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April 2011 Movies Preview: 'Source Code,' 'Your Highness,' 'Scream 4' & More

Scott Harris — 2011-03-31T10:00:00+00:00

The snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and the clocks have been turned forward. Now there's just one thing left before film fans can really celebrate the coming of summer: The arrival of the year's first big Hollywood blockbuster.

Unfortunately, though, that's still a whole month away. While we're totally stoked for May to arrive with its bounty of films like 'Thor,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' and 'The Hangover Part II,' we've managed to find a few gems this month in theaters, on TV and on Blu-ray, that should make this April a spring to remember.

So don't worry about summer just yet, because with out Movie Lover's Guide to April, there will be plenty of reasons to break out the popcorn this month as well.

The Best of April: Movies in Theaters
April hasn't traditionally been known as a month for great blockbusters, but there have been exceptions in the past -- remember 'The Matrix'? Will any of this year's crop of releases rise above the rest? Here are the top candidates to break out of the pack:

o. April 1 -- 'Hop' brings together two of everyone's favorite things: Russell Brand and jellybean-pooping CGI Easter Bunnies. Okay, so you may not have realized those were among your favorites, but once you catch this comedy about what happens when the Easter Bunny goes AWOL, chances are you'll be hopping down the bunny trail ... to laughs.
o. April 1 -- 'Source Code' is like crossing 'Blackhawk Down' with 'Freaky Friday' by way of 'Groundhog Day': Jake Gyllenhaal plays a soldier sent back in time over and over to occupy another man's body in order to prevent a terrorist attack. In the process, he also prevents a boredom attack for the audience.
o. April 8 -- 'Your Highness' is like the chocolate and peanut butter of the April movie landscape: It combines two great tastes that go great together, comedy and fantasy. It also brings together a dream cast that includes James Franco, Natalie Portman and the always awesome Danny McBride. Let the quest begin.
o. April 8 -- 'Arthur' delivers the second Russell Brand comedy in as many weeks; this time around, the spindly Brit re-imagines the iconic Dudley Moore role of Arthur, a lazy trust-fund baby forced to join the workforce when his inheritance dries up. Bonus points for Helen Mirren as Brand's long-suffering nanny.
o. April 15 -- 'Rio' is another musical comedy, but this one has something going for it that few animated hits can claim: An all-star lineup of recording superstars that includes will.i.am and Jamie Foxx. The music isn't the only thing 'Rio' has going for it, though; with a cast that also features Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway and Jane Lynch, 'Rio' has some of Hollywood's hottest actors as well. And here you thought it was for the birds.

o. April 15 -- 'Scream 4' has been a long, long time coming, but you know what they say: Some things are worth waiting for. And though it's been over a decade since 'Scream 3' terrorized audiences, fans are still over the moon for the chance to see Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette fight sadistic pop icon Ghostface again. Let's just hope we don't have to wait until 2020 for 'Scream 5.'
o. April 22 -- 'Apollo 18' isn't the seventh sequel to 'Apollo 11;' instead, it's one of the most buzzed about indie horror movies in recent memory, thanks to a found footage viral campaign featuring grainy clips of astronauts encountering aliens back in the 1970's. Or ... something like that. We had our eyes covered for the last half of the trailer.
o. April 22 -- 'Water for Elephants' has pretty much everything going for it: It's based on an acclaimed novel (by Sara Gruen), it has multiple Oscar winners (Christoph Waltz and Reese Witherspoon) and lush period costumes to die for. And, oh yeah, a little somebody by the name of Robert Pattinson is also in it too, if that means anything to you. The line forms here.
o. Other top releases include 'Super' (April 1), 'Insidious' (April 1), 'The Conspirator' (April 15), 'Madea's Big Happy Family' (April 22) and 'Fast Five' (April 29).

The Best of April: Movies on DVD
April is a pretty good month for DVD and Blu-ray releases, because all the studios want to get their hits out before people start hitting the beach and the theaters again. Here are some of the biggest crowd-pleasers in a crowded field:

o. April 5 -- 'TRON: Legacy' would be reason enough to head down to the DVD shop, especially since it has a number of bonus features teasing a possible third installment in the popular Disney franchise. But when you add in the fact that 'TRON' will also finally be available on Blu-ray the same day, well, let's face it: Your evening just got booked.

o. April 12 -- 'Cars' and 'The Incredibles' are two of the most popular and acclaimed of Pixar's many, many hit films -- and on April 12 you can get Pixar cubed, as each film comes out with a special double combo pack featuring the movies on both Blu-ray and DVD.

o. April 15 -- 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' comes out on Blu-ray just in time to get you ready for this summer's climactic finale, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.' This may be the end of the series, but thanks to the magic of DVD, the franchise can now live forever in your home theater collection.

o. April 19 -- 'The King's Speech' arrives on Blu-ray and honestly, there's not a whole lot more that needs to be said. After all, the movie did a pretty good job of providing its own sales pitch when it won four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for star Colin Firth. What else do you need to know?

o. Other top releases include 'Taxi Driver' (April 5), 'I Love You Phillip Morris' (April 5), 'Country Strong' (April 12), 'Rabbit Hole' (April 19) and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' (April 26).

The Best of April: Movies on TV
The best thing about April may be the great line-up of movies playing this month, which includes everything from animated hits to indie darlings to all-time classics. The worst thing about April? There are only 30 days this month to enjoy them all:

o. April 6 -- 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre' isn't just one of the coolest movies of all time, with a great performance by Humphrey Bogart as an increasingly paranoid gold digger; it's also the origin of one of the most famous lines in movie history. Just remember: You don't need no stinkin' badges to tune in to this classic at 5:45PM ET on TCM.

o. April 15 -- 'Ocean's 12' is the black sheep of the 'Ocean's' trilogy, but that doesn't mean it doesn't provide a good time. And what better way to spend your Friday night than by hanging out with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and company at 5PM ET on AMC?

o. April 23 -- AMC lays down the law starting at 5PM ET with an action movie marathon featuring some of the top movies in law enforcement history: 'U. S. Marshalls,' 'Die Hard' and 'Speed' all feature the authorities dropping the righteous hammer on nefarious perps. Looks like someone did need a stinkin' badge after all.

o. April 30 -- 'An American in Paris' won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1951 thanks in large part to a mind-blowing 16-minute dance sequence featuring the legendary Gene Kelly hoofing it through the City of Lights. Catch a true classic on TCM at 8PM ET.

o. Other top picks include 'Transformers' (ABC, April 2 at 8PM), 'Apocalypto' (IFC, April 10 at 8PM), 'Couples Retreat' (Cinemax, April 12 at 8PM), 'Se7en' (AMC, April 17 at 3:30PM) and 'Roman Holiday' (TCM, April 29 at10 PM)

The Best of April: Movies on Demand
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But when the film world gives you lemons, well, you can still order a five star movie meal thanks to the power of On Demand. Here are some of April's main courses:

o. HBO helps you get ready for summer with some of the biggest blockbusters of the past few years, including 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' 'Terminator: Salvation,' 'Sex and the City 2' and 'The Wolfman.'

o. Cinemax answers with a somewhat more offbeat line-up of hits and cult favorites, including the snakes-in-a-jungle thriller 'Anaconda,' 'Duplicity,' last year's remake of 'Clash of the Titans' and the quirky indie smash 'I'm Not There,' which features everyone from Heath Ledger to Cate Blanchett playing pop icon Bob Dylan.

o. Instant Netflix continues the hit parade with a line-up of selections that includes 'Star Trek,' 'Crank 2' and 'Young Victoria,' among others.

March 2011 Movies Preview: What to See This Month

Scott Harris — 2011-02-28T09:00:00+00:00

We all know that March comes in like a lion. But this year, it's going to keep its roar all month long thanks to a crop of hot new movie releases in theaters and on DVD.

Yes, the dog days of winter are finally behind us, and with all those stuffy award shows in the past, (sorry, Oscars!), film fans can get down to the truly serious business of being entertained. But with things finally ramping up towards the excess of summer, there's a new problem facing the savvy movie buff: deciding just which movies are worth investing their time in.

Which is where we come in.

Yes, don't worry your pretty little head about it, folks, because we've once again poured over every television schedule, movie trailer, DVD release and Netflix queue to provide you with the best options for your entertainment budget. So here it is, your Movie Lover's Guide to March:

The Best of March: Movies in Theaters
Once upon a time, March was just another dead month for movies in the long grind between award season and summer. But thanks to the syndrome known as Blockbuster Creep, summer is getting earlier and earlier around these parts -- and we couldn't be happier about it. Here are some of this March's top picks, any of which would fit right in on a mid-summer schedule:

Watch Trailers and Clips of March's Biggest Movie Releases

o. March 4 -- 'Rango' isn't just a crowd-pleasing animated film about a lizard who accidentally becomes sheriff of a blighted western town under siege from bad guys; it's also the reunion of star voice actor Johnny Depp with his 'Pirates of the Caribbean' director Gore Verbinski. We're there. Showtimes & Tickets

o. March 4 -- 'The Adjustment Bureau' is the latest Hollywood adaptation based on the works of legendary -- and legendarily prolific -- sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick. Matt Damon plays a guy who finds true love only to have it snatched away by a mysterious group claiming to be arbiters of human destiny. But is the future of mankind really worth losing love? Find out now. Showtimes & Tickets

o. March 11 -- 'Jane Eyre' has been adapted countless times since the invention of cinema, but the latest version of Charlotte Bronte's classic has a couple things going for it that previous editions lacked -- namely a cast that includes 'Alice in Wonderland's' Mia Wasikowska and 'Inglourious Basterds' star Michael Fassbender. Should be a good one. Showtimes & Tickets

o. March 11 -- 'Red Riding Hood,' despite the title, isn't something you probably want to be bringing your kids to. Yourself, on the other hand, is a different story: This edgy, revisionist take on the classic fairy tale has been reworked by 'Twilight' director Catherine Hardwicke into a sexy tale of one medieval town's struggle to save themselves from a werewolf. Sounds juicy. Showtimes & Tickets

o. March 18 -- 'The Lincoln Lawyer' may sound like a historical drama about our 16th President's time on the Illinois circuit, but it's actually about a buff crusader for justice (Matthew McConaughey) who dispenses legal advice from the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. His vanity plate reads 'NTGUILTY'; our ticket stub reads "sold."

o. March 18 -- 'Paul' is the latest comedy landmine from the comedy team of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who previously brought the world 'Shawn of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz.' This time around they are joined by a good ol' boy alien names Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) who is less interested in world conquest and more interested in securing his next six-pack. That's our kind of alien.

o. March 25 -- 'Sucker Punch' can't really be summed up in one little paragraph, but we'll give it our best shot: Created by '300' action auteur Zack Snyder, 'Sucker Punch' tells the story of a group of hot chicks trying to battle their way out of an insane asylum filled with bad guys sprung to life from the minds of the deranged inmates. A good metaphor for Zack Snyder's film style -- and we mean that as a compliment.

The Best of March: Movies on DVD
Hey, remember all those award magnet films you really meant to see in the theater but never got around to, probably because your car was encased in a solid block of ice? Well, now you can watch them in the comfort of your own home thanks to a slew of great new DVD and Blu-ray releases:

o. March 1 -- '127 Hours' earned six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor for Oscar host James Franco and Best Director for 'Slumdog Millionaire's' Danny Boyle. Not bad for a movie about a guy who is stuck under a boulder for most of the movie and then hacks his own arm off. Spoilers!

o. March 8 -- 'Jackass 3-D' earned zero Academy Award nominations for its series of hijinks that includes skidoo accidents, bungee jumping inside a porta pottie and any number of violations of human dignity. And we wouldn't have it any other way. After all, sometimes your brain needs a good punch to the groin, if you know what we mean.

o. March 15 -- 'The Fighter' was one of the most acclaimed movies of the year and it just reaffirmed what we already suspected: uber-producer Mark Wahlberg is pretty much the most powerful man in Hollywood. He's also a darn fine actor, as seen here, and his supporting cast -- who pretty much all earned Oscar nominations -- isn't too shabby either. Victory by knockout.

o. March 29 -- 'Tangled' may not have gotten quite the same amount of hype as other animated hits like 'Toy Story 3' or 'How to Train Your Dragon' last year, but this fun fairly tale romp from Disney proves that the Mouse House still has the chops to stay relevant in a more competitive marketplace.

o. Other top releases include 'Burlesque' (Mar. 1), 'Hereafter' (Mar. 15), 'How Do You Know' (Mar. 22), 'The Tourist' (Mar. 22) and 'Fair Game' (Mar. 29).

The Best of March: Movies on TV
Somewhere out there, there's still a guy or an old lady who doesn't have a Blu-ray player or On Demand or a way to stream films online. For that person, though, there's always good old fashioned television. Of course, we're not sure how they will read these recommendations, but if you know someone like this, pass these tips along, won't you?

o. March 6 -- 'Taxi Driver' and 'Scarface' aren't just two of the great man movies of all time; they also anchor a lineup of hits on AMC beginning at 3PM on March 6.

o. March 13 -- There's only one thing better than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie -- and that's a whole bunch of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. AMC has over 12 hours of the Governator's greatest hits beginning at 9:15AM on March 13, including 'Predator' and 'Terminator 2.'

o. March 20 -- As all baseball fans know, spring training is upon us, with the start of the regular season just a couple short weeks away. So what better way to get ready for a new year of America's Pastime than by checking out one of the great baseball films of all time, 'The Natural'? It airs on TCM at 5:30PM on March 20.

o. March 26 -- Not familiar with 'Mildred Pierce'? Don't worry, you soon will be -- HBO is currently in production on a new 'Mildred Pierce' series starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet. At March 26, though, you have a chance to catch the original version, which won Joan Crawford an Oscar of her own back in 1945. TCM does the honors at 8PM.

o. Other top picks include a Bruce Willis double-feature (Encore, March 4 at 8PM), 'The Time Traveler's Wife' (Cinemax, March 9 at 8PM), 'Speed' (AMC, March 19 at 8PM) and 'All About Eve' (TCM, March 31 at 8PM).

The Best of March: Movies on Demand
You demanded the best films, available right at your fingertips whenever you choose. You demanded to have control over your own entertainment schedule instead of being controlled by it. And this March, On Demand complies with your wishes like never before. Viva la revolution!

o. HBO brings you a mixed bag of goodies with something for every member of your family: 'Robin Hood' for Dad, 'The Blind Side' for Mom, 'Watchmen' for big brother and 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' for little sister.

o. Cinemax shines with a lineup of popular films that includes 'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,' 'Gret Him to the Greek,' 'Adaptation' and 'He's Just Not That into You.'

o. Instant Netflix has a bevy of classic movies available, highlighted by 'Fargo,' 'Patton' and 'Thelma & Louise' and complimented by more recent hits like 'Grown Ups,' 'Taking of Pelham 1 2 3' and 'Dumb & Dumber.' And for die-hard film buffs, Netflix is now streaming the 5-hour, critically acclaimed and GoldeN Globe-winning miniseries 'Carlos,' starring Edgar Ramirez.

10 Movies the Oscars Made Famous

Scott Harris — 2011-02-21T12:00:00+00:00

When this year's Oscar nominations were announced last month, all of the expected contenders and hit films were represented, with 'The King's Speech,' 'Black Swan,' 'The Social Network,' 'True Grit,' 'Toy Story 3' and 'Inception' each earning Best Picture nods.

But among those Goliaths was one movie that even many Oscar watchers had probably never seen: 'Winter's Bone,' an indie drama that has made a scant $6 million since its release last summer -- and which now, thanks to its four Academy Awards nominations, has suddenly lept from obscurity to gain instant nationwide attention.

Which got us thinking: what other deserving films has Oscar helped turn the spotlight on with unexpected nominations? Here's our list of some of the movies that might have remained forgotten but are now famous thanks to the Academy Awards:

'City of God' was little more than an afterthought for most Oscar watchers heading into the 2004 Academy Awards; after all, despite strong reviews, the Brasilian production was still a foreign language film, essentially, that mainstream America had hardly heard of. But four nominations, including Best Director for Fernando Meirelles, changed that in an instant for a movie that has since been hailed as one of the greatest of all time.

'Il Postino' is another foreign effort that received little attention until Oscar got his gold hands on it. But when the Academy saw fit to bestow five nominations on the Italian movie, in 1996, movie fans were treated not just to a great film -- among its accolades were nods for Best Picture and Best Director -- but also to the heartbreaking story of Best Actor nominee Massimo Troisi, who put off heart surgery in order to complete the film and died of a heart attack just a few hours after shooting the final scene.

'Once' was one of those little personal, arthouse films that didn't seem to have a chance at the kind of international fame and fortune that big studio releases receive. Then the Academy Awards presented stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová the 2007 Oscar for Best Original Song for their duet 'Falling Slowly.' Since then, the film has become recognized as one of the great romantic films of the past decade. To this day, we still listen to the soundtrack.

'Spirited Away' was undoubtedly the most successful and well-known movies on our list prior to enjoying Oscar recognition; after all, the 2001 animated feature broke the Japanese box office record previously held by 'Titanic.' But winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar was still a shock considering the category was considered to a lock for the stateside mega-hit 'Ice Age.' Suddenly, an entire continent was wondering just what all the fuss regarding 'Spirited Away' was about -- a buzz level that has continued for the work of director Hayao Miyazaki to this day.

'Slumdog Millionaire' is the ultimate underdog story -- and we're not talking about the movie's onscreen plot, but rather its offscreen drama. Just how unlikely was 'Slumdog Millionaire's' rise from unknown indie to eight-time Oscar winner in 2008? In the month leading up to its premiere, Warner Bors. was seriously considering a straight-to-DVD release. The decision to put the film in theaters after all paid off thanks to the Academy Awards; 'Slumdog Millionaire' jumped to number-one worldwide following its surprising string of victories.

'Crash' wasn't really expected to win the Academy Award for Best Picture back in 2006; 'Brokeback Mountain' had topped almost every critic's list and was the talk of Tinseltown -- and Everytown, USA. But that changed in an instant when 'Crash' became just the third movie to ever win Best Picture after not even being nominated at the Golden Globes; the ensemble drama's shocking victory turned it from a back page afterthought to a front page headliner overnight.

'The Pianist' seemed to have everything going against it when it was released in 2002: a pariah for a director (Roman Polanski), an unknown for a lead (Adrian Brody) and a morose subject (the Holocaust) that had the few weary filmgoers who had heard of it say "meh." Funny how seven Oscar nominations and three victories -- including shock wins in Best Actor and Best Director -- can change things. Out of nowhere, America had a new acting superstar in Brody, Polanski was back in Hollywood's good graces and 'The Pianist' was a household name.

'Life Is Beautiful' was one of the more prominent films to come out of Europe in 1998, which for your average American film fan is kind of like praising the best player in minor league baseball. But when Roberto Benigni became one of the few people in history to win a Best Actor award for a foreign film, everyone in the world instantly learned that 'Life is Beautiful' had made it to the big leagues.

'Chocolat' was a bit ahead of the curve when it arrived in 2000; while Johnny Depp was respected, he was viewed as more of a quirky cult figure than a true Hollywood leading man. And he might have gone on like that for the rest of his career if not for the massive media buzz that came along with 'Chocolat's' five surprising Oscar nominations. Curious crowds came for the Best Picture, Best Actress (Juliette Binoche) and Best Supporting Actress (Judi Dench) nominees -- but they left singing the praises Depp, setting everything since in motion. Thanks, Oscar.

'The Hurt Locker' needs no introduction, but then again, that's why it closes out our list. After all, how many people would have bet that a war drama that earned barely $15 million would dominate last year's Oscars when the highest-grossing film in American history, 'Avatar,' was up for the same awards? But that's just what happened in one of the most surprising Oscars of all time, as 'The Hurt Locker' became the lowest-grossing Best Picture winner in modern history. And instead of a critically acclaimed footnote, it's now one of the best-known films in the last few years.

And that's the power of Oscar.

Complete Oscars 2011 Coverage

Movie Lover's Survival Guide to February

Scott Harris — 2011-01-27T16:00:00+00:00

February is almost upon is, and if you're a Hollywood star, that means one thing: It's time for the Academy Awards and a month of hype, celebrations and publicity extravaganzas. The parties, the glitz, the glamour of the red carpet! Yes, February is great time of the year.

If you're a Hollywood star, that is. If you're like the rest of us, though, February looks more like this: the snow, the gloom, the undending grey tedium of seasonal affective disorder. February may be the shortest month, but it feels like the longest. Just how is a film fan supposed to survive?

Well, here's how: by checking out our Movie Lover's Survival Guide to February, in which we review all the best options in theaters, on DVD, on television and on demand to help you lose your winter blues in the best way possible -- with a good movie.

The Best of February: Movies in Theaters
February may not exactly be May, if you know what we mean, but while there aren't a lot of big blockbusters on the horizon, there are still some interesting films hitting theaters this month. Here are your best bets for maximizing your entertainment dollar:

o. Feb. 4 -- 'Sanctum' wasn't actually directed by executive producer James Cameron -- that honor went to Alister Grierson -- but the 'Avatar' mastermind's fingerprints are all over this new action thriller, from the plot about divers trapped in a flooded cave to the fact that it was filmed entirely in 3D. Just... don't see it if you're claustrophobic, okay? Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer

o. Feb. 11 -- 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' aims to do for YouTube superstar Justin Bieber what 'Love Me Tender' did for Elvis Presley: turn him into the undisputed king of pop culture. Okay, that might be a tall order, but anyone who is or knows a screaming teenage fangirl best be ready for the most anticipated concert film in years. Showtimes & Tickets | Watch the Trailer

o. Feb. 11 -- 'Gnomeo and Juliet' goes where few Shakespeare adaptations have gone before -- onto your weird neighbor's lawn. That's because this animated comedy, which is based on the Bard's legendary play 'Romeo and Juliet,' is told using lawn gnomes instead of, you know, people. James McAvoy and Emily Blunt provide voices and best of all, Elton John provides the music. Watch the Trailer

o. Feb. 18 -- 'I Am Number Four' has big expectations to live up to: Studios and the publishing market alike are hoping that this teenage sci-fi adventure, which is adapted from a book by James Frey, will kick off a new multi-platform franchise that can fill the void left by the end of 'Harry Potter.' We'll be happy with just seeing a cool movie. Watch the Trailer

o. Feb. 18 -- 'Unknown' stars someone who knows a little bit about banishing those winter doldrums: three years ago, Liam Neeson's 'Taken' destroyed box office records for the month of February. This time around, he's playing a guy who wakes up with short term amnesia only to be told that everything he thinks he remembers is wrong too. A nice mind-bending thriller to take your own mind off the weather for awhile. Watch the Trailer

o. Feb. 18 -- 'Hall Pass' is the first film from the Farrelly Brothers in way, way too long. Now they're back, though, and by the looks of things in top form with a perfectly twisted premise: Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis star as two bored husbands who are given a "hall pass" by their wives, allowing them to have extramarital adventures for a week without any consequences. And if you believe that, we've got a bridge to sell you. Should be fun to watch them learn the error of their ways. Watch the Trailer

The Best of February: Movies on DVD & Blu-ray
When it comes to DVDs and Blu-ray, February has got it going on. All those holiday season tent poles, documentaries and crowd-pleasing critical favorites -- they're all on their way to your home video collection, beginning with these selections:

o. Feb. 1 -- 'Let Me In' got a bit lost in the shuffle when it came out last year, in part because it was an adaptation of a foreign film -- Sweden's 'Let the Right One In' -- that horror fans already considered a modern classic. But 'Let Me In' deserves a second look, because it not only stars current It Girl Chloe Moretz, but it also happens to be a darn good movie in its own right. Buy or Rent the DVD

o. Feb. 1 -- 'Alice in Wonderland' may have been a ginormous success when the Johnny Depp version came out in 3D last year, but that success had a very strong foundation: Disney's original, animated adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic. Now the original is back for a 60th anniversary edition, available in fully restored, eye-popping digital Blu-ray. But be warned: If you go down this rabbit hole, you may never want to come back out. Buy the DVD

o. Feb. 15 -- 'Waiting for 'Superman'' was arguably the most acclaimed and most popular documentary of the year, which, of course, means that it was passed over by the Academy Awards in the latest ridiculous snub from the cartel that runs the documentary category. Check it out now so you'll know exactly why everyone is banging their heads against their desks when the Oscars are handed out. Buy or Rent the DVD

o. Feb. 25 -- 'Megamind' may have had the same basic plot as its fellow animated hit 'Despicable Me,' but it has charms and fun all its own -- not to mention an all-star cast that includes Will Farrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and Brad Pitt. More proof that these days, animation may the best the best thing coming out of Hollywood. Buy or Rent the DVD

o. Other top releases for the month include 'Paranormal Activity 2' (Feb. 8), 'All the President's Men' (Feb. 15), 'Get Low' (Feb. 22) and 'Due Date' (Feb. 22).

The Best of February: Movies on Television
Thanks to all the Oscar build-up, some of the greatest films of all time are being shown on television this month. And that's not even including, of course, the Oscar ceremony itself, which helps make February one of the best months of the year for movies on television:

o. Feb. 1 -- 31 Days of Oscar is an annual tradition on Turner Classic Movies. That's right: the event is so awesome, not even the entire month of February can contain it. The premise is pretty simple: every day, the channel is running non-stop Oscar nominees, usually broken down into cool mini-marathons covering everything from films with great set design to movies featuring nominees who played hookers. It's a film lover's dream come true. Click here for TCM's Full 31 Days of Oscar Schedule.

o. Feb. 4 -- 'The Pixar Story' is one of the more interesting -- and sadly overlooked -- documentaries of recent years. The 2007 film, which is full of exclusive interviews, behind the scenes footage and rare archival clips, tells the full story of how an unknown gang of computer programmers and animators ended up creating the most beloved, acclaimed and successful studio in Hollywood. A must see for all animation fans.

o. Feb. 12 -- 'The Godfather' is arguably the greatest movie of all time and the only reason there's an argument is the fact that director Francis Ford Coppola decided to make 'The Godfather Part II.' So which is better? You can decide for yourself on Feb. 12 and 13, because AMC is running the films back to back on both days. Do yourself a favor and make it a 'Godfather' weekend.

o. Feb. 27 -- The Academy Awards are, as every film buff knows, the Super Bowl of movies, complete with office pools, viewing parties and angry Internet rants. All of it comes to a head this Sunday night when all of Hollywood turns out to see whose career will be made, who will be unjustly snubbed and how long the ceremony will run over the time allotment. The one movie event of the year that you cannot afford to miss.

o. Other top films on TV this month include 'Notting Hill' (Feb. 3, Lifetime, 9PM), 'Wanted' (Feb. 9, FX, 7:30PM), 'The Shawshank Redemption' (Feb. 16, AMC, 8PM) and 'Ben-Hur' (Feb. 24, TCM, 10PM).

For complete TV listings for the month of February, visit AOL Television.

The Best of February: Movies On Demand
Too tired to scrape off your windshield just for a trip to the theater -- but not turned on by anything on television? No worries: That's what On Demand is for, after all, and this month's crop of offerings doesn't disappoint:

o. 'Crazy Heart' earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar last year, so what better way to celebrate his current nomination for 'True Grit' than by checking it out on HBO On Demand? Other highlights include Matt Damon's comedic turn in 'The Informant!,' Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the acclaimed drama 'Revolutionary Road,' and the Liam Neeson thriller 'Taken.'

o. 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' was one of the biggest hits in Hollywood history, and now, Showtime has it On Demand just in time to get ready for this summer's follow-up, 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon.' Also available in February: Robert Downey Jr. in the animated sci-fi acid trip 'A Scanner Darkly,' Christian Bale in the high octane future epic 'Terminator: Salvation' and Vin Diesel driving cars in 'Fast & Furious.'

o. 'Precious' came out of nowhere to become last the most talked about film at last year's Oscars; now if can be the most talked about film in your living room thanks to Instant Neflix. Other critical favorites available through Netflix include Stanley Kubrick's classic war movie 'Full Metal Jacket,' Martin Scorsese's classic mob movie 'GoodFellas' and David Fincher's classic backwards-aging movie 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'

Golden Globes 2011 Winners: 'The Social Network' Leads With Four

Scott Harris — 2011-01-16T20:00:00+00:00

The 68th Annual Golden Globes were held Sunday night, and the big winner was 'The Social Network,' which took home four awards, including Best Motion Picture - Drama. The award was presented to producer Scott Rudin by Michael Douglas, who received a standing ovation for his surprise appearance following his successful cancer treatment.

'The Social Network' also took home awards for Best Director, which went to David Fincher, as well as Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.

In the major acting categories, Colin Firth won the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for his turn as England's King George VI in 'The King's Speech,' while fellow favorite Natalie Portman won the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for her role as a disturbed ballerina in 'Black Swan.'

Earlier, Annette Bening won the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for her role in 'The Kids Are All Right,' which also won the award for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was Paul Giamatti's win for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for his role in 'Barney's Version.' Johnny Depp, of course, was nominated twice in the category, for 'The Tourist' and 'Alice in Wonderland,' which may have ended up harming his chances by splitting the vote.

'The Fighter' won awards in the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture categories, for Melissa Leo and Christian Bale respectively.

'Toy Story 3' took home Best Animated Feature, while 'Burlesque' earned a Golden Globe in the Best Original Song category for 'You Haven't Heard the Last of Me,' one of two tunes from the movie to earn a nomination.

'In a Better World' won the Best Foreign Language Film award for Denmark, defeating the Javier Bardem feature 'Biutiful,' which has recently received a highly publicized push from Bardem cohort Julia Roberts.

In the television categories, the biggest winner was 'Glee,' with three awards, including Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy. Jane Lynch took home the trophy for Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, and the always adorable Chris Colfer beat out an assortment of heavyweight contenders for the honor of Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

HBO's period drama 'Boardwalk Empire' also earned two of the most prestigious awards of the night: Best Television Series - Drama and Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama for star Steve Buscemi.

Katey Sagal, meanwhile, earned the trophy for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama for her role in the popular FX biker series 'Sons of Anarchy,' while Laura Linney won the Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical for 'The Big C.'

The 'Glee' award train was derailed in the Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical category, as 'The Big Bang Theory's' Jim Parsons won the award, denying Matthew Morrison's attempt to make it a 'Glee' three-peat (or would that be a 'Gleepeat?') in the acting categories.

The award for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television went to award favorite Al Pacino for his role as the infamous Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the HBO film 'You Don't Know Jack.' It was Pacino's 15th Golden Globe nomination. The award for Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, meanwhile, went to Claire Danes for 'Temple Grandin.'

The award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television went to 'Carlos' -- a bit of a surprise as 'The Pacific' (which won at the Critics' Choice Awards earlier this weekend) and HBO's 'Temple Grandin' were considered the frontrunners for the category.

And as previously announced, Robert De Niro was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his contributions to cinema. Matt Damon presented the award to a punchy De Niro, who thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press while still managing to get in a couple digs at them for their negative reviews of 'Little Fockers.' He also launched a few jokes about Homeland Security and the current immigration debate that were met with a mix of nervous laughter and murmuring from the audience. The whole speech was a reminder of just how different the Golden Globes are from the stodgier Oscars. Watch De Niro's speech here.

This year's ceremony was hosted by funnyman Ricky Gervais, who let loose with his trademark no-holds-barred hosting style, taking sharp jabs at both 'The Tourist' and 'Sex and the City 2' in the first minute of his opening monologue.

Ricky Gervais as Golden Globes Host

He also provided one of the highlights of the early going with his line, "Please welcome Ashton Kutcher's dad, Bruce Willis!". Willis didn't seem too amused, though the crowd was later moved nearly to tears by Robert Downey Jr., who introduced the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical category with a long comedy routine suggesting he had slept with all of the nominees.

Robert Downey Jr. Presents Best Actress (Musical or Comedy)

Full list of winners:

Best Motion Picture - Drama: 'The Social Network'
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: 'The Kids Are All Right'
Best Director - Motion Picture: David Fincher, 'The Social Network'
Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: Colin Firth, 'The King's Speech'
Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: Natalie Portman, 'Black Swan'
Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: Paul Giamatti, 'Barney's Version'
Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: Annette Bening, 'The Kids Are All Right'
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Christian Bale, 'The Fighter'
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Melissa Leo, 'The Fighter'
Best Animated Feature Film: 'Toy Story 3'
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: 'The Social Network'
Best Original Song - Motion Picture: 'You Haven't Seen the Last of Me,' 'Burlesque'
Best Original Score - Motion Picture: 'The Social Network'
Best Foreign Language Film: 'In a Better World'
Best Television Series - Drama: 'Boardwalk Empire'
Best Television Series - Comedy: 'Glee'
Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama: Steve Buscemi, 'Boardwalk Empire'
Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy: Jim Parsons, 'The Big Bang Theory'
Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama: Katey Sagal, 'Sons of Anarchy'
Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy: Laura Linney, 'The Big C'
Best Supporting Actor - Television: Chris Colfer, 'Glee'
Best Supporting Actress - Television: Jane Lynch, 'Glee'
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: 'Carlos'
Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Al Pacino, 'You Don't Know Jack.'
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Claire Danes, 'Temple Grandin.'

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Superheroes Without Superpowers: Could You Be the Next 'Green Hornet'?

Scott Harris — 2011-01-13T13:00:00+00:00

When 'The Green Hornet' arrives in theaters this Friday, fans will get to see some of the most hardcore superhero action yet to put celluloid: costumed killers, hand-to-hand fighting and a monumental throwdown between the forces of good and evil. There's one thing, however, that will be completely missing: any actual superpowers.

That's because the Green Hornet (played, of course, by Seth Rogen) doesn't have super strength like the Hulk, near-invincibility like Superman or the ability to control the weather like Storm (from 'The X-Men'). Instead, Britt Reid's just an average guy who uses his above-average willpower -- and bankroll -- to turn himself into a costumed avenger. In other words, he's not some space alien or mutant -- he's just like you and me.

Which got us thinking: What other great movie superheroes were just average folks before they donned their tights and headed out on patrol to dispense justice? Here's a look at some of the best examples of characters who didn't need to have superpowers to be a superhero:

Batman
At the top of any list like this, of course, there can really be only one choice -- the Dark Knight himself, aka Batman. Honing his body and mind in order to dispense the justice denied his murdered parents, Bruce Wayne (played over the years by everyone from Michael Keaton to Christian Bale) becomes an expert martial artist and the world's greatest detective. His enormous family fortune, which allows him to trick himself out with utility belts, supercomputers and Batmobiles doesn't hurt either.

Catwoman
We'd also be remiss if we didn't give a shout-out to Batman's opposite number and occasional paramour, Catwoman, who in the movies has been played by both Michelle Pfeiffer (1992's 'Batman Returns') and Halle Berry (2004's 'Catwoman'). Of course, that latter, widely-panned installment totally broke our rule by giving Berry's Catwoman completely unnecessary and totally ridiculous feline goddess powers -- but Pfeiffer's take on Selina Kyle was truer to the original comic book inspiration: a woman who uses extreme chutzpah to hold her own against all comers. And bonus points, of course, for that awesome leather catsuit as well.

Elektra
Making her film debut in 2003's 'Daredevil,' Jennifer Garner's take on the Marvel anti-hero Elektra received her own critically reviled spinoff in 2005. But while 'Elektra' the movie wasn't a hit, Elektra the character continues to be a fan favorite, thanks to her take-no-prisoners attitude and mastery of various secret martial arts techniques, including the use of her signature weapons, a pair of razor sharp sai. Hey, you don't need powers when you can just stab someone, right?

Hawkeye
You may not be familiar with Hawkeye just yet, but trust us, you will be: The battling bowman is rumored to be making a cameo appearance in this summer's blockbuster 'Thor' in preparation for a major role in next year's mega-blockbuster 'The Avengers.' So what's his deal? Well, Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner ('The Hurt Locker') will be portraying Clint Barton, a regular guy with a massive chip on his shoulder who earns his place among Earth's mightiest superheroes through his incredible archery skills and enormous self-confidence. Hard work and determination really will get you far, kids.

Tony Stark
Okay, so it's true that the title character of 2008's 'Iron Man' (expertly played, of course, by Robert Downey, Jr.) has something going for him that the others on our list don't -- namely a giant suit, or technologically advanced armor, that can fly, shoot lasers, absorb bullets and pretty much, you know, do anything. But inside that suit, Tony Stark remains just a regular human being whose only superpowers are being smart enough to build the suit and being crazy enough to wear it. And they say our test scores are down in science ...

The Punisher
Of all the heroes on our list, the Punisher is probably the simplest of all: The guy basically just has an arsenal of huge guns and runs around slaughtering villains with them. But while Frank Castle (played most recently by Ray Stevenson in 2008's 'Punisher: War Zone') seems like the perfect NRA poster child, his backstory is a little more complicated and tragic. Trained in special ops by the government, he dons his trademark skull-face costume -- and more or less goes nuts -- when his family is killed. Everyone dreams of being a hero, just not at this price -- or with this kind of attitude.

The Green Hornet
Seth Rogen's version of 'The Green Hornet' is a little different than previous incarnations; on the classic radio series and the 1966-67 TV show, Britt Reid is a crusading journalist who trainshimself for years to face underworld menaces that the written word can't overcome. Rogen's take, of course, plays the character more as a slacker who becomes an accidental hero when his dad is offed. Either way, though, the Green Hornet's main asset isn't any superpower but rather a singularity of purpose -- backed by the best hardware money can buy and the expert chop-socky of sidekick Kato (Jay Chou).

The Watchmen
Other than a certain enormous weirdo with a blue wang (that would be Dr. Manhattan for those of you who haven't seen 2009's 'The Watchmen' or read the cult comic book it was based on), the Watchmen as a team consists entirely of people completely lacking in superpowers. The Comedian, for instance (played in the film by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is a highly trained special ops guy with a gun and an attitude, while Night Owl (Patrick Wilson) is basically Batman except with a flying Owlplane instead of a Batmobile. Jackie Earl Haley's Rorschach, meanwhile, is an angry psychopath in a trenchcoat, Matthew Goode's Ozymandius is a super-genius who is also really, really fit, and Malin Akerman's Silk Spectre doesn't really have any powers or training to speak of but just looks super hot in spandex. Yet somehow they manage to save (or is that doom?) the entire world. Looks like powers really are overrated after all.

Flash Gordon
Once upon a time, Flash Gordon was a regular jock from Yale who enjoyed jock-type things like playing polo and being handsome. Then he is kidnapped and sent on a rocket to the home planet of Ming the Merciless -- and the rest is movie and comics history as, forced by circumstances, Flash leads a successful rebellion to save two worlds. Sam Jones portrayed Flash in the 1980 feature film, but there's no word yet on who will play Flash in the upcoming 3-D version from Sony. We know one thing, though: Whoever plays Flash Gordon won't need any special effects to portray those non-powered heroics.

The Rocketeer
Imagine Iron Man in the 1930s and you more or less have the premise behind 'The Rocketeer,' which was adapted from the comics back in 1991. Armed only with a mysterious rocket jetpack and the need to give the oppressed a fair shake in life, fearless racing pilot Cliff Secord (played by Bill Campbell in the film) becomes the Rocketeer and battles Nazis and crooks in the skies above Hollywood in the dark days leading up World War II. Considering it was a period piece, 'The Rocketeer' was ahead of its time, predating the comic book movie boom by a decade. Here's one case where a big-budget remake might actually be a good idea.

Tank Girl
In the grand spirit of films like 'Snakes on a Plane' and the upcoming 'Cowboys and Aliens,' the 1995 cult hit 'Tank Girl' stars a girl who drives a tank. That, more or less, is the extent of bounty hunter Rebecca Buck's powers (both in the comics and in the film, where she was played by Lori Petty). Her sidekick, Jet Girl (a young Naomi Watts), meanwhile, pilots a jet. Both are scrappy but otherwise completely devoid of superpowers; the superhuman abilities, it seems, were possessed only by 'Tank Girl' co-creator Jamie Hewlett, who went on to invent the internationally acclaimed virtual band Gorillaz. Lesson: The pen is mightier than the tank.

Who Is 'The Green Hornet'? We Answer Your Burning Questions

Scott Harris — 2011-01-11T14:00:00+00:00

This weekend, excited fanboys and curious movie buffs alike will head to the theater to check out the newest superhero movie extravaganza, 'The Green Hornet.' For most of us, though, there's just one little question nagging at the back of our mind: What the heck is a green hornet, anyway?

The confusion is understandable, considering that the trailers and commercials for 'The Green Hornet' have been running side-by-side with ads and promotions for this summer's superhero film 'Green Lantern' -- who isn't exactly a household name either (at least in homes devoid of comic-book collectors). It's enough to give even the most hardcore comic geek a headache; thank goodness Green Arrow doesn't have a movie this year or else nobody would have any idea what the heck was going on.

Don't worry, though, because we've gathered together all the facts you'll need in order sort through this cineplex confusion. So check out our guide to 'The Green Hornet' -- and head to the theater with confidence.

How did 'The Green Hornet' start? Despite the fact that 'The Green Hornet' appears to be another comic-book movie, the character didn't debut in comics at all. In fact, 'The Green Hornet' began as a radio show in 1936, two full years before Superman became the first costumed comic book superhero. The radio program quickly became a national sensation, leading to serials, pulps, TV shows and, yes, eventualy even comic books.

What about the 'Green Hornet' TV show? If you're familiar with 'The Green Hornet' at all, of course, it's most likely due to the 1966-67 TV series of the same name. Though the series lasted just one season, it made a permanent mark on pop culture as the series introduced the Western world to the amazing talents of Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's faithful sidekick, Kato.

Who is the Green Hornet? Underneath his stylish domino mask, the Green Hornet is actually millionaire newspaper publisher Britt Reid. This time around, Reid (played by Seth Rogen) is less of a noble journalistic crusader, though, and more of a lazy trust fund baby who suddenly develops a sense of purpose after his father is murdered.

Who is Kato? In the original radio stories, Kato became the Green Hornet's valet and sidekick after Britt Reid saved his life during a fateful adventure in Asia. That doesn't happen in the movie, though; instead, Kato (played by Chinese pop star Jay Chou) is an employee of Britt's dad who agrees to help Reid fight crime in order to avenge his boss's death.

Why has the movie taken so long? Considering the long pedigree and rich pop history of the character, you'd think they would have put together a 'Green Hornet' film a long time ago. Well, it wasn't from a lack of effort: over the past two decades, everyone from George Clooney and Kevin Smith to Nic Cage and Stephen Chow has tried to get this film off the ground. It took the combination of Rogen and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' director Michael Gondry to finally get it done.

What are Green Hornet's powers? Actually, he doesn't have any; no magic ring or flying or super strength or any of that nonsense. Like that total copycat Batman, The Green Hornet is an expert detective and master of the martial arts who also happens to be rich enough to afford a bunch of high tech gadgets and gizmos -- including his own souped up version of a Batmobile, known as Black Beauty.

What does the Lone Ranger have to do with anything?! After 'The Lone Ranger' became a hit in the early 1930s, radio execs asked creator Frank Striker to come up with a modern take. In response, he created 'The Green Hornet,' explicitly tying the two characters together by making the Lone Ranger Britt Reid's great uncle. Unfortunately, the rights to the two characters were later sold to different companies, meaning you won't get to see any Lone Ranger flashbacks in 'The Green Hornet.' At least, not this time around -- but who knows what might happen if the film proves popular enough to require a sequel.

'The Green Hornet' Trailer

Get 'Green Hornet' showtimes & tickets

People's Choice Awards Winners 2011: Johnny Depp, Kristen Stewart, Zac Efron Are Fan Favorites

Scott Harris — 2011-01-05T21:00:00+00:00

The 2011 People's Choice Awards were presented earlier this evening and the award for Favorite Movie went to 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,' which also won the award for Favorite Drama Movie.

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were all on hand to accept the award in person, to cheers from the rapturous audience.

Johnny Depp won the award for Favorite Movie Actor for his roles in 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Tourist.' The crowd, which was thrilled to see that Depp took the time out of his busy schedule to attend the ceremony, gave the popular actor a standing ovation for his surprise appearance.

The Favorite Movie Actress award, meanwhile, went to Stewart, who told the surprised crowd that she and her co-stars had been filming the final 'Twilight' film, 'Breaking Dawn,' earlier in the day before rushing to the ceremony.

The win was especially nice for Stewart considering she previously had been passed over for the Favorite Movie Star Under 25 award -- which was sponsored by Moviefone in partnership with the People's Choice Awards -- in favor of surprise winner Zac Efron.

Zac Efron Wins Favorite Movie Star Under 25

Host Queen Latifah followed up the award to Stewart with an extended comedy bit riffing on the cast of 'Twilight,' who were sitting together in the front row.

Earlier, Jennifer Aniston presented the award for Favorite Comedic Star to Adam Sandler for his crowd-pleasing turn in 'Grown Ups,' which was the highest-grossing live-action comedy film of 2010. 'Grown Ups' also won the award for Favorite Comedy Movie.

In the non movie categories, Katy Perry had herself an evening, winning the awards for Favorite Online Sensation and Favorite Female Artist. 'Hawaii 5-0' won the award for Favorite New TV Drama, while '$#*! My Dad Says' took home the statue for Favorite New TV Comedy.

Meanwhile, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' took home the award for Favorite TV Guilty Pleasure and Lisa Edelstein claimed the award for Favorite TV Drama Actress for her role on 'House,' which also won the award for Favorite TV Drama.

'Glee' took home the award for Favorite TV Comedy, with star Jane Lynch winning the award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress, while Favorite TV Comedy Actor went to Neil Patrick Harris for his role on 'How I Met Your Mother.'

Previously, Selena Gomez & the Scene was chosen as Favorite Breakout Artist, with singing ingenue Taylor Swift winning Favorite Country Artist. (Watch Taylor Swift perform 'White Horse' for AOL Sessions.) Conan O'Brien also took home the Favorite Talk Show Host award, upsetting Oprah Winfrey.

'"Single Ladies" Devastation' won the award for Favorite Viral Video Star.

'Season of the Witch' Preview

This year's awards were aired live on CBS; multi-talented hostess Queen Latifah kicked off the night with a rousing song and dance number that set the tone for the evening by bringing fans out of their seats and in the aisles.

Here's the list of movie awards presented during the ceremony:

Favorite Movie: 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'
Favorite Drama Movie: 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'
Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp
Favorite Movie Actress: Kristen Stewart
Favorite Comedy Movie: 'Grown Ups'
Favorite Comedic Star: Adam Sandler
Favorite Movie Star Under 25: Zac Efron

Watch Video: Stars Arrive on the Red Carpet

Highlights From the People's Choice Awards

The Movie Lover's Survival Guide to January: Tips for How to Get Through a Slow Month at the Movies

Scott Harris — 2011-01-05T11:00:00+00:00

January is finally here, and in the movie world that means one thing: mind-numbing tedium. Oh, sure, fans can tune into the various award shows for a momentary diversion. But because of those awards, most studios have already released all their good stuff in December. And that leaves January as a vast dumping ground for all the second-rate films that Hollywood has deemed unworthy of serious consideration. It's enough to make a movie fan want to hibernate until February.

But since that's not an option for the non-bears among us, we've decided to come up with a plan whereby even the most devoted cinephile can make their way through the movie minefield that is January and come out the other side with their entertainment quota satisfied.

So read on to find out what's in The Movie Lover's Survival Guide to January:

The Best of January: Movies in Theaters
Okay, so we've already trashed the entire output of Hollywood for January. But there are a few films coming out this month that play to specific interests. Check out our short list of the top picks to see if you fall into the target demographic for one of these movies:

o. Jan. 14 -- 'The Green Hornet' isn't your typical superhero movie; for one, it stars Seth Rogen as the titular crimefighter and for another, it was directed by the always imaginative Michel Gondry ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'). The combination may breathe a new spark into the spandex genre. Watch the Trailer | Tickets & Showtimes

o. Jan. 14 -- 'The Dilemma' was directed by Ron Howard, and considering his long pedigree in humor -- from 'The Andy Griffith Show' and 'Happy Days' on television to 'Splash' and 'Parenthood' in the movies -- we have to say he knows a little something about comedy. Add in Vince Vaughn and Kevin James and you have a surefire crowd pleaser. Watch the Trailer

o. Jan. 21 'No Strings Attached' may be just the kind of obligation-free entertainment you're looking for, assuming you're into romcoms; Natalie Portman takes a break from her Oscar campaign to play a girl who has a increasingly less than casual relationship with a hot guy (Ashton Kutcher). Watch the Trailer | Tickets & Showtimes

o. Jan. 21 -- 'The Company Men' is, to coin a phrase, a movie for our time. Ben Affleck stars alongside fellow Academy Award winners Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner in a drama about average folk who have been downsized out of their jobs -- and nearly out of their lives. A surefire award contender if it was being released any time other than January. Watch the Trailer | Tickets & Showtimes

o. Jan. 21 -- 'The Way Back' is based on one of those stories so incredible it can only be true: Colin Farrell stars as a prisoner in a Soviet World War II prison who escapes and, along with fellow inmates, walks from Siberia to India. Yes, you read that right. And you thought scraping your car windshield in the morning was tough. Watch the Trailer | Tickets & Showtimes

The Best of January: Movies on DVD & Blu-ray
Aren't any good movies at the theater this week? Well, don't worry, because some of the coolest films from yesteryear are making their debut on Blu-ray this January, giving you the perfect opportunity to curl up with your favorite characters without ever leaving the comfort of your own snuggie:

o. Jan. 4 -- 'The Mariachi Trilogy' arrived on Blu-ray, turning the spotlight on the three-part MExpoitation epic that turned Robert Rodriguez into a Hollywood hotshot. 'El Mariachi' still thrills with its low budget grittiness, while 'Desperado' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' throb with star power thanks to Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Johnny Depp.

o. Jan. 11 -- 'The Social Network' was one of the most popular and acclaimed films of 2010 thanks to its whipsmart script and cast. Those smarts are on display again as the Blu-ray comes out just in time for award season viewing. Well done.

o. Jan. 25 -- 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' was an international sensation thanks to the worldwide popularity of Stieg Larsson's novels. Filming on the American adaptations have begun, but you don't have to wait thanks to this Swedish thriller starring Noomi Rapace.

o. Other top releases for the month include 'Dinner for Schmucks' (Jan. 4), the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray edition of 'Dances With Wolves' (Jan. 11) and the gritty Ryan Reynolds drama 'Buried' (Jan. 18).

For more on DVD & Blu-ray releases in January, visit our comprehensive DVD page.

The Best of January: Movies on Television
The theater may be dead this month, but that's just because everyone in Hollywood is too busy getting dressed up for all the award shows to put out cool films. You can watch them celebrate the year in movies on live TV throughout January -- and with channels like TCM and AMC piping classics into your home around the clock, this may be a pretty good month for films after all:

o. Jan. 16 -- The Golden Globes may not have quite the prestige level of the Oscars, but it has something almost more important: fun. And with Ricky Gervais set to host again, it looks like Hollywood's biggest party will be in full swing once again when the ceremony airs live on NBC at 8PM.

o. Jan. 19 -- Short films may be a thing of the past, but highlighting forgotten treasures is just what Turner Classic Movies does best. This time they've outdone themselves with a marathon consisting of over 25 classic shorts from some of Hollywood's greatest stars.

o. Jan. 28 -- Clint Eastwood is a living national landmark, so any chance to celebrate his legacy is basically celebrating America. AMC does just that with a mini-marathon of three Eastwood gems including the all-time classic 'High Plains Drifter.'

o. Jan. 30 -- The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards end the month in grand style, as Hollywood comes together to honor the men and women who make movies so great. And you can decide for yourself what channel to watch the snow on; TBS and TNT are simulcasting the ceremony live at 8PM ET.

o. Other top movies and awards shows this month include the Critics' Choice Movie Awards (Jan. 14), '12 Angry Men' (Jan. 15, 6PM, TCM), 'Glory' (Jan. 17, 5PM, TCM), 'The Brave One' (Jan. 23, 8PM, AMC) and the 2011 Academy Award nominations (Jan. 25).

The Best of January: Movies On Demand
Finally, someone actually listened to our demands and made a whole virtual film library available to movie buffs with a single click on the remote. There are hundreds of movies to pick from On Demand in January; here are a few of of our favorite selections:

o. 'The Wrestler' has been described by director Darren Aronofsky as being a thematic twin to this year's award favorite 'Black Swan.' Sure, the smush-faced Mickey Rourke may not look quite like Natalie Portman, but you can discover for yourself what other similarities there are courtesy of HBO ON Demand, available now.

o. 'Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work' is one of the best documentaries about comedy or Hollywood to come out in recent memory, so how the Oscars managed to snub the film by not even including it in the nomination process is beyond us. Check it out on Showtime On Demand, starting Jan. 5, to see for yourself how ridiculous the Academy is being this year. Or watch it now on Instant Netflix.

o. Instant Netflix brings you all the variety of Netflix with all the convenience of On Demand -- and this month, they have an amazing line-up of Oscar contenders available, including 'I Am Love,' 'Shutter Island' and documentaries like 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' and 'Restrepo' as well as one of last year's nominees, 'Food, Inc.'

o. Other top On Demand picks for this month include 'American Splendor' on Cinemax, beginning Jan. 6; 'Twilight: New Moon' on Showtime beginning Jan. 9; 'Spider-Man 2' on HBO beginning Jan. 12; and 'The Time Traveler's Wife' on HBO beginning Jan. 17.

To see what else is on Netflix, VOD and Redbox, click here.

11 Movies People Will Be Talking About in 2011: 'The Green Lantern,' 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and More

Scott Harris — 2010-12-27T13:00:00+00:00

2011 is almost upon us, and for many people, that means it's time to reflect on the year gone by. And for movies, 2010 certainly had its share of excitement, with unexpected hits like 'Inception' and 'The Social Network' joining surefire blockbusters like 'Toy Story 3' as the most talked about and debated films of the year. Yes, 2010 was pretty cool.

But frankly, we'd rather spend our time looking forward than looking backward, because as great as 2010 was, we have a feeling that 2011 is going to blow it out of the water. In fact, the hard part isn't identifying cool movies to look forward to; it's figuring out which of the dozens of awesome upcoming features we're most excited about.

But if you're overwhelmed by the array of sweet flicks on the horizon, fear not, because we've sifted through every preview, press release and backstage photo to boil it down to the films you're going to be talking about all year long. Without further ado, then, here's our list of 11 Movies to Watch in 2011:

'Thor' and 'Captain America: The First Avenger'
Okay, we know what you're thinking: two movies? That makes 12 total! You're cheating! But in this case, 'Thor' and 'Captain America' need to be considered as one big movie because, thanks to the shared universe Marvel Studios is trying to create, how they work together is almost more important than how they work separately. Can Marvel pull this off? Will the two films live up to 'Iron Man,' or will they flop and leave next year's 'Avengers' as an expensive afterthought? The discussion is only going to heat up from here. 'Thor' is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 6; 'Captain America: The First Avenger' will follow on Jul. 22.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'
The fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie is also the first that doesn't feature the uncommonly beautiful team of Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley. But we think fans are going to find plenty to talk about, anyway, thanks to new pirates Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane, not to mention a certain returning Captain by the name of Jack Sparrow. The stories may be getting stranger, but the buzz just gets bigger. (May 20)

'The Hangover: Part II'
Fans have already been talking about this film for months, thanks in large part to the pseudo-controversy that erupted when the cast refused to allow Mel Gibson to appear in the film. (He was quickly replaced by Liam Neeson.) Will that incident overshadow the movie itself? Based on how popular the original was, we're going to go with a no on that one, but it sure gives us something to talk about for the next five months. (May 26)

'X-Men: First Class'
In a summer of high-profile comic book gambles, 'X-Men: First Class' may be the biggest dice roll of all. Will fans of the original trilogy return for this prequel that features none of the original stars? Will critics turned off by Brett Ratner's handling of the third 'X-Men' film give this one a fair shake? Will it, to be frank, suck or not? Whatever the answer -- and we certainly hope it's awesome -- there's no question fans will be talking about this one all year. (Jun. 3)

'The Green Lantern'
Speaking of big-budget comic book franchises, DC Comics and Warner Bros. try their hand at replicating Marvel's 'Iron Man' success by trying to launch their own B-list hero into the stratosphere with 'Green Lantern.' Star Ryan Reynolds has the abs for the part, but can this frequent comic offender (see: 'Blade: Trinity' and 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine') finally pull off a starring role in tights? The fanboy world waits with bated breath. (Jun. 17)

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II'
People have been talking about this moment for over a decade, so we're pretty sure they're not going to stop now. After seven books and eight movies, the final installment of Pottermania arrives this summer. We may already know the ending thanks to the novels, but getting a chance to say goodbye to the actors we've seen grow up before our very eyes is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. (Jul. 15)

'Winnie the Pooh'
It's going to be hard for Disney/Pixar to equal the year they had in 2011, but thanks to 'Cars 2' and this hotly anticipated movie, they have a pretty good shot. The last 'Winnie the Pooh' came out more than three decades ago and has been a beloved classic ever since. Now, Disney hopes to recapture that magic and even add to it with updated, state of the art animation techniques. And that should be sweeter than any hunny. (Jul. 15)

'Cowboys and Aliens'
The premise is so simple that everything you need to know is right in the title. But there are a couple more things about 'Cowboys and Aliens' worth noting beyond it's fantastically simple (and awesome) concept -- things like 'Iron Man' director Jon Favreau behind the camera and superstars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford in front of it. Giddyup. (Jul. 29)

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1'
What more can possibly be said about 'Twilight' that hasn't already been said? Love it or hate it -- or, you know, love it -- 'The Twilight Saga' is one of the biggest film franchises in the world. And considering this installment is the beginning of the end of the series (at least for now), we have no doubt that this will also be one of the biggest movie events in recent memories. Start getting ready now, because the line forms here -- right behind us. (Nov. 18)

'The Muppets'
It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights. Yes, after an absence of several years, the Muppets are back in business as Jason Segel steps into the spotlight in an attempt to try and recapture some of the magic and wonder that has been absent since Jim Henson's untimely death two decades ago. Will this bold relaunch, featuring a slew of high profile cameos, bring the beloved franchise back to the top? We certainly hope so. (Nov. 23)

'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'
The hottest book series (for adults) in the world finally gets a big-screen Hollywood treatment in perhaps the most hotly anticipated film of the season. Hardcore fans of Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy, of course, are still on the fence over whether this new version -- which stars Daniel Craig and the relatively unknown Rooney Mara, who reteams with her 'Social Network' director David Fincher -- is really necessary considering the epic job turned in by Noomi Rapace in the acclaimed Swedish adaptations. Our answer? Good stories are always necessary in Hollywood. (Dec. 21)

Most Believable Movie Santas: 8 Performances That Made Christmas Magic

Scott Harris — 2010-12-20T14:30:00+00:00

Christmas is upon us, and with it comes the usual array of holiday highlights: the eggnog, the tinsel, the presents, the caroling and, best of all, the excuse to watch a bunch of great movies about Santa Claus.

But while Hollywood has given us just about every kind of Santa you could think of over the last century -- replacement Santas ('The Santa Clause'), animated Santas ('The Nightmare Before Christmas'), even serial killer Santas ('Silent Night, Deadly Night') -- there's one kind of Santa we've seen far too few of: believeable Santas.

With that in mind, then, we thought we'd get into the holiday spirit by celebrating those performances that did manage to get Kris Kringle so perfectly correct that even now, the thought of them makes us believe in Santa once again. And so, without further ado, here's our list of the Most Believable Santas.

Edmund Gwenn in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)
When 'Miracle on 34th Street' debuted, Edmund Gwenn's portrayal of Santa didn't just provide us with one of the all-time great holiday classics; it also gave cinema its most believable Santa ever. Gwenn's Santa, who poses as a mall Santa at Macy's and ends up having to prove in court that he is truly Santa Claus, ended up convincing not just the judge of Santa's existence -- but also everyone who has ever watched the movie. We rest our case.

Ed Asner in 'Elf' (2003)
Sure, 2003's 'Elf' is best known for Will Ferrell's signature man-child antics. But it's the usually irascable Ed Asner who really anchors the movie by turning in a great performance as Santa. Playing off his own well-established sourpuss image, Asner ends up providing Ferrell's confused pseudo-elf Buddy with just the right mixture of tough love and plain old regular love, landing him firmly on our nice list. After all, who wouldn't want a Santa like Asner as their surrogate granddad?

Paul Giamatti in 'Fred Claus' (2007)
Giamatti is best known for playing lovable losers, neurotic schlubs and dumpy everymen with a lack of self confidence, so he doesn't exactly make the most obvious choice for Santa Claus. Yet in 'Fred Claus,' Giamatti showed a new ravnge -- and revealed a new side of Santa -- with a look at how the pressures of family can even affect a legend like Kris Kringle. Giamatti's performance here deserves a second look.

David Huddleston in 'Santa Claus: The Movie' (1985)
Speaking of giving movies a second look, 'Santa Claus: The Movie' was a bit of a critical punching bag when it first appeared. But while the story of an elf who sells out the North Pole to greedy toy execs may not be a classic, there's no doubt that David Huddleston's performance of Claus deserves to be on any list of cinema's great Santas. Beyond the normal toys-and-sleigh motif, Huddleston also had to show how Santa came into being in an interesting origin story that stretched the genre -- and cemented Huddleston's place in our hearts

Tom Hanks in 'The Polar Express' (2004)
Let's face it: Tom Hanks almost seems like a real life Santa Claus, what with his friendly, parental demeanor and his numerous well known charity efforts. So it was no surprise when Hanks took on the role of Santa -- along with a half dozen or more others -- in 2004's groundbreaking CGI animated holiday classic 'The Polar Express.' No, the only real surprise is that he hasn't been asked to play Santa more often. Are you listening, Hollywood?

Sir Richard Attenborough in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994)
It's a tall order to try and remake one of the most beloved films of all time, and an even taller order to step into the shoes of the number one Santa of all time. But that's just what Sir Richard Attenborough did back in 1994 for a modern take on 'Miracle on 34th Street.' The crazy part? He actually pulled it off, giving us another great Santa and opening the debate to whether this time, the remake might actually be better than the original. They don't give people that "Sir" title for nothing, you know.

Douglas Seale in 'Ernest Saves Christmas' (1988)
This installment of Jim Varney's 'Ernest' franchise may not have been a great movie -- okay, okay, it definitely was not a great movie -- but, surprisingly enough, it still found room for one of the most unexpectedly excellent portrayals of Santa in film, thanks to Douglas Seale. Even critics who otherwise hated everything 'Ernest' managed to find room in their hearts to heap praise on Seale -- the very definition of a Christmas miracle.

Finally, a special honorable mention goes out to Billy Bob Thornton in 'Bad Santa' (2003). While we've never had anything but positive experiences with our own mall Santas, Thornton -- in an indelible performance sending up everything good and beautiful about those great Santas from 'Miracle on 34th Street' -- brought to life what we all secretly believe goes on behind the scenes down at the local shopping plaza. This is one Santa that we're too happy to stop believing in.

Best Boxing Movies: 15 Films That Pack a Real Punch

Scott Harris — 2010-12-08T13:00:00+00:00

Over the course of his long and illustrious career, legendary boxer "Irish" Mickey Ward took on all comers inside the ring, from his nine title fights to his epic three-part feud with Arturo Gatti. This week, though, Ward will finally be going up against his toughest foe yet when he faces off against none other than world renowned boxing icon Rocky Balboa.

That battle won't be happening in the ring, of course, but rather in the court of public opinion, because when 'The Fighter' -- which stars Mark Wahlberg as Ward and Christian Bale as his bother and mentor Dickie Eklund -- hits theaters, it will immediately join the discussion over which boxing movie is the best of all time, a debate that has been raging for decades.

It's also a debate which we intend to end right now, because our team of highly trained pugilists has poured over every frame of boxing-related footage from the last century of Hollywood fight films to come up with the definitive list of the Best Boxing Movies of All Time. So pick up your gloves one last time, Mickey, because you're going to have to put up a hell of a fight to make your way onto this list.

15. 'Diggstown'
Brutality and humor make strange bedfellows, which is perhaps why the boxing comedy has never exactly taken off as a viable subgenre. Still, there's an exception to every rule, and in this case that exception is 'Diggstown;' the 1992 film, which stars Louis Gossett Jr. and James Woods as two con-men trying to topple an evil empire through the power of boxing, has its share of both bruises and laughs. A forgotten gem.

14. 'Rocky II'
Before the 'Rocky' franchise devoled into (lovable) camp with villains like Clubber Lang and Drago, star Sylvester Stallone managed to put together one of the best and most underrated sequels in modern times. Though the climactic and triumphant return to the ring and the end of the film is memorable, the best parts of this movie deal with Rocky's efforts to retire and his inability to find a place for himself outside the squared circle. A surprusingly moving film.

13. 'The Champ'
A true old-fashioned Hollywood heart-wringer, 'The Champ' stars Wallace Beery as a washed up boxer called The Champ whose talents have been squandered thanks to drinking and gambling. After losing his son's prize horse in a bet, The Champ returns to the ring in order to win him back -- something he accomplishes only atthe cost of his own life. Beery won the 1931 Oscar for Best Actor for the part.

12. 'When We Were Kings'
The 1996 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary, 'When We Were Kings' tells the tale of a boxing match too dramatic for fiction -- the infamous 1974 heavyweight championship bout between George Forman and Muhammad Ali, better known as "The Rumble in the Jungle." Perhaps the most famous boxing match of the last 50 years, the event was more than a championship fight -- it was watershed cultural event for American and Africa alike.

11. 'Somebody Up There Likes Me'
In the movie world, Rocky Balboa may be king, but in the real world of boxing, there's just one Rocky -- Rocky Graziano, who earned his own biopic with 1956's 'Someone Up There Likes Me.' The former world champion also traded up in the looks department, thanks to the magic of Hollywood -- a young Paul Newman played the part in one of his earliest successes.

10. 'Cinderella Man'
Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard teamed up with two other Oscar winners -- Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger -- for this biopic detailing the hardscabble life of James J. Braddock, who rose from obscurity in the depression to win a shocking heavyweight championship. Though it was a bit of a box office disappointment in 2005, its uplifting story still has us cheering.

9. 'Girlfight'
Michelle Rodriguez exploded onto the Hollywood scene in 2000 thanks to this indie flick that, in true boxing movie style, came out of nowhere to become a true contender. The story of a girl who uses boxing to learn self-discipline and channel her inner fire won major awards at both Sundance and Cannes thanks to a performance by Rodriguez that helped define the new 21st century woman.

8. 'The Hurricane'
Denzel Washington was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of real-life boxer Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, who spent nearly 20 years in prison for murder before having his sentence overturned. The story, which became a cause celebre thanks to a Bob Dylan song about the wrongful conviction, translated perfectly to the big screen and earned director Norman Jewison a Golden Globe nomination for Best Film and Best Director.

7. 'On the Waterfront'
"You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender, I could been somebody." Well, Marlon Brando's former boxing hopeful might have ended up down on his luck by throwing a fight, but his indelible performance turned 1954's 'On the Waterfront' into a contender for the title of greatest movie ever made. Besides turning Brando into a legend, 'On the Waterfront' also won eight Academy Awards -- and only missed out on a ninth for Best Supporting Actor, arguably because the film's three (three!) nominees in the category split the vote.

6. 'Ali'
Muhammad Ali has been the subject of numerous excellent documentaries, the best of which, 'When We Were Kings,' is required viewing for all film and boxing fans (see above). But Hollywood has also done Ali a solid in this 2001 biopic from 'Heat' director Michael Mann, thanks in large part to excellent performances by Will Smith as Ali and Jon Voight as his media foil Howard Cosell; both were nominated for Academy Awards.

5. 'Million Dollar Baby'
One of the most decorated boxing movies of all time, 'Million Dollar Baby' won the 2004 Academy Award for Best Picture, with director Clint Eastwood also winning Best Director to go along with a Best Actor nomination. Also receiving acting honors: Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank, who anchors this riveting exploration of a bond that develops between boxer and trainer -- a bond that eventually transcends the ring in life-changing ways.

4. 'The Set-Up'
Critics and film buffs have been over the moon for this dark noir tale ever since it arrived in theaters in 1949. Robert Ryan plays a washed up boxer named Stoker Thompson whose trainer takes a payoff from a crime boss to ensure a dive in an upcoming bout. Against all odds, though, Thompson finds himself winning the fight and must make a decision: throw the fight or retain his dignity at the risk of mob vengeance. A classic.

3. 'The Quiet Man'
Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, 'The Quiet Man' stars John Wayne as a fromer boxer who vowed never to fight again after killing a man in the ring. When his new Irish bride publicly brands him a coward, however, he learns that some things are worth fighting for -- such as love. 'The Queit Man' earned Legendary director John Ford the Best Director Oscar for 1952.

2. 'Raging Bull'
Robert De Niro won the 1980 Academy Award for his searing turn as real life boxer Jake LaMotta. Detailing LaMotta's struggles with violence both inside and outside the ring, 'Raging Bull' is regarded as one of the great films in cinema thanks in part to director Martin Scorsese's deft choreography and editing, as well as to a star-making supporting turn from an unknown actor named Joe Pesci. In 2007, the American Film Institute's latest version of their ranking of the 100 greatest movies of all time listed 'Raging Bull' at number four -- behind only 'Citizen Kane,' 'The Godfather' and 'Casablanca.' Now that's some company that any boxer would be proud to keep.

1. 'Rocky'
What is there to say about 'Rocky' that hasn't already been said? Written by an unknown actor named Sylvester Stallone who insisted he star in the film as well, 'Rocky' was a surprise box office and critical success when it debuted in 1976, launching Stallone to superstardom and creating a worldwide franchise that has become an indelible part of pop mythology. And on top of all that it's still a damn good movie.

Most Controversial Movies of All Time: 10 Films That Truly Shocked Audiences

Scott Harris — 2010-12-02T19:30:00+00:00

Jim Carrey's latest film, 'I Love You Phillip Morris,' may be premiering this week but it's already been generating controversy for months. Based on the true story of Steven Jay Russell, a con man who fell in love with his fellow inmate Phillip Morris while in prison and then spent years escaping from jail over and over in order to create a fantasy life together, 'I Love You Phillip Morris' has languished in film purgatory for over a year and a half despite acclaimed performances from Carrey and co-star Ewan McGregor. The main reason? Distributors are still worried over how audiences will react to the gay relationship at the center of the story.

As Hollywood controversies go, however, the one over 'I Love You Phillip Morris' has turned out to be relatively small, thanks, no doubt, to the groundbreaking work done by 'Brokeback Mountain' five years ago. But the chatter surrounding 'I Love You Phillip Morris' still got us thinking: Which films were so controversial that they continue to spark debate and argument even today?

With that in mind, then, and in honor of the release of 'I Love You Phillip Morris,' here's a look at our picks for the Most Controversial Movies of All Time:

o. 'A Serbian Film' -- Since 'A Serbian Film' debuted at the South by Southwest festival this March, the movie has managed to create a firestorm of controversy in every country it has been screened in. While director Aleksandar Radivojević and others claim the story's graphic depiction of rape, incest and murder is a metaphor for the brutality of the Serbian government, many critics have argued that it's actually a metaphor for morally indefensible torture porn. British authorities refused to allow the film to run in London, while Serbian authorities are currently investigating the movie on charges related to child endangerment.

o. 'Fahrenheit 9/11' -- The highest-grossing documentary in American history, 'Fahrenheit 9/11' landed like a bombshell right in the middle of the 2004 presidential race. While few on either side of the political debate took issue with director Michael Moore's attack on the dereliction of duty preformed by the mainstream media over the past decade, his other main theme -- that President Bush's decision to invade Iraq was unjustified -- had pundits and average citizens on both sides of the debate up in arms. The result of the controversy? 'Fahrenheit 9/11' won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture but wasn't even nominated for the Oscar -- just like 'Twilight.'

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o. 'The Passion of the Christ' -- Rule number one: movies about Jesus create controversy. And 2004's 'The Passion of the Christ,' like 'The Last Temptation of 'Christ' before it, was no exception, as Mel Gibson's historical epic (which was filmed in Aramaic and Latin to increase realism) was attacked for everything from historical accuracy to anti-Semitism to just being too darn violent. The many controversies, however, only helped the movie build buzz as it destroyed box office records on its way to a shocking $611 million worldwide haul.

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o. 'Kids' -- One of the most shocking films of the '90s, 1995's 'Kids' is based on a still controversial premise: The main character, an HIV-positive teenager, embarks on a quest to intentionally infect as many young girls as he can through unprotected sex. The storyline, however, took a back seat to the graphic depictions of teenagers in flagrante delicto; outraged activists protested the sexual content, arguing that it both exploited kids and promoted sexual activity. Miramax heads Harvey and Bob Weinstein were forced to create an entirely new company to release the film when Disney refused to distribute the movie.

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o. 'Natural Born Killers' -- Director Oliver Stone is no stranger to controversy; his 1991 political epic 'JFK' still generates argument even 20 years later. But compared to 1994's 'Natural Born Killers,' the controversy surrounded 'JFK' is a drop in the bucket. Audiences and critics alike were shocked by the film's violent imagery -- the movie was banned entirely in Ireland -- and upon its domestic release, 'Natural Born Killers' was almost immediately blamed for a number of copycat murders. Which is especially ironic considering the film is a satire about the media's obsession with and glorification of serial killers.

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o. 'The Last Temptation of Christ' -- Before Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel even hit theaters in 1988, controversy already surrounded it, mainly due to an extended dream sequence in which Jesus imagines what his life with Mary Magdalene might be like if he were to accept Satan's offering of a human existence instead of death on the cross. Protests were staged across America, while in France, Christian militants burnt a theater to the ground during a showing, seriously injuring a number of theater patrons. Even today, 'The Last Temptation of Christ' is still banned in some countries.

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o. 'Salo' -- Subtitled 'The 120 days of Sodom,' 'Salo' re-imagines the infamous book by the Marquis de Sade as a political commentary on the state of fascist Italy during World War II and its similarities to the commercialization of sex by the modern media. At least, that's what defenders of the film have argued; opponents claim that its sadistic portrayal of the rape and murder of a group of underage victims is a moral outrage without artistic merit. Pier Paolo Pasolini never had a chance to answer criticisms, however; he himself was brutally murdered before the movie's 1975 premiere.

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o. 'Last Tango in Paris' -- When 'Last Tango in Paris' debuted in 1972, its frank depictions of a carnal affair between two strangers ignited a national controversy, landing the movie on the cover of TIME and Newsweek -- and landing star Marlon Brando a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards. Crowds in France stood in line for hours for a chance to see it, but in director Bernardo Bertolucci's home country of Italy, people weren't quite so happy; the government ordered all copies of the film destroyed and sentenced Bertolucci to four months in prison.

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o. 'Deep Throat' -- The film that turned the X rating into "X rated," 'Deep Throat' remains one of the best known porno movies of all time -- and not just because the name became synonymous with the Watergate scandal a year after its 1972 release. The film's producers and lead actor Harry Reems were prosecuted on federal obscenity charges in America, while the movie was banned for nearly 30 years in Britain. Co-star Linda Lovelace, meanwhile, has since alleged that her abusive husband forced her to film the graphic sex sequences, making the film little more than a chronicle of rape and also insuring that the controversy surrounding 'Deep Throat' will continue for years to come.

o. 'A Clockwork Orange' -- Stanley Kubrick's 1971 masterpiece was controversial enough in America -- it received a X rating for graphic sexual violence and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops forbade their congregations from seeing the film -- but the furor here was nothing compared to that in Britain, where the film was set. After the government implicated the film in several copycat crimes, Kubrick received threats to himself and his family and petitioned Warner Bros. to withdraw the movie from British distribution. The film was banned in Britain until after Kubrick's death in 1999, a ban that was taken very seriously; one art house that attempted to show the movie in 1993 was permanently shut down.

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Christina Aguilera's Acting Debut: How Will She Rank Against Other Singers?

Scott Harris — 2010-11-24T10:00:00+00:00

'Burlesque' hits theaters today, and boy, are we pumped up. Christina Aguilera, Cher and Kristen Bell belting out showtunes as part of an intense showbiz melodrama? Honey, that movie has been playing for years inside our mind; it's just finally hit the big screen for the rest of you to see.

So that's cool. But honestly, we're almost more excited just to see what Xtina can do as an actress. Sure, we already know she has a bigger range than Montana when it comes to singing, but the real question in 'Burlesque' is, how well can she act? We're betting she knocks it out of the park, but it's no guarantee; over the years dozens of singers have taken a stab at acting and while some of them have gone on to become stars of the screen, others have crashed and burned in epic style.
In preparation for 'Burlesque,' then, and Aguilera's debut, we thought this would be a perfect time to take a look back at some of the other high profile singers who have provided Hollywood with some of its biggest hits -- and misses -- over the past century and see how their careers in film began. So here it is, our review of the best and worst movie debuts in diva history:

o. Cher And what better person to start with than Aguilera's co-star in 'Burlesque,' the legendary Cher? Cher, of course, won the Best Actress Oscar back in 1988 for 'Moonstruck,' but she began her film career in a slightly more humble project -- 1967's 'Good Times,' a comedy co-starring then-husband Sonny Bono where the two spoofed famous movie scenes. Cher was kind of a second banana to Sonny in her feature debut, but hey, at least she went on to bigger and better things.

o. Barbra Streisand Starting off as a lounge singer, Streisand worked the off-Broadway and talk show circuits for several years before finally making one of the most auspicious film debuts in movie history: the 1968 classic 'Funny Girl' not only won five Oscars, it also landed Barbra the Best Actress statue for her first role. Now that's the way to start a movie career.

o. Madonna Madonna was already a worldwide pop sensation when she signed on to co-star in 1985's 'Desperately Seeking Susan.' Critics were left suddenly seeking alternate ways to say "don't quit your day job," but that hasn't stopped Madonna from appearing in more than 20 other films since. Of course, most of those movies were flops. In fact, in 2000, Madonna was named "Worst Actress of the Century" by the Razzies, and that was before 'The Next Best Thing' and 'Swept Away' came about. But, hey, she'll always have 'Evita.' And with 'W.E.' just around the corner, in which she directs, perhaps she'll have better luck behind the camera?

o. Whitney Houston Prior to co-starring opposite a hunky Kevin Costner in the wildly popular 1992 smash 'The Bodyguard,' Houston's only previous acting experience had been a guest appearance on the TV sitcom 'Gimme a Break!'. Houston absolutely crushed it, though, portraying a singer (hey, range is overrated, guys) in a film that also featured Houston's epic version of the ballad "I Will Always Love You,' making this one of the most memorable film debuts for any singer.

o. Dolly Parton Speaking of 'I Will Always Love You,' that tune was, of course, originally written and performed by Dolly Parton. The country singer is probably best known in movie circles, though, for her first feature role -- the 1980 workplace revenge fantasy '9 to 5,' for which she also composed the memorable theme song of the same name.

o. Jessica Simpson Not every film debut by a singing sensation turns out to be auspicious, however, but at least Jessica's Simpson's movie premiere was memorable. Unfortunately, though, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons, as 2005's 'The Dukes of Hazzard' was a critical and box office bomb. Even worse were her follow-up performances. 'Employee of the Month' earned Simpson her second Razzie nomination, while 'Blonde Ambition' grossed just over $6,000 at the box office. And if that wasn't bad enough, her last movie to date, 'Major Movie Star,' went straight to DVD. We guess she wasn't meant to be a major movie star after all.

o. Queen Latifah The reigning monarch of hip hop may have been nominated for an Oscar for her turn in the hit 2002 musical 'Chicago,' but it was far from her first film role; indeed, Queen Latifah has been a staple of cinema for almost as long as she has been turning out tunes, beginning with Spike Lee's 1991 film 'Jungle Fever.' Since then, Latifah has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows. Is there nothing she can't do?

o. Aaliyah When pop star Aaliyah died in a tragic plane crash back in 2001, the movie world lost one of its brightest young up and coming stars, as evidenced by her debut role in the 2000 Jet Li action hit 'Romeo Must Die.' She filmed just one more movie, 2002's 'Queen of the Damned,' before her all too premature departure, but her legacy as a superstar was already cemented.

o. Beyonce Beyonce Knowles rose to superstardom as part of the girl group Destiny's Child, but her rising star didn't peak there; besides her multi-platinum recording career, Beyonce also hit it big at the box office right from the get go, as her first movie, 2002's 'Austin Powers in Goldmember' was a worldwide smash. Since then she has gone on to star in everything from acclaimed films like 'Dreamgirls' to Razzie targets like 'Obsessed' (for which she received a Worst Actress nomination), but her busy music career has limited the number of roles she has been able to take on. Music's gain is Hollywood's loss -- well, 'Obsessed' aside, anyway.

o. Jennifer Hudson And finally, speaking of 'Dreamgirls,' no list of singers-turned-actresses could be complete without a mention of Jennifer Hudson, who was famously axed from the televised musical competition 'American Idol' only to go on to much bigger and brighter things by winning an Academy Award for her feature debut as Effie in 'Dreamgirls.' It just goes to show that living well truly is the best revenge.

Seven Movies That Made Audiences Sick

Scott Harris — 2010-11-04T13:15:00+00:00

James Franco and director Danny Boyle's new film, '127 Hours,' has been grabbing a lot of buzz recently, but not exactly for the reasons they might have wanted: Some viewers have been so disturbed at the movie's climactic amputation scene that they have fainted from shock. But while widespread reports of physical illness at showings of '127 Hours' isn't (necessarily) the best PR for a movie, things could be a lot worse.

After all, nobody's actually died watching '127 Hours.' Yet.

That can't be said for some of the shocking films from Hollywood's past, however, which got us to thinking: What other movies have become infamous for making audiences physically ill? Franco and Boyle can take some consolation from the results, as many of these were huge box office hits and have since becomes classics of the cinema. But be warned: Read this list at your own peril.

Because on the Internet, no one can hear you scream.

'Avatar'
Everyone knows that James Cameron's 'Avatar' killed at the box office, but you may be surprised to find out that it did so in a very literal way: A 42-tear-old Korean man fell ill while watching the 3-D epic and later died. His doctor's official verdict? "Over-excitement from watching the movie triggered his symptoms." An unfortunate footnote for the biggest smash in Hollywood history.

'The Passion of the Christ'
'Avatar' isn't the only blockbuster that left a wake in its wake, however. In 2004, 'The Passion of the Christ' shocked audiences with its graphic depiction of the crucifixion, a sequence which was later attributed as the direct cause of at least two fatal heart attacks suffered by audience members. Mel Gibson's follow-up, 'Apocalypto,' tanked at the box office -- and had correspondingly fewer fatalities.

'The Blair Witch Project'
You might expect horror movies to headline a list like this, but the mass sickness caused by 1999's 'The Blair Witch Project' was due less to the content than to the style: The movie's use of handheld cameras and jerky editing led to motion sickness among audiences from coast-to-coast. It got so bad that some theaters were forced to post motion sickness warning signs in order to help retain workers tired of cleaning up vomit after every showing.

'The Exorcist'
When Warner Bros. released 'The Exorcist' in 1973, they got a little more than they bargained for: A film that rewrote the entire concept of horror movies, a blockbuster box office smash that continues to earn them money to this day and, lastly, an unusual lawsuit from a moviegoer. His claim? 'The Exorcist' was so scary he fainted -- and broke his jaw when he fell onto the seat in front of him. The suit was settled out of court, but may help explain why theaters began showing the movie with preventative measures, including 'Exorcist' barf bags, close at hand.

'Yellow Submarine'
You wouldn't immediately think that the psychedelic cartoon from The Beatles would cause mass sickness, but urban legend has it that crowds around the world were affected adversely by the ground-breaking combination of animation and music, causing dizziness, fainting and worse. Of course, the key word here might be "psychedelic"; we're not saying that some of that illness might have been caused by bad trippin,' but, you know, some of that illness might have been caused by bad trippin.' And you thought theater popcorn was iffy.

'Psycho'
Before 'The Exorcist,' of course, there was 'Psycho,' which shocked audiences in 1960 with the sudden and gruesome murder of star Janet Leigh less than halfway through the film. Audiences around the globe were reported to have been afflicted with widespread fainting and vomiting spells, which only helped pique interest about the movie. Director Alfred Hitchcock wisely played things up even further by instituting a policy that nobody was allowed to enter the theater after the movie began, ensuring that new groups of victims -- er, curious movie fans -- would line up to see what was causing all the sickness.

'Freaks'
One of the most infamous movies ever made, 'Freaks' caused a firestorm when it was released in 1932; the story, about a normal girl who marries a sideshow freak and eventually tries to murder him, was so shocking that MGM edited out nearly a third of the movie -- including a graphic castration sequence -- before showing it in theaters. The damage was already done, though; one viewer from the first, full-length test screening threatened to sue the studio claiming the movie had caused her to suffer a miscarriage. The notoriety didn't help 'Freaks' at the box office, though, and led to the derailment of director Tod Browning's career.

Nine Things We Learned on the Set of 'I Am Number Four'

Scott Harris — 2010-10-11T14:00:00+00:00

High school can be a rough time for any kid: the peer pressure, the bullying, the hormones and even, on rare occasions, the studying. Sometimes, even for the best of us, the pressures of high school can become overwhelming. But when we visited the set the new DreamWorks action blockbuster 'I Am Number Four,' we learned that there's at least one thing worse than being in high school: being in a high school overrun by murderous alien beasts.

And you thought zits were a big problem.

Based on the young adult novel of the same name by authors Jobie Hughes and James Frey (yes, that James Frey), 'I Am Number Four' has been touted as the heir apparent to 'Harry Potter' and 'Twilight' since before the book was even published. Yet, as insanely popular as both of those series are, neither of them became true mega-hits until the movie adaptations introduced millions of new fans to the books.

So, will 'I Am Number Four' follow in their footsteps to become the latest fan obsession? That question will only be answered when the movie finally hits theaters on February 18, 2011. But after spending an afternoon talking with the folks bringing Number Four (played by up-and-comer Alex Pettyfer) and his friends to life, we did manage to learn the answers to a few other burning questions. Here, then, are nine things we learned from our visit to the 'I Am Number Four' set:

1. Their biggest casting problem was ... 'The A-Team'?
Early in the casting process, the producers of 'I Am Number Four' came very close to signing 'District 9' star Sharlto Copley to the key role of Number Four's fatherly mentor Henri. When that deal fell through and they instead turned to noted character actor Timothy Olyphant ('Deadwood,' 'Live Free or Die Hard') for the part, the Internet lit up with rumors that Sharlto had dropped out because they wouldn't let him wear enough alien prostheses in the movie.

But the true culprit behind Copley's departure? 'The A-Team.'

"'A-Team' was such a big movie for Fox," director D.J. Caruso ('Disturbia,' 'Eagle Eye') explained, "that when we were still starting to make the deal with Sharlto, we couldn't have him for this week and we couldn't have him for that week. And so we were trying to make a schedule work [but] ultimately we just kind of threw up our hands and said, 'We just can't accommodate this any more because we don't know what's going to happen.' Fox was being sort of really difficult about his dates. So we just finally decided just to back off.

"But it wasn't about, like, prosthetic noses or ears or something," said Caruso. "I don't know what that was about."

2. 'I Am Number Four' shares a secret connection with 'Transformers 3.'
'A-Team' wasn't the only big ticket action film to interfere with the production of 'I Am Number Four,' as 'Transformers 3' also forced the departure of a key member of the team: director Michael Bay.

"[Dreamworks] bought this for Michael Bay and I didn't think anything of it," Caruso told us. "It sounded like a cool idea. And then I think that Michael Bay started getting into 'Transformers 3' and so they called me and I read the manuscript. And I read one of the early drafts and then worked on that for a while and got involved, got the draft into good shape, slowly got it developed and then showed Bay the script after a couple of months. He liked it and I think that kind of jump-started it, but I think 'Transformers 3' kind of occupied Bay and took him in another direction. So they called me."

3. Changes to the screenplay led to changes in the books.
Fans of the book may be surprised when they see the finished film. Why? Because while the cast and crew strived to stay true to the spirit of the original text, a number of details were changed along the way.

"In the book, [Number Four] knows from page one what he's supposed to do," Caruso told us. "In the movie it takes him quite a while to kind of figure out who he is and what he wants to become. And I think that was what was dramatically and cinematically interesting to me -- who he thinks he is and who he really is are two completely different people. And he has to come to terms with understanding that who he wants to be isn't who he's going to become."

The good news is that if there's a sequel, it's likely to stay much closer to the source material for one simple reason: After reading the script for this movie, the authors will be changing the second book to match.

"It's interesting because [the authors] have just outlined the second book, so some of the stuff that we had in the movie kind of sparked different ideas," Caruso said. "I noticed that their outline for book two had changed a little bit. Which was kind of cool."

4. Kevin Durand's Mogadarian Commander steals the show -- even though he's not in the book.
Kevin Durand is known for playing some of the jerkiest villains on television and in cinema (see: Martin Keamy on 'Lost,' the Archangel Gabriel in 'Legion'). So it's no surprise that his evil Mogadarian Commander steals the show. Just don't look for the character in the book -- because he's not there.

"One of [executive producer Steven Spielberg]'s bigger notes that we kind of kept working on in the screenplay was to really try and give the Mog Commander a personality. And so we wrote a few things just as a trial basis and sort of ran it by Kevin and he sent us a tape and read it and it just sort of made sense. So we started to tailor stuff for him because he's just so great.

"We definitely sort of gave the Mogadorian Commander a dynamic sort of interesting presence. I wanted him to sort of be what Chris Walken was back in the late '80s, early '90s, in those movies where he [has] the rhythms and the odd dynamics of someone that you really don't know how comfortable to get around him. Kevin's done a good job."

5. Dianna Agron is nothing like her 'Glee' character. Really!
Dianna Agron may be best known for playing black-hearted cheerleader Quinn on 'Glee,' but don't bother telling that to her 'I Am Number Four' castmates -- they may not believe you. "She's such a beautiful human being" is about the worst thing we heard about Agron from leading man Alex Pettyfer, while Caruso took it a step farther by declaring that "she represents everything that's good about America."

But while Agron has become known as the go-to girl for every cheerleading role in Hollywood (her ex-cheerleader Sarah in 'I Am Number Four' follows not just 'Glee' but also a turn as a cheerleader in 'Heroes'), her dream gig wouldn't involve either singing or cheering, but something more serious. "As much as I love musicals, I think I would want to do something just really gritty," she told us. "A drama -- you know, just something completely different."

Dark and gritty? Now that's something Quinn could get behind, after all.

6. The cast and crew love to pack heat.
When we visited the film's Pittsburgh set, it turned out to be a little more dangerous than we expected -- and not just because they were filming a sequence in which a Mogadarian monstrosity smashes through the high school cafeteria window. No, it's because the cast was enamored with all the cool weapons the prop department had whipped up to fight back with.

"I get to carry for about half the film this giant alien shotgun, this 20-gauge," gushed Callan McAuliffe, who plays Number Four's best friend Sam. "That's pretty awesome. It lights up. It has these red lights on it and you can actually cock it. It's got a real 20-gauge shotgun inside it and, yeah, that's awesome."

On the other hand, Teresa Palmer, who plays fellow alien refugee Number Six, prefers knives to guns, explaining, "I have an incredible dagger with an electric blue light that looks pretty menacing. I carry that around throughout the film and stab a lot of evil aliens with it."

But while Caruso agrees that Number Six's dagger is "pretty amazing," he has a soft spot for the heavy ordnance the bad guys bring to the table. "The commander has a blaster that's phenomenal, he's blasting it towards the end of the movie. And it's just this huge gun and Kevin Durand just fires it. I love the commander's blaster."

7. The movie's real star? The iPad.
You'd think that Number Four's home planet, Lorien, would be chock full of amazing technology, but the most cutting edge device in the film is from right here on Earth: the iPad. During our set visit you couldn't take a step without tripping over one of the ubiquitous Apple devices, but they weren't just a trendy gimmick -- they were integral to how the film was being made.

"I realized about a week into the prep that my storyboards were on it, my pre-visuals were on it, my script was on it," Caruso explained. "And I really started getting emails from two of my storyboard artists working in Los Angeles. I have this application where I can mark up the boards and send them back. And so it just became this amazing production tool. And slowly but surely, eveyone's starting to get an iPad. And then I noticed the actors, they all got theirs...

"It's just become part of our cinematic culture. It really is an amazing cinematic tool. And it's amazing. I never thought I'd say that. I thought I would be cool and get one -- and now I don't even carry my script any more, I just carry my iPad."

8. Most of the cast has never read the book.
Squeamish book lovers should avert their eyes now, because it's true: most of the cast and crew has never even read the book that the film is based on. But it's not because they aren't interested in being faithful to the source. It's actually for a much simpler reason: The authors actually hadn't completed the book before filming began.

"I haven't read the book," Pettyfer told us. "Not because I'm a bad person, but because the book hadn't been finished until we started the film. And I had an idea from the script who Number Four was and I didn't want to have my mind taken somewhere else while I was filming. I definitely am 100% going to read it the day I finish. But I don't want any influence from anywhere else. I sat down with both writers and got the idea what the gist of what the character was and then kind of went off and put it into my own hands to see what I could do with it."

At least one cast member has sneaked a few peeks at the book, though -- but only the parts she's in. "I skipped forward," Palmer admitted. "I wanted to see where [Number Six] came in and what her entrance was like. It's funny because it's actually a little bit different to what we're doing in the film, so it's cool to pick out all of the little differences."

9. And in the sequel you can expect to see...
The cast may not have read the book, but that doesn't mean they're in the dark. In fact, thanks to conversation with the authors, the members of the cast already know what happens to their characters not just in the sequel but in some cases through all six planned volumes. Try as we might, we couldn't get any of them to spill the beans. But we did learn some secrets from an unlikely source: the director himself.

Unfortunately, we can't really tell you what Caruso told us without spoiling everything (sorry!) but he did allow us at least one tidbit: Fans can definitely expect to meet at least one more of the seven surviving Lorien teenagers.

But what strange activity is the mysterious Number Five up to? That's something you'll just have to wait for the sequel to find out.

Best Hockey Movies: 7 Classics That Stick With Us

Scott Harris — 2010-10-11T12:45:00+00:00

The NHL kicked off the new hockey season over the weekend, and you know what that means: bone jarring hits, end-to-end action and the perfect excuse to rewatch your favorite hockey movies of all time.

Okay, so maybe there aren't quite as many great hockey movies as there are, say, great movies about baseball. And we also admit that for some reason, Hollywood doesn't always seem to get hockey, often using the great sport as a platform for unfunny comedies ('The Tooth Fairy,' anyone?) or lame romcoms. (Remember 'The Cutting Edge'? Yeah, we wish we could forget it too.)

But for every misfire like 'The Love Guru' there's a great hockey film hiding in your Blu-ray bin, just waiting to be rediscovered. In order to help you celebrate the beginning of the new NHL season in style, then, we've put together our list of the top hockey films of all time. So drop your gloves and grab your popcorn, because it's time to face off with Hollywood's best puck potboilers.
And sorry, monkey fans, but 'MVP: Most Valuable Primate' didn't quite make the cut. Hey, there's always next year.

o. Honorable Mention -- 'Happy Gilmore' Even though there's not a whole lot of actual hockey in 'Happy Gilmore,' we had to give a shout out to the classic 1996 Adam Sandler comedy about a failed hockey player who decides to join the PGA Tour as a pro golfer. Special props to Bob Barker for the "slap shots" he delivers to Sandler's noggin.

o. 7. 'The Mighty Ducks'
While we don't exactly have the fondest of memories for the two sequels, the original 'Mighty Ducks,' which stars Emilio Estevez as a lawyer sentenced to community service in the form of coaching a youth hockey league, still makes us smile despite ourselves. The fact that the 1992 film led Disney to buy an actual NHL franchise and name it the Anaheim Mighty Ducks is just meta-icing on this pop culture cake.

o. 6. 'Youngblood'
Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze provide the all-star wattage in this 1986 film about the dangerous world of minor league hockey -- and the trials you have to face to become a man. Sure, the final fight scene is a bit over the top -- using your sticks like swords is pretty much an automatic suspension -- but we love every cheesy second of it.

o. 5. 'Mystery, Alaska'
Russell Crowe took to the ice in this feel-good 1999 comedy about a local rec-league hockey team from the little town of Mystery, Alaska, which ends up taking on the NHL's New York Rangers in an exhibition game. Throw in the timeless Burt Reynolds as a supporting character and you have a recipe for gold medal action.

o. 4. 'Sudden Death'
The mussels from Brussels is the ultimate enforcer in this 1995 action flick, as Jean-Claude Van Damme works overtime to prevent terrorists from blowing up an arena full of fans during the Stanley Cup Finals. Not only does the film feature a slew of NHL stars playing themselves in the film, it also uses the Penguins mascot as a villain. Score one for Hollywood.

o. 3. 'The Rocket'
You may not be familiar with this 2005 Canadian film, but it was a sensation north of the border, earning 13 nominations at the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars, the Genie Awards. Roy Dupuis ('La Femme Nikita') stars as hockey legend Maurice "Rocket" Richard in a biography that the hall-of-famer personally vetted before his death.

o. 2. 'Miracle'
Do you believe in miracles? Well, we sure do, especially after viewing this riveting and uplifting account of the infamous victory over the Soviet Union scored by a ragtag team American college students at the 1980 Winter Olympics. One warning, though: The 2004 Disney film, which stars Kurt Russell as legendary U. S. coach Herb Brooks, has been known to reduce grown men to tears.

o. 1. 'Slap Shot'
Could there possibly be any other choice? This 1977 comedy stars Paul Newman as a hardscrabble minor league lifer who rallies a community around his scrappy Charlestown Chiefs in a last-ditch effort to save the team from folding. 'Slap Shot' may be the only film Newman was ever overshadowed in, though, as the fighting Hanson brothers (played by real-life hockey goons David Hanson, Jeff Carlson and Steve Carlson) stole the movie to become enduring icons of the sport itself. An all-time classic.

'Olympics Directors': Paul Thomas Anderson and Others Who Rarely Make Movies

Scott Harris — 2010-09-22T17:00:00+00:00

Some things just get better with time -- cheese, wine, cold dishes of revenge. And perhaps at the top of the list are films from acclaimed directors like Paul Thomas Anderson.

Anderson, of course, is the auteur behind such seminal works as 'Magnolia' and 'There Will Be Blood.' But in a clear case of quality being more important than quantity, he's only directed two films in the 11 years since 'Magnolia' landed in 1999: the Adam Sandler misfire 'Punch-Drunk Love' in 2002 and Best Picture nominee 'There Will Be Blood' in 2007.

And now that Cinematical is reporting that his next movie, 'The Master,' has been postponed indefinitely, there's no telling just when film buffs will have a chance to see his vision on the big screen. Which got us to thinking: by the time Anderson's next film hits the screen, we will have seen more Summer Olympics since 'Magnolia' came out -- four -- than films by the glacial Anderson.

With that in mind, then, here are some of the other Olympian directors who, along with Anderson, believe that slow and steady win the race:

o. James Cameron
o. Years Between Last Two Movies: 12
When Cameron was establishing his name as a director back in the '80s with hits like 'Aliens' and 'Terminator,' he wasn't exactly speedy, but you could count on him turning out a new film every three years or so. But that all changed after 1997's 'Titanic' became the biggest movie in history; since then he's directed a grand total of one mainstream movie -- a little something you may have heard of called 'Avatar.' During that 12-year gap he did keep himself busy with two nature documentaries, but if you're waiting for 'Avatar 2' or the long-rumored 'Battle Angel Alita,' don't hold your breath: Despite the fact that both movies are in pre-production, neither is expected to hit theaters before 2013 at the earliest.

o. Terrence Malick
o. Years Between Last Two Movies: 6
If there were a gold medal for reclusive directors, it would be named after Malick, who undoubtedly holds a Hollywood endurance record for the longest period between films. Following his first two efforts, the instant classics 'Badlands' from 1973 and 'Days of Heaven' in 1978, Malick dropped off the face of the planet for over two decades before re-emerging with 1998's 'The Thin Red Line.' He hasn't exactly been a busy body over the last 12 years though, with just 2005's 'The New World' and next year's Brad Pitt vehicle 'The Tree of Life' under his belt.

o. Spike Jonze
o. Years Between Last Two Movies: 7
Jonze burst onto the scene in a big way back in 1999 thanks to his mind-bending indie hit 'Being John Malkovich,' which was nominated for three Oscars and four Golden Globes. Since then, though, he's only turned out two more movies: 2002's 'Adaptation,' which won two Golden Globes, and 2009's 'Where the Wild Things Are,' which divided audiences and critics alike with its polarizing take on the children's classic. Love him or hate him, though, with that kind of schedule at least it's hard to get sick of him.

o. Kathryn Bigelow
o. Years Between Last Two Movies: 7
Bigelow, who was famously married to Cameron back in the day, apparently shares his disdain for haste. Though her 1991 hit 'Point Break' was her third film in five years, since then she's become decidedly more deliberate in her pacing, with just four films in the last 19 years: 1995's 'Strange Days,' 2000's 'The Weight of Water,' 2002's 'K-19: The Widowmaker' and, of course, last year's Best Picture winner 'The Hurt Locker.' Perhaps having a Best Director win under her belt as well will allow her to push her new projects through the Hollywood system a little faster now.

o. Sofia Coppola
o. Years Between Last Two Movies: 4
Compared to the others on our list, Francis Ford Coppola's daughter is positively prolific, turning out a movie every four years or so since she debuted with 1999's 'The Virgin Suicides.' Still, considering the critical acclaim films such as 2003's 'Lost in Translation' and this year's festival darling 'Somewhere' have earned, you can forgive us for wishing she was a little faster with her creative process.

Famous Movie Locations: The Piano From 'Big' (New York, NY)

Scott Harris — 2010-09-22T15:00:00+00:00

Back in 1988, Tom Hanks was just another comedian trying to make it big in Hollywood -- trying and failing, thanks to a series of flops (such as 'The Money Pit') and forgettable mistakes ('The Man With One Red Shoe,' anyone?). But then he made an unforgettable trip to a toy store and hit it very 'Big' indeed.

And the centerpiece of that classic film moment was, of course, his spontaneous frolic with co-star Robert Loggia atop a giant piano set into the floor of the FAO Schwarz showroom. The moment, which perfectly captured the spirit of the movie about a boy who is magically given an adult's body, became an instant fan favorite and helped spur 'Big' -- and Tom Hanks -- to massive box office success.

Location as Character: In the movie, 12-year-old Josh Baskin (Hanks) is turned into an adult via magic. He ends up with an entry level job a toy manufacturer owned by a certain Mr. McMillan (Loggia). As it happens, the two of them bump into each other at FAO Schwarz one day and as they are talking, Josh stumbles upon a giant piano set in the floor.

As he begins horsing around. McMillan is reminded of his own youthful piano lessons and soon the two draw a huge crowd by staging an impromptu duet on the piano that involves a lot of jumping and intricate footwork. McMillan is so impressed by Josh's youthful enthusiasm that he ends up getting a promotion to the dram gig of official company toy tester. Nice work if you can get it.

Historical Significance: The giant piano at FAO Schwarz is just the latest iconic contribution to pop culture from the legendary toy retailer, which first opened for business back in 1862: In the 1880's, the store, which is named after founder Frederick August Otto Schwarz, began hosting annual appearances by Santa Claus as part of their Christmas toy exhibition. The idea caught on at other stores nationwide, leading to the Mall Santa phenomenon that is still going strong today.

Fun Fact: Just about every kind of toy imaginable is available at FAO Schwarz, and most of them have their own departments; look for entire sections devoted to board games, puppets, even stuffed replicas of endangered species that are sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History. 'Big' fans, though, will be most interested in the giant piano, of course, which you can not only look at but actually play on just like Tom Hanks. And, for the really hardcore fans, the store offers a slightly miniaturized giant piano that you can bring home and play in your own living room.

Directions: FAO Schwarz, as we've mentioned, is located right in the heart of Manhattan. We're guessing you can probably figure out how to get to New York without our help, but once there you want to head to Fifth Avenue at 58th Street. We don't really suggest driving around Manhattan if you can help it, so you'll probably want to take the Metro instead; the N, R and W lines stop nearby at 59th and Fifth, while the 4, 5 and 6 trains will get you to 59th and Lexington.

Visitor Info: Since FAO Schwarz is one of the most famous stores in New York, it's obviously open to the public; normal operating hours are 10AM to 7PM Monday through Saturday and 10AM to 6PM on Sunday. A wide array of services are available, such as shipping to your home location or free delivery to any Manhattan hotel so that you can shop without having to lug a 10-foot tall stuffed bear around New York for the rest of the day. You can also splurge on a wide array of candies and deserts, so bring your sweet tooth.

Famous Movie Locations: The Beach From 'From Here to Eternity' (Oahu, Hawaii)

Scott Harris — 2010-09-17T14:00:00+00:00

'From Here to Eternity' is one of the most decorated and beloved films in movie history, having earned eight Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture and Best Director. With an all-star cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed, Deborah Kerr and ol' blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, the story of a group of soldiers stationed on Hawai'i in the days leading up to Pearl Harbor was an instant landmark in American pop culture history.

But beyond the film's metaphorical landmarks, 'From Here to Eternity' also boasts a very real landmark thanks to one of the most famous scenes in movie history: the kissing-on-the-beach sequence where Lancaster and Kerr roll around in the Pacific Ocean's frothy waves, lips locked as the surf washes over them.

Which has led to generations of move fans wondering one thing: we know where "Here" is, but where exactly is "Eternity?"

Location as Character: The rendezvous between First Sergeant Milton Warden (Lancaster), and his lover, Karen Holmes (Kerr), is a rather illicit one considering that Holmes is married to Warden's commanding officer. It's also the high point of their fling, as Warden later refuses to become an officer, leaving the upwardly mobile Holmes to dump him in search of a more career-oriented man on the side.

As infamous as their kissing sequence is, though, it's actually surprisingly short, lasting all of about six seconds before they jump up and run to drier ground. That may be in part because of censorship concerns and the moral concerns of the time; in the book, the duo is depicted as having full-on sex during this sequence, something the film's producers could only hint at obliquely with their cascading tide.

Historical Significance: While some tour guides might steer you wrong by telling you that 'From Here to Eternity' was filmed at Hanauma Bay, don't listen; they're just being lazy. Actually, it was filmed in a tiny cove nearby. Though its official name is Hālona Cove, it's also known by the slightly more colorful nicknames of "The Peering Place" (thanks to its scenic view) and "Cockroach Cove" (for reasons we'd rather not guess at). Since the movie hit it big, though, it's taken on a much more obvious name -- "From Here to Eternity Beach."

Fun Fact: The beach romp is probably 'From here to Eternity's' most famous scene, but rumor has it another infamous movie scene came out of production as well -- the horse head sequence from 'The Godfather'! Though all parties deny it, whispers have circulated for years that the opening sequence of 'The Godfather' -- in which the mafia strongarms a movie exec into casting a hot young crooner in his next pic -- is based on true events surrounding Sinatra's selection for 'From Here to Eternity.'

Directions: Hālona Cove is handily located just a few miles outside of Honolulu on Oahu, so getting there is a fairly simple task. Take Interstate H-1 east until it turns into state route 72 -- also known as Kalanianaole Highway -- and continue just a couple miles to Hanauma Bay. Once Past Hanauma, look for a scenic overlook on your right called Hālona Blowhole Overlook; you can park here and walk down to the beach.

And now you finally know how to get from here to eternity.

Visitor Info: Hālona Cove is beautiful, but it is also dangerous. The tiny cove acts as a bottleneck, causing surprisingly strong tides that disguise hidden rocks beneath the waves; swimmers are advised to be very careful, as there are no lifeguards and the current can be deceptively powerful. The walk down to the beach is no picnic either, as it's both steep and rocky, so you'll need to take caution right from the moment you leave your car.

6 Bold Ideas to Save Your Favorite Video Store

Scott Harris — 2010-09-15T15:00:00+00:00

Once upon a time -- a mere decade ago, even -- the local video store was a ubiquitous staple of the American landscape, right up there with gas stations and McDonald's. But with more and more people getting their home viewing experience either via Internet download, cable TV's On Demand stations, or delivery services like Netflix, video stores are collectively dying a slow and lingering death.

There's only one thing that can save them: tanning booths.

No, we're not making this up: As our pals over at Cinematical are reporting, more than 3,500 video stores have added tanning beds, which now account for roughly 40% of the total income of those stores. Sure, the combination doesn't really make any sense -- as far as we know, none of the beds have monitors inside that allow you to watch "Iron Man 2" while you bake -- but at this point, anything that can keep video stores running is worth a shot. Once upon a time -- a mere decade ago, even -- the local video store was a ubiquitous staple of the American landscape, right up there with gas stations and McDonald's. But with more and more people getting their home viewing experience either via Internet download, cable TV's On Demand stations, or delivery services like Netflix, video stores are collectively dying a slow and lingering death.

There's only one thing that can save them: tanning booths.

No, we're not making this up: As our pals over at Cinematical are reporting, more than 3,500 video stores have added tanning beds, which now account for roughly 40% of the total income of those stores. Sure, the combination doesn't really make any sense -- as far as we know, none of the beds have monitors inside that allow you to watch "Iron Man 2" while you bake -- but at this point, anything that can keep video stores running is worth a shot.

Which got us thinking: What other unlikely in-store additions might end up becoming the chocolate to put in the video market's peanut butter? To help save this vital piece of Americana, then, here are six great ideas that might help keep your favorite video store alive:

o. Massage Parlor We watch movies to relax after a hard day's work, right? So what better way to start that relaxation process than with a nice, soothing full body massage? And since it's in a video store, you can watch films while your muscles get worked over. Now that sounds like a real happy ending.

o. Dance Lessons Ever since 'Dancing With the Stars' became a certified TV smash, dancing has become a national obsession, with many people renting videos to learn new moves. So why not take that traffic and turn it into instant cash by installing a small dance studio in between the new releases and the drama aisles? And as a bonus, with each lesson you get a free video rental of a dance-themed film like 'Last Tango in Paris.'

o. Gym, Laundry 'Jersey Shore' is one of the biggest pop phenomenons this side of 'Dancing with the Stars.' But the tanning craze is just one third of its stars' famous formula for happiness, "Gym, Tan, Laundry." So why not complete the trifecta and and add a gym and laundromat to the video store? The only problem will be figuring out how to get people to leave!

o. Hot Dog Stand Everyone loves hot dogs, but they aren't just for chomping on when you're walking through Central Park or taking in a baseball game. No, they also make a great snack while you watch a movie -- or even while you're shopping for one to rent. We'd relish the chance to down a kosher frank while sorting through our favorite hardball themed films. 'Major League' and a brat, anyone?

o. Laser Tag We used to be able to head down to the local roller rink or batting cages to engage in a decent game of laser tag. These days, though, it's becoming harder and harder to find an arena where you can work out your frustrations by shooting invisible beams of light into an enemy combatant's chest. Why not combine these two fading institutions into one awesome destination venue? And as a bonus, maybe they could even make guns that shoot ultraviolet rays for an all new sport: laser tanning. You're welcome, video store industry.

o. A Second, Smaller Video Store Hey, it works for Russian nesting dolls, and those things have been around for decades!

Famous Movie Locations: The Dam From 'The Fugitive' (Tapoco, North Carolina)

Scott Harris — 2010-09-15T14:00:00+00:00

Harrison Ford was already a gigantic box office draw when he signed on to star as Dr. Richard Kimble in the 1993 big-screen adaptation of the classic '60s television series 'The Fugitive.' The film would do nothing to detract from his popularity; 'The Fugitive' brought in over $183 million domestically and $368 million worldwide. Yes, it was another win for Ford.

But as great as Ford is in the movie, for many people the film belonged to Tommy Lee Jones and his unstoppable U. S. Marshall, Deputy Samuel Gerard, who hunts Kimble down in a single-minded chase across Illinois. Though the film climaxed in a three-way showdown between Kimble, Gerard and the true villain of the piece, most people remember it for the iconic confrontation between Kimble and Gerard atop a towering dam -- a dam that happens to be in North Carolina and not in Illinois at all.

Location as Character: One of the most famous chase scenes in movie history takes place in a most unlikely place -- in a series of tunnels deep within the Cheoah Dam. It ends in an even more unlikely fashion: as Kimble stands in the mouth of the tunnel, overlooking the incredible precipice to the water far below, Gerard comes up behind him, gun drawn. There's no way out for Kimble, who tries one last time to convince Gerard of his innocence."I didn't kill my wife," Kimble says. Gerard's famous answer? "I don't care."

That legendary line cemented Jones as an A-list star; in the context of the scene, it also provided Kimble with ample evidence that he had only one course of action: jump. It's hard to say just who was more surprised to see Kimble fling himself off the dam -- a bewildered Gerard or the movie's audience.

Historical Significance: The Cheoah Dam, which is located in Graham County, North Carolina, lies across the Tennessee river and as such is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Built during three years -- from 1916-1919 -- the Cheoah Dam, now known to locals as "The Fugitive Dam," provides hydroelectric power for Alcoa and is currently being upgraded and renovated thanks in part to money provided by last year's economic stimulus package.

Fun Fact: While the dam provided the exterior shots for the sequence, including Kimble's tiny body plummeting into the frothy waters below, interior shots of the tunnel chase had to be filmed elsewhere for one simple reason: Cheoah doesn't have any tunnels. Instead, that sequence was filmed in Chicago, leading to a fairly well-known goof: During the wide shots of Kimble falling, it can be clearly seen that there is no tunnel mouth for him to be falling out of. Whoops!

Directions: Cheoah Dam and Cheoah Lake are located in the heart of one of America's most scenic areas, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just north of Tapoco, North Carolina. The easiest way to reach it is to take U.S. 129 south out of Knoxville, Tennessee, a trip that will take you about 75 minutes. Once there, you can then switch to North Carolina state route 28 and head east along the lakeside for a sweet view of the dam.

Visitor Info: This is a working dam, so the TVA isn't likely to let you crawl all over it. However, since this is located in a national park, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area; we suggest checking out the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website for ideas when planning your trip.

Who Should Play Ronald Reagan in His Upcoming Biopic?

Scott Harris — 2010-09-08T12:00:00+00:00

Ronald Reagan. Depending on your viewpoint, our 40th president was either an American hero of the first order, a right-wing demagogue whose ill-advised policies continue to haunt us today or perhaps both at the same time. And it's that complexity that still makes him so fascinating today -- not just to average Americans, but to Hollywood as well.

Yes, get ready folks, because according to the Hollywood Reporter, Tinseltown is preparing a big screen biopic of the actor who became president. Following in the tradition of 'Nixon,' 'W.' and 'Primary Colors,' screenwriter Jonas McCord ('The Body') is currently penning a script that will start with the failed 1981 assassination attempt and use flashbacks and flash-forwards to tell the story of Reagan's ascent from small town boy to movie star to president.

That's not to say that the new Reagan movie, which is being developed by producer Mark Joseph ('The Passion of the Christ') for release next year, will have the same kind of snarky political slant as those earlier presidential screeds; while McCord has made no secret of his disdain for Reagan's political record, saying, "I was of the opinion that at best he was a bad actor and at worst a clown," Joseph has a different take on things.

"This is a great story. I'm just glad no one else in Hollywood thinks so, or they'd have made this film by now," he said. "I watched Americans line up and wait for ten hours for the simple privilege of passing by his closed casket. They love this man."

The question is, though, which man will they be loving? Since the film will focus at least in part of Reagan's formative years, it's possible the movie will need to cast multiple actors in the role. But as 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' showed, CGI has developed to the point where one actor can convincingly play all ages, which throws the doors open to every actor from nine to 90.

With that in mind, here are some of our picks for who should play The Gipper. Check them out and let us know who you think the man for the job is:

o. Tom Hanks Sure, they might have to use some movie magic to de-age him for those flashbacks, but is there any actor in America better suited to portray Reagan's mix of midwestern values and city slicker charm? Frankly, we think Hanks should consider playing President for real, but if that's not in the cards, at least he could play one on the big screen as Reagan.

o. James Franco When he's not playing tokers, smokers and murdering artists on 'General Hospital,' Franco is proving that he has the serious acting chops to take on just about any part, even a big ticket one like Ronald Reagan. He'd also bring a jolt of youth to the project, which could only help the demographics of a film already likely to have the retiree crowd locked up.

o. Jon Hamm Hamm is no stranger to period pieces, of course, thanks to his work on 'Mad Men,' but beyond his acting experience he also brings a certain square-jawed gravitas to the screen that would make him believable everywhere from the backlot to the Oval Office.

o. Hugh Laurie Perhaps it's sacrilege to cast a foreigner as the all-American Reagan, but Laurie has alreay proven he can carry off the accent and the attitude. Like the others on our list, he has the talent to pull off the role, but he also has the look: his increasingly craggy face would be the perfect reflection of the burden the Presidency places on each of its occupants.

o. Joaquin Phoenix Sure, he's still currently playing up his hermit rapper role to the hilt for his mockumentary 'I'm Still Here,' but don't forget that just a couple short years ago Phoenix was considered one of the hottest and most dedicated actors in the business thanks to his turn as that other real-life icon of America, Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line.' A trip to the White House may be the perfect comeback vehicle for Phoenix.

Who Should Play Ronald Reagan?
Tom Hanks	3524 (32.4%)
James Franco	272 (2.5%)
Jon Hamm	2742 (25.2%)
Hugh Laurie	1026 (9.4%)
Joaquin Phoenix	894 (8.2%)
Someone else!	2435 (22.4%)

Excellent! 'Bill & Ted 3' Still in the Works

Scott Harris — 2010-09-03T09:45:00+00:00

From the moment they first debuted back in 1989, Bill and Ted have been one of those perfect teams -- like Simon and Garfunkel, chocolate and peanut butter or Dolce and Gabbana, they were just made to go together. Yet despite this synergy, for the last 19 years rumors of a third 'Bill & Ted' film have been just that -- rumors only. Now, though, word of a possible breakthrough has come from a most excellent source: Bill himself.

Yes, it's true: according to Movieweb, Alex Winter, who played Bill in both 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' and 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey,' plans for a third 'Bill & Ted' film are moving forward. Speaking at a 'Bill & Ted' retrospective, Winter told the audience that, as Movieweb puts it, "plans for another chapter in this comedy franchise were currently being ironed out." From the moment they first debuted back in 1989, Bill and Ted have been one of those perfect teams; like Simon and Garfunkel, chocolate and peanut butter or Dolce and Gabbana, they were just made to go together. Yet despite this synergy, for the last 19 years rumors of a third 'Bill & Ted' film have been just that -- rumors only. Now, though, word of a possible breakthrough has come from a most excellent source: Bill himself.

Yes, it's true: According to Movieweb, Alex Winter, who played Bill in both 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' and 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey,' plans for a third 'Bill & Ted' film are moving forward. Speaking at a 'Bill & Ted' retrospective, Winter told the audience that, as Movieweb puts it, "plans for another chapter in this comedy franchise were currently being ironed out."

And that ironing is coming from the franchise's highest minds, as Winter has been meeting with original 'Bill & Ted' writers Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson along with Keanu Reeves, who has been stumping for a chance to reprise his role as Ted for years.

Before you get too excited, though, it should be pointed out that 'Bill & Ted' is currently in the very, very early stages of development; Winter and Reeves are still "kicking around ideas" regarding the story's plot, but so far what they have come up with has been "far too dark for children to see."

Personally, we'd love to see a darker, more adult 'Bill & Ted;' the children can go watch 'SpongeBob Squarepants' or something. But regardless of what direction 'Bill & Ted 3' ends up going in, we'll be waiting with bated breath, even if, as Winter later tweeted, the "idea of a 3rd sequel is nothing more than a lark" for the time being.

So, what do you think? Excited about the prospect of a third 'Bill & Ted' film? Or do you think the prospect of, say, Bill and Ted dealing with their own teenage sons is an idea that borders on sacrilege? Vote below and let us know your thoughts.

What do you think of 'Bill & Ted 3?'
It's about time!	3790 (43.5%)
I'm cautiously optimistic, but it depends on the story.	2700 (31.0%)
They shouldn't mess with the classics.	592 (6.8%)
Sounds like 'Bill & Ted's Giant Disaster.'	1635 (18.8%)

'Breaking Dawn' Birth Scene Will be 'As Intense' as the Book

Scott Harris — 2010-09-02T12:45:00+00:00

Ask any woman who's gone through labor and she'll tell you that it felt like some kind of monster was clawing their way out. Now imagine that just this one time, she was actually right.

That's the dilemma facing producers on the fourth 'Twilight' film, 'Breaking Dawn:' how to portray the book's most famous scene, the intensely painful and shockingly horrific birth of Bella's inhuman daughter Renesmee. Now, according to E! Online, we know the plan -- and it doesn't involve toning anything down.

"We're working on it," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg said regarding the infamous sequence. "And we're working on it to be as intense as it is in the book." Ask any woman who's gone through labor and she'll tell you that it felt like some kind of monster was clawing their way out. Now imagine that just this one time, she was actually right.

That's the dilemma facing producers on the fourth 'Twilight' film, 'Breaking Dawn:' how to portray the book's most famous scene, the intensely painful and shockingly horrific birth of Bella's inhuman daughter Renesmee. Now, according to E! Online, we know the plan -- and it doesn't involve toning anything down.

"We're working on it," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg said regarding the infamous sequence. "And we're working on it to be as intense as it is in the book."

Just how they're going to pull this off without borrowing the set of 'Piranha 3D' is unclear, but according to Rosenberg, it's not about the gore -- it's about the emotion.

"I don't think it's about the amount of blood you show," she told E! Online, "It's about the intensity of it. It's on their faces. It's all from Bella's point of view when you're seeing what's going. It should feel visceral. I think it's going to be pretty intense."

We're not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. However they end up doing the scene, though, one thing's for sure: they're going to reach a decision pretty fast. "It better damn well be before the beginning of November," Rosenberg agreed, "because that's when we start shooting."

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1' is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 18, 2011.

Related:
Rami Malek Joins 'Breaking Dawn' as Egyptian Vampire

Comic Book Characters Still Available for Movies

Scott Harris — 2010-08-30T13:00:00+00:00

Despite a massive media push from the geek hype machine anticipation, 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' ended up being one of the biggest flops of the year, pulling in just $10 million on its opening weekend against a $60 million budget. The reason? While hardcore comic fans, hipsters and indie trendmakers queued up around the block for 'Scott Pilgrim,' the general public stayed away in droves, their absence asking a simple question: Scott who?

It's a reasonable question. And with 'Scott Pilgrim's' failure, it's becoming increasingly hard to escape the fact that when it comes to Hollywood's obsession with comic books, A-list properties are an endangered species, with nary a Batman, Superman or Spider-man anywhere in sight this summer. Oh, sure, we got 'Iron Man 2,' but that was a sequel and let's face it: Before 2008, nobody knew who Iron Man was either. Despite a massive media push from the geek hype machine anticipation, 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' ended up being one of the biggest flops of the year, pulling in just $10 million on its opening weekend against a $60 million budget. The reason? While hardcore comic fans, hipsters and indie trendmakers queued up around the block for 'Scott Pilgrim,' the general public stayed away in droves, their absence asking a simple question: Scott who?

It's a reasonable question. And with 'Scott Pilgrim's' failure, it's becoming increasingly hard to escape the fact that when it comes to Hollywood's obsession with comic books, A-list properties are an endangered species, with nary a Batman, Superman or Spider-man anywhere in sight this summer. Oh, sure, we got 'Iron Man 2,' but that was a sequel and let's face it: Before 2008, nobody knew who Iron Man was either.

Of course, that's the hope for studios, who continue to put out movies based on more obscure titles and characters like 'The Losers,' 'Kick-Ass,' 'Jonah Hex' and 'Scott Pilgrim' in the hopes that one of them will catch fire and become the next 'Iron Man.' And despite those disappointments, with only a handful of household names left for studios to adapt -- Wonder Woman and her super friends Flash and Aquaman are the only real powerhouses left, and all of them have projects already in development at Warner Bros. -- it's a trend that's only going to accelerate in the future.

So that begs the question: What lesser-known comics should Hollywood adapt next if it wants to avoid the 'Scott Pilgrim' trap? Luckily for the studios, we've come up with a list that's sure to save them a lot of time. Without further ado, then, here are our top choices for the lesser known comics that deserve to become the next big thing in movies.

o. 'RASL' Cartoonist extraordinaire Jeff Smith vaulted to fame with his epic fantasy 'Bone,' but we think his current sci-fi series 'RASL' would be the better adaptation; it's tale of a rogue scientist who is pursued through a series of alternate universes by a shadowy government organization would make the perfect high-action and high-concept film to capture crowds primed by 'Inception.'

o. 'Fables' One of the most critically acclaimed comics of the past decade, 'Fables' tells the story of a group of legendary characters -- including such luminaries as Snow White, Old King Cole, Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs -- who are forced to flee their fairy tale world and take refuge on Earth when an evil being called The Adversary overruns their idyllic fantasy world. Movie and television adaptations have been rumored for years -- a 'Fables' script bible was circulating as far back as 2003 -- but so far, nobody has managed to make it work. It's well past time.

o. 'Invincible' Mark Grayson, better known as the teenage superhero Invincible, has a lot to live up to; his dad, after all, is Omni-Man, the world's greatest hero. But when Mark discovers Omni-Man's terrible secret and learns that his father is, in fact, a mole sent by aliens to prepare Earth for conquest, he faces a much bigger problem than just living up to his dad's expectations. Now, he has to somehow defeat his dad as well or else the entire world will become enslaved. And you thought you had family issues.

o. 'Elfquest' Since 'Elfquest' first exploded onto the comics scene back in 1977 with its groundbreaking mix of epic fantasy and manga-influenced artwork, the series, about a group of elves on a journey to discover their origin, has captured thousands of fans -- and defied nearly as many attempts to adapt it for the movies. But with animation and fantasy both more popular than ever before, now seems like the perfect time to finally give this classic the lavish treatment it deserves.

o. 'Deathlok' Before 'Robocop' and before 'Terminator' there was Deathlok the Demolisher, a time-traveling cyborg killing machine created from the remnants of murdered soldier Luther Manning. When Manning's consciousness re-awakens, however, he embarks on a deadly quest to overthrow the military/industrial complex that has taken over and ravaged his near-future America. While 'Deathlok' has never been more than a cult favorite among comic book fans, we think the reason is clear: because he was meant to star in the movies, not in the funny pages. We hope Hollywood feels the same way.

What the Oscars Could Learn From the Emmys

Scott Harris — 2010-08-30T12:00:00+00:00

Last night, the television industry put on a show, rolling out some of Hollywood's biggest stars to celebrate the year's best programming at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmys. But unlike those first 61 ceremonies, this year something truly unexpected happened: Much to everyone's surprise, the show was actually interesting.

Are you listening, Oscars?

Well, we certainly hope so, because for the last several years, the Academy Awards has been struggling, both from a creative and a ratings standpoint. Each year, more and more viewers are tuning out, despite gimmicks such as last year's decision to expand the Best Picture field to 10 nominees and the constant reliance on young presenters like Miley Cyrus and the kids from 'Twilight.'

So what can the Oscars learn from last night's Emmy broadcast? Here are a few simple takeaways that could help them return to relevancy.
Last night, the television industry put on a show, rolling out some of Hollywood's biggest stars to celebrate the year's best programming at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmys. But unlike those first 61 ceremonies, this year something truly unexpected happened: Much to everyone's surprise, the show was actually interesting.

Are you listening, Oscars?

Well, we certainly hope so, because for the last several years, the Academy Awards has been struggling, both from a creative and a ratings standpoint. Each year, more and more viewers are tuning out, despite gimmicks such as last year's decision to expand the Best Picture field to 10 nominees and the constant reliance on young presenters like Miley Cyrus and the kids from 'Twilight.'

So what can the Oscars learn from last night's Emmy broadcast? Here are a few simple takeaways that could help them return to relevancy:

o. More Is More -- As we noted, the Academy bent itself into a pretzel last year, trying to find a way to include popular films in its lineup. So why not just give those films their own categories instead? The Emmy ceremony has as many categories as it needs in order to cover the entertainment industry's many genres: comedy, drama, reality -- you name it. You don't see 'Mad Men' and '30 Rock' going head-to-head, so why should 'Inception' and 'The Kids Are All Right' be competing for the same award?

o. Enough Is Enough -- One of the reasons Oscar's decision to expand the Best Picture field to 10 was so controversial was the fact that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has such rigid parameters: exactly five nominees for each major category, regardless of how many worthy nominees there are. Contrast this to the Emmys, which ended up with six or seven nominees in some categories and as few as two in others. In other words: The Emmys allowed enough space for however many actors or shows were worthy of each individual honor. Oscar should loosen up and let the performances dictate how many nominees there are in each category.

o. Good Is Good -- Another reason for Oscar's changes last year was the hope that voters would actually include nominees based on, you know, quality, rather than just giving the awards to the handful of "Oscar bait" films that dominate proceedings each year. This is a problem that was happily missing from the Emmys th, which actually rewarded new winners like 'Top Chef' and Archie Panjabi on merit rather than giving the awards to their more famous and decorated competitors. Giving the awards to the people who deserve them -- crazy idea, right?

o. Faster is Better -- Unlike the glacial pace of your average Oscar ceremony, last night's Emmy Awards raced by, with hardly a moment wasted as one award after another was handed out machine-gun style. Sure, there were a few slow downs -- we're looking at you, Kyra Sedgwick and Al Pacino -- but for the most part, the categories and mini-speeches flowed without a hitch. The upshot? Amazingly enough, the broadcast actually ended on time, something that would cause your average Oscar fan to faint in shock.

o. Fun Isn't Boring -- When was the last time people at the Oscars actually seemed to be having fun? Yet, at last night's Emmys, everyone seemed to be relaxed, from the opening musical number by Jimmy Fallon and company, to the very end, when 'Modern Family' took home the award for Best Comedy. The television community, at least, seems to have left their pretensions behind and remembered what entertainment is supposed to be: entertainment. If the Academy Awards can figure that out, then it might finally have the ultimate cure for everything that ails it.

Super Bowl May Punt Oscars to Monday

Scott Harris — 2010-08-26T10:00:00+00:00

In the world of television heavyweights, there's the NFL and then there's everyone else. This year's Super Bowl, for instance, was the most watched TV show in American history. So when the NFL starts talking about changing its schedule, everyone in Hollywood is listening, especially the show that may be most affected by any change: the Oscars.

Yes, according to Variety, the Academy Awards may soon be faced with the prospect of moving their telecast to Monday night in order to avoid conflicting with the NFL's biggest game -- a conflict that the Oscars would stand no chance at winning. The reason for the change? The NFL is planning to expand from their current 16 game schedule to an 18 game schedule, which would push the Super Bowl to the end of February, right when the Oscars usually air. In the world of television heavyweights, there's the NFL and then there's everyone else. This year's Super Bowl, for instance, was the most watched TV show in American history. So when the NFL starts talking about changing its schedule, everyone in Hollywood is listening, especially the show that may be most affected by any change: the Oscars.

Yes, according to Variety, the Academy Awards may soon be faced with the prospect of moving their telecast to Monday night in order to avoid conflicting with the NFL's biggest game -- a conflict that the Oscars would stand no chance at winning. The reason for the change? The NFL is planning to expand from its current 16-game schedule to an 18-game schedule, which would push the Super Bowl to the end of February, right when the Oscars usually air.

"It's obviously something we're keeping a close eye on," Bruce Davis, executive director for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences told Variety. "It's a concern for us."

"We're always happy to talk to the sports entities, but this is a going to be a tough one," he added, indicating that though the Academy has been in discussions with the NFL regarding the matter, the football giant is unlikely to change their plans based on Hollywood's awards season. "It's hard for them to take us into consideration."

So what are the Academy's options? The most obvious answer would seem to be simply moving the telecast back to March, where it aired prior to 2004, but according to Davis, board members are instead discussing holding the event on Monday night rather than Sunday. That also would be old hat for Oscar, which held the ceremony on Monday night for decades before finally moving to Sunday in 1999 in search of those precious ratings points.

"I think our inclination would be to go earlier rather than later, but we need to see," Davis said. "There's no rule it has to be on a Sunday. ... We're looking at a lot of different options."

But before you start panicking about your Oscar party plans, don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to prepare: The proposed changes wouldn't go into effect until 2013.

Francis Ford Coppola, Jean-Luc Godard Among Honorary Oscar Winners

Scott Harris — 2010-08-25T13:30:00+00:00

Over the course of the last 40 years, few directors and writers have been as acclaimed and decorated as Francis Fold Coppola; since 1970, Coppola has been nominated for five screenwriting Oscars, with an additional four nods for directing. Now, though, Coppola is about to be honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and sciences for a third filmmaking discipline: producing.

Yes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Coppola has been named this year's recipient of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for excellence in producing. Coppola, how has won five academy awards, previously received the Best Picture Oscar, which is traditionally awarded to a film's producers for 'The Godfather: Part II' in 1974. Over the course of the last 40 years, few directors and writers have been as acclaimed and decorated as Francis Fold Coppola; since 1970, Coppola has been nominated for five screenwriting Oscars, with an additional four nods for directing. Now, though, Coppola is about to be honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and sciences for a third filmmaking discipline: producing.

Yes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Coppola has been named this year's recipient of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for excellence in producing. Coppola, how has won five academy awards, previously received the Best Picture Oscar, which is traditionally awarded to a film's producers for 'The Godfather: Part II' in 1974.

And he'd better start clearing space on his mantle, because he won't have long to wait to receive it; beginning last year, you may recall, the Oscars cut the honorary awards from their telecast to save time, meaning that Coppola will receive his golden statue this November at a private dinner rather than during next February's broadcast.

Coppola, of course, has a long history as both a producer and an executive producer; besides shepherding his own projects such as the 'Godfather' trilogy, 'The Conversation' and 'Apocalypse Now' to the big screen he has also been involved with memorable projects such as George Lucas's first major film, 'American Graffiti,' and his daughter Sofia's modern classic 'Lost in Translation.'

Joining Coppola among thise year's honorees are veteran actor Eli Wallach ('The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,' 'The Magnificent Seven,'), legendary French new wave film artiste Jean-Luc Godard ('Breathless,' 'Weekend') and film preservationist and historian Kevin Brownlow.

Te statues will be presented at this year's Governors Awards, which will take place on November 13.

Andie MacDowell to Cut Loose in 'Footloose' Remake

Scott Harris — 2010-08-25T10:00:00+00:00

Sometimes, you just gotta cut loose. You know what we mean, right? Kick off your Sunday shoes, get back before we crack, that sort of thing. In fact, for the last quarter of a century there's been a specific word for this sort of unrestrained revelry: footloose. And the latest Hollywood star to get footloose? Andie MacDowell.

Yes, according to Entertainment Weekly, MacDowell has signed on to co-star in the upcoming remake of the 1984 song and dance celebration 'Footloose.' MacDowell will be playing the role of Vi, wife of the rock music hating Reverend Shaw Moore, who will be played this time around by Dennis Quaid.
Sometimes, you just gotta cut loose. You know what we mean, right? Kick off your Sunday shoes, get back before we crack, that sort of thing. In fact, for the last quarter of a century there's been a specific word for this sort of unrestrained revelry: footloose. And the latest Hollywood star to get footloose? Andie MacDowell.

Yes, according to Entertainment Weekly, MacDowell has signed on to co-star in the upcoming remake of the 1984 song and dance celebration 'Footloose.' MacDowell will be playing the role of Vi, wife of the rock music hating Reverend Shaw Moore, who will be played this time around by Dennis Quaid.

The original 'Footloose,' you may recall, helped spark a mini dance revolution of its own in Hollywood thanks in part to performances by Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer as repressed teens looking to cut a rug in a town where rug cutting has been strictly forbidden by the town's grumpy pastor. This time around those roles will be played by relative unknowns Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough, meaning MacDowell's addition (in a role originally played by Diane Wiest) should help provide a veteran foundation for the production.

This isn't the first on-screen romance for MacDowell and Quaid; back in 2001 they played husband and wife in the HBO film 'Dinner With Friends.' But while that film went on the garner an Emmy nomination, there's no doubt that expectations for the new 'Footloose' (which is set to premiere on April 1, 2011) are quite a bit higher, a tough situation for any actor considering that the movie's success may come down to the musical selections for the soundtrack more than the acting.

So what do you think? Is MacDowell a good fit for the part? Do you guys even want to see a 'Footloose' remake? Or should she leave her dancing shoes at home? Let us know your opinion. And in the meantime, here's a little something to help jog your memory -- and maybe put some pep in your step:

'Scott Pilgrim' Enters 'The Matrix' in Hilarious Mash-Up Video

Scott Harris — 2010-08-24T09:30:00+00:00

'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' and 'The Matrix' have a lot in common. 'Scott Pilgrim,' for instance, is kinda sorta about the video game culture, while the characters in 'The Matrix' kinda sorta live in a giant video game. And... that's pretty much it, actually.

Until now, that is. That's because the latest viral video to sweep through our own Matrix -- a.k.a. the Internet -- is a sweet 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The Matrix' mash-up, which takes the words from 'Scott Pilgrim' and puts them in the mouths of Neo, Morpheus and company.

And the result is surprisingly watchable. Turns out that these films do have a little more in common than you might think, as the creators have matched up everything from musical numbers to those freaky twins to create an clip that works as an homage to both films. 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' and 'The Matrix' have a lot in common. 'Scott Pilgrim,' for instance, is kinda sorta about the video game culture, while the characters in 'The Matrix' kinda sorta live in a giant video game. And... that's pretty much it, actually.

Until now, that is. That's because the latest viral video to sweep through our own Matrix -- a.k.a. the Internet -- is a sweet 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The Matrix' mash-up, which takes the words from 'Scott Pilgrim' and puts them in the mouths of Neo, Morpheus and company.

And the result is surprisingly watchable. Turns out that these films do have a little more in common than you might think, as the creators have matched up everything from musical numbers to those freaky twins to create an clip that works as an homage to both films.

Will it be enough to convince 'Matrix' fans to go see 'Scott Pilgrim?' Considering 'Pilgrim' is both one of this year's coolest films and biggest box office flops, we sure hope so. Who knows? Maybe the power of Neo can save another fictional world.

Check out the clip and decide for yourself:

Watch 'Star Wars' Reimagined as Silent Films (VIDEO)

Scott Harris — 2010-08-23T12:00:00+00:00

A key to any good movie these days is the soundtrack and over Hollywood's long history, few movies have had scores as memorable as the films that make up the two 'Star Wars' trilogies. Just a few notes is all that is needed for most film buffs to recognize signature works from composer John Williams such as "The Imperial March." Yes, there's no question that music helped make 'Star Wars' the phenomenon it remains today.

But would the films still be as effective if that music was replaced by some good, old fashioned ragtime piano?

Well, now we have our answer thanks to a series of infectious YouTube clips that take footage from the 'Star Wars' films and re-imagines them as classics from Hollywood's silent era. And it's not just Williams who gets an overhaul; some elements, such as Hayden Christensen's famously wooden acting, benefit greatly by being replaced with silence and title screens. A key to any good movie these days is the soundtrack and over Hollywood's long history, few movies have had scores as memorable as the films that make up the two 'Star Wars' trilogies. Just a few notes is all that is needed for most film buffs to recognize signature works from composer John Williams such as 'The Imperial March.' Yes, there's no question that music helped make 'Star Wars' the phenomenon it remains today.

But would the films still be as effective if that music was replaced by some good, old fashioned ragtime piano?

Well, now we have our answer thanks to a series of infectious YouTube clips that take footage from the 'Star Wars' films and re-imagines them as classics from Hollywood's silent era. And it's not just Williams who gets an overhaul; some elements, such as Hayden Christensen's famously wooden acting, benefit greatly by being replaced with silence and title screens.

But don't take our word for it. Here are three of our favorite Silent 'Star Wars' treatments, beginning with the whole original trilogy boiled down into 76 short seconds:

And here's a look at the relationship between secret siblings Luke and Leia:

Finally, here's Ani and Padme getting the silent treatment as well:

Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock 'Incredibly Close' to New Stephen Daldry Movie

Scott Harris — 2010-08-23T10:00:00+00:00

For the last year, all eyes have been glued to the continuing saga of Sandra Bullock's private life. But for many film fans the real question isn't "what will happen to Sandra next" but rather "what movie will Sandra do next;" after all, considering she's coming off an Oscar win for 'The Blind Side' and box office supremacy in 'The Proposal,' she has Hollywood at her feet. Yet, despite this, the famously choosy star has been in no hurry to sign on to a new project, preferring to wait until just the right part comes along.

Well, that wait may now be over: according to Variety, Bullock is close to signing a deal to co-star in 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.' And her rumored co-star? Why, Tom Hanks of course.

If the pairing of America's sweetheart with America's favorite leading man seems too good to be true, one only needs to take a look at the movie's pedigree to see why the two A-listers would be interested. Based on the acclaimed 2003 novel of the same name, 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' is being produced by Scott Rudin, who in recent years has been churning out high-profile award magnets like 'No Country For Old Men,' 'Doubt' and 'Revolutionary Road.' In addition, the novel was adapted by screenwriter Eric Roth, who previously wrote the script for 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'

Of course, even if they both sign on, there's still some key casting to do; 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' centers on a nine-year-old boy who finds a key belonging to his father, who was killed during the attacks on Sept. 11, and the boy's attempts to find the matching lock. Finding just the right child actor to hold his own with the likes of Bullock and Hanks is going to be no mean feat.

Still, if anyone can pull off this tricky subject matter and get moviegoers to actually see it despite the still raw subject matter, it's no doubt the team of Bullock and Hanks. So here's hoping Sandra ends up inking the deal. Because as much as we'd love to see this pairing, we love it even more if the focus could return to where it belongs: not on her off-screen private life, but on her increasingly excellent n-screen body of work.

Tim Burton Reunites With 'Ed Wood' Scribes for 'Addams Family'

Scott Harris — 2010-08-20T08:30:00+00:00

They're creepy. They're kooky. They're mysterious, spooky and, frankly, we have to say we find them to be altogether ooky even though we're not actually sure what that word means. Yes, they're the Addams Family, and now they have a new adjective to describe them: Burtonesque.

That's because goth auteur extraordinaire Tim Burton is set to take on one of his biggest influences with a new Addams Family stop motion feature film and according to Deadline, the script will be written by two of Burton's old friends, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who previously wrote the script for Burton's acclaimed biography 'Ed Wood.' They're creepy. They're kooky. They're mysterious, spooky and, frankly, we have to say we find them to be altogether ooky, even though we're not actually sure what that word means. Yes, they're the Addams Family, and now they have a new adjective to describe them: Burtonesque.

That's because goth auteur extraordinaire Tim Burton is set to take on one of his biggest influences with a new 'Addams Family' stop motion feature film and according to Deadline, the script will be written by two of Burton's old friends, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who previously wrote the script for Burton's acclaimed biography 'Ed Wood.'

The Addams Family, of course, has been adapted numerous times since it first appeared in a series of popular New Yorker cartoons by Charles Addams in the 1930's, including versions for television, stage and screen. Most of the adaptations, however, have softened Addams's dark humor, something that won't be necessary for the perpetually creepy Burton, who has made a name for himself with similarly themed works such as the classic 1993 stop motion film 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.'

Karaszewski thinks it's a marriage made in Heaven.

"The retrospective in New York of Tim's own artwork showed how much of an influence Charles Addams was to him," the screenwriter told Deadline. "We want the tone to be as darkly funny and subversive as the Addams drawings, and we've come up with an approach that nobody has ever done before."

In addition to producing 'The Addams Family' for Universal's Illumination studios (the folks that brought you 'Despicable Me'), Burton is also teaming with Alexander and Karaszewski for a second project called 'Big Eyes.' Based on true events, the movie will tell the story of Margaret Keane, an artist who became a national figure in the 1960's thanks to her portraits of large-eyed children -- portraits which her husband then claimed to have painted. The battle between the two culminated in a dramatic courtroom showdown where a judge ordered them each to paint a picture side-by-side to prove which of them was the true artist, an event that exonerated Keane.

"I am excited to be working with Scott and Larry again," Burton said in a statement. "I've always been a great admirer of Margaret Keane's work and find her story intriguing"

And hey. If Burton likes it, that's good enough for us.

Seth Rogen to Get Schooled in 'Boo U.'

Scott Harris — 2010-08-19T11:00:00+00:00

We know Seth Rogen has been losing a lot of weight, but when people started telling him he was going to fade away to nothing, we never expected him to take it so literally.

Yes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the newly svelte Rogen has signed on to play a ghost in his next motion picture. An animated ghost, that is: the comedy stalwart will be voicing the lead character in the latest big budget 3D cartoon from DreamWorks, 'Boo U.,' which tells the story of a ghost who is sent back to ghost school in order to learn how to be a better ghost.

This is hardly Rogen's first cartoon rodeo; in addition to previous DreamWorks projects 'Monsters vs. Aliens' (where he proided the voice for B.O.B .) and 'Kung Fu Panda' (Mantis), Rogen also did voicework on 'Horton Hears a Who!' and 'The Spiderwick Chronicles.' We know Seth Rogen has been losing a lot of weight, but when people started telling him he was going to fade away to nothing, we never expected him to take it so literally.

Yes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the newly svelte Rogen has signed on to play a ghost in his next motion picture. An animated ghost, that is: the comedy stalwart will be voicing the lead character in the latest big budget 3D cartoon from DreamWorks, 'Boo U.,' which tells the story of a ghost who is sent back to ghost school in order to learn how to be a better ghost.

This is hardly Rogen's first cartoon rodeo; in addition to previous DreamWorks projects 'Monsters vs. Aliens' (where he proided the voice for B.O.B .) and 'Kung Fu Panda' (Mantis), Rogen also did voicework on 'Horton Hears a Who!' and 'The Spiderwick Chronicles.'

Rogen will be joined in his remedial spectrehood by director Tony Leondis, who previously directed 'Igor' as well as the direct-to-video Disney sequel 'Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch.'

'Boo U.' joins an already crowded slate for DreamWorks Animation, which already has features like the 'Shrek' spinoff 'Puss in Boots,' 'The Croods,' 'Madagascar 3' and 'The Guardians' on its slate over the next two years.

Rogen will next be seen in 'The Green Hornet,' opening Jan. 14.

'Fair Game' Trailer: Naomi Watts Is Exposed

Scott Harris — 2010-08-19T09:45:00+00:00

It was one of the biggest scandals of the last decade: covert CIA operative Valerie Plame had her cover blown when White House officials leaked her name to the media as part of their defense of the Iraq war. Now Hollywood pundits are wondering: will a nation weary of both war and political controversy want to watch a movie based on those events?

Summit Entertainment is betting that the answer is yes but they're hedging that bet with two loaded dice: Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, who play Plame and her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson. And based on the new trailer for 'Fair Game,' the adaptation of Plame's memoirs, it looks like the studio may have just rolled a seven. It was one of the biggest scandals of the last decade: covert CIA operative Valerie Plame had her cover blown when White House officials leaked her name to the media as part of their defense of the Iraq war. Now Hollywood pundits are wondering: will a nation weary of both war and political controversy want to watch a movie based on those events?

Summit Entertainment is betting that the answer is yes but they're hedging that bet with two loaded dice: Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, who play Plame and her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson. And based on the new trailer for 'Fair Game,' the adaptation of Plame's memoirs, it looks like the studio may have just rolled a seven.

Which could mean that Penn and Watts should start clearing space on their mantle, for while audiences may be weary of anything that even remotely touches on the Iraq war, the Academy has shown no such fatigue, 'The Hurt Locker,' you may recall, bagged six Oscars last year despite pulling in only $16.4 million, domestically.

And 'Fair Game' has at least one trick up its sleeve besides Penn and Watts: director Doug Liman, who's no stranger to fast paced political thrillers, having directed 'The Bourne Identity' and produced its two popular and acclaimed sequels.

So will 'Fair Game' escape the political trap to become a mainstream hit? Only time will tell -- the film is slated to open on November 5 -- but until then, check out the trailer and decide for yourself:

Ernest Borgnine to Receive SAG Lifetime Achievement Award

Scott Harris — 2010-08-18T11:30:00+00:00

Sometimes, when an actor is given a lifetime achievement award, it's more about being old than about actually achieving anything. You know what we mean. But when the phrase "has appeared in over 200 movies" is used to describe someone who is still appearing onscreen, well, that's when it's time to tip your cap for a job well done.

Yes, according to the Associated Press, the Screen Actors Guild has announced the latest recipient of their lifetime achievement awards and this time there can be no debate about the merits, as Ernest Borgnine has been chosen for the prestigious honor. Sometimes, when an actor is given a lifetime achievement award, it's more about being old than about actually achieving anything. You know what we mean. But when the phrase "has appeared in over 200 movies" is used to describe someone who is still appearing onscreen, well, that's when it's time to tip your cap for a job well done.

Yes, according to the Associated Press, the Screen Actors Guild has announced the latest recipient of their lifetime achievement awards and this time there can be no debate about the merits, as Ernest Borgnine has been chosen for the prestigious honor.

Borgnine, who celebrated his 93rd birthday earlier this year, moved to Hollywood in 1951 to pursue an acting career, and by the end of the year had already appeared in three films. His fourth movie, 'From Here to Eternity,' was an instant classic and in 1955 he won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actor in 'Marty,' leading to roles in dozens of movies including genre defining masterpieces like 'The Dirty Dozen' and 'The Wild Bunch' as well as TV roles like 'McHale's Navy,' which he earned an Emmy nod for back in 1963.

And despite his advancing age, Borgnine remains as active as ever. In addition to filming over 20 movies over the last decade, the burly actor has four more films already in production as well as numerous television roles; last year Borgnine received an Emmy nomination for his guest spot on 'ER' and he continues to provide the voice of Mermaid Man on 'SpongeBob SquarePants.'

In making the announcement, SAG National President Ken Howard praised Borgnine's unmatched energy, "which, at 93, is still a hallmark of his remarkably busy life and career." We couldn't agree more, but we do want to point out that Howard will need to revise his speech for the actual ceremony: by the time Borgnine is given the honor at the SAG Awards on January 30th, he will have already turned 94.

In the meantime, here's a look at the somewhat unusual secret behind Borgnine's longevity and vigor:

'I'm Still Here' Trailer Takes Joaquin Phoenix Seriously (But Should We?)

Scott Harris — 2010-08-17T09:45:00+00:00

It's been two long and strange years since Joaquin Phoenix abruptly announced his retirement from acting and though many people at the time dismissed it as a stunt, Phoenix, true to his word, has been absent from the big screen ever since. Now the first trailer for the much ballyhooed documentary chronicling his attempt to reinvent himself as a rapper, 'I'm Still Here,' has been released and the question is: Is he still here? Or is he not all there?

And frankly, nobody knows for sure. Word on the street is that when potential distributors were first shown director Casey Affleck's movie back in May, they still couldn't figure out whether it was a serious documentary or if the whole thing was an Andy Kaufman-style meta-joke on everyone. Perhaps we're a bit cynical, but like many people we've suspected from the beginning that the whole shtick, which Phoenix famously debuted during an episode of 'The Late Show with David Letterman,' was a put-on and there's nothing in the teaser that makes us think any differently. It's been two long and strange years since Joaquin Phoenix abruptly announced his retirement from acting and though many people at the time dismissed it as a stunt, Phoenix, true to his word, has been absent from the big screen ever since. Now the first trailer for the much ballyhooed documentary chronicling his attempt to reinvent himself as a rapper, 'I'm Still Here,' has been released and the question is: Is he still here? Or is he not all there?

And frankly, nobody knows for sure. Word on the street is that when potential distributors were first shown director Casey Affleck's movie back in May, they still couldn't figure out whether it was a serious documentary or if the whole thing was an Andy Kaufman-style meta-joke on everyone. Perhaps we're a bit cynical, but like many people we've suspected from the beginning that the whole shtick, which Phoenix famously debuted during an episode of 'The Late Show with David Letterman,' was a put-on and there's nothing in the teaser that makes us think any differently.

But the proof is in the pudding, so take a look at the 'I'm Still Here' trailer and decide for yourself whether the whole thing is a cosmic joke or if Phoenix really has, in fact, gone completely off the deep end once and for all. And regardless of the truth, one thing's for sure: We can't wait to see the publicity tour for this one.

'I'm Still Here' Trailer

Who is Rooney Mara? Get to Know the 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

Scott Harris — 2010-08-16T17:00:00+00:00

As we reported earlier today, one of the most hotly contested and thoroughly debated casting decisions in recent film history was finally confirmed as Rooney Mara has been tapped to play Lisbeth Salander in the upcoming Hollywood adaptation of Stieg Larsson's blockbuster novel 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.' Now millions of fans have just one question left: Who the heck is Rooney Mara?

Not that being an unknown is necessarily a bad thing; after all, Noomi Rapace, who played Salander in the Swedish adaptations of Larsson's trilogy, was equally unknown and has since gone on to become one of the hottest actresses on the planet. But with James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, already signed to play opposite of Mara as investigative journalist Michael Blomkvist, the pressure will be on Mara just to keep from being blown off the screen, much less live up to the sky-high expectations that 40 million books sold have created.

So will Mara hold up under the scrutiny? And just where did she come from? To give you a better idea of just who will be playing Lisbeth Salander for the next three (or more) films, here's a look at the life and career of Rooney Mara. As we reported earlier today, one of the most hotly contested and thoroughly debated casting decisions in recent film history was finally confirmed as Rooney Mara has been tapped to play Lisbeth Salander in the upcoming Hollywood adaptation of Stieg Larsson's blockbuster novel 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.' Now millions of fans have just one question left: Who the heck is Rooney Mara?

Not that being an unknown is necessarily a bad thing; after all, Noomi Rapace, who played Salander in the Swedish adaptations of Larsson's trilogy, was equally unknown and has since gone on to become one of the hottest actresses on the planet. But with James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, already signed to play opposite of Mara as investigative journalist Michael Blomkvist, the pressure will be on Mara just to keep from being blown off the screen, much less live up to the sky-high expectations that 40 million books sold have created.

So will Mara hold up under the scrutiny? And just where did she come from? To give you a better idea of just who will be playing Lisbeth Salander for the next three (or more) films, here's a look at the life and career of Rooney Mara:

o. Family Ties -- No, we're not talking about the classic '80s sitcom; considering Mara was born in 1985, Alex P. Keaton and company were a bit before her time. But Mara (whose full name is Patricia Rooney Mara) does have family connections: Her older sister is actress Kate Mara ('Brokeback Mountain,' 'Entourage') and two of her great-grandfathers, Tim Mara and Art Rooney, Sr., founded the NFL's New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.

o. Charity Work -- Before becoming an actress, Mara attended NYU, but not to study film; instead, she focused on studying international social policy and nonprofit organizations, eventually founding her own charity, Faces of Kibera, in 2006. The organization, which she still oversees, provides aid to the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, where over one million impoverished people live in a single square mile.

o. Television Guest Star -- Finally succumbing to the pull of stage and screen, Mara followed in her sister's footsteps and soon landed guest roles on a number of television shows, including 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,' 'Women's Murder Club,' 'The Cleaner' and 'ER.' She also decided to stop going by her given name of "Tricia" in favor of her middle name, the more memorable "Rooney."

o. Sundance 2009 -- After co-starring in the little known indie flick 'Dream Boy,' Mara snagged roles in two other independent films: 'Dare' and 'The Winning Season,' which also featured Emma Roberts and Sam Rockwell. Both movies played at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, leading to Rooney being named one of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film" by Filmmaker magazine.

o. Mainstream Actress -- Mara capitalized on the buzz from Sundance by taking parts in two very different films this year: the offbeat critical favorite 'Youth in Revolt' and the highly anticipated horror remake 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' in which she played the lead role of Nancy opposite Jackie Earle Haley's Freddy Krueger. The film may not have been a critical smash, but with over $109 million earned worldwide against just a $35 million budget, it established Mara as a bankable actress.

o. The Future -- Rumor has it that Mara will soon be starring in a sequel to 'A Nightmare on Elm Street,' a project that may now face some unexpected scheduling issues what with Mara's commitment to 'The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo.' In the meantime, though, fans of Lisbeth Salander wanting to get a good look at their new leading lady can head to the theaters on October 1 to catch her in one of the most buzzed about dramas of the year, 'The Social Network.' Not a bad start to a suddenly meteoric career.

Edie Falco Interested in 'Sopranos' Movie

Scott Harris — 2010-08-16T10:30:00+00:00

Ever since 'The Sopranos' famously cut to black three years ago, fans and industry wonks alike have been drooling over the possibility of a 'Sopranos' movie that would not only tie up those questions left unanswered by the finale but also be a surefire blockbuster smash. So far, though, nothing has materialized, but at least one prominent 'Sopranos' supporter is still hopeful: Edie Falco.

Yes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Falco, who of course played Carmela Soprano for all six seasons of the groundbreaking HBO hit, is still holding out hope for a 'Sopranos' film. That's the good news. The Bad news? She doesn't actually think it will ever happen. Ever since 'The Sopranos' famously cut to black three years ago, fans and industry wonks alike have been drooling over the possibility of a 'Sopranos' movie that would not only tie up those questions left unanswered by the finale but also be a surefire blockbuster smash. So far, though, nothing has materialized, but at least one prominent 'Sopranos' supporter is still hopeful: Edie Falco.

Yes, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Falco, who of course played Carmela Soprano for all six seasons of the groundbreaking HBO hit, is still holding out hope for a 'Sopranos' film. That's the good news. The Bad news? She doesn't actually think it will ever happen.

"Frankly, I think it's not going to materialize," she said, breaking billions of hearts in an instant, "but stranger things have happened. I would definitely be interested in being involved; I'm pretty good at rolling with the punches. I would be fine if it never happened, but I would also love to go back there and see all the people I love again.

"Who knows?" She added. "I'm not the one making the decisions and I would jump at the chance to participate."

Of course, the longer they go without beginning the process the more unlikely a 'Sopranos' film becomes, as cast and crew members sign on to other projects. Star James Gandolfini, for instance, has already worked on eight films since the end of 'The Sopranos,' while Michael Imperioli is headlining his second new cop show in as many years with 'Detroit 1-8-7.'

Still, if Falco is willing to take time out of her 'Nurse Jackie' schedule for a 'Sopranos' movie, it's always possible the rest of the cast might be able to do the same. Otherwise, it looks like hopes for a 'Sopranos' film may finally and truly fade to black once and for all.