronicles," the uber-popular YA series, the supernatural story centers around two star-crossed lovers, played by Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert.

However, if you want your romance served straight-up, look no further then "Safe Haven." From the tear-jerker king, Nicholas Sparks, the love story stars Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough, and promises its share of heart-clenching and eye-dabbing.

Before you make your selection at the cinema this weekend, take a look below at our review roundup on the new movies this weekend.

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Weekend Movie Reviews 2/15

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]]> 2013-02-15T13:23:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/15/weekend-movie-reviews-die-hard-beautiful-creatures/ <![CDATA['Oz The Great and Powerful' Premiere: James Franco, Mila Kunis Hit the Red Carpet (PHOTOS)]]> 20590314 Last night, as the stars of "Oz The Great and Powerful" gathered for its world premiere in Los Angeles, one thing was certain: We're not in Kansas anymore.

From Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man"), the film is a prequel to Dorothy's red-slipper-filled adventure. Here, James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a conniving magician who ends up in his own black-and-white tornado that lands him in the world of Oz. There, he has run-ins with three beautiful witches (played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams), who believe he may be the great wizard of their dreams.

Take a look at the gallery below, where all the stars hit the yellow brick road red carpet. "Oz the Great and Powerful" lands in theaters nationwide March 8, 2013.

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Gallery | Oz Great and Powerful Premiere

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]]> 2013-02-14T15:12:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/14/oz-the-great-and-powerful-premiere/ <![CDATA[New Movies: Editors Picks For What To Watch This Weekend]]> 20590315 Ah, the eternal question -- at least around the Moviefone water cooler -- what to watch this weekend? But, there are so many choices! Or, sometimes, not enough.

Luckily, your trusty editors narrowed down the best of what's debuting at the cinema -- or screening on your TV -- to make your weekend that much better. Take a look at our picks below!

"A Good Day to Die Hard"

This movie is getting lambasted by critics, and it's tough to deny their negative comments -- a movie franchise like "Die Hard" has so many memories and so much legacy attached to it that any sequel will inevitably pale in comparison to the originals. But I argue that it's worth seeing if you're a fan of John McClane and his quippy one-liners. In this latest iteration, McClane travels to Russia to rescue his allegedly "lost" son, Jack. But when he shows up, he discovers that Jack's actually working as a CIA operative. So, naturally, the father and son team up to bring down the evildoers. -- Chris Jancelewicz

"Skyfall" (New on DVD/Blu-Ray)

Want your Valentine's weekend shaken, not stirred? No need to make a reservation, the perma-suave agent is now making house calls. After the wince-worthy "Quantum of Solace," Sam Mendes did the seemingly impossible and completely revamped the Bond series with "Skyfall." Here, Daniel Craig is charged with protecting MI6 and M (Judi Dench) from a ridiculously coiffed villain (Javier Bardem) hell-bent on revenge. The movie has been heralded as the best Bond ever. And indeed, "Skyfall" gives fans everything they ever wanted from a 007 flick: a fresh take on the franchise, with a nod to bygone tropes. -- Jessie Heyman

"Groundhog Day"

For reasons we'll never understand, Columbia Pictures released the modern comedy classic "Groundhog Day" on February 12 and not February 2nd. So even though we missed out on honoring its titular holiday, it's imperative that you watch it this weekend for a variety of reasons. First, because the movie is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Secondly, Bill Murray's charismatic, shaggy-dog approach to romance makes it the perfect palette cleanser for sickly-sweet Valentine's Day sap. Still not convinced? Well, the movie approaches the big questions about the meaning of life with a hilarious laid-back charm -- and what better time is there to seize control of your destiny and live life to its fullest than with a three-day weekend? (Thank you President's Day!) When you break it down, "Groundhog's Day" is the definitive February movie, and there's no better time to watch it again and again and again. -- Eric Larnick

"History of the Eagles, Part 1 and 2" (Showtime, 2/15 and 2/16, 8:00 p.m.)

The Eagles are one of the greatest bands in history. Now, more than four decades after their inception, the group's story of struggle, success, sex, and drugs is told in a revealing two-part documentary from director Allison Ellwood. Featuring interviews with both current and former members, fans get an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the Eagles' most memorable moments, from writing "Hotel California" to breaking up in 1980. But don't worry, this isn't just a VH1 "Behind the Music" special -- this is a terrific film documenting the lives of one of rock and roll's greatest treasures. It's a must-see movie for Eagles and music fans everywhere. -- Alex Suskind ]]> 2013-02-14T14:08:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/14/what-to-watch-this-weekend/ <![CDATA[Quentin Tarantino's Movie Kills: Tallying Up His Films' On-Screen Deaths (PHOTO)]]> 20590319 If there's one auteur who's unafraid to kill his darlings, it's Quentin Tarantino. But just how many characters have breathed their final breath during a QT film? This is the morbid question that Vanity Fair recently asked, leading them to produce an infographic dead-icated (ha, ha) to the answer.

At the top of the list is 2009's "Inglorious Basterds," which takes the cake with 396 kills. That makes this year's Best Picture contender, "Django Unchained," clocking in with 64 departed souls, seem tame.

Below, check all the on-screen deaths from Tarantino's bloody oeuvre.

[via Vanity Fair]

PHOTO: quentin tarantino deaths [Click to enlarge.] ]]> 2013-02-13T16:33:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/13/quentin-tarantino-death-info-graphic/ <![CDATA['21 and Over' Clip: "I Have a Bit of a Wild Side" (VIDEO)]]> 20590328 In the great tradition of shirking one's responsibilities in the name of the best-night-of-your-life comes a new comedy which celebrates just that: "21 and Over."

From Jon Lucas ("The Change Up") and Scott Moore the madcap comedy follows a straight arrow college student who, the night before a big med school interview, decides to let loose in the name of his 21st birthday.

In the newly released clip, which you can watch above, the seeds of irresponsibility have begun to sow, as our dutiful protagonist admits to having a bit of a wild side: Swimming after meals, not wearing his mouth guard. Look out, world!

Starring Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon, Sarah Wright, "21 and Over" hits theaters March 1. ]]> 2013-02-12T09:49:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/12/21-and-over-clip/ <![CDATA['Monsters University' Trailer: When Mike Met Sulley (VIDEO)]]> 20590334 Before they were besties, Mike and Sulley, your favorite monsters, were school-boy rivals.

Cue: The first time we met, we hated each other...

Yes, the two friends are back for "Monsters University" -- the prequel to the 2001 Pixar hit, "Monsters Inc." -- which sees the pair trying to out-scare each other on campus. Or, as the first full trailer for the film proclaims, "Before they were incorporated, they had to be educated." Of course, we all know how this love tale turns out, but who doesn't like an origin story?

Take a look at the full trailer for the prequel above. "Monsters University," starring John Goodman and Billy Crystal, hits theaters June 21. ]]> 2013-02-11T10:44:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/11/monsters-university-trailer/ <![CDATA[One Direction Movie Trailer: Boy Band Of Your Dreams Now In 3D (SPONSORED)]]> 20590336 Cue the girlish screams. A "One Direction 3D" movie teaser trailer has arrived. Directed by Morgan Spurlock ("Supersize Me"), the film promises the experience of touring with the boy band. With behind-the-scenes shots of the guys palling around, dining out and onstage moments, it's must-see documentary for every Directioner. Take a look at the teaser above. The film hits theaters August 30. ]]> 2013-02-10T11:59:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/10/one-direction-movie-trailer-3d/ <![CDATA[You Review: What Everyone's Saying About 'Identity Thief' (VIDEO)]]> 20590338 Get ready to be taken on the ride of your life -- "Identity Thief" is sneaking its way into theaters this weekend.

From "Horrible Bosses" helmer Seth Gordon, Jason Bateman stars as a man whose identity has been stolen by a frosted-hair shop-a-holic, played by Melissa McCarthy.

You've heard what the critics think, but what's the real word on "Identity Thief"? Take a look at the You Review above to find out! ]]> 2013-02-08T16:04:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/08/you-review-identity-thief/ <![CDATA[Weekend Movie Reviews: 'Identity Thief,' 'Side Effects' Hit Theaters]]> 20590339 After many fake-outs, Steven Soderbergh's "last" film, "Side Effects," hits theaters this Friday.

The film stars Rooney Mara as a pill-popping lady, coping with her husband's impending release from prison. Catherine Zeta Jones as well as Soderbergh's faves -- Channing Tatum and Jude Law -- round out the cast.

But if you think laughter is the best medicine (yuck, yuck!), the new comedy "Identity Thief" is also opening this weekend. Reteaming with his "Horrible Bosses" helmer Seth Gordon, Jason Bateman plays a man whose identity has been stolen by a frosted-hair shop-a-holic, played by Melissa McCarthy.

Before you make your selection at the cinema this weekend, take a look at what the critics are saying about these two new flicks.

RELATED: Melissa McCarthy's Reveals Embarrassing Computer Habit

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Weekend Movie Preview 2/8

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]]> 2013-02-08T14:16:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/08/weekend-movie-reviews-identity-thief/ <![CDATA[Oscars In Memoriam Segment: Even Death Is a Competition at the Academy Awards]]> 20590342 There's one segment during the Oscars where nominees can come in dead even. Such is the case for the annual In Memoriam tribute, which honors Hollywood's recently deceased. According to the New York Times, giving everyone who has had an effect on the movie industry their due can be trying -- and, like the rest of the show, requires a great deal of campaigning.

The Academy is charged with choosing a few dozen peers from roughly 500 candidates. This past year saw the passing of plenty of movie giants -- rom-com virtuoso Nora Ephron, composer Marvin Hamlisch, director Tony Scott -- so the competition for the remaining 30-odd spots is, so to speak, fierce.

But, like anything in Tinsletown, it's all about who you know. Those who stayed out of the limelight are less likely to be included, but, for example, publicist Lois Smith, who represented A-listers like Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, may have enough sway to make the cut.

Others, illustrious as their careers may be, are not so fortunate. Harry Morgan, whose lengthy resume includes "High Noon" and "The Ox-Bow Incident," was left out in 2012.

"I cannot image why it left my dad out of its tribute segment," Morgan's son Charley told the Times. "It would never have occurred to me to check with or otherwise lobby the Academy to be sure that he was mentioned."

You can read more about the In Memoriam process over on NYT.

[via NYT b/w HuffPost Entertainment] ]]> 2013-02-08T10:52:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/08/oscars-memorial-2013/ <![CDATA[Oscars 2013: Who Do You Think Will Win This Year? (POLL)]]> 20590344 The 85th annual Academy Awards are just around the corner. Hosted by Seth MacFarlane, the 2013 ceremony is taking place on Sunday, February 24 at 8 p.m at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. There, we will find out who takes home this year's gold statues.

However, before things get under way, we want to hear who YOU think should win awards this year. Before all the snubs and surprises are in, cast your vote below in our polls for all the big Oscars categories and let your voice be heard.

EARLIER: Why Robert De Niro Can Win Best Supporting Actor



























]]> 2013-02-07T16:39:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/07/oscars-2013-poll-who-will-win/ <![CDATA[Weekend Movies: Editor Picks for What to Watch This Weekend]]> 20590348 Ah, the eternal question -- at least around the Moviefone water cooler -- what to watch this weekend? But, there are so many choices! Or, sometimes, not enough.

Luckily, your trusty editors narrowed down the best of what's debuting at the cinema -- or screening on your TV -- to make your weekend that much better. Take a look at our picks below!

"Identity Thief" By now, you've surely seen the trailer for this movie featuring Melissa McCarthy saying, "Sandy Bigelow .. Patterson!" and Jason Bateman's character stating he's "going after Bilbo." While I chuckled a bit the first few times I saw it, after the 30th time it loses some of its luster. Years of experience have taught me that one trailer = disaster, but I still want to root for this comedic team. McCarthy's winning turn in "Bridesmaids" wasn't a fluke -- the woman is genuinely hilarious, and Bateman is no slouch, either. So at the very least, turn off your critical mind and check this one out; the physical comedy alone should make it worthwhile. -- Chris Jancelewicz

"A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III" Roman Coppola (yes, those Coppolas) has spent the last decade out of the movie spotlight, opting instead to direct the second unit on several of his sister Sophia's films ("Lost in Translation," "The Virgin Suicides" and "Marie Antoinette"), as well as co-writing the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom." However, this Friday, Roman is back on his own with "A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III." His first film since 2001's "CQ," the movie follows Charles (Charlie Sheen), a graphic designer who hits rock bottom after his girlfriend dumps him. Besides it being Sheen's first leading role since his 2011 breakdown, "Swan III" also stars fan favorites Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman. The reviews on this one haven't been great, but with a cast like that, it's worth giving it a shot. -- Alex Suskind

"Celeste and Jesse Forever" (New on DVD/Blu-Ray) It's a maxim we're all familiar with: "Can men and women be friends?" Popularized by 1989's "When Harry Met Sally" (of course) and explored by "Seinfeld" and "Friends" and -- probably -- your own life, the hypothetical has become a catch-22 for the modern rom-com. But what if it read differently? What if a pair of besties married and then tried to salvage their friendship? "Celeste and Jesse Forever" asks just that. Starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg, the film follows a BFF couple whose marriage has hit the skids. Co-written by Jones and Will McCormack, who dated each other before realizing they were better suited as friends, "Celeste and Jesse Forever" is a story about breaking up -- the long, gestating, solitary, drowning-your-sorrows-in-ranch-dressing break-up. And it's funny, too! Whether tears of laugher, or sadness, tissues are recommended. -- Jessie Heyman

"Toys in the Attic" (New on DVD/Blu-Ray) A tiny movie that you've probably never heard of arrived on DVD this week. But if you've got an adventurous spirit and a soft spot for fantasy, "Toys in the Attic" is just waiting to be discovered. The stop-motion animated feature plays like a more demented version of "Toy Story"; the Land of Evil has kidnapped Buttercup the Doll and its up to her toy friends Teddy the Stuffed Bear, Sir Handsome the Marionette and a mechanical mouse to save her. It revels in all the weird dusty details of old, broken toys and the ways a child would imagine their ordinary house to be a far-away magical land. It's a truly inventive and trippy-looking film from Jiri Barta, one of the Czech Republic's most creative filmmakers, and features the voices of Forest Whitaker, Joan Cusack and Cary Elwes. -- Eric Larnick ]]> 2013-02-07T11:53:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/07/weekend-movies-must-watch/ <![CDATA[Roman Coppola, 'Charles Swan' Director, on Charlie Sheen and Getting Pranked by Bill Murray]]> 20590350 You may have a hard time placing the name Roman Coppola. His surname, no problem. But compared to the rest of his filmmaking family -- his father Francis-Ford ("The Godfather" visionary), his sister Sofia (who won her first Oscar for the melancholic "Lost in Translation"), his cousin, Jason Schwartzman -- Roman has mainly been behind the scenes.

The 47-year-old got his start in the business, not surprisingly, at a young age. He spent his youth on the set of his father's films, playing with discarded, faux-mutilated flesh during "Apocalypse Now" with an equally-young Charlie Sheen. He eventually carved out a niche directing music videos, and while his feature film "CQ" earned luke warm reviews, he's left his mark on some of your favorite indies (he was a second-unit director on "The Virgin Suicides," "The Life Aquatic" and "The Darjeeling Limited"). This past year, he joined his film-royalty family, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay for "Moonrise Kingdom."

Now, Coppola is center stage with "A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III," his first feature since 2001. The movie sees the no-less-notorious Charlie Sheen falling down the rabbit hole of self-destruction -- and salvation -- after a devastating break up. Here, Sheen is flanked by an afro-wearing Schwartzman and Bill Murray. Below, Copolla talks about his new film, defending Sheen and getting pranked by Murray.

I read that getting insurance for this film was a little bit of an issue. Why did you decide to stick with Charlie Sheen?

Well, to me, it was such an obvious thing. I had sensed that Charlie would really be good in this movie and when the insurance company was not into it, it just kind of baffled me. I've known Charlie since we were boys together so when he looks at me and says, "Hey, let's do this thing. I want to do it." It's a done deal. He's going to be there for me; he's not going to be a flake or not follow through so I think the insurance company failed to get some good business and I saved some bucks because I couldn't get an insurance policy and I couldn't get a completion bond. Thank god, because I saved two percent of my budget for not giving it to that worthless function.

Your film deals with a self-destruction, did you at any particular time think, perhaps this is hitting a little too close to home?

Not really. I didn't think about that. A lot of that stuff in the press was kind of over-blown, which is just the way it works. I think if anything, and it's not my place to make judgement, but I think [Sheen] was needing to get focused on something that was worthy of his creative intention and that's why I kept dogging him about making this movie. I think it was something he really valued, [to] dive into some creative work. I feel very lucky and I feel very grateful to him and I feel embarrassed for the people who thought he wouldn't be good in the movie, because he's great.

Was he dodging it at all or was it a timing issue?

He was dodging it a bit -- it was a little bit of both. You know, knowing him well, I think he was avoiding it a bit that I was asking him to really dig deep, to give a performance that really had to access his full acting, his well-spring of talent, to be charming, to be witty, to learn spanish, to dance, to sing in Portuguese, and this was all stuff that was a little daunting and so I had to nudge and push because he needed that.

There are a lot of musical numbers here, where do you think the art form of the music video is going?

[People] say it's dying away and some say, no, it's alive and well. I'm just not so present and part of it directly...it's out there in a different form now. Of course it's on the Internet. In the past, when I was doing it more prevalently, you had a nice venue where you could do things. I'm sure it's alive and well, just in another space.

When did you first meet Bill Murray?

I first met him on set of Sofia's film ["Lost in Translation"] and I was helping doing second unit, so I shot some scenes with him. There was this scene were he comes into the airport and he's looking out the window, and he's seeing Tokyo and he's kind of drowsy from arriving at the airport and I shot that second unit. [After we shot the scene] I said, "OK, we got that, so you can open your eyes and look around a bit more" and he was snoring. He was asleep. And I'll never know to this day if he was pulling my leg. And then of course, 10 minutes later he kind of woke up and I don't know if it was a faux-wake up or not.

In terms of getting him involved with this project, how did that go? He is notoriously difficult to get in touch with.

He is very elusive and I think that's so cool. He doesn't have an agent, doesn't have an assistant. And so, like everyone, you call the 1-800 number and you leave a message...So I just kind of bided my time and when we sort of had it going I presented it to him and he said he would do it and I didn't hear anything back. I didn't know where he was; I didn't know what his sizes were. But the day before he showed up. ]]> 2013-02-07T08:26:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/07/roman-coppola-charles-swan-charlie-sheen/ <![CDATA[Oscars 2013: 'The Avengers' Cast to Present at Academy Awards]]> 20590355 The Avengers will assemble once more -- but this time, they'll be in black ties.

Per Deadline, The cast of this year's Marvel superhero epic -- Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo -- will present at the 85th annual Academy Awards.

"We are happy to re-unite the Avengers cast to present on our show," producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced. "Audiences who enjoyed the year's biggest box office hit will be excited to see these terrific actors back together again."

The gangbusters action flick, which was directed by Joss Whedon, is also nominated for Best Visual Effects. The Academy Awards, hosted by Seth MacFarlane will air on Feburary 24 at 8PM EST on ABC.

[via Deadline]

Gallery | Behind the Scenes of 'The Avengers'

  • Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man)

  • Tom Hiddleston (Loki)

  • Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Captain America (Chris Evans)

  • Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye)

  • Captain America (Chris Evans)

  • Chris Evans (Captain America)

  • Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor)

  • Captain America (Chris Evans) and Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson)

See All Moviefone Galleries »
]]> 2013-02-06T12:04:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/06/the-avengers-present-at-oscars/ <![CDATA['Lincoln' Historically Inaccurate? Congressman Joe Courtney Finds Big Error in Film (UPDATE)]]> 20590356 While "Lincoln" has earned high honors for its stunning accuracy -- down to Daniel Day-Lewis's presidential profile -- one congressman noticed something off about the historical drama.

Rep. Joe Courtney, of Connecticut, recently took in a viewing of Steven Spielberg's film, which chronicles Honest Abe's last months in office as he fights to abolish slavery, but was miffed when he saw two Connecticut congressmen vote against the 13th amendment.

Afterwards, Courtney ran a search which confirmed his suspicion: "Lincoln" was historically inaccurate. All four Connecticut congressmen supported the amendment back in 1865. He then drafted a letter to Spielberg explaining this error.

"How could congressmen from Connecticut -- a state that supported President Lincoln and lost thousands of her sons fighting against slavery on the Union side of the Civil War -- have been on the wrong side of history?" he wrote. Courtney asked that the film be corrected before its DVD release.

No word yet from the higher-ups on this historical error. "Lincoln," is nominated for a lion's share of Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

UPDATE: "Lincoln" screenwriter Tony Kusher responded to Courtney's inaccuracy claims. Per the New York Times:

"We changed two of the delegation's votes, and we made up new names for the men casting those votes, so as not to ascribe any actions to actual persons who didn't perform them. In the movie, the voting is also organized by state, which is not the practice in the House. These alterations were made to clarify to the audience the historical reality that the 13th Amendment passed by a very narrow margin that wasn't determined until the end of the vote. The closeness of that vote and the means by which it came about was the story we wanted to tell. In making changes to the voting sequence, we adhered to time-honored and completely legitimate standards for the creation of historical drama, which is what Lincoln is."


Kusher even threw a few zingers Courtney's way, including one that criticized the way in which the Congressman complained about the film.

"I'm sorry if anyone in Connecticut felt insulted by these 15 seconds of the movie, although issuing a Congressional press release startlingly headlined 'Before The Oscars ...' seems a rather flamboyant way to make that known. I'm deeply heartened that the vast majority of moviegoers seem to have understood that this is a dramatic film and not an attack on their home state."


You can read the full statement over on NYT.com.

[via AP] ]]> 2013-02-06T08:36:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/06/lincoln-historically-inaccurate-joe-courtney/ <![CDATA[What Is 'Les Miserables'? Oscar Nominee Guide 2013]]> 20590358 "Les Miserables"

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor (Hugh Jackman), Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway), Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Song, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing

What's It About? Set against revolutionary-torn 19th-century France, "Les Mis" follows an ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who attempts to start a new, virtuous life. He changes his name, and adopts a young girl, Cosette, (who grows up to be Amanda Seyfried) but finds himself hunted by one man, Javert (Russell Crowe), for decades.

Why You Should See It: Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech") takes on the Victor Hugo classic to bring the most authoritative -- and moving -- on-screen adaptation to date. Anne Hathaway's turn as Fontine has been lighting up the awards circuits; she has received both a Golden Globe and a SAG award for her role. Everyone's money is on Hathaway to win the gold at the Oscars, too. Seeing "Les Mis" for her alone wouldn't be unwarranted, but the actress is in good company with stellar performances from Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne. It's a full-fledge broadway spectacle playing out before your eyes.

It's Kind of Like: "Les Mis" on Broadway. But with really good seats and A-list stars.

How You Should See It: "Les Miserables" is still playing in theaters. You can check out showtimes here.

]]> 2013-02-05T15:00:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/05/oscars-made-easy-les-miserables/ <![CDATA[Kristen Wiig 'Anchorman 2': Actress Joins Sequel]]> 20590359 By the hammer of Thor! Just when you thought life couldn't get better now that "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" is really, really happening -- it does!

Funny lady Kristen Wiig has officially signed on to star in the sequel, director Adam McKay announced via his Facebook page: "Kristen Wiig is officially on board for Anchorman 2. Couldn't be more excited."

The SNL veteran is joined by the Channel Four News Team -- the titular Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell, Dave Koechner and Christina Applegate. No word has been released about her role in the sequel, but, who cares: Wiig is assuming her rightful place among these comedic titans.

Like the rest of the plot, things are somewhat hush-hush, McKay told Salon back in 2012, "Keep in mind we're still writing the story, but I'll say one phrase for you: custody battle... I'll give you that. I'll give you one other one: bowling for dollars."

Things just keep getting better. "Anchorman 2" hits theaters December 20, 2013.

[via Facebook h/t THR] ]]> 2013-02-05T13:47:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/05/kristen-wiig-anchorman-2/ <![CDATA['Admission' Clip, Tina Fey And Paul Rudd Star In Rom-Com (VIDEO)]]> 20590361 Every rom-com lover knows that the stars were seriously aligned to (finally) bring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd together for the upcoming comedy, "Admission." So, it makes sense that you're anxiously awaiting their romantic rendezvous. Luckily for you, we have a sneak peak at the film to help curb your cravings.

From Paul Weitz ("About a Boy"), "Admission" sees Fey as Portia, a straight-laced admissions officer for Princeton University, whose world gets turned upside down when fate brings her to a jet-setting do-gooder, John, played by Rudd. But her life isn't just affected by his charming personality and boyish good looks -- John hopes to reunite Portia with her estranged, genius son (who is applying to Princeton). The admissions process never seemed so alluring!

Ahead of their upcoming comedy -- and Fey and Rudd's Unscripted turn -- Moviefone has an exclusive clip of "Admission," which you can watch above.

"Admission," starring Fey, Rudd, Michael Sheen, Wallace Shawn and Lily Tomlin hits theaters March 22.

RELATED: Ask Paul Rudd and Tina Fey anything ]]> 2013-02-05T11:30:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/05/admission-movie-tina-fey-paul-rudd/ <![CDATA['Identity Thief' Unscripted: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Bateman On Throat Punching, Fake IDs (VIDEO)]]> 20590365 Did Jason Bateman have a fake ID growing up? Does Melissa McCarthy fancy herself a throat-punching aficionado? These were just a few of the questions the two stars answered during our latest Moviefone Unscripted session, to promote their upcoming film, "Identity Thief."

The hilarious duo sat down to discuss their newest cat-and-mouse comedy, in which Bateman's identity gets stolen by a frosted-hair, shop-a-holic McCarthy. The two also spoke about the embarrassing things they keep on their computers, as well as the perks of being an Oscar nominee (McCarthy got a Best Supporting nod at last year's ceremony).

So, before you check out "Identity Thief," which hits theaters on February 8, take a look at the full Unscripted above. ]]> 2013-02-04T11:43:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/04/identity-thief-unscripted/ <![CDATA['Warm Bodies' Heats Up Box Office With $20 Mil]]> 20590368 NEW YORK -- The love-struck zombies of "Warm Bodies" swarmed the box office on Super Bowl weekend with a $20 million opening.

On a weekend that Hollywood largely punts to football, the PG-13 film from Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment easily led the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. The Super Bowl always means a significant slide in movie-going on Sunday - studios predict a decrease of as much as 70 percent from Saturday to Sunday - but "Warm Bodies" still lured many teenage fans. The film is about a zombie whose love for a human redeems him. Lionsgate, which also released the "Twilight" saga, is calling it a "rom-zom-com" for its mix of humor, romance and the supernatural. The film appealed particularly to females, who made up 60 percent of the audience.

"They've definitely cracked the code on how to attract that teen audience with films like `The Hunger Games,' `Twilight' and something like `Warm Bodies,' which definitely plays right into the sweet spot of that demographic," says Hollywood.com box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

David Spitz, executive vice president of Lionsgate, said the studio courted female teens with "Warm Bodies" by pairing its trailer with the last "Twilight" film, "Breaking Dawn, Part II."

Younger female audiences have some history of turning out on Super Bowl weekends. The most successful film released the weekend of the big game was in 2008, when "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" opened with $31.1 million.

"There was just nothing in the marketplace like this," said Spitz. "Is it more zombie horror? Is it more romantic comedy? Is it more comedy? It's a mixture and that's the reason why the film found an audience."

Action films continued to fare poorly in 2013, as Sylvester Stallone's "Bullet to the Head" opened with just $4.5 million for Warner Bros. That meant his brawny cohort Arnold Schwarzenegger bested him when his "The Last Stand" opened with $7.2 million in January.

But both openings were poor. Along with the weak performance of Jason Statham's "Parker," which has taken in $12.4 million in two weeks for FilmDistrict, moviegoers aren't turning out for traditional R-rated action movies. That trend should reverse itself when Bruce Willis' "A Good Day to Die Hard" opens Feb. 14, Dergarabedian said.

Last week's top film, Paramount's "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," dropped to second with $9.2 million on the weekend.

The other debut of note was Lionsgate's "Stand Up Guys," which stars Al Pacino and Christopher Walken as veteran gangsters on a last hurrah romp. Though it opened in limited release in 659 theaters, it took in just $1.5 million.

The most Super Bowl-appropriate film in theaters, the Oscar-nominated "Silver Linings Playbook," continued to add to its stretched-out run for the Weinstein Co. The film, which centers on a family of diehard Philadelphia Eagles fans, came in third place, adding $8.1 million for a cumulative total of $80.4 million.

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Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Warm Bodies," $20 million.

2. "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," $9.2 million, ($15 million international).

3. "Silver Linings Playbook," $8.1 million, ($7.8 million international).

4. "Mama," $6.7 million, ($2.4 million international).

5. "Zero Dark Thirty," $5.3 million, ($3.7 million international).

6. "Bullet to the Head," $4.5 million, ($1.1 million international).

7. "Parker," $3.2 million.

8. "Django Unchained," $3 million, ($30.6 million international).

9. "Les Miserables," $2.4 million, ($12.2 million international).

10. "Lincoln," $2.4 million, ($13 million international).

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Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:

1. "Django Unchained," $30.6 million.

2. "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," $15 million.

3. "Lincoln," $13 million.

4. "The Berlin File," $12.8 million.

5. "Les Miserables," $12.2 million.

6. "Miracle in Cell No. 7," $11 million.

7. "Life of Pi," $10.1 million.

8. "Flight," $9.2 million.

9. "Silver Linings Playbook," $7.8 million.

10. "Skyfall," $6.7 million.

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Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jake_coyle ]]> 2013-02-03T12:21:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/03/warm-bodies-heats-up-box-office/ <![CDATA[You Review: What Is Everyone Saying About 'Warm Bodies']]> 20590370 "Warm Bodies" is lurching into theaters this weekend, and it's definitely not your average zombie flick.

Starring Nicholas Hoult, "Bodies" takes zombie tropes (flesh eating, mumbled grunts) and gives it a twist: romance. It's a "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired tale of forbidden love between a beautiful human girl (Julie) and the undead "R."

You've heard what the critics think, but what's the real word on "Warm Bodies"? Take a look above at You Review to find out! ]]> 2013-02-01T17:39:00+00:00 http://news.moviefone.com/2013/02/01/you-review-warm-bodies/ <![CDATA[Weekend Movie Reviews: 'Warm Bodies and 'Bullet To The Head' Hit Theaters (PHOTOS)]]> 20590371 Love bulging biceps and ax-wielding? How about an undead romcom? Well, if so, you're in luck: "Warm Bodies" and "Bullet to the Head" hit theaters this weekend.

Starring Nicholas Hoult, "Bodies" takes zombie tropes (flesh eating, slow, lurching walks) and gives it a twist: romance. It's a "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired tale of forbidden love between a beautiful human girl (Julie) and the undead "R." But, if you want a little more muscle for your money, "Bullet to the Head" serves up Sly at his best. From Walter Hill, Sylvester Stallone plays a hitman who partners up with a New York cop team up for blood-lusted revenge.

Before you make your selection at the cinema this weekend, take a look at our review roundup below!

PHOTOS:

Gallery | Weekend Movie Reviews 2/1

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