Only a few years ago, there was fury among cinema owners at the idea of movie in the US hitting pay-per-view at the same time as the cinema, but it’s now becoming increasingly common for smaller, indie movies to get a premium PPV release before it hits the big screen. That’s what’s happening with The Magic Of Belle Isle, although what’s unusual in this case is that the film has a big star, Morgan Freeman, and a well known director, Rob Reiner (Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally). There’s no UK date yet, but it hits PPV on June 1st in the US, before a cinema release on July 6th. Here’s the synopsis: ‘Reuniting with his director from the hit film, The Bucket List, Morgan Freeman plays Monte Wildhorn, a famous Western novelist whose struggle with alcoholism has sapped his passion for writing. He takes a lakeside cabin for the summer in picturesque Belle Isle, and befriends the family next door–an attractive single mom (Virginia Madsen) and her young daughters–who help him find inspiration again.’
Brave Featurette – Meet Merida in Pixar’s latest
It looks like Pixar’s on to another winner with Brave, and now a new featurette has arrived to tell us a bit more about the film and its heroine, Merida. Here’s the synopsis: ‘Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In Brave, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts. Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.’ It’s out in the UK on August 13th.
LOL Trailer – Let’s all dribble over how cute Douglas Booth is
The Last Song suggested Miley Cyrus might have a decent post-Hannah Montana movie career, and her next attempt to keep her career on a high arrives on June 1st with LOL. Here’s the synopsis: ‘In a world connected by YouTube, iTunes, and Facebook, Lola (Cyrus) and her friends navigate the peer pressures of high school romance and friendship while dodging their sometimes overbearing and confused parents. When Lola’s mom, Anne (Demi Moore), “accidentally” reads her teenage daughter’s racy journal, she realises just how wide their communication gap has grown. Through hilarious and heartfelt moments between mother and daughter, LOL is a fresh coming-of-age story for modern times.’ However this new trailer sells it more as a straightforward teen romance between Cyrus and the impossibly handsome Douglas Booth.
Batman & Catwoman Makes The EW Cover
The Dark Knight Rises is three months away, and for many people it’s the only release of the summer they care about. The film is nearing completion as it was recently handed a PG-13 US rating by the MPAA, which should equate to a 12A certificate over here.
To drum up just a little more excitement, Batman & Catwoman have made the cover of Entertainment Weekly, which you can see above.
The film’s out July 20th.
Marilyn Director Simon Curtis Takes On Click To Connect
After the success of My Week With Marilyn, director Simon Curtis has been one of the more in demand directors around, but it’s taken him a while to decide exactly what he wants to make next. He’s now decided on Click To Direct, a romantic anthology film that’s set up at Fox 2000.
Liz Tuccillo’s script follows a group of character, ranging in ages from their early 20s to their late 60s, who are all involved in online dating, but whose attitude towards it is informed by the past experience of life and love.
Curtis hopes that the ensemble film can showcase his versatility and range as a director. It’s not clear yet when the movie will shot. (Source: Variety)
Mel Gibson’s Maccabees Movie Put On Hold
Last year it was announced that Mel Gibson was working on a movie about the Jewish story of The Maccabees. From the first announcement, many wondered whether it was a genuine interest in the story or an attempt at damage limitation following renewed claims of anti-Semitism, which led to Gibson’s interest.
Now though, the project has stalled, with Warner Bros. saying that the latest version of the script lacked “feeling” and “a sense of triumph,” according to TheWrap. The studio is now said to be “Analyzing what to do with the project,” but at the moment it’s been put on the shelf.
It’s been a hot potato from the beginning, with many Jewish groups furious at the very idea of Gibson’s involvement, especially if he were to also star as Judah Maccabee, who led his brothers in revolt against the Seleucid Empire, ruled by Antiochus Epiphanes who had forbidden Jewish practices, and whose victory is celebrated at Hanukkah.
However it’s not just Jewish groups who are angry now, as the movie’s screenwriter, Joe Eszterhas, has launched an angry tirade at Gibson, accusing him of numerous instances of anti-Semitism while working on the film, and saying the only reason Mel was interested in the film was because he thought he could use it to convert Jews to Christianity. You can read more about that here.
The Maccabees movie may still live on – it’s a great story – but it’s tough to imagine Gibson directing it.
Ferrell & Wahlberg’s 3 Mississippi Gets A Director
Will Ferrell could do with a hit, and having had success with sports comedies in the past, he’s hoping that 3 Mississippi will rack up some decent box office numbers. Now the project has found a director, who is also part of a writing team who’ll come in and take a new look at the script.
THR reports that Sean Anders and John Morris have been brought in to rework the screenplay, which has already gone through at least one draft. It’s Anders, who helmed Sex Drive, who will be taking on the directing reins.
3 Mississippi was previously known as Turkey Bowl, and is about guys from football-obsessed towns who lead rival teams in an annual tackle football game, in order to get bragging and trash-talking rights. Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are set to reunite (following The Other Guys) as the team leaders, with the hope that shooting can begin this September.
Alden Ehrenreich Takes On Beautiful Creatures
It’s one down for Blighty, as Eden Lake, This Is England and Harry Brown actor Jack O’Connell is no longer taking the lead male role in the young adult adaptation, Beautiful Creatures, as Variety reports he’s been replaced by Alden Ehrenreich. O’Connell apparently left due to scheduling conflicts.
A coming of age story set in the South, Beautiful Creatures – which is the first of a hugely popular series written by authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl – is about two star-crossed teenage lovers, Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), a local boy, and a mysterious new girl, Lena (Alice Englert), who uncover dark secrets about their families, their history and their town. Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emma Thompson, Emmy Rossum and Thomas Mann will also star.
Ehrenreich is best known for Francis Ford Copolla’s Tetro, and has been a finalist foor many major roles, including Spider-man and The Hunger Games. Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You) will direct from his own screeplay, with shooting scheduled to begin later this month.
Loads Of New Skyfall Pics Emerge
One problem Jame Bond movies have when it comes to still images is that one 007 flick looks much the same as the next, except for the occasional change of head in the main role, different cars and a fresh supporting cast. However people still like to look at them. A new batch has arrived online from Skyfall, featuring Daniel Criag looking moody and firing some guns, as well as some of out first views of Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench and more in the movie. The film is out in October, but take a look above and below for the new pics.
New Avengers Assemble Clip & Featurette
After what seems like years of waiting, it’s only two weeks until Avengers Assemble finally hits cinemas on April 26th! Just in case there are one or two people left who aren’t already excited about the Marvel team-up – and to get the fan boys frothing at the mouth – a new clip and a featurette have emerged online. The featurette is essentially a trailer with a commentary, while the clip sees Tony Stark telling Loki that perhaps he should just relax and not be so evil all the time.
Actually Loki being a bit less evil would be good, as I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d like to see Loki: The Movie, and not just because Tom Hiddleston is cute!
Here’s the synopsis: ‘Marvel Studios presents “Marvel Avengers Assemble”-the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.’
Paul Iacono, Star Of MTV’s RJ Berger, Comes Out As Gay
While Britain is still way ahead of the US in terms of actors feeling free to be open about their sexuality (although as a recent Equity campaign highlighted, there’s still work to be done), America is catching up.
The latest to come out is 23-year-old Paul Iacono, who some will know as the star of the MTV series, The Hard Times Of R.J. Berger, where he played a high school student whose life starts to increasingly revolve around his abnormally large penis! The show ran for two seasons, but was canceled last year. He also appeared in the remake of Fame.
Iacono is giving a coming out interview to The Village Voice’s Paul Musto, which will be online soon.
Only a few years ago, the only actors in the US who came out seemed to be people whose career had waned and now had an autobiography to hawk. Now more and more young actors, from Neil Patrick Harris to Iacono are being open without seeming to worry too much about it being the end of their career.
Battleship (Cinema)
Director: Peter Berg
Running Time: 131 mins
Certificate: 12A
Release Date: April 11th, 2012
Just picture it – writer goes to see producer and says I have an idea for a movie, “Let’s base it on a game, say Battleship. We’ll make the enemy Aliens (Transformers style), set it in Pearl Harbor – with our allies being the Japanese, of all people – and let’s debut the worlds biggest pop star in her movie debut! You can think of it as Top Gun meets Independence Day!” Producer proceeds to mentally count the cash he thinks he’ll make.
This is basically the premise of one of the most anticipated films of the year – which to be honest isn’t a great state of affairs, if this is all Hollywood can deliver. That said, with an estimated budget of over $200M, you have to hope it’ll do better than last years’ two alien invasion efforts, Skyline and Battle Los Angeles. [Read more…]