Category: General News

Confirmed: Ben Whishaw To Play Q In SKYFALL

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of SKYFALL™, the 23rd James Bond adventure, confirmed that the character of Q will be making a welcome return to the Bond franchise and the role will be played by Ben Whishaw.

Whishaw becomes the fourth actor to play Bond’s quartermaster affectionately known as Q. The role began with Peter Burton as Major Boothroyd in Dr. No, followed by Desmond Llewelyn (in 17 Bond films between 1963-1999), and John Cleese (who appeared as Q’s assistant, R, in The World is Not Enough and was later promoted to Q in Die Another Day).

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented, “It’s a real thrill to confirm the return of Q in SKYFALL™ played by the enormously talented Ben Whishaw. We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series.”

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in SKYFALL™, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In SKYFALL™, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. The film is from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Directed by Sam Mendes. Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.

BEN WHISHAW will be seen later this year in CLOUD ATLAS alongside an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess and Halle Berry, and in the BBC’s “Richard II.” He will also be seen in the second series of “The Hour” for the BBC, in which he stars opposite Dominic West and Romola Garai. His films include roles in Bright Star, The Tempest, Brideshead Revisited, I’m Not There, Stoned, Layer Cake, Enduring Love, The Trench, Mauvaise Passé, and the lead roles in My Brother Tom and Perfume opposite Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman. For television, he also starred in the hugely popular BBC drama “Criminal Justice,” which saw him pick up the award for best actor at the 2009 Royal Television Society Awards, Best Actor at the International Emmy Awards 2009 and was nominated for Best Actor at the 2009 BAFTA Television Awards. His many roles on the British stage include “The Idiot,” “Cock”, “The Seagull,” “Hamlet” (for which he received an Olivier nomination), and “His Dark Materials.” He will appear in Michael Grandage’s production of “Peter and Alice” in the title role opposite Judi Dench in 2013. He was a BAFTA Rising Star nominee in 2007.

SKYFALL will be in theaters November 09, 2012.

007 fans can learn more about SKYFALL at the James Bond franchise:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JamesBond007

Twitter:  @007  #Skyfall

Visit the official site:  http://www.007.com/ 

MAGGIE SIMPSON Releases Butterflies On Behalf Of Her New Short – THE LONGEST DAYCARE

See Maggie Simpson starring in the THE LONGEST DAYCARE in theaters TODAY with ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT! Don’t miss out on your favorite silent tot and her fluttering friends…It’s been five years since The Simpsons invaded movie theaters with the aptly titled The Simpsons Movie. Itching and scratching to see the Springfield clan return to the big screen?  It’s happening shortly, in all senses of the word.

Served as an animated appetizer to 20TH CENTURY FOX’S ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT opening TODAY July 13th, The Longest Daycare is a four-and-a-half-minute 3-D short featuring a lot of Maggie Simpson and no dialogue.

(Maggie Simpson declares that no butterflies were harmed during the making of her new movie.)

Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny, Diego and Sid.  In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

Cast: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, with Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah.  Peter Dinklage, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, Drake, Josh Gad, Alan Tudyk, Nick Frost, Joy Behar

Official Film Pages:

Hashtag:  #Iceage4

Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis Coming To St. Louis For “Will and Zach Day” On Tuesday July 17

Come out next week to see Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, stars of the new Warner Bros. comedy THE CAMPAIGN, and representatives from St. Louis City Hall and St. Louis sports teams including the Cardinals, the Blues and the Rams. Ferrell and Galifianakis will receive medals of honor and a proclamation from St. Louis City Hall naming Tuesday July 17 “Will and Zach Day” in St. Louis. Members of the St. Louis sports teams will present them with commemorative items.

When:  Tuesday, July 17, 2012. 6:10 p.m. – Introduction to St. Louis City Hall Officials and Sports Teams

Where: Kiener Plaza at the Morton D. May Amphitheatre – 7th and Market, St. Louis, MO

When long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice but, with the help of his new benefactors’ support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family’s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about.

As Election Day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other, in this mud-slinging, back-stabbing, home-wrecking comedy from “Meet the Parents” director Jay Roach that takes today’s political circus to its logical next level. Because even when you think campaign ethics have hit rock bottom, there’s room to dig a whole lot deeper.

THE CAMPAIGN also stars Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott and Katherine LaNasa, with John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd and Brian Cox. Directed by Jay Roach and written by Chris Henchy & Shawn Harwell, from a story by Adam McKay & Chris Henchy & Shawn Harwell, it is produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jay Roach and Zach Galifianakis. Amy Sayres, Jon Poll and Chris Henchy serve as executive producers. “The Campaign” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The film opens in theaters nationwide on August 10.

TAKE THIS WALTZ – The Review

Review by Jerry Cavallaro 

This review was originally posted in April when TAKE THIS WALTZ played at the Tribeca Film Festival

TAKE THIS WALTZ opens with a fun little meet-cute between Margot (Michelle Williams) and Daniel (Luke Kirby) who soon find out they are actually neighbors. This is unfortunate because Margot is (un)happily married to a chicken cookbook author played by Seth Rogen. I write it that way because although she doesn’t seem happy most of the time, none of her reasons seem solid enough to justify why she is so upset with her life. At one point she goes into a rant to which Seth Rogen asks what the f— she is talking about, as if speaking for the entire audience. Perhaps it is my slight man-crush on Seth Rogen but he seems like a pretty good husband to the often childish Margot. She is simply just bored of her everyday routine, which is what leads to a growing fascination with the shiny new toy that is Daniel.

But all new things get old eventually. That isn’t spoiling anything by the way. It is pretty much the running theme of the film since it constantly beats you over the head with this message throughout the bloated running time. This grows increasingly more frustrating leading up to an ending that feels more like a series of alternate endings played in succession. Repetition is apparently the name of the game. This may have been a stylistic choice by writer / director Sarah Polley since the film plays out in a steady stream of highs & lows and reoccurring themes much like Margot’s life. However, if that is the case, it just didn’t work for me. It is too bad though because there are some truly great aspects to the film.

Visually the film is stunning in terms of direction, cinematography, locations and even the color palette. This film just looks fantastic and it is often paired with a wonderful soundtrack that adds greatly to the feel. Everything really comes together perfectly for a scene in which Margot & Daniel go on the spinning Scrambler ride while Video Killed The Radio Star blasts on the radio. It is a fantastic sequence that says so much without any dialogue. It just works on so many levels, which is part of what makes the film so frustrating. There are moments like this that work so well but they are thrown off by so many other scenes that don’t. One other scene worth noting is an absolutely hysterical segment that has Margot and her sister-in-law (Sarah Silverman) attending a seniors water aerobics class, which was probably one of the funniest moments of any film playing at Tribeca this year. Speaking of Sarah Silverman, she and Seth Rogen really step up to show they have serious dramatic chops in addition to perfect comedic sensibility.

In the end, there is enough good in the film that I wouldn’t tell anyone to avoid it but I wish they found a way to say more with less.

TAKE THIS WALTZ opens in St. Louis today at Landmark’s Tivoli Theater

DREDD 3D – Exclusive Clip Debut – Watch, Share & Enter to Win

Fans loved the ‪DREDD 3D‬ screening at Comic Con. Couldn’t make it? Lionsgate has provided this exclusive new clip for you. Share to attend an exclusive screening of the film in London – http://www.judgementiscoming.com/ .

The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One – a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called “Judges” who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge – a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of “Slo-Mo” experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.

During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture – a 200 story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan’s inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound’s control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival.

The endlessly inventive mind of screenwriter Alex Garland and director Pete Travis bring DREDD to life as a futuristic neo-noir action film. Filmed in 3D with stunning slow motion photography sequences, the film returns the celebrated character to the dark, visceral incarnation from John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s revered comic strip. Lionsgate and Reliance Entertainment present in association with IM Global a DNA Films production.

“Judgment is coming” when DREDD hits theaters September 21, 2012.

“Like” on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dreddthemovie

Follow on Twitter: @LionsgateMovies  #DREDD   #DREDD3D 

Check Out The New Picture for Disney Animation’s WRECK-IT RALPH – In Theaters Nov 2

Here’s the brand new image for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ WRECK-IT RALPH. Titled “A Heroes Duty,” the photo was released at Comic Con.

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Emmy®-winning director Rich Moore (TV’s “The Simpsons,” “Futurama”) take moviegoers on a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping journey in WRECK-IT RALPH. Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” “Step Brothers”) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock”), the “good guy” star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing andseeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a bad guy.  He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.

On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch, TV’s “Glee”) from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program”) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade.  Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late?

WRECK-IT RALPH crashes onto the big screen on November 2, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Like it on Facebook:  facebook.com/WreckItRalph
Follow on Twitter:  twitter.com/disneyanimation and @wreckitralph 

 

FRANKENWEENIE Comic-Con Homage Trailer – In Theaters October 5

As a tribute the classic horror films that inspired Tim Burton to make Frankenweenie, watch the new FRANKENWEENIE Homage trailer which was debuted exclusively at Comic-Con. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

Some fun facts about the film. Did you know when Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film? Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984.“Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”- both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®. Over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film and several of the character names – Victor, Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar “E” Gore and Mr. Burgemeister – were inspired by classic horror films.

A stop-motion animated film, FRANKENWEENIE was filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D. The talented voice cast includes many Burton alums – Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell and Winona Ryder.

Presented by Disney, FRANKENWEENIE is directed by Tim Burton, produced by Tim Burton and Allison Abbate, from a screenplay by John August, based on an original idea by Tim Burton. FRANKENWEENIEreleases in U.S. theaters on October 5, 2012.

Check out the film’s official site here: http://disney.go.com/frankenweenie/

“Like” FRANKENWEENIE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankenweenieMovie

Follow on Twitter: @DisneyPictures

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL Trailer Debuts – In Theaters March 8

Watch the brand new trailer for OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL that played in Hall-H at San Diego Comic-con. Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

I can’t wait – looking forward to see how this flies!

“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth and written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire (credit not final). Grant Curtis, Philip Steuer and Palak Patel are serving as executive producers. “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

Website and Mobile site: Disney.com/TheWizard
Follow on Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyPictures

 

IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD Screens At The Academy

On Monday evening the Academy presented a cast and crew reunion from director Stanley Kramer’s IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. It was the inaugural film in “The Last 70mm Film Festival” series. The first guest I noticed at the reception was writer Bruce Vilanch wearing his Simpsons “Krusty the Clown” t-shirt. When I asked him about his choice of wardrobe he said, “because it was going to be a night filled with Clowns.” The evening was off to a fun start.

Script Supervisor Marshall Schlom, Casting Agent Lynn Stalmaster, Mrs Karen Kramer, and actors Marvin Kaplan, Barrie Chase, Carl Reiner, Jonathan Winters, and Mickey Rooney were all there at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The evening was hosted by surprise emcee Billy Crystal. As I moved about the filled room, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the Hollywood history that had gathered together. Some of the notable invited guests were Ed Begley Jr., Anne Jeffries, Lainie Kazan, Chuck McCann, Bruce Vilanch and Fred Willard.

I was most interested in speaking with Marshall Schlom and how he managed to keep track of all the actors’ and actresses’ scripts during the 166 day shoot. “It kept me on my toes. There was only one script. 258 pages. But with Stanley Kramer, it was easy. He already had in mind how he wanted the film to look. It was all very complex and Stanley shot for the edit – always did. Made it much easier once he went into the editing room.”

When I asked him who the funniest actor on the set of IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD was, Schlom answered with a chuckle, “Jonathan Winters. He kept us all in stitches. He’s a wonderful master of free association. One day while we were shooting, an Air Force officer came onto the set. He had a lot of men with him too. All very important – or so he thought. He had on his blue and grey uniform along with the hat. It looked very official. He goes to stand by Winters just to watch and Jonathan leans over to him and says ‘Where’d you park your bus? Where’s the Greyhound?’ He carried on with this line for a long time too until the guy just left.” (Laughs.)

I also ran into writer Tommy Cook. For the real movie geeks out there, Cook wrote the story for 1977’s ROLLERCOASTER. He’s just finished a followup to the movie titled WHITE KNUCKLES. He said it’s a “father/son story. With all the advances in 3D and IMAX, I’m going to have race cars within the rollercoaster.” He also said that he has a meeting to discuss the sequel with DreamWorks CEO and Co-Chair Stacey Snider.

Before the showing of IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, Crystal introduced the panel by pointing to them and saying, “This is not JUDGMENT AT NURMEBERG.” The pristine looking film and the guests on stage were met with a standing ovation. Produced by Randy Haberkamp, the screening of the comedy epic gave the audience a night filled with hilarious laughs and old-time Hollywood class.

Watch these clips below where the surprise host and IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD’s crew and cast members talk about the making of the film and their fond memories of director Stanley Kramer.

“The Last 70mm Film Festival,” a six-film series, will run Mondays through August 13, showcasing 70mm classics from different genres as well as rarely screened 70mm short subjects. The remaining screenings in the series are:

July 23 “Grand Prix” (1966)
July 30 “The Sound of Music” (1965)
August 6 “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)
August 13 “Spartacus” (1960)

Series passes and tickets for “The Last 70mm Film Festival” are now sold out. A standby line will form on the day of the event, and standby numbers will be assigned starting at approximately 5:30 p.m. Any available tickets will be distributed shortly before the program begins. Ticketholders should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the event to ensure a seat in the theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For the latest pre-show details call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

For more information about the Academy’s public events, visit:

www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.twitter.com/TheAcademy

GOATS Trailer Starring David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga & Ty Burrell – In Theaters August 10

Watch the new trailer for GOATS from Image Entertainment. In theaters August 10, the film stars David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga, Graham Phillips, Justin Kirk, Ty Burrell, Keri Russell, Anthony Anderson, and Dakota Johnson. Produced by Red Crown Productions and Sandia Media in association with Eva Daniels Productions, GOATS premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

In GOATS, Ellis (Graham Phillips) is the most adult member of his eccentric family at 15 years old. His mom (Vera Farmiga) is a New Age hippie that spends all of her time working on self-help rituals with her hustler boyfriend (Justin Kirk). His dad (Ty Burrell) left home years ago and is more focused on his new wife (Keri Russell) and family.  And then there’s Goat Man (David Duchovny), the goat-herding sage who has lived in their pool house since Ellis was a child, teaching him the meaning of stability, commitment, and expanding one’s mind.

When Ellis decides to leave Tucson to go to the same East Coast prep school that his father went to, he easily assimilates to his new environment – even gaining the attention of a local girl (Dakota Johnson). But as he re‐connects with his estranged father, he finds Goat Man’s influence and his life out West thrown into stark contrast.

Based on Mark Jude Poirier’s best-selling novel, director Christopher Neil’s hilarious and poignant film is a witty reversal of the coming of age formula, a beautifully honest portrayal of life with its rough edges, awkward moments, and non-endings.

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