2008 July « Entertainment Today and Beyond

Nightmare on Elm St remake – Can’t Wait!

Joy Behar

After watching the View’s, Joy Behar, fill in for vacationing Larry King on the CNN nightly gab fest Tuesday night, I must say I think she deserves consideration if or when King eventually steps down. She’s asks solid questions, she’s very likeable and she can control her surroundings very well. I look forward to seeing her fil in again.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, screenwriter Wesley Strick (Cape Fear) has been hired by Warner Bros New Line Cinema division to pen a script for its planned NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST remake. In my opinion, Wes Craven’s original 1984 film truly deserves the title of classic. It’s a great film in the horror genre. It’s already been noted that Robert England will not be playing the character he made famous, that of Freddy Krueger. There was talk a few months ago that Michael Rosenbaum, who plays Lex Luthor on TV’s Smallville, is being considered for the role. I really think he would be an interesting choice. Personally I think this is one property that a remake could actually do justice to, as long as the right people are involved. For the record, I also thought A Nightmare on Elm St: Dream Warriors and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare were terrific sequels in the franchise.

Warner Bros, THE DARK KNIGHT, has now passed the 200 mill at the box office just 5 days in release. It’s actually good to see a high quality movie do these kind of numbers, unlike the cinematic garbage that was the last two PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels which, in my opinion, were nothing more that CGI vomit projected on Celluloid! Hey just being honest!

July 23, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | Freddy Krueger, Joy Behar, Larry King, Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum, NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST, Robert England, Wes Craven, Wesley Strick | 1 Comment

Jim Carrey’s “Yes Man”

Check out our new Radio Show and find out how The Dark Knight stacks up against the Superhero film library and get the latest reviews! LISTEN HERE and let us know what you want to hear about next. email Chuck

Yes Man

Here’s a look at Jim Carrey newest YES MAN! Unlike the artsy “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and the almost unwatchable suspense film, Number 23, this comedy is aimed right at his Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty crowd. I don’t know if it’s me but it just seems like Will Ferrell has taken the mantle over from Jim in terms of the silly comedy. Hopefully the film will be a return to form for those of us looking for big laughs Carrey style. Yes Man opens December 19th. HERE’s A LOOK

July 23, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News, Reviews | Jim Carrey, Yes Man | Leave a Comment

Another Top Gun – really?! At the Movies replacements disappoint

Top Gun

The UK website, The Sun, is reporting that Tom Cruise has been asked by studio bosses to reprise his role of Maverick in a sequel to 1986 hit, TOP GUN. I think the story seems a bit farfetched although you never know. Personally I’d rather him explore the Jerry Mcguire character once again (my favorite Cruise film) or even his pool shark prodigy, Vincent Lauria, from The Color of Money in a third Hustler movie but that’s just me. Rocky Balboa was terrific so Sylvester Stallone certainly proved you can catch lighting in a bottle by dusting off a character from the past, but will anyone really care about a Top Gun sequel 22 years after the original. I doubt it!

Although I found it pretty disappointing, I’m not surprised by Disney’s decision to appoint 26 year old Ben Lyons (E channel), and 41 year old Ben Mankiewicz (Turner movie classics), to the balcony as the new hosts of their At the Movies show, replacing the departed Richard Roeper and Michael Philips (who sat in for Roger Ebert due to an illness). Like everything else these days in the entertainment world, executives in charge are trying to appeal to a younger crowd. I personally think marketing a 33 year old television institution to the Access Hollywood audience is a like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Nothing against Lyons and Mankiewicz but I really hope Roeper and Philips take their act someplace else. I know I’ll be there to watch.

The early reviews posted on Rotten Tomatoes are very positive for the comedy STEP BROTHERS, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. It opens this Friday, July 25th.

Check out our new Radio Show and find out how The Dark Knight stacks up against the Superhero film library LISTEN HERE and let us know what you want to hear about. email Chuck

July 23, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | At the Movies, Ben Lyons, Ben Mankiewicz, John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Top Gun | Leave a Comment

IRONMAN DVD and Shyamalan’s latest venture

Check out our new Radio Show and find out how The Dark Knight stacks up against the Superhero film library LISTEN HERE and let us know what you want to hear about. email Chuck

Iron Man

The first of the big summer movies, IRONMAN, will arrive on DVD Sept 30. There will be a two disc special edition being released in a standard and Blu–Ray format, plus a single disc edition. It’s become pretty clear that the window where movies go from their theatrical release to DVD is shrinking more and more. One of the reasons for this is the piracy issue which continues to grow, especially overseas. I don’t know when it will happen, but I think we will see the day when movies are released the same day both in theaters and on high definition pay-per view.

Unbreakable

According to Variety, M. Night Shyamalan and Media Rights Capital have put together a partnership intended to produce one thriller per year for three years. Shyamalan will submit ideas and Produce but will not write or direct the material. Personally, I think this is a smart move considering the wheels have somewhat come off his success with the highly disappointing THE HAPPENING this summer and the perplexing fall in overall quality since his early work in The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs. In my opinion, Shyamalan is a unique voice in Hollywood; a product of the Rod Serling School of thinking. I hope by looking at things from a different angle over the next few years he can get his mojo back and create great films like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable once again.

July 23, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | M. Night Shyamalan | 1 Comment

Radio Show Launch, Kevin Smith’s latest, XXX news and more

Check out our new Radio Show and find out how The Dark Knight stacks up against the Superhero film library LISTEN HERE and let us know what you want to hear about. email Chuck

Zack and Miri

According to the Film Junk website, the Kevin Smith directed comedy “Zack and Miri make a Porno” has been slapped with an NC-17 rating for strong sexual content. The film, which stars Seth Rogen (Knocked Up) and Elizabeth Banks (Slither), would have a hard time getting much play in more than a handful of theaters if Dimension films and director Smith stand by their product in its current form. It also wouldn’t be a financially viable product unless it hit big on DVD. At this point “Zack and Miri make a Porno” is scheduled to be released Oct 31, 2008. Let’s see how this plays out!

XXX 3?

Some thoughts of the day: Don’t understand why Director Rob Cohen and Revolution studios are talking about bring back Vin Diesel for a possible third entry in Sony’s XXX franchise. He took a pass on the second installment (Ice Cube was the star) and his career, which was hot at the time, seemed to fizzle out pretty quickly. This kind of has a been there – done that feel all over it. Diesel will be seen in Universal’s Fast and the Furious 4 which drives into theaters June 5 2009.

Although I haven’t seen the film as of yet to say whether it’s good or not, I have to wonder who’s the genius over at Fox who approved the July 25th release date of X Files: I want to Believe. Knowing that the whole late Heath Ledger Joker publicity machine started last year why would you release that film anywhere near The Dark Knight – especially just one week later! It pretty much feels like the writing is on the wall, at least in terms of its box-office!

July 22, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | Radio Shows, Reviews | Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen, Vin Diesel, XXX, Zack and Miri | Leave a Comment

MORE CASH FOR THE DARK KNIGHT AND EBERT and ROEPER NO MORE!

The Wonder Twins

Box-office totals have been adjusted on the upside for Warner Bros The Dark Knight, giving the film a final weekend total of 158.4 mill adding to its new record, up from the previously announced 155.3. I have to wonder how many studio executives sat in their offices Monday morning thinking about what other comic and superhero properties they could turn into a feature film. With many ideas having been explored and a few good ones probably left, I’ll know when this hot genre peaks after a major studio gives the greenlight to a big screen movie based on the WONDER TWINS. Don’t laugh, it will probably happen.

Richard Roeper and Roger Ebert

I have to admit I’m feeling pretty bummed after reading that legendary film critic, Roger Ebert, announced on his site that he will follow Richard Roeper and leave the long running movie review show Ebert & Roeper. I remember watching the program in its original format when it was called Sneak Previews. That program, hosted by Ebert and then partner, the late Gene Siskel, aired on PBS starting in 1975 (Their review of John Carpenter’s Halloween still sticks in my mind). Eventually the two went on to host the syndicated Siskel & Ebert program before it turned into Ebert & Roeper after Siskel passed away in 1999. While Ebert hasn’t been on the air for the last two years due to illness, Roeper has done a great job as Gene’s replacement, first with guest hosts and now with Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips who appeared to become permanent. In a statement by Roeper it appears he is leaving the program because Disney, who owns the property, wants to take it in a new direction. Ebert apparently feels the same way as he said farewell today. Roeper also speculated that he’ll be back on the air in some other format which he will shortly announce. I watch the show every week and really look forward to it. I’ve been a dedicated viewer since the concept was born in ‘75 and feel like the program is part of my life routine. Again, I’m feeling bummed out and wish it weren’t so! Here’s a few links for more on the story.
IHT.com Roger Ebert

July 21, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | Ebert & Roeper, Richard Roeper, Roger Ebert | Leave a Comment

Of Note: Friday the 13th, Star Trek and Wargames

Here’s a look at the first Still released from the Michael Bay produced remake of the popular horror film FRIDAY THE 13th. Jason slashes into theaters Feb 13, 2009.

Jason

the new Spock

Here’s a look at one of the first Poster’s for Paramount’s new Star Trek Re-boot. This is actor Zachary Quinto (Heroes) who plays Spock in the JJ Abrams directed movie. Star Trek hits theaters May 8, 2009. I have total trust in Abrams to deliver something pretty special with this production in the long running franchise.

Wargames Anniversary

Here’s an interesting article for fans of The 1983 thriller, WARGAMES This terrific film ,starring Matthew Broderick, will get a one day theatrical re-release for its 25th anniversary. One has to wonder if Wargames might be on the studios radar screen as possible remake material. It certainly would be a great candidate. READ MORE

July 21, 2008 Posted by Entertainment Today & Beyond | And Beyond - Trailers & News | JJ Abrams, Matthew Broderick, star trek, Wargames, Zachary Quinto | Leave a Comment

MAMMA MIA! – INFECTIOUS FUN AT THE MOVIES!

While I’ve never seen the stage version of this popular musical composed of ABBA songs I must admit I had a terrific time with the film, despite the fact that it’s cheese factor is pretty high. The movie, produced by the same creative team as the stage play, follows the story of a young girl (Amanda Seyfried) who decides to find out who her real father is on the eve of her wedding in the Greek isles by inviting all three of her mother Donna’s (Meryl Streep) former lovers to the ceremony. Once the three men (Pierce Bronson, Colin Firth and Stellen Skarsgard) arrive things get quite hectic as Steep’s character must juggle their sudden reappearance with her daughters impending nuptials. The ABBA songs (including Dancing Queen) come at a fast and furious pace with Streep, Jessica Walters, and Christina Baranski fairing the best (the two playing Steep’s best friends) while all having a blast. I wish I could say the same for Bronson who looks a tad bit uncomfortable when bursting out in song. I have a feeling his vocal efforts will be playing heavily on You Tube for many years to come and not because they’re good. One other standout is 20 year-old actress Amanda Seyfried who has unlimited screen appeal. She has the rare quality of remaining interesting even if she doesn’t utter a word. Overall, a bit goofy and nowhere near as polished as last summer’s “Hairspray” but I still had a fun time with it all and I think most people will feel the same.