Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Free Flick of The Day: Blame It On Riohttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/free-flick-of-the-day-blame-it-on-rio/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/free-flick-of-the-day-blame-it-on-rio/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/free-flick-of-the-day-blame-it-on-rio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A film about an affair with your best friend's daughter is probably the last place you would expect to find a lesson on morality. But oddly enough, that's exactly what you get in Larry Gelbart's sex comedy, Blame It On Rio. Like many of the films I saw during my childhood, I was well out of the prescribed age group for the story of a May-December affair, but I always remembered this movie for two reasons: it was where I learned about the world of mid-life crisis, and I even learned a little something about the consequences of your actions ... but we'll get to that later. So if you've never seen this movie, you're in luck because SlashControl offers the flick as part of their free film selection.

Released in 1984, Rio was written by Gelbart, who is best known for his work in TV (as one of the creators of M.A.S.H) and in film (as the writer of Tootsie), and was directed by movie-musical legend, Stanley Donen (Singin' in the Rain). The story centered on two friends, Victor and Matthew (played respectively by Joseph Bologna and Michael Caine), who decide to go on vacation to Rio de Janeiro when their marriages have hit the skids. But things get a little tricky when Matthew (Caine) begins an affair with his best friend's teenage daughter, Jennifer (played by Michelle Johnson).

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]]>demi mooreDemiMooreFree Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDayJoseph BolognaJosephBolognalarry gelbartLarryGelbartMichael CaineMichaelCaineslashcontrolstanley donenStanleyDonenJessica BarnesFri, 27 Nov 2009 18:12:00 ESTReview: New York, I Love Youhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/review-new-york-i-love-you/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/review-new-york-i-love-you/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/27/review-new-york-i-love-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Armed with a collection of the world's notable directors, Paris je t'aime hit screens with a good deal of impact and buzz. It was to be the first piece in producer Emmanuel Benbihy's "Cities of Love," a collection of films detailing romance and metropolitan life across the globe, a series planning to travel to the likes of New York, Rio, Shanghai, Jerusalem, and Mumbai.

Three years later, the second installment is finally upon us with New York, I Love You. With only minor changes, the film continues the tradition of joining many internationally diverse filmmakers for the journey through a popular city, but the buzz has diminished. The film is slowly making its way across screens in the U.S., and will break into Canada come November 27. But how could one of Hollywood's most beloved cities find its ode so woefully under the radar? It's not an easy question to answer because while New York, I Love You might be flawed, it's also sweet, engaging, and nicely representative of that small island cluttered with millions of people.

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]]>Anthony MinghellaAnthonyMinghellaBrett RatnerBrettRatnerCinematicalCloris LeachmanClorisLeachmanEli WallachEliWallachJoshua MarstonJoshuaMarstonJulie ChristieJulieChristieMira NairMiraNairNatalie PortmanNataliePortmanNew York I Love YouNewYorkILoveYouShia LaBeoufShiaLabeoufYvan AttalYvanAttalMonika BartyzelFri, 27 Nov 2009 14:02:00 ESTScenes We Love: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlisthttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/scenes-we-love-nick-and-norahs-infinite-playlist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/scenes-we-love-nick-and-norahs-infinite-playlist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/26/scenes-we-love-nick-and-norahs-infinite-playlist/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In an attempt to spotlight a scene related to post-Thanksgiving leftovers, I'd like to share a favorite little moment from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. No, the teen rom-com doesn't directly connect to the holiday in any way, but there is this scene starring a turkey sandwich. And my brain and stomach being the odd collaborators that they are have deemed it appropriate, even if the sandwich is made of cold cuts and not turkey carved from a juicy, roasted whole bird.

Here's one reason it makes sense to my personal post-Thanksgiving activities: while many of you will be braving the crowds at the multiplex following your feast, I'll be at the bar -- hopefully one where I can dance some of the stuffing away -- and at last call, I'll tipsily head home and then stack some leftovers between two slices of bread and enjoy the first of many post-holiday turkey sandwiches.

Continue reading Scenes We Love: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

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]]>adventures in babysittingAdventuresInBabysittingari graynorAriGraynorkevin corriganKevinCorriganmichael ceraMichaelCeranick and norahs infinite playlistNickAndNorahsInfinitePlaylistthanksgivingtrue romanceTrueRomanceChristopher CampbellThu, 26 Nov 2009 17:02:00 ESTWatch This: A 'Twilight' Interventionhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/watch-this-a-twilight-intervention/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/watch-this-a-twilight-intervention/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/watch-this-a-twilight-intervention/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Twiight: New Moon"Team Jacob!" roars a trio of dudes in a bar. Drinks are flowing fast. "A typical horrible Monday just became amazing," gushes a woman who's about to go see a private screening of Twilight: New Moon. The crowd moves from the bar to what looks suspiciously like a high school theater to get amped up for some muscle-bound shirtless werewolf action.

"C'mon, get out of your seats! Are you ready?" The fans, who are all most certainly of drinking age, are definitely out of their seats and screaming. They're so ready!

"Too bad!" cackles the emcee, and the curtains part to show a young comedian named Skyler Stone who's there to stage an intervention, via FunnyorDie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are not going to see Twilight: New Moon tonight." For some reason (I think it has to do with alcohol), the audience is still cheering, but this statement brings a solitary "NO!" Stone continues, "This is a vampire intervention because you clearly don't know what the f*ck a vampire is!" Is that male laughter in the background? Wooing begins. Is this real or is it fake? Stone berates the audience and insults Rpatz with aplomb. Still, the cheering continues!

"Why are you cheering?!" he yells at them. "Do you understand you're not seeing Twilight tonight?"

Will there be a riot? Bloodshed? Will Stone leave the theater intact? Find out what happens after the jump.

Continue reading Watch This: A 'Twilight' Intervention

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]]>funnyordieNew MoonNewMoonTwilightTwilight: new MoonTwilight:NewMoonvideoJenni MillerMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:43:00 ESTMichael Fassbender Goes From One Bronte To the Nexthttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/michael-fassbender-goes-from-one-bronte-to-the-next/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/michael-fassbender-goes-from-one-bronte-to-the-next/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/michael-fassbender-goes-from-one-bronte-to-the-next/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Brontes are all the rage for adaptation right now. It's undoubtedly due to Edward and Bella bestowing their favor on Wuthering Heights, and had they chosen Great Expectations, perhaps we'd see Dickens adaptations flinging themselves to the big screen. I love corsets and cravats, so I'm not going to complain, and I'm certainly not going to whine if Cary Fukunaga gets this cast for Jane Eyre. Variety is reporting that Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska are in talks to play Jane and Rochester for Fukunaga, and oh, how torrid it would be!

This is actually the second time Fassbender has circled a Bronte adaptation. Last May, he was said to be in talks for Wuthering Heights, but Ed Westwick stepped into that particular waistcoat. It's a shame. I think Fassbender would have made an excellent Heathcliff, and may have been the first one to actually snarl, bang his head against a tree, and slap people convincingly. But he will make a very simmering Rochester, and is the only actor who could top Toby Stephens' wonderful turn in 2006.

Wasikowska is still a bit of a dark horse. She's becoming one of those much-discussed names, but most of us have yet to really meet her until Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland hits theaters. She's very pretty, but is just "ordinary" (if that doesn't sound too terrible) enough to fit the part of plain Jane, and as an Aussie, she'll be able to turn on an English accent better than Ellen Page. If this is the Jane Eyre that makes it to the screen, I'll be happy. Let the eerie screams, mysterious fires, and lingering looks commence.

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]]>cary fukunagaCaryFukunagaCharlotte BronteCharlotteBronteFocus FeaturesFocusFeaturesJane EyreJaneEyremia wasikowskaMiaWasikowskaMichael FassbenderMichaelFassbenderMoira BuffiniMoiraBuffiniRuby FilmsRubyFilmsToby StephensTobyStephensElisabeth RappeFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:48:00 ESTRobert Pattinson to Star With Uma Thurman in 'Bel Ami'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/robert-pattinson-uma-thurman-bel-ami/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/robert-pattinson-uma-thurman-bel-ami/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/robert-pattinson-uma-thurman-bel-ami/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The rumor mill was buzzing earlier this month with news that Nicole Kidman was going to, once again, go for the younger guy and star opposite Robert Pattinson in the adaptation of Guy De Maupassant's Bel Ami. While it turns out that Kidman is not taking the project on, another famous blonde is. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Uma Thurman will star opposite Pattinson, and Kristin Scott Thomas has also joined the roster.

The film will star Pattinson as George Duroy, an aspiring journalist who finds his success by bedding many of Paris' rich and powerful women. Thurman will play Mme Forestier, the married woman who sparks his ascension and later marries him, while Thomas comes into the picture as "a socialite who falls for Duroy, becoming clingy in the process."

Now, much has been said, or argued, about Pattinson's talents as an actor, and I'd say this will be the ultimate test -- whether he can hold his own against Thurman and Thomas. Pattinson won't be able to hide behind sparkles or quirky, mustachioed mannerisms this time around! Both have considerable talents, although Thurman in particular is long overdue for some meaty and buzz-worthy dramatic fare (it's also about time she got into some retro wordy romance as well, a la Henry and June). The drama will shoot next year in Paris.

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]]>Bel AmiBelAmiCinematicalKristin Scott ThomasKristinScottThomasuma ThurmanUmaThurmanMonika BartyzelFri, 20 Nov 2009 09:48:00 ESTBrett Ratner to Americanize Bollywood for Ushttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/brett-ratner-to-americanize-bollywood-for-us/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/brett-ratner-to-americanize-bollywood-for-us/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/brett-ratner-to-americanize-bollywood-for-us/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Variety is reporting that Brett Ratner has been hand-selected by Reliance Big Pictures to re-edit a forthcoming drama of theirs, Kites, in order to make the film more accessible to international audiences. Yes, the man who made the Rush Hour trilogy has been tapped to once again crush cultural barriers (assuming that's what Reliance thinks he did with those films). The production is being filmed in both Hindi and English, so it'll be Ratner's job to make sure that the English-language cut is attractive enough for a sales market outside of India, which will only be getting the Hindi cut.

And as odd as this news seems at first, the official synopsis for Kites does seem to fit Ratner's penchant for making broad-appeal films: "In the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, a mortally wounded man is left for dead in the heat of the desert sun. This is J. Once a street smart, carefree young guy. Now, a wanted man. The only thing that keeps him alive is the quest to find the love of his life, Natasha. A woman engaged to another man, but surely destined for J. ... Kites is a story of love that goes beyond barriers, boundaries and cultures. It is a story of passion that defies every rule, of a relationship that takes two lovers on a thrilling journey filled with precious moments - and unexpected betrayal."

I say broad-appeal because that pitch reads an awful lot like Slumdog Millionaire, except without the mention of a game show. However it turns out in the end, it looks like this won't be the last time Ratner teams up with Reliance. Variety hints that re-editing Kites comes with the rights for Ratner to direct Youngblood, an adaptation of a graphic novel by Rob Liefeld... Ah, more films from the man who made X-Men 3, isn't that what we all need?

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]]>Brett RatnerBrettRatnerKitesRelianceReliance Big PicturesRelianceBigPicturesPeter HallThu, 19 Nov 2009 16:35:00 ESTOMG! Rob Pattinson In the 'Remember Me' Trailer!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rob-pattinson-remember-me-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rob-pattinson-remember-me-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/19/rob-pattinson-remember-me-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Ladies, I have important news: we've got another Robert Pattinson movie to "squeee" over. The New Moon heartthrob stars in Summit's romantic drama Remember Me, in which RPattz apparently gets to -- dare I say it? -- act his little butt off. By which I mean, throwing punches and yelling at James Bond and being sensitive and making out with Emilie de Ravin, all while rocking an American accent! Sigh. I can't wait.

Ok, so Remember Me is a gimme - of course every Twilight fan is going to run to buy tickets to watch Edward Cullen Rob Pattinson be romantic and emo and, most importantly, have a sex scene or two or three. (I'm extrapolating from the one shot of Pattinson and de Ravin with an L sheet covering them in bed in the trailer.) And your boyfriends and husbands probably won't want to be dragged to see it any more than they did the Twilight films. But judging from the very first trailer, Remember Me might just offer Pattinson his first big chance to prove his acting chops in a widely seen release, following dramatic but quirky turns in indies like Little Ashes and How to Be.

Watch the trailer debut for Remember Me after the jump, stat!

Continue reading OMG! Rob Pattinson In the 'Remember Me' Trailer!

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]]>emilie de ravinEmilieDeRavinfeaturedremember meRememberMeRobert PattinsonRobertPattinsonRPattzSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentJen YamatoThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:08:00 ESTBox Office: Mooning the Planet of the Blindhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/box-office-mooning-the-planet-of-the-blind/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/box-office-mooning-the-planet-of-the-blind/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/box-office-mooning-the-planet-of-the-blind/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Despite what the critics thought, people flocked to the end of the world epic 2012 which pulled in $230 million globally. Precious expanded into a modest 174 theaters but still managed to land the number three position. Here's the top five:

1. 2012: $65.2 million
2. A Christmas Carol: $22.3 million
3. Precious: Based on the Novel: "Push" by Sapphire: $5.8 million
4. The Men Who Stare at Goats: $5.9 million
5. Michael Jackson's This Is It: $5 million

And moviegoers have three new releases to choose from this weekend.

The Twilight Saga: The New Moon
What's It All About: Do you really need to be told? This, of course, is the hotly anticipated sequel to 2008's Twilight. Bella's life continues down a dark path after Edward leaves her for her own safety. We've also got hunky bare-chested werewolves this time.
Why It Might Do Well: The first film had a $70 million opening weekend in 3,419 theaters. I suspect owning film rights to the Twilight series is like having a license to print money.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Some folks don't like their vampires to sparkle.
Number of Theaters: 4,000
Prediction: $86 million


The Blind Side
What's It All About: A homeless teen is adopted by a conservative family and matures into a football star with the potential to turn pro.
Why It Might Do Well: From a strictly personal standpoint, sports films don't really interest me, but this grabbed my attention. Also 67% at Rottentomatoes.com ain't bad.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Well, there is that vampire movie coming out this week.
Number of Theaters: 3,100
Prediction: $16 million

Continue reading Box Office: Mooning the Planet of the Blind

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]]>CinemacinematicalMoviesPlanet 51Planet51The Blind SideThe Twilight Saga: The New MoonTheBlindSideTheTwilightSaga:TheNewMoonMatt BradshawWed, 18 Nov 2009 20:10:00 ESTMiley Cyrus Hates Twilight, Debuts New Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/miley-cyrus-twilight-new-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/miley-cyrus-twilight-new-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/miley-cyrus-twilight-new-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Teen icon Miley Cyrus can't do anything these days without causing a stir of some kind. The only thing I can't figure out is if she does it on purpose or just has a bad case of her mouth running away with her. During a recent backstage interview with the singer/actress, Cyrus was asked the defining question of our generation: "Team Edward or Team Jacob?" Well, it turns out the answer is neither, and she told journalists, "I've never seen [Twilight], nor will I. I don't believe in it. I don't like vampires, I don't like the wolf that pops out of the screen when I'm watching TV at night, I don't want anything to do with it." (Oh snap! There's going to be a tween-off. Just think, it will be like West Side Story but with glitter and blond wigs!) Personally, I think she was trying to make a joke, and if she was, her comedy skills definitely need a little work.

Now, the cynic in me would mark the fact that this latest headline to spring from the tween sensation is just in time for the release of the trailer of her new romantic weepie, The Last Song. So what better way to get teen girls' attention than to bad-mouth their hunk(s) of the moment? Last Song stars Cyrus as a piano prodigy reconnecting with her father (played by Greg Kinnear) and falling in love, but this is a Nicholas Sparks story, so I can only assume somebody is going to die or get a horrible disease before the flick is through. The film is Cyrus' latest attempt to shed her Hannah Montana image and was the next step in becoming a serious actress. But now we'll have to see if she lives long enough to avoid a Cullen-inspired vendetta.

After the jump: the trailer for The Last Song and Cyrus' take on Twilight...

Continue reading Miley Cyrus Hates Twilight, Debuts New Trailer

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]]>greg kinnearGregKinnearhannah montanaHannahMontanamiley cyrusMileyCyrusNicholas SparksNicholasSparksTeam EdwardTeam JacobTeamEdwardTeamJacobThe Last SongTheLastSongtwilightJessica BarnesWed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:00 ESTTheir Best Role: Meryl Streephttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/their-best-role-meryl-streep/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/their-best-role-meryl-streep/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/their-best-role-meryl-streep/#commentsFiled under: ,



Welcome to a new series here on Cinematical where we select an actor or actress and the role we think is their all time best.

Last August, "Meryl Streep" wrote an op-ed piece for The Onion called "Name One Masterpiece Of Cinema That I've Starred In." It was really written by the Onion staff, of course, but they (and Streep) made a good point. For a woman who is very possibly the finest living actor of any sex, she has made very few truly unforgettable films. Her resume doesn't contain anything quite like Rear Window, The Godfather, Chinatown or Pulp Fiction. Case in point: the article brings up Kramer vs. Kramer. "Streep" says "I'd watch it if it were on," but it isn't really a masterpiece. Also, it's more Dustin Hoffman's movie than Streep's movie, and if you look at it that way, it ranks pretty far down on Hoffman's list of classics.

Streep's two best bona-fide classics are without a doubt Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979) and Michael Cimino's The Deer Hunter (1978), but she has only tiny roles in both. Despite Streep's excellence, films like The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), Sophie's Choice (1982), Silkwood (1983), Out of Africa (1985), Plenty (1985), Ironweed (1987), A Cry in the Dark (1988), Marvin's Room (1996), One True Thing (1998), Music of the Heart (1999) or The Hours (2002) aren't exactly compulsively watchable, nor do they turn up on very many lists of favorite films. You could also eliminate her comedies like She-Devil (1989), Postcards from the Edge (1990) and Death Becomes Her (1992), and her recent string of lightweight hits like The Manchurian Candidate (2004), The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and Mamma Mia! (2008).

Continue reading Their Best Role: Meryl Streep

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]]>featuredMeryl StreepMerylStreepthe bridges of madison countyTheBridgesOfMadisonCountyTheir Best RoleTheirBestRoleJeffrey M. AndersonWed, 18 Nov 2009 12:02:00 ESTThe Top Five Reasons to See 'New Moon'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/new-moon-reasons-to-see-it/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/new-moon-reasons-to-see-it/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/new-moon-reasons-to-see-it/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Are your pitchforks nice and sharp? Torches soaked in kerosene, ready to burn my house down? If not, I'll wait. Ready? Good, because I'm about to give you five reasons why you should see New Moon, which you may not be aware is the the latest entry in the Twilight Saga. Some background, so you know where my allegiances lay.

I've never read a single word of any of the Twilight books. I found the first film to be a rote exercise in appealing to a demographic that was (and still is) in every quantifiable factor not me. I don't care about supernatural romance novels, and unless it's Jeff Goldblum and Gena Davis in The Fly, I don't much care for supernatural romances on film, either. Twilight exists and I exist, but we have little to do with each other outside of sharing the same planet.

I am, however, genuinely enthused to see New Moon. I'm as shocked as you. Let me explain.

Catherine Hardwicke is Gone.
Attack the source material and the fans all you want, but the biggest problem with Twilight is that it just was not an interesting film. Plenty of blame for that has been tossed around, but ultimately it lands on the shoulders of the director. Catherine Hardwicke is not an inherently bad filmmaker (Lords of Dogtown is a fine film) but she couldn't have taken a less enthusiastic approach to a story about the fantastic (note the order of words, as Twilight is not, I feel, a fantastic story). Exhibit A, the baseball scene.

Vampires using thunderclaps to cover up their baseball games isn't all that interesting to begin with, but I guarantee you that if Kathryn Bigelow had done it in Near Dark, it'd be a staple scene in vampire films. Hardwicke, however, either didn't have the vision or drive to elevate the film above the material, which is unfortunate. But now she's been replaced.

Continue reading The Top Five Reasons to See 'New Moon'

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]]>featuredNew MoonNewMoonQuick ListQuickListReasons to See New MoonReasonsToSeeNewMoonthe twilight saga: new moonTheTwilightSaga:NewMoonTwilightPeter HallTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST'Sex and the City 2' Spoilers Reveal a Whole Different World?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/sex-and-the-city-2-spoilers-reveal-a-whole-different-world/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/sex-and-the-city-2-spoilers-reveal-a-whole-different-world/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/sex-and-the-city-2-spoilers-reveal-a-whole-different-world/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When Sex and the City was on television, they tried to balance opulence with frugal flavah. Charlotte was buying a share in the Hamptons, but it meant that she couldn't buy shoes from the likes of James Urbaniak. Samantha had a great job, but still had to shop around for a home she could afford. Miranda had to move to Brooklyn to buy enough space for her family. And Carrie, she had all sorts of financial woes from credit cards cut in front of her to almost losing her apartment when the building went co-op.

But when they hit the big screen, all fiscal responsibility flew out the window. On the cusp of the economic collapse, the Sex and the City ladies were reveling in lavish lifestyles, spending thousands on this or that, not seeming to have a money-related care in the world. But with tighter times, it looks like the sequel might be going overboard in the other direction.

Hit the jump for the latest spoilers hitting the rounds.

Continue reading 'Sex and the City 2' Spoilers Reveal a Whole Different World?

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]]>CinematicalSex and the CitySex and the City 2SexAndTheCitySexAndTheCity2Monika BartyzelTue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:00 ESTRyan Reynolds and Anna Faris to Share 'TMI'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/ryan-reynolds-and-anna-faris-to-share-tmi/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/ryan-reynolds-and-anna-faris-to-share-tmi/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/17/ryan-reynolds-and-anna-faris-to-share-tmi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There's something to be said for those plain old reliable comedies, those that don't bust guts or break records but are always good for a spin in their inevitable cable circulation, stuff along the lines of Role Models, I Love You, Man and Just Friends. That last one has proven particularly endearing (to me anyway) due to the priceless pairing of Ryan Reynolds' perfect snark with Anna Faris' endearing ditziness (they also went at each other in Waiting..., to much amusement).

It's that combination that gives me reason enough for me to care about TMI, an all-too-honest rom-com reuniting these two. Hell, their teaming is itself enough for me to hope that they can do right by a screenplay written by the minds behind Serendipity and The Ugly Truth; after all, Faris did bring all the funny to co-writer Kirsten Smith's The House Bunny.

Not sure how much else there is to say, really. It's like hearing that someone's about to get your sexy, funny peanut butter in your sexy, funny chocolate... all over again.

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]]>anna farisAnnaFarisjust friendsJustFriendskristen smithKristenSmithmarc kleinMarcKleinryan reynoldsRyanReynoldstmiWilliam GossTue, 17 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTInterview: 'New Moon' Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberghttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/new-moon-melissa-rosenberg-interview/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/new-moon-melissa-rosenberg-interview/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/new-moon-melissa-rosenberg-interview/#commentsFiled under: , ,


While it came as little surprise to the fans of Stephenie Meyers' original books, the success of Twilight caught Hollywood and the rest of the world by storm when the first adaptation arrived in theaters late last year. A big part of the credit for the movie's crossover success must be attributed to screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who rendered the romance of Bella and Edward in dimensions that more than die-hards (or more accurately, Twi-hards) could understand and appreciate.

The Twilight sequel New Moon comes to theaters next Friday and offers even more tortured teenage romance than before, as well as a wealth of mythology about vampires, werewolves and other monsters that inhabit the series' supernatural universe. Cinematical recently spoke to screenwriter Rosenberg at the film's press day in Los Angeles; in addition to discussing the process of putting together a satisfying sequel, she talked about subjecting Bella to the universal disappointment of a bad break-up, and examined what audiences might take away from this latest installment in the series.

Cinematical: Is there an emotional core or some central theme that was guiding you through writing New Moon, or do you see this more as an installment in a larger narrative?

Continue reading Interview: 'New Moon' Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg

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]]>chris weitzChrisWeitzkristen stewartKristenStewartmelissa rosenbergMelissaRosenbergnew moonrobert pattinsonRobertPattinsonstephenie meyerStephenieMeyersummit entertainmentSummitEntertainmenttaylor lautnerTaylorLautnertwilightTodd GilchristFri, 13 Nov 2009 21:02:00 ESTLoosening Up More Uptight Women w/ 'Leap Year'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/leap-year-movie-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/leap-year-movie-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/leap-year-movie-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Who started the whole cliche where an uptight American woman hits Ireland and finds out how to loosen up by a sexy, foreign man? There's something in the water over there in Hollywood's version of the country that makes every bloody romantic comedy feature this premise. It's not as bad as something like The Ugly Truth, that's for sure, but it pretty darned blatant.

Following in the footsteps of Matchmaker, P.S. I Love You, and other romantic fare, MSN has debuted a trailer for Leap Year (check it out after the jump), the film where Matthew Goode gets to recover from the trauma of losing his new wife to a female florist (Imagine Me and You), and steal a desperate Amy Adams from the likes of Adam Scott. Now granted, she is on her way to Dublin and meets the man in Wales, but they're still heading to the land of shamrocks.

I guess there's just a strong Irish gene that burrows deep within a man and lets him see when a self-absorbed foreign woman will be the girl of his dreams, allowing him to be the romantic savior showing her untapped inner potential and true romance and security. But why, exactly, is Anand Tucker -- who brought us Hilary and Jackie, Shopgirl, And When Did You Last See Your Father?, and Red Riding: 1983 -- directing this schlock?

Check it out, if you dare, after the jump, and beware: it shows a lot. Then again, this does look like a typical romcom, so we already know how it turns out, right?

Continue reading Loosening Up More Uptight Women w/ 'Leap Year'

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]]>Adam ScottAdamScottAmy AdamsAmyAdamsAnand TuckerAnandTuckerCinematicalLeap YearLeapYearMatthew GoodeMatthewGoodeMonika BartyzelFri, 13 Nov 2009 09:48:00 EST'Travelling Pants' Scribe Whips Up Past-Life Romancehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/travelling-pants-scribe-whips-up-past-life-romance/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/travelling-pants-scribe-whips-up-past-life-romance/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/travelling-pants-scribe-whips-up-past-life-romance/#commentsFiled under: ,

Writer Ann Brashares did a pretty well for herself when she wrote about a pair of magical pants that kept friendships together. And she might do even better on her next go. Variety reports that her new series has stirred up a bidding battle, and New Regency has come out on top.

My Name is Memory -- which is slated to hit shelves next June -- will be the first part of a trilogy about multi-life romance. It all focuses on a college-age couple that has some serious history. "Turns out their souls have been reincarnated over hundreds of years, but these soulmates keep losing each other. While he remembers the details of their previous lives -- and his often exasperating attempts to connect with her romantically -- she cannot recall the events of those past lives." Initial comparisons are bringing up the likes of Twilight and The Time Traveler's Wife.

Things are super-fresh right now; a screenwriter hasn't even been picked for the adapting gig yet. Nevertheless, if that them is such a hot commodity, I'm going to make a prediction. I already wondered about The Vampire Diaries when Twilight got cooking. And it just so happens that VD scribe L.J. Smith has a story in her Night World series about a star-crossed vampire and the human he loves, and waits around for, year after year after year. If Brashares new series is such a hot commodity, it's only a matter of time before we get the vamp/human version to add even more bloodlust to Hollywood.

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]]>Ann BrasharesAnnBrasharesCinematicalMy Name is MemoryMyNameIsMemoryMonika BartyzelWed, 11 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST'Twilight' Fans: Do You Really Want to See 'Breaking Dawn'?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/twilight-fans-do-you-really-want-to-see-breaking-dawn/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/twilight-fans-do-you-really-want-to-see-breaking-dawn/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/twilight-fans-do-you-really-want-to-see-breaking-dawn/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In their neverending efforts to cover all things Twilight related, MTV has been asking cast members who they think should helm the final installment (or two), Breaking Dawn. (Because, if Robert Pattinson is to be believed, the movie will film next fall.) Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays the Volturi member Caius, thinks it should be Tim Burton, while Pattinson himself is also playing the guessing game, and wishes for Gus Van Sant. Apparently, RPatt heard that filming would take place in Portland, and Van Sant "shoots everything in Portland."

In other words: Everyone has different ideas, which seems to be the big theme of Breaking Dawn.

Do you guys really want it? Sure, after taking this journey, you want to see it through to the end and see the final (and epically long) book make it to the screen. But let's face it -- it's not going to be as you expect. Is your curiosity for anything stronger than your desire for a worthy-to-the-source adaptation?

Hit the jump for the spoilery discussion.

Continue reading 'Twilight' Fans: Do You Really Want to See 'Breaking Dawn'?

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]]>Breaking DawnBreakingDawnCinematicalfeaturedTwilightMonika BartyzelTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:15:00 ESTYou Say 'Twilight,' Taylor Swift Says 'Firelight'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/08/you-say-twilight-taylor-swift-says-firelight/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/08/you-say-twilight-taylor-swift-says-firelight/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/08/you-say-twilight-taylor-swift-says-firelight/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Taylor Swift on 'Saturday Night Live'They're hit and miss, but I always try and catch any new digital short from Saturday Night Live. * Pop / country singer Taylor Swift hosted last night's show, and the 19-year-old star really surprised me, and I'm sure a lot of other people who don't necessarily follow young pop / country singers. Her song during the opening monologue (pictured) got in digs at her ex-boyfriend, made clear her feelings on Kanye West and his MTV Video Music Awards disruption, and commented amusingly on her supposed romance with Taylor Lautner, one of the stars of the upcoming The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

That was followed up by Firelight, the SNL parody of the first Twilight flick, with Swift taking on Kristen Stewart's role of Bella Swan, complete with hair fixing, downward-cast eyes, and lip-biting. The new boy who catches her eye at school is not, however, pasty-skinned Edward Cullen but green-skinned Phillip Frank of the Frank clan. The short captures the key moments from the first film, provides a different excuse for the "good / bad boy" not to kiss the "good / good" girl, and includes a cameo from a very concerned mummy. All in all, a solid little short.

I thought Swift was pretty hilarious throughout the show. I'm not sure if that's because of lowered expectations on my part or because of better than average writing from the staff, but, in any event, Swift displayed a flair for comedy. Check out the video to get a taste.

Watch 'Firelight' after the jump!

Continue reading You Say 'Twilight,' Taylor Swift Says 'Firelight'

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]]>featuredfirelightkristen stewartKristenStewartsaturday night liveSaturdayNightLivetaylor swiftTaylorSwiftthe twilight saga new moonTheTwilightSagaNewMoontwilightPeter MartinSun, 08 Nov 2009 11:02:00 ESTRobert Pattinson Talks 'Breaking Dawn' & 'Unbound Captives'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/robert-pattinson-talks-breaking-dawn-and-unbound-captives/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/robert-pattinson-talks-breaking-dawn-and-unbound-captives/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/robert-pattinson-talks-breaking-dawn-and-unbound-captives/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Good news, Twilight fans. You have the first official news for the fourth Twilight installment, courtesy of our own Jen Yamato, FearNet and the New Moon junket.* The magically-coiffed Robert Pattinson has confirmed that Breaking Dawn will begin filming in Fall 2010, and that it's penciled into his schedule for next year.

Of course, Dawn remains unconfirmed by Summit. The most controversial installment of the Twilight series, rumors swirl that the studio is hesitant to take it to the big screen. If it is made, it seems likely that it could be split into two films a'la Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Personally, I don't see Summit risking the money they'd make on #4, and they'll find a way to steer around the gorier aspects of the book. But now you know when to look for it, though you still have the madness of Eclipse pre-production to get through.

Pattinson also dished on the movie I want to mark on my calender (Sorry, I dig boots and spurs more than vampires), a Western called Unbound Captives. The directorial debut of Madeleine Stowe, it stars Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, and Pattinson. The young heartthrob revealed that it's tenatively scheduled to begin shooting in early 2010, and he sounds enthusiastic for a role that'll be miles away from Edward Cullen. "I'm playing a kid who is kidnapped by Comanches when he was four years old, and he is brought up by them. His mother spends her entire life trying to find me and my sister. When she finds us, we can't remember who she is and can't remember anything about the Western culture she grew up in. I speak Comanche the whole movie. You can't really speak more differently from Edward."

[Special thanks also goes to Collider who apparently pried the Breaking Dawn date out of Mr. Pattinson]

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]]>Breaking DawnBreakingDawnfeaturedhugh jackmanHughJackmanmadeleine stoweMadeleineStoweNew MoonNewMoonrachel weiszRachelWeiszrobert pattinsonRobertPattinsonSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentThe Twilight SagaThe Twilight Saga Breaking Dawnthe twilight saga: new moonTheTwilightSagaTheTwilightSaga:NewMoonTheTwilightSagaBreakingDawntwilightunbound captivesUnboundCaptivesElisabeth RappeSat, 07 Nov 2009 00:50:00 EST