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/New to Me: Twilight Zone: The Moviehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/new-to-me-twilight-zone-the-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/new-to-me-twilight-zone-the-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/02/new-to-me-twilight-zone-the-movie/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I'd seen enough episodes of "The Twilight Zone" as a kid to get the gist of it - bite-sized morality tales that always came with a twist and often gave me the willies. However, I hadn't caught up with 1983's Twilight Zone: The Movie until just last night.

Now, I was looking for pictures to go along with my reaction when it became apparent that our own Eric D. Snider had already written about the movie at length two years back. Never content with just keeping my thoughts to myself, I've decided to instead streamline them into a nice, no-nonsense list of bullet points past the jump...

Continue reading New to Me: Twilight Zone: The Movie

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]]>george millerGeorgeMillerjoe danteJoeDantejohn landisjohn lithgowJohnLandisJohnLithgowkathleen quinlanKathleenQuinlannew to meNewToMescatman crothersScatmanCrotherssteven spielbergStevenSpielbergthe twilight zoneTheTwilightZonetwilight zonetwilight zone the movieTwilightZoneTwilightZoneTheMovievic morrowVicMorrowWilliam GossWed, 02 Dec 2009 19:32:00 ESTUPDATED: Paul Greengrass Quits 'Bourne 4'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/12/01/paul-greengrass-quits-bourne-4/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Everyone and their grandmothers seems to want a fourth Bourne film, and the question of "When, when, when?!" has dogged Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass for a long time. Shockingly, the answer may now be "never," as The Playlist is reporting that Greengrass has quit Bourne 4.

Script problems and a fractious relationship with Universal are said to be the cause of the split.
Two scripts have been penned for the film, and reportedly no one is fond of George Nolfi's take. Josh Zetumer came aboard to write a new one, a decision that irked Greengrass as he wasn't consulted as to the choice of writer. But that's a relatively minor point, as the real problem seems to be Greengrass' free-wheeling style, which has cost Universal millions and millions on every film he's made. While Bourne turned a fine profit, the studio is concerned about Green Zone, which is now estimated to have cost $150 million due to all of Greengrass' famous tinkering. This is a film that doesn't carry the Bourne brand name, and deals with the very un-blockbuster topic of Iraq.

So, Greengrass and Universal have been butting heads, as he wants to continue his usual approach on Bourne 4, and they want him to keep the budget under control. Thus, he's upset at the way he's been treated, and has now walked away. Rumors swirl that he might return, but there's just as much feeling that the studio could hire a new director. This leaves everyone uncertain as to whether Damon would return since he's been famously loyal to Greengrass. For now, everyone is watching the trades to see what'll be announced (and with Damon doing Invictus press, maybe it'll come up unofficially), and hoping for the best. The last thing anyone wants is Bourne without the guys that made it great.

UPDATED: Head after the jump for a statement from Paul Greengrass

Continue reading UPDATED: Paul Greengrass Quits 'Bourne 4'

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]]>bourne 4Bourne4George NolfiGeorgeNolfigreen zoneGreenZoneJosh ZetumerJoshZetumermatt damonMattDamonPaul GreengrassPaulGreengrassUniversalElisabeth RappeTue, 01 Dec 2009 14:15:00 ESTTommy Lee Jones Ditches Matthew McConaughey's 'Lincoln'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/24/tommy-lee-jones-ditches-matthew-mcconaugheys-lincoln/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A mere month ago, it seemed like Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer was set for a top notch adaptation thanks to the arrival of Tommy Lee Jones. Jones was interested in directing and costarring in the film, which gave us all hope that he could help makeover Matthew McConaughey into something serious and shirt wearing. But alas, it's not to be. Variety reports that Jones has departed The Lincoln Lawyer, leaving it idling and spitting fumes.

Jones departed for that vague and all-encompassing reason "creative differences." Variety reports that he had issues with John Romano's script, and neither Jones nor Lakeshore Entertainment were willing to budge. The studio is currently on the hunt for a new director, and hopes to be shooting by spring.

So, feel free to speculate on just what script issues there might have been. I know we have some Connelly fans who were looking forward to this, and who know more about the book than I do. Given that it is a star vehicle for McConaughey, and the character is a bit of a legal freewheeler, I wonder if the script is more of a comedic departure from the book. We've cracked a lot of jokes about bongo drums and shirtlessness, but could that actually have been what Jones departed over? It's sleazy and easy to jump to that conclusion, and I can't really believe a Connelly book could be adapted into Fool's Gold. But this is Hollywood. Stranger things have happened.

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]]>John RomanoJohnRomanoLakeshore EntertainmentLakeshoreEntertainmentMatthew McConaugheyMatthewMcconaugheyMichael ConnellyMichaelConnellyThe Lincoln LawyerTheLincolnLawyerTommy Lee JonesTommyLeeJonesElisabeth RappeTue, 24 Nov 2009 19:15:00 ESTIn Defense Of: 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/in-defense-of-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/in-defense-of-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/23/in-defense-of-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe/#commentsFiled under: , ,



*There are spoilers here.*

I've been meaning to write this for a while, but wanted to wait until I could give The X-Files: I Want to Believe a second viewing, which I finally did yesterday, on beautiful Blu-Ray. I am a long-time X-Phile; the show, which I started watching around age 13, is one of my formative viewing experiences; I trace my current love for things ambiguous, fantastic and otherworldly squarely back to Chris Carter's brilliant creation. And I dissent in a big way from both the layman and fan consensus on I Want to Believe. I still think, as I did in the summer of 2008, that the movie is a fantastic X-Files episode. But more importantly, I still think it is a genuinely moving farewell to two beloved characters, and one of the most satisfying pieces of closure that any long-running series or franchise has ever given us.

One thing that I suspect threw people off was the movie's snowbound melancholy, replacing the apocalyptic terror of The X-Files' last big-screen outing, 1998's Fight the Future. There's some excitement here, and a few laughs, but the overall tone is more akin to "Beyond the Sea," the beloved, somber first-season episode that was more concerned with personal demons than actual ones. It's hard to fault moviegoers for expecting something bigger and louder out of what was, after all, pitched as the popular series' triumphant return. But it's also hard -- or at any rate it should be -- to fault Chris Carter and his team for wanting to take the movie in a different direction. Rather than have Mulder and Scully go out with a bang, they chose to put them to bed, give them a hug, and tuck in the covers.

Continue reading In Defense Of: 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe'

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]]>david duchovnyDavidDuchovnyfight the futureFightTheFuturegillian andersonGillianAndersonthe x-filesthe x-files: i want to believeTheX-filesTheX-files:IWantToBelieveEugene NovikovMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:00 ESTSam Worthington Gets Gritty in 'American Crime'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/sam-worthington-american-crime/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/sam-worthington-american-crime/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/20/sam-worthington-american-crime/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Few of us have had the chance to read Rick Remender's upcoming series, The Last Days of American Crime, but it's already tapped for the big-screen treatment. To sweeten the deal, American Crime already has a face. An Australian one. Mania is reporting that Sam Worthington has signed on to play the series' star criminal, Graham Brick.

American Crime is set in a near-future where the government has found a way to kill the criminal impulse in its citizens. That's good for everyone but the criminals, and chaos erupts as the unsavory element goes mad trying to get in one last job. One of these men is Graham Brick, who is in the midst of planning a big heist, and gets to watch all his best laid plans fall apart in a bloody fashion. I read the preview Radical handed out at Comic-Con this year, and like all previews, it was too short to really get a handle on the story. But the art was incredible, it was ridiculously violent, and it had that slimy feeling of Sin City. You can check out three pages here, and Radical has 15 pages up on MySpace. The first issue is scheduled to hit stands in December.

Remender will be penning the screenplay himself, and Radical will be producing it under their film shingle. We'll supposedly be getting a studio, a director, and more cast-members very soon, but it's tough to get excited without having read issue #1. Still, if this is really the mix of James Ellroy and David Mamet's Heist that Remender promises, Crime will be something to look out for.

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]]>Radical ComicsRadical Picturesradical publishingRadicalComicsRadicalPicturesRadicalPublishingrick remenderRickRemendersam worthingtonSamWorthingtonThe Last Days of American CrimeTheLastDaysOfAmericanCrimeElisabeth RappeFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:32:00 ESTIndie Roundup: 'Cracks,' 'Harry Brown' Deals and Trailershttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/indie-roundup-cracks-harry-brown-deals-and-trailers/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/indie-roundup-cracks-harry-brown-deals-and-trailers/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/18/indie-roundup-cracks-harry-brown-deals-and-trailers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Cinematical's Indie Roundup: 'Cracks,' 'Harry Brown'

Indie Roundup: Your quick guide to what's new and upcoming in the independent film community.

Deals. Our friends at indieWIRE report that Cracks has been acquired by IFC Films, which plans to release it next year via its IFC in Theaters platform. The film is the feature directorial debut of Jordan Scott, daughter of Ridley Scott. Eva Green (The Dreamers, Casino Royale) stars as a teacher and diving coach in an Irish boarding school for orphaned girls; Juno Temple, Imogen Poots, and Maria Valverde also star. "The trials and tribulations, for both the students and their unorthodox teacher," writes Kurt Halfyard at Twitch, "gradually are brought to a boil that subverts many of the typical paths in either a coming of age story or a typical 'school-girl dormitory' tale."

Michael Caine stars as Harry Brown, a retired Marine who determines to clean up his neighborhood after his best friend is killed. Samuel Goldwyn Films picked up theatrical rights to the thriller; indieWIRE notes that the film opened in the UK last weekend, though the US release date has not yet been announced. Daniel Barber directed. UK site Pure Movies calls Harry Brown "a superior offering - albeit a gritty and bleak one."

On Demand / Online Viewing. Check out On Hallowed Ground, available exclusively this month on Babelgum. Andre Braugher narrates the documentary, which explores Rucker Park, a basketball court in Harlem where legendary future NBA players, and those who should have been famous, once played. Speaking of gritty players, if you're curious to catch up with Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints, it'll finally be coming to video on demand in January.

After the jump: watch trailers for Cracks (absolutely gorgeous) and Harry Brown (dark and intense)!

Continue reading Indie Roundup: 'Cracks,' 'Harry Brown' Deals and Trailers

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]]>cracksdaniel barberDanielBarbereva greenEvaGreenharry brownHarryBrownjordan scottJordanScottmichael caineMichaelCaineon hallowed groundOnHallowedGroundPeter MartinWed, 18 Nov 2009 19:03:00 ESTCinematical Seven: Silliest Disaster Scenarioshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/silliest-disaster-scenarios/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/silliest-disaster-scenarios/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/silliest-disaster-scenarios/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



We both know that I could probably fill all seven slots of this list with just scenes from Roland Emmerich's disaster-tastic 2012, but in the interests of letting everyone else get a chance to see it, let's stick with films that have already come and gone. Some of these titles qualify because of the uniquely ridiculous nature of their disasters, while others count for what ridiculous plots unfold amidst otherwise ordinarily perilous acts of nature.

There will be a couple of spoilers to go along with our picks, but since most of these have been out for a couple of years, it's not like it's the end of the world...

Continue reading Cinematical Seven: Silliest Disaster Scenarios

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]]>2012christian slaterChristianSlatercinematical sevenCinematicalSevendisaster moviedisaster moviesDisasterMovieDisasterMoviesfirestormhard rainHardRainhilary swankHilarySwankhowie longHowieLongjake gyllenhaalJakeGyllenhaalknowingm night shyamalanmark wahlbergMarkWahlbergMNightShyamalanmorgan freemanMorganFreemannicolas cageNicolasCageroland emmerichRolandEmmerichsnakes on a planeSnakesOnAPlanethe corethe day after tomorrowthe happeningTheCoreTheDayAfterTomorrowTheHappeningwilliam forsytheWilliamForsytheWilliam GossThu, 12 Nov 2009 22:15:00 ESTBicycle Messengering Gets Intense With David Koepp's 'Premium Rush'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/david-koepp-premium-rush/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When was the last time you recall seeing an actual bicycle messenger? Unless you live in a densely populated, car-hating metropolis, chances are rather slim that you ever see someone on a bike with a package under their arm, ducking and diving all manner of obstacles before screeching to a halt in front of a skyscraper and racing inside to drop off said package just in the nick of time. Which is why it is simultaneously bizarre and fascinating to me that David Koepp would pick the high-stakes world of two-wheeled courier services as the frame for his next directorial project.

What's even more fascinating is the scale Premium Rush, which I am 99% positive is the name of a Capri Sun flavor I used to drink in the '90s, is set up to be. Sony is bankrolling the production, which Variety says they see as "a big-budget actioner, much like the films Koepp is known for penning, and will feature the kind of elaborate chases associated with a William Friedkin pic." The Friedkin emulation I can understand, as The French Connection still remains a benchmark chase film, but the big budget Koepp titles they're referencing include Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Continue reading Bicycle Messengering Gets Intense With David Koepp's 'Premium Rush'

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]]>bike messengerBikeMessengerDavid KoeppDavidKoeppPremium RushPremiumRushthrillerPeter HallThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:03:00 ESTAronofsky's 'Black Swan' Gains More Cast Membershttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/aronofskys-black-swan-gains-more-cast-members/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/aronofskys-black-swan-gains-more-cast-members/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/aronofskys-black-swan-gains-more-cast-members/#commentsFiled under: ,

By Alison Nastasi

Darren Aronofsky's latest film is a thriller with a supernatural twist. Black Swan is currently in pre-production and Slashfilm recently revealed full casting details for the film. It was already announced that Natalie Portman will star as Nina, a veteran ballerina competing against a mysterious rival dancer, Lily, played by Mila Kunis. As the dancers approach an important performance, Nina starts to question if her rival is a supernatural apparition or if she's having delusions and her identity starts to blur with that of her eerily similar competitor. To the absolute joy of fanboys everywhere, the film includes an "ecstasy-induced hungry, aggressive, angry sex" scene between Portman and Kunis. Having flashbacks to Requiem for a Dream yet?

Joining the cast of Black Swan will be Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey. Ryder plays Beth, Nina's frenemie who used to be the star dancer but is nearing the end of her career. Hmm. Cassel is the "handsome but sinister" (love him but no shocker here) Yevna who is the stage director and Hershey is Nina's mother.

Read more at HorrorSquad!

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]]>Barbara HersheyBarbaraHersheyBlack SwanBlackSwanDarren AronofskyDarrenAronofskyMila KunisMilaKunisNatalie PortmanNataliePortmanVincent CasselVincentCasselWinona RyderWinonaRyderCinematical staffMon, 09 Nov 2009 20:02:00 ESTThe 'Se7en' Crew Reunites to Get 'Proud'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/the-se7en-crew-reunites-to-get-proud/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Se7en... I'll never forget the first time I watched it, nestled with friends into the old seats at Gettysburg's Majestic Theater, all of us enamored, shocked, chilled, and buzzed on the thrill of the film IMDb ranks as #27 out of the Top 250 Films. It's one of those movies that elicits glazed eyes of fandom at its mention. But could the magic be brought to life again?

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision Blog reports that Se7en alums David Fincher, Andrew Kevin Walker, and Michael De Luca are re-teaming to make a new adaptation of Max Ehrlich's The Reincarnation of Peter Proud for Columbia Pictures. Fincher is, of course, attached to direct, and Walker will pen the script. (The book was originally adapted by Ehrlich himself for the film back in 1975.) The story focuses on a college prof who becomes plagued by recurring dreams and nightmares that he realizes are memories of a past life. With the help of his girlfriend, he tries to find the source of the visions and "discovers a woman and her grown-up daughter who are keys to his past life." The original story got in some hot water for a subplot rife with incest, but methinks that will be diluted or deleted this time around as everything gets updated.

With all of this in place, the only blocks left are the cast. It might seem like an easy pick, but I'd love to see Kevin Kline bite into this. Yes, he's the go-to guy for college professors, but he's also severely talented and severely under-utilized. A role like this could rip him out of the crap. But if the choice was yours, who would you like to see crack the past? Or are you just recoiling at word of another remake?

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]]>Andrew Kevin WalkerAndrewKevinWalkerCinematicalDavid FincherDavidFincherMax EhrlichMaxEhrlichMichael De LucaMichaelDeLucaSe7enThe Reincarnation of Peter ProudTheReincarnationOfPeterProudMonika BartyzelMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTRoland Emmerich May or May Not Blow Up the World Againhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/roland-emmerich-may-or-may-not-blow-up-the-world-again/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/roland-emmerich-may-or-may-not-blow-up-the-world-again/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/roland-emmerich-may-or-may-not-blow-up-the-world-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

At a press junket earlier this summer for 2012, Roland Emmerich told reporters he's not doing any more blow-'em-up flicks. "I would not know how to top this... It's just one of these things, you know. I had a hard time deciding to do another disaster movie, but... you cannot make a disaster movie if there's not something --- an idea in this disaster which elevates it to something more than a disaster. And so it was this idea, you know, that there will be a global flood and it's a retelling of Noah's Arc."

Later he added, "It's not my last film, it's my last disaster film. And that's because I wouldn't know what else to do. It's just, you know what, I really didn't want to do this movie at first... But when I decided that the idea was too good to not do it for the reason I had done before, I said, okay, if I do it, I will do it in such a spectacular manner that nobody can top it for a long time. I have that pride in my work."

Continue reading Roland Emmerich May or May Not Blow Up the World Again

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]]>2012anonymousindependence dayindependence day 2IndependenceDayIndependenceDay2Roland EmmerichRolandEmmerichsequelshakespeareJenni MillerFri, 06 Nov 2009 19:02:00 ESTReview: The Boxhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/review-the-box/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/review-the-box/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/review-the-box/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Richard Matheson's original short story, "Button, Button," was a nifty little morality tale about a couple faced with a peculiar opportunity -- if they push a button in a box, they'll get a sum of money but kill a stranger in doing so. That version of the story ended with the wife pushing the button and killing her husband, a man she didn't really know. As an episode of "The Twilight Zone" in 1986, the story ended with the couple paid off and assured that the device would then go to another couple to whom they qualify as strangers. Now, Richard Kelly's The Box takes that same basic premise and spins it into a mind-bender of the most baffling degree, starting out as another "Twilight Zone"-worthy variant but eventually reaching the outer limits of both patience and reason.

Continue reading Review: The Box

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]]>button buttonButtonButtoncameron diazCameronDiazfrank langellaFrankLangellajames marsdenJamesMarsdenrichard kellyrichard mathesonRichardKellyRichardMathesonthe boxthe twilight zoneTheBoxTheTwilightZoneWilliam GossFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 ESTBradley Cooper Gains Superpowers In 'Dark Fields'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/bradley-cooper-gains-superpowers-in-dark-fields/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/bradley-cooper-gains-superpowers-in-dark-fields/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/bradley-cooper-gains-superpowers-in-dark-fields/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The future Faceman may have lost the chance to fly as the Emerald Knight, but DC isn't the only place you can gain superpowers. You can also score them from top secret pharmaceuticals! (Don't try this at home, kids.) According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bradley Cooper is set to star in Dark Fields, a thriller directed by Neil Burger and based on the book by Alan Glynn.

Cooper will play a writer down on his luck who manages to get his poor paws on a secret drug that promises to make one smarter. He doesn't go ask Alice before popping them, and finds that it's a wonder drug. He enjoys writing success, wealth and women until the side effects kick in. They're long lasting, potentially lethal, and have the extra kick of making time appear as a stop-motion movie. As if that doesn't suck enough, mysterious and unpleasant men begin pursuing him. Do they look like Shia LaBeouf, who was originally set to star? Hopefully not.

The screenplay was penned by Leslie Dixon, and is said to be similar to Fight Club and The Game, which might be a big spoiler as to the nature of those mysterious antagonists, which is why you shouldn't think about it too much. There's no start date, but hopefully he has no time between The A-Team and Dark Fields to squish in another frightening romantic comedy.

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]]>bradley cooperBradleyCooperDark FieldsDarkFieldsLeslie DixonLeslieDixonneil burgerNeilBurgerRelativity MediaRelativityMediaUniversalElisabeth RappeFri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:00 ESTReview: The Fourth Kindhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-fourth-kind-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-fourth-kind-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-fourth-kind-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


By Todd Gilchrist (reprint from 10/28/09 -- L.A. Screamfest)

I'm not sure exactly what quality it is that real people possess and actors lack, but any time a film pretends to document real behavior, either literally or as a reenactment, something is almost always missing. Sometimes the problem is a deliberate decision to enhance events with artificial emphasis or drama, and sometimes it's simply too great a sense of self-awareness in the actor, who knows he or she is performing. But while there are a precious few movies that nail that authenticity, notably the recent underdog-blockbuster Paranormal Activity, such is certainly the case in The Fourth Kind, a film that purports to build an argument for alien abductions using "actual" footage from case studies.

While much of the movie's so-called source material carries the convincing roughness and deficiencies of homemade, handheld recording, too much of it seems far too calculated, both in its technical proficiency and the performances contributed by its "real" people. Further, its accompanying reenactments by recognizable actors undermine the possibility that audiences can take its case seriously, all of which adds up to thriller that unravels easily even if it nevertheless occasionally qualifies as a scary good time.

Continue reading Review: The Fourth Kind

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]]>fourth kindFourthKindreviewCinematical staffFri, 06 Nov 2009 09:45:00 ESTJohn C. Reilly and Mary-Louise Parker Go 'Red'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/john-c-reilly-and-mary-louise-parker-go-red/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/john-c-reilly-and-mary-louise-parker-go-red/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/05/john-c-reilly-and-mary-louise-parker-go-red/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When Warren Ellis' Red was first optioned, I wasn't particularly excited. As readers have pointed out, Ellis has many books that would be more exciting to see on the big screen. The initial casting of Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman didn't inspire a lot of excitement, either. (I love both, but Willis as an ex-assassin? Hardly inspired.) But as Robert Schwentke has filled out his cast, things have gotten a lot more interesting. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mary-Louise Parker and John C. Reilly are in talks to join Red alongside Freeman, Willis, and Helen Mirren.

Reilly would play a retired CIA agent who is paranoid that everyone is out to kill him. Willis' predicament will naturally prove him right, and it's the frantic, nervous role that Reilly specializes in. Again, it's not the most inspired casting, but it's exciting to see Reilly finally land a comic book role. I like to see actors drawn into this world, even if it is in a more "standard" storyline.

Parker will play Willis' love interest, an ordinary employee of the federal pension office who becomes embroiled in his struggle to stay alive. As if relationships aren't hard enough, it's "Honey! My former employers are trying to kill me! Get your passport, we have to hide in Bruges." She is a talented actress, so I sincerely hope she gets a little more to do than run around and be frightened. Perhaps she can be trained in the arts of action by Mirren's character.

It's a really good cast so far, and there's undoubtedly more to come as Willis' opponents are lined up. This could be something a little more in the mold of A History of Violence, which would be a refreshing change from the flashy adaptation attempts like Wanted. Red is officially on my radar.

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]]>bruce willisBruceWillishelen mirrenHelenMirrenjohn c. reillyJohnC.ReillyMary-Louise ParkerMary-louiseParkerMorgan FreemanMorganFreemanRedrobert schwentkeRobertSchwentkeSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentWarren EllisWarren Ellis RedWarrenEllisWarrenEllisRedElisabeth RappeThu, 05 Nov 2009 19:32:00 ESTJohnny Depp Might Be 'The Tourist'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/johnny-depp-might-be-the-tourist/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sony's thriller The Tourist just keeps sending its talent packing. Originally set to be a vehicle for Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron, it shifted gears last month and was re-cast with Angelina Jolie and Sam Worthington. But once again, The Tourist finds itself without travel arrangements for a male lead as Variety reports that Worthington is out due to "creative disagreements" and Johnny Depp is in.

Depp is still in talks to play the hapless American tourist, and with the way this film is going, one can't assume it's finalized. But if it is, it might just be the casting coup of 2010. A Depp-Jolie pair-up has been something dreamed about by a lot of producers and studios over the years. Once upon a time, rumor even had them attached to play Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. People want to see them having onscreen sex. It'd be the hottest thing since ... well, Brad Pitt and Jolie having sex onscreen. (And off. Hey, I'm just being honest. There was a reason everyone wanted to see their offspring.)

The Tourist is also on the hunt for a director. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck was circling the project, but departed alongside Worthington over those whispery creative differences. Reportedly, a lot of directors are interested, including Alfonso Cuaron. While shake-ups can be be a sign of a bad film, I'd like to think that a thriller that winds up with Jolie, Depp, and Cuaron came together exactly as it was meant to.

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]]>Alfonso CuaronAlfonsoCuaronangelina jolieAngelinaJoliecharlize theronCharlizeTheronFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckFlorianHenckelVonDonnersmarckjohnny DeppJohnnyDeppsam worthingtonSamWorthingtonThe TouristTheTouristtom cruiseTomCruiseElisabeth RappeWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:32:00 ESTBox Office: Carol Boxes With Men and Goatshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/box-office-carol-boxes-with-men-and-goats/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/box-office-carol-boxes-with-men-and-goats/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/box-office-carol-boxes-with-men-and-goats/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Halloween slowed down box office figures, but Michael Jackson's This Is It still managed the top honors for the weekend. Here's the top five:

1. Michael Jackson's This Is It: $23.2 million (total of $34.4 million)
2. Paranormal Activity: $16.3 million
3. Law Abiding Citizen: $7.4 million
4. Couples Retreat: $6.4 million
5. Where the Wild Things Are: $5.9 million

With only one wide release last week studios are making up for it with four new flicks this week.

The Box:
What's It All About: A couple in a tough financial situation are given a box that will grant them riches, except every time they use it someone somewhere will die.
Why It Might Do Well: Donnie Darko director Richard Kelly is at the helm, with a script based on a Richard Matheson story.
Why It Might Not Do Well: 55% at Rottentomatoes.com.
Number of Theaters: 2,500
Prediction: $16 million

A Christmas Carol:
What's It All About: Jim Carey stars in several roles in this 3D animated version of the classic Dickens Christmas tale.
Why It Might Do Well: This Robert Zemeckis guy has got some decent flicks on his resume.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Good lord, how many times has this been adapted before?
Number of Theaters: 3,500
Prediction: $42 million

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]]>A Christmas CarolAChristmasCarolThe BoxThe Fourth KindThe Men Who Stare At GoatsTheBoxTheFourthKindTheMenWhoStareAtGoatsMatt BradshawWed, 04 Nov 2009 20:15:00 ESTAngelina Jolie Jumps All Over the Place in 'Salt' Trailerhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/salt-trailer-angelina-jolie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/salt-trailer-angelina-jolie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/salt-trailer-angelina-jolie/#commentsFiled under: ,

Once upon a time, Tom Cruise was going to star in an espionage thriller that had him getting into some heavy action MI-style. But that didn't last long and Mr. Edwin A. Salt got a sex change and a sexy new lead with Angelina Jolie. One would think the Edwin A. would become Edwina and all would be well, but now the character is Evelyn Salt, the movie is Salt, and you can check out the first teaser trailer after the jump.

Salt focuses on a CIA officer who's in for a shock when a Russian captive tells her that a Russian agent will head to Manhattan to kill the president. The spy's name: Evelyn Salt. Rather than let her co-workers detain her, she escapes, striving to prove that she's no spy. She's a patriot. "Using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture and protect her husband or the world's most powerful forces will erase any trace of her existence." (Sony IMDb summary)

The action chaos is just what any good adrenaline thriller needs to thrive, and the flick seems to have it in spades with Jolie jumping around in Live Free or Die Hard style. Unfortunately, it also has a good dose of fake hair with Angelina sporting a distracting blond wig, and later, a jet-black 'do. It's amazing how wigs can stay on in high-pressure situations, yet still look so damned fake. Nevertheless, this should be a fun ride. Are you ready for more hardcore Jolie action?

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolieCinematicalEdwin A. SaltEdwinA.SaltSaltMonika BartyzelWed, 04 Nov 2009 15:11:00 ESTHelen Mirren Sees 'Red'http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/helen-mirren-sees-red/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/helen-mirren-sees-red/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/04/helen-mirren-sees-red/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I have a major girl crush on Helen Mirren. I want to be her, and I simultaneously want her to take me under her wing, and turn me posh. Now she's set to make me geek out even more, because Screen Daily and The Hollywood Reporter report that she's just signed on to Red, Summit Entertainment's adaptation of Warren Ellis' bloody miniseries. Robert Schwentke is set to direct.

Mirren joins Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman in this cheerful tale of assassins. Willis plays black ops CIA Agent Paul Moses, who is enjoying the peace and quiet of retirement. But when there's a change of guard at the CIA, it's decided that Moses is too much of a liability. While Ellis' book pitted Moses against a single assassin, the movie will put Moses against a host of younger and more technologically adept opponents. It'll be the old school versus the new school -- and we all know who will probably win. I believe Freeman is playing the new CIA boss who decides Moses has seen and done too much to be anything but a liability, but nothing has been specified.

In her first comic book adaptation, Mirren will be playing an old associate of Willis, who has her own lethal set of skills. (Shades of Taken!) Don't be surprised if they're sexy skills. But you know what? It's Helen Mirren. If she wants to use her looks in order to dispatch a dictator or arms dealer, she can. Filming is set to kick off in January, and I count the days until I can see Mirren actually kick some ass onscreen.

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]]>bruce willisBruceWillishelen mirrenHelenMirrenMorgan FreemanMorganFreemanRedrobert schwentkeRobertSchwentkeSummit EntertainmentSummitEntertainmentWarren EllisWarrenEllisElisabeth RappeWed, 04 Nov 2009 09:48:00 ESTSpin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/3http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-3/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-3/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/03/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Cinematical's Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/3

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Here's my problem with the picture: a furiously-filmed chase through the streets of Paris should be spectacular and thrilling. Instead, it's incoherent, routine, even disappointing. Director Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing) turns in another by-the-numbers action spectacle, this time starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Marlon Wayans, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. There are better ways to waste your time and money. Skip it. Also on Blu-ray.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Tony Scott's remake is a higher-grade disappointment, coming achingly close to delivering an unqualified success. Derailed by John Travolta's unrepentant scenery-chewing, which goes far beyond the bounds of bad taste, and an unhealthy preoccupation with explaining everything, the film motors along reasonably well, fashioning a paranoid tale of post-9/11 terror and ticking time bomb suspense. Denzel Washington is eminently watchable, and James Gandolfini has a good turn as the Mayor of NYC. Recommended with reservations. Rent it. Also on Blu-ray.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

I Love You, Beth Cooper
As I wrote in my review, Larry Doyle's very funny book has been transformed into a dreadfully boring movie. Hayden Panettiere and Paul Rust are miscast as a rule-breaking dream girl and the boy who loves her from afar, respectively. The spend a night together that seems endless. Chris Columbus directed, without distinction. Skip it. Also on Blu-ray.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

Also out: Aliens in the Attic.

Indies on DVD, more Blu-ray picks, and Collector's Corner -- after the jump!

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]]>bela fleck throw down your heartBelaFleckThrowDownYourHeartfeaturedfood incFoodIncgi joe the rise of cobraGiJoeTheRiseOfCobrai love you beth cooperILoveYouBethCooperthe taking of pelham 1 2 3TheTakingOfPelham123Peter MartinTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:03:00 EST