Gonna have to skip this one. And someone tell Chan to get out off kids' movies.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Britney Murphy dead at 32
LOS ANGELES - Brittany Murphy, the actress who got her start in the sleeper hit "Clueless" and rose to stardom in "8 Mile" before her movie roles declined in recent years, died Sunday in Los Angeles of what appeared to be natural causes, a Los Angeles County coroner's official said. She was 32.
Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Sally Stewart said.
Murphy was transported to the hospital after the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. at the home she shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, in the Hollywood Hills.
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.
An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but "it appears to be natural," Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.
Winter said Murphy's family was cooperating with the coroner's investigation but would not be releasing a public statement Sunday. He said funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy's death, Officer Norma Eisenman said. Detectives and coroner's officials were at Murphy and Monjack's home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.
Messages left for Murphy's manager, agent and publicist by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.
Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher and "looked as though she was dead at the scene."
Murphy's husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared "dazed" as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said. "It's just tragic," she added.
TMZ.com first reported Murphy's death Sunday morning.
Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he learned of her death from his son, the actress's brother, and was stunned.
"She was just an absolute doll since she was born," Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. "Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her — people that made movies with her, people on a cruise — they all loved her. She was just a regular gal."
He said he hadn't heard much about the circumstances of Murphy's death. Bertolotti divorced her mother when Murphy was young and hadn't seen Murphy in the past few years. He said he used to be in the mob and served prison time on federal drug charges.
"She was just talented," Bertolotti said. "And I loved her very much."
Born Nov. 10, 1977, in Atlanta, Murphy grew up in New Jersey and later moved with her mother to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
Her career started in the early 1990s with small roles in television series, commercials and movies. She is best known for parts in "Girl, Interrupted," "Clueless" and "8 Mile."
Her on-screen work had lessened of late, but Murphy's voice gave life to numerous animated characters, including Luanne Platter on more than 200 episodes of Fox's "King of the Hill" and Gloria the penguin in the 2006 feature "Happy Feet."
She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film, "The Expendables," set for release next year.
Her role in "8 Mile" led to more recognition, Murphy told AP in 2003. "That changed a lot," she said. "That was the difference between people knowing my first and last name as opposed to not."
Murphy credited her mother, Sharon, with being a key to her success.
"When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me," Murphy said. "I was really grateful to have grown up in an environment that was conducive to creating and didn't stifle any of that. She always believed in me."
She dated Ashton Kutcher, who costarred with Murphy in 2003's romantic comedy "Just Married."
Kutcher sent a message on Twitter Sunday morning about Murphy's death: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine," Kutcher wrote. "My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."
___
AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney and Matt Sedensky in Miami contributed to this report.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
China's Rising Profile in International Arms Sales
The Jamestown Foundation
Publication: China Brief Volume: 9 Issue: 25
December 16, 2009 03:48 PM Age: 19 hrs
Category: China Brief, Foreign Policy, Military/Security, China and the Asia-Pacific, Home Page
By: Stephen Blank
The year 2009 will likely be remembered as the beginning of a more assertive phase in Chinese foreign policy, as seen in Beijing's stance on reform of the international financial system, its massive investments in foreign countries, and in particular its investment in and acquisition of energy assets. At the same time, China’s newfound assertiveness is also manifested by the inroads it is making in the global arms markets. Beijing's rising profile as an exporter of arms attests to the progress made by its defense industries because it shows that China is beginning to master the complex challenges involved in producing quality military systems for foreign customers. Moreover, these products duly give China greater competitive viability in those markets. For instance, China has begun to develop its own competitive weapons systems (e.g. its first large military transport plane) (Nikkei Telecom 21, November 13), and may soon start selling other post-Soviet states its own weapons (e.g. the L-15 Falcon advanced jet trainer to Ukraine) (Jane’s Defence Weekly, November 23).
China’s emergence as a major arms exporter owes much to its successful indigenization (aka piracy) of Russian weapons and technologies that Moscow has sold to Beijing since 1990. This indigenization is a long-standing and deeply ingrained practice going back many years, and a systematic Chinese policy to advance the technological level and quality of indigenously produced weapons while reducing its dependence upon foreign suppliers (See "Recent Trends in Russo-Chinese Military Relations," China Brief, January 22). As a result, China’s advances in the arms sales markets come largely at the expense of Russia, as Chinese arms are becoming more competitive in those markets where Russian weapons and technologies have established a niche in recent years. Naturally, this situation discomfits arms sellers in Russia but policymakers in Moscow still insist on maintaining a strong relationship with Beijing even if Russia will sell China fewer weapons than before (ITAR-TASS, September 30; FBIS SOV, September 30). Thus, it remains unclear—to what degree if any—China suffers any penalties from its indigenization policy. In this way, China is becoming a direct competitor to Russia in the international arms markets, and even among the commonwealth of independent states (CIS).
The scope of China’s arms sales offensive is global. In Africa, China sells arms to those states from which it buys oil and gas or where it has gained access to explore for oil or gas (e.g. Sudan). Yet it is also clear that China is competing with Russia in the African arms market with indigenized versions of Russian-made weapons systems. For instance, according to Japanese reports China is “frantically” trying to sell SU-27 fighters in the guise of China’s J-11 Fighters to African states (Foresight, February 19; FBIS SOV, September 30). Similarly in South America, an area that Russia has targeted as one of the key future markets where it hopes to increase its market share, China is beginning to offer the same states competitive weapons systems (Interfax-AVN Online, October 22; FBIS SOV, October 22). In 2010, China will deliver six of the eighteen K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes that it sold to Venezuela, and is lending Ecuador $52 million to buy aircraft for its air force. In early 2009, Ecuador signed a contract for $60 million to buy Chinese air defense radars; its first purchases from China in 15 years (Defense News, November 28).
Perhaps the most significant example of China’s aggressive arms sales posture can be found in the Middle East, the key market where it competes with Moscow and Washington. Iran has already reached the point where it can appeal to China for defense exports (ironically probably knock-offs of Russian weapons). Thus, Iran has raised hints that if Russia does not sell the S-300 SAM for which it signed a contract in 2007, Tehran might turn to the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile (FD-2000) as the alternative (Press TV, May 10). As an Iranian report noted:
As Iran’s quest for the advanced Russian-made S-300 air defense system is believed to have hit rock bottom, a report by RIA Novosti said Tehran is eyeing a Chinese-made HQ-9 surface-to-air missile under the name FD-2000—recently put on the export market. The HongQi-9/FD-2000 reportedly combines elements “borrowed” from Russia’s S-300 and America’s MIM-104 Patriot. It uses elements of the Russian system’s “solid rocket, aerodynamic layout, gas-dynamic spoilers and launcher technologies, as well as some search and guidance systems.” The missile has a range of 7-125 kilometers for airborne targets—a range much lower than the 150-kilometer range of the Russian S-300 PMU1. The Chinese system’s range for missile targets, or air-to-ground missiles, is 7-50 kilometers, with a firing altitude of 1-18 kilometers. Its range for cruise missiles is 7-15 kilometers, at a firing altitude of 0.025 kilometers. The range for ballistic missiles is 7-25 kilometers at a firing altitude of 2-15 kilometers (Press TV, May 10).
Egypt, a former Russian client who, like others, became frustrated with the poor quality of Russian weapons, also began switching to Chinese arms (FBIS SOV, February 19). Moreover, China has announced that it will compete with Russia and the United States for entry into Turkey’s surface-to-air missiles (SAM) market (FBIS SOV, August 31).
Finally, in South and Southeast Asia where China has sold its weapons and technology—which are generally copies of Russian systems—and in particular to Pakistan, China is intensifying the regional arms race with India, and competing with Russia in Southeast Asia. Specifically, China’s recent sale of at least 36 J-10 fighter jets, and the possibility that it could sell Pakistan up to 150, is a testament to its strength in the Pakistani market and to the enduring quality of the regional arms race with India. This sale is perhaps the most impressive testimony to China’s new assertiveness in the global arms market (See "J-10: The New Cornerstone of Sino-Pakistani Defense Cooperation," China Brief, December 16).
Accordingly, China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) has also emerged as a rival to Russia’s Sukhoi and MiG Aircraft that are marketed abroad by Rosoboroneksport, Russia’s arms seller, in Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Eastern Europe, and eventually in Africa with regard to helicopters. Meanwhile, Pakistan will soon roll out its first indigenously produced JF-17 that China copied from Russia and sold (FBIS SOV, October 7). Indeed, it has become clear that China has sold or otherwise transferred Russian defense technologies like RPGs, the PK-10 Assault gun, howitzer ammunition and anti-tank rockets to Pakistan, much to the anger of Russian officials (Kanwa Asian Defense, August 2009; FBIS SOV, August 31).
Beyond these considerations, the deal with Pakistan also has important geopolitical ramifications. Clearly, China is concerned about the growth of Indian military power and political standing and Beijing is showing that it intends to restrain New Delhi by keeping it preoccupied with Pakistan. This sale demonstrates the long-standing policy of China in action. Second, it also shows that China will not supinely let the U.S. challenge it for primacy as the main foreign influence in Pakistan. As the Times of India reported:
Beijing is keen to reduce U.S. influence on Pakistan, which will make it easier for it to deal with India, sources said. Washington's recent decision to extend massive financial assistance to Islamabad is seen in some quarters as a policy setback for China. It is now trying to get back its influence over Pakistan by selling two squadrons of advanced jets, sources said. Even more significant is Beijing's eagerness to share advanced technology with Pakistan, which is something US suppliers are usually reluctant to do. A report from Pakistan said it wants to buy a larger number of warplanes from China besides the two squadrons of J-10 fighter planes it is buying at the moment. A Pakistani official described the plane sales deal as a "landmark" in Pak-China relations (Times of India, November 11).
In spite of agreements in late 2008 where China agreed not to create any suspicion of copying or exporting weapons using Russian technology to third countries in return for a renewed effort at a cooperative relationship with Russia, China failed to adhere to the agreement and it led to a temporary blocking of Russian arms sales to China (Sankei Shimbun Online, February 2; Kanwa Asian Defense, August 2009; FBIS SOV, August 31).
Conclusion
These arms sales and their scope indicate that China fully intends to become a permanent competitor with Russia and eventually with European and American firms in the international arms market. There does not seem to be a way to stop Beijing from indigenizing systems that it has received from Russia other than to curtail sales to it. Yet even if Russia stops selling China arms, an action that entails serious costs for Russia, it may be too late to stop Chinese firms from introducing their own competitive refinements and improvements to a host of weapon systems. Moreover, Chinese systems are attractive to countries based on price or in return for the political and economic support that China gives to their regimes (e.g. Sudan). Iran’s example also suggests what could happen to Russia if China supplants it in the arms market, namely a turn from Moscow to Beijing in Iran’s foreign policies. And the rivalry for the Turkish SAM (a project whose urgency grows with Iran’s rising missile capability) suggests that Russia in some cases may actually not even be competitive to customers relative to China. In other words, in this manifestation of China’s assertiveness in the international arena this is only the beginning of China’s rise in its arms sales policies, just as this is only the beginning of its self-assertion in financial system reform and other areas of international affairs.
[ The views expressed here do not represent those of the U.S. Army, Defense Department or the U.S. Government.]
Publication: China Brief Volume: 9 Issue: 25
December 16, 2009 03:48 PM Age: 19 hrs
Category: China Brief, Foreign Policy, Military/Security, China and the Asia-Pacific, Home Page
By: Stephen Blank
The year 2009 will likely be remembered as the beginning of a more assertive phase in Chinese foreign policy, as seen in Beijing's stance on reform of the international financial system, its massive investments in foreign countries, and in particular its investment in and acquisition of energy assets. At the same time, China’s newfound assertiveness is also manifested by the inroads it is making in the global arms markets. Beijing's rising profile as an exporter of arms attests to the progress made by its defense industries because it shows that China is beginning to master the complex challenges involved in producing quality military systems for foreign customers. Moreover, these products duly give China greater competitive viability in those markets. For instance, China has begun to develop its own competitive weapons systems (e.g. its first large military transport plane) (Nikkei Telecom 21, November 13), and may soon start selling other post-Soviet states its own weapons (e.g. the L-15 Falcon advanced jet trainer to Ukraine) (Jane’s Defence Weekly, November 23).
China’s emergence as a major arms exporter owes much to its successful indigenization (aka piracy) of Russian weapons and technologies that Moscow has sold to Beijing since 1990. This indigenization is a long-standing and deeply ingrained practice going back many years, and a systematic Chinese policy to advance the technological level and quality of indigenously produced weapons while reducing its dependence upon foreign suppliers (See "Recent Trends in Russo-Chinese Military Relations," China Brief, January 22). As a result, China’s advances in the arms sales markets come largely at the expense of Russia, as Chinese arms are becoming more competitive in those markets where Russian weapons and technologies have established a niche in recent years. Naturally, this situation discomfits arms sellers in Russia but policymakers in Moscow still insist on maintaining a strong relationship with Beijing even if Russia will sell China fewer weapons than before (ITAR-TASS, September 30; FBIS SOV, September 30). Thus, it remains unclear—to what degree if any—China suffers any penalties from its indigenization policy. In this way, China is becoming a direct competitor to Russia in the international arms markets, and even among the commonwealth of independent states (CIS).
The scope of China’s arms sales offensive is global. In Africa, China sells arms to those states from which it buys oil and gas or where it has gained access to explore for oil or gas (e.g. Sudan). Yet it is also clear that China is competing with Russia in the African arms market with indigenized versions of Russian-made weapons systems. For instance, according to Japanese reports China is “frantically” trying to sell SU-27 fighters in the guise of China’s J-11 Fighters to African states (Foresight, February 19; FBIS SOV, September 30). Similarly in South America, an area that Russia has targeted as one of the key future markets where it hopes to increase its market share, China is beginning to offer the same states competitive weapons systems (Interfax-AVN Online, October 22; FBIS SOV, October 22). In 2010, China will deliver six of the eighteen K-8 Karakorum trainer or light attack planes that it sold to Venezuela, and is lending Ecuador $52 million to buy aircraft for its air force. In early 2009, Ecuador signed a contract for $60 million to buy Chinese air defense radars; its first purchases from China in 15 years (Defense News, November 28).
Perhaps the most significant example of China’s aggressive arms sales posture can be found in the Middle East, the key market where it competes with Moscow and Washington. Iran has already reached the point where it can appeal to China for defense exports (ironically probably knock-offs of Russian weapons). Thus, Iran has raised hints that if Russia does not sell the S-300 SAM for which it signed a contract in 2007, Tehran might turn to the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile (FD-2000) as the alternative (Press TV, May 10). As an Iranian report noted:
As Iran’s quest for the advanced Russian-made S-300 air defense system is believed to have hit rock bottom, a report by RIA Novosti said Tehran is eyeing a Chinese-made HQ-9 surface-to-air missile under the name FD-2000—recently put on the export market. The HongQi-9/FD-2000 reportedly combines elements “borrowed” from Russia’s S-300 and America’s MIM-104 Patriot. It uses elements of the Russian system’s “solid rocket, aerodynamic layout, gas-dynamic spoilers and launcher technologies, as well as some search and guidance systems.” The missile has a range of 7-125 kilometers for airborne targets—a range much lower than the 150-kilometer range of the Russian S-300 PMU1. The Chinese system’s range for missile targets, or air-to-ground missiles, is 7-50 kilometers, with a firing altitude of 1-18 kilometers. Its range for cruise missiles is 7-15 kilometers, at a firing altitude of 0.025 kilometers. The range for ballistic missiles is 7-25 kilometers at a firing altitude of 2-15 kilometers (Press TV, May 10).
Egypt, a former Russian client who, like others, became frustrated with the poor quality of Russian weapons, also began switching to Chinese arms (FBIS SOV, February 19). Moreover, China has announced that it will compete with Russia and the United States for entry into Turkey’s surface-to-air missiles (SAM) market (FBIS SOV, August 31).
Finally, in South and Southeast Asia where China has sold its weapons and technology—which are generally copies of Russian systems—and in particular to Pakistan, China is intensifying the regional arms race with India, and competing with Russia in Southeast Asia. Specifically, China’s recent sale of at least 36 J-10 fighter jets, and the possibility that it could sell Pakistan up to 150, is a testament to its strength in the Pakistani market and to the enduring quality of the regional arms race with India. This sale is perhaps the most impressive testimony to China’s new assertiveness in the global arms market (See "J-10: The New Cornerstone of Sino-Pakistani Defense Cooperation," China Brief, December 16).
Accordingly, China’s Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) has also emerged as a rival to Russia’s Sukhoi and MiG Aircraft that are marketed abroad by Rosoboroneksport, Russia’s arms seller, in Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Eastern Europe, and eventually in Africa with regard to helicopters. Meanwhile, Pakistan will soon roll out its first indigenously produced JF-17 that China copied from Russia and sold (FBIS SOV, October 7). Indeed, it has become clear that China has sold or otherwise transferred Russian defense technologies like RPGs, the PK-10 Assault gun, howitzer ammunition and anti-tank rockets to Pakistan, much to the anger of Russian officials (Kanwa Asian Defense, August 2009; FBIS SOV, August 31).
Beyond these considerations, the deal with Pakistan also has important geopolitical ramifications. Clearly, China is concerned about the growth of Indian military power and political standing and Beijing is showing that it intends to restrain New Delhi by keeping it preoccupied with Pakistan. This sale demonstrates the long-standing policy of China in action. Second, it also shows that China will not supinely let the U.S. challenge it for primacy as the main foreign influence in Pakistan. As the Times of India reported:
Beijing is keen to reduce U.S. influence on Pakistan, which will make it easier for it to deal with India, sources said. Washington's recent decision to extend massive financial assistance to Islamabad is seen in some quarters as a policy setback for China. It is now trying to get back its influence over Pakistan by selling two squadrons of advanced jets, sources said. Even more significant is Beijing's eagerness to share advanced technology with Pakistan, which is something US suppliers are usually reluctant to do. A report from Pakistan said it wants to buy a larger number of warplanes from China besides the two squadrons of J-10 fighter planes it is buying at the moment. A Pakistani official described the plane sales deal as a "landmark" in Pak-China relations (Times of India, November 11).
In spite of agreements in late 2008 where China agreed not to create any suspicion of copying or exporting weapons using Russian technology to third countries in return for a renewed effort at a cooperative relationship with Russia, China failed to adhere to the agreement and it led to a temporary blocking of Russian arms sales to China (Sankei Shimbun Online, February 2; Kanwa Asian Defense, August 2009; FBIS SOV, August 31).
Conclusion
These arms sales and their scope indicate that China fully intends to become a permanent competitor with Russia and eventually with European and American firms in the international arms market. There does not seem to be a way to stop Beijing from indigenizing systems that it has received from Russia other than to curtail sales to it. Yet even if Russia stops selling China arms, an action that entails serious costs for Russia, it may be too late to stop Chinese firms from introducing their own competitive refinements and improvements to a host of weapon systems. Moreover, Chinese systems are attractive to countries based on price or in return for the political and economic support that China gives to their regimes (e.g. Sudan). Iran’s example also suggests what could happen to Russia if China supplants it in the arms market, namely a turn from Moscow to Beijing in Iran’s foreign policies. And the rivalry for the Turkish SAM (a project whose urgency grows with Iran’s rising missile capability) suggests that Russia in some cases may actually not even be competitive to customers relative to China. In other words, in this manifestation of China’s assertiveness in the international arena this is only the beginning of China’s rise in its arms sales policies, just as this is only the beginning of its self-assertion in financial system reform and other areas of international affairs.
[ The views expressed here do not represent those of the U.S. Army, Defense Department or the U.S. Government.]
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Major Trailer Movement
Check out Apple.com/trailers for just released Iron Man 2, Clash of the Titans and Alice in Wonderland trailers. More to comment in the morning, kinda tired. Out.......
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Superhero Scramble
Seems actors are starting to see the new reliability in film adaptations of comic book classics. Since November, 7 major comic book series have taken further steps toward production. Here is your overall update for who's doing what with comics:
Captain America is in the midst of still trying to find the right Steve Rogers. As of the beginning of December, the names are down to Kellan Lutz, who is preparing to shoot the next Twilight sequel Eclipse, and Sam Worthington, who has been recently attached to major flicks such as Terminator Salvation, Avatar and Clash of the Titans. While I do feel he would make an excellent Captain America, there is one major problem. He's English. And while I know that sounds ignorant, just remember this is CAPTAIN AMERICA, (cough, fuck yeah, cough). It would be like an American playing James Bond, something just wouldn't be right. Anywho, the studio is negotiating it as we speak since the The First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled for release summer 2011.
As of the beginning of the November, sourced confirmed that X-Men Origins: Magneto was to be put on the back-burner. Each source gave multiple reasons ranging from the Disney takeover of Marvel, to the Chairman David Maisel stepping down. I personally believe its due to the fact that Marvel has 7 major character movies already some wheres in the production line. Although, the latest out word could boost some new funding into the magnetic super villain. According to CinemaSpy.com, Twilight star Robert Patterson is interested in playing the young Eric Lynch. Now I know most would not like, for whatever the reason, to see the tween heartthrob play such a bad-ass and essential character as Magneto, but in actuality, I gotta agree he could pull it off. To see a different side of him, check out the preview for Remember Me on Apple.com/trailers.
Seems sequels are the new originals today, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine is no exception. Currently in the scripting phase, Hugh Jackman is signed on to this mutant sequel, rumored to cover Logan's time in Japan, where he learns the way of the samurai and becomes romantically involved with Mariko Yashida. Expect the villain to be the Silver Samurai, just a guess. Also, check out the new Wolverine anime series from Marvel Animation and Madhouse, whose works include Ninja Scroll, Trigun, and Paprika.
After starring for 10 minutes in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds landed his early retirement franchises by being named lead for both Green Lantern and Deadpool, both scheduled for release in 2011. And knowing how comic franchises love sequels, Reynolds could be with a steady paycheck for many years to come. Although, as with any franchise, there are always problems. After some recession-influenced setbacks, DC has decided to keep production of its up coming Green Lantern domestic, relocating from Australia to New Orleans. Not too big of a deal, though valuable time wasted still in the process. Production is looking to start January in New Orleans.
In a recent move, Josh Schwartz, the scribe for The OC and Gossip Girl, has jumped into negotiations with Marvel to write its latest franchise, X-Men: First Class. According to sources, the franchise will focus on teenage students of the mutant academy, though it is not confirmed whether it will act as a prequel to the X-Men movies, such as showing Cyclops as a teenager. I will though, put money on the fact that Jubilee will, more than likely, make an appearance; just a hunch.
Finally, we have the enormous cast being assembled for the Avengers movie scheduled for 2012. As speculated, Robert Downey Jr., Edward Norton, and Samuel L. Jackson are attached to the movie, which was expected since they all appeared in last summer's blockbusters, unlike Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johannson, who are emerging from the yet to debut Iron Man 2, to each continue playing the sequel's respective characters. Also, Jeremy Renner, coming off massive buzz from his performance in The Hurt Locker has entered final negotiations to play Hawkeye in the star studded blockbuster, accompanied by Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as the god of thunder's brother, Loki. For those unfamiliar, Chris Hemsworth played Captain James T. Kirk's father in the 2009 Star Trek remake. Tom Hiddleston, is a 28 year old, English newcomer whose resume includes mostly UK television.
Captain America is in the midst of still trying to find the right Steve Rogers. As of the beginning of December, the names are down to Kellan Lutz, who is preparing to shoot the next Twilight sequel Eclipse, and Sam Worthington, who has been recently attached to major flicks such as Terminator Salvation, Avatar and Clash of the Titans. While I do feel he would make an excellent Captain America, there is one major problem. He's English. And while I know that sounds ignorant, just remember this is CAPTAIN AMERICA, (cough, fuck yeah, cough). It would be like an American playing James Bond, something just wouldn't be right. Anywho, the studio is negotiating it as we speak since the The First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled for release summer 2011.
As of the beginning of the November, sourced confirmed that X-Men Origins: Magneto was to be put on the back-burner. Each source gave multiple reasons ranging from the Disney takeover of Marvel, to the Chairman David Maisel stepping down. I personally believe its due to the fact that Marvel has 7 major character movies already some wheres in the production line. Although, the latest out word could boost some new funding into the magnetic super villain. According to CinemaSpy.com, Twilight star Robert Patterson is interested in playing the young Eric Lynch. Now I know most would not like, for whatever the reason, to see the tween heartthrob play such a bad-ass and essential character as Magneto, but in actuality, I gotta agree he could pull it off. To see a different side of him, check out the preview for Remember Me on Apple.com/trailers.
Seems sequels are the new originals today, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine is no exception. Currently in the scripting phase, Hugh Jackman is signed on to this mutant sequel, rumored to cover Logan's time in Japan, where he learns the way of the samurai and becomes romantically involved with Mariko Yashida. Expect the villain to be the Silver Samurai, just a guess. Also, check out the new Wolverine anime series from Marvel Animation and Madhouse, whose works include Ninja Scroll, Trigun, and Paprika.
After starring for 10 minutes in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds landed his early retirement franchises by being named lead for both Green Lantern and Deadpool, both scheduled for release in 2011. And knowing how comic franchises love sequels, Reynolds could be with a steady paycheck for many years to come. Although, as with any franchise, there are always problems. After some recession-influenced setbacks, DC has decided to keep production of its up coming Green Lantern domestic, relocating from Australia to New Orleans. Not too big of a deal, though valuable time wasted still in the process. Production is looking to start January in New Orleans.
In a recent move, Josh Schwartz, the scribe for The OC and Gossip Girl, has jumped into negotiations with Marvel to write its latest franchise, X-Men: First Class. According to sources, the franchise will focus on teenage students of the mutant academy, though it is not confirmed whether it will act as a prequel to the X-Men movies, such as showing Cyclops as a teenager. I will though, put money on the fact that Jubilee will, more than likely, make an appearance; just a hunch.
Finally, we have the enormous cast being assembled for the Avengers movie scheduled for 2012. As speculated, Robert Downey Jr., Edward Norton, and Samuel L. Jackson are attached to the movie, which was expected since they all appeared in last summer's blockbusters, unlike Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johannson, who are emerging from the yet to debut Iron Man 2, to each continue playing the sequel's respective characters. Also, Jeremy Renner, coming off massive buzz from his performance in The Hurt Locker has entered final negotiations to play Hawkeye in the star studded blockbuster, accompanied by Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as the god of thunder's brother, Loki. For those unfamiliar, Chris Hemsworth played Captain James T. Kirk's father in the 2009 Star Trek remake. Tom Hiddleston, is a 28 year old, English newcomer whose resume includes mostly UK television.
'Arrested Development' Inches Closer to the Big Screen
'Arrested Development' Inches Closer to the Big Screen
We've run numerous Arrested Development stories since the series was canceled in 2006, and you can probably file this one in the same land of "Yes, sometime soon!" But it never hurts to keep fueling the fan fire, and remind Fox that we'd really really like the Bluths to return. It might be closer than we all think as according to The Hollywood Reporter, Mitch Hurwitz and James Vallely are actively working on a script for an Arrested Development movie. Hurwitz will direct the film.
Hurwitz has said in the past that he wouldn't even begin to write a script unless all of the actors were committed, and THR notes that schedule conflicts remain one of the biggest hurdles of a big-screen Bluth reunion. But perhaps this is a sign that Hurwitz and Vallely know something we don't, and that the super careers the show spawned (notably Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and Will Arnett) will leave enough of a gap for a movie.
When Cinematical caught up with Arnett in New Orleans, he confirmed there wasn't a script, but was optimistic that the film would begin shooting by the end of the year. "It's really just a matter of getting a script. I know that the studio is ready to go and everyone's kind of ready, but there's a lot of moving parts. There's a lot of people in the cast, a lot of schedules and stuff, but we're in that process now of figuring it all out, actively." Let's be optimistic and hope we see them start filming Arrested Development: The Movie by December or January. I just want my Bluths back!
We've run numerous Arrested Development stories since the series was canceled in 2006, and you can probably file this one in the same land of "Yes, sometime soon!" But it never hurts to keep fueling the fan fire, and remind Fox that we'd really really like the Bluths to return. It might be closer than we all think as according to The Hollywood Reporter, Mitch Hurwitz and James Vallely are actively working on a script for an Arrested Development movie. Hurwitz will direct the film.
Hurwitz has said in the past that he wouldn't even begin to write a script unless all of the actors were committed, and THR notes that schedule conflicts remain one of the biggest hurdles of a big-screen Bluth reunion. But perhaps this is a sign that Hurwitz and Vallely know something we don't, and that the super careers the show spawned (notably Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and Will Arnett) will leave enough of a gap for a movie.
When Cinematical caught up with Arnett in New Orleans, he confirmed there wasn't a script, but was optimistic that the film would begin shooting by the end of the year. "It's really just a matter of getting a script. I know that the studio is ready to go and everyone's kind of ready, but there's a lot of moving parts. There's a lot of people in the cast, a lot of schedules and stuff, but we're in that process now of figuring it all out, actively." Let's be optimistic and hope we see them start filming Arrested Development: The Movie by December or January. I just want my Bluths back!
News: Ridley Done Butched Up His ROBIN HOOD
News: Ridley Done Butched Up His ROBIN HOOD
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Does the world really need another Robin Hood film? No, probably not. And do all of Ridley Scott's period films look pretty much exactly like one another? Why, yes, yes they do. But that said ... Scott's period stuff, though flawed, actually tends to be a pretty fun time and as much of a prat as Russell Crowe may be in real life I actually quite like his casting in this particular role as that sort of against-type move is pretty much exactly what was needed if this was to have any chance of working.
All this to say that the first trailer has just arrived and this particular version of the Hood story clearly aint intended for the kiddies.
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Does the world really need another Robin Hood film? No, probably not. And do all of Ridley Scott's period films look pretty much exactly like one another? Why, yes, yes they do. But that said ... Scott's period stuff, though flawed, actually tends to be a pretty fun time and as much of a prat as Russell Crowe may be in real life I actually quite like his casting in this particular role as that sort of against-type move is pretty much exactly what was needed if this was to have any chance of working.
All this to say that the first trailer has just arrived and this particular version of the Hood story clearly aint intended for the kiddies.
Sam Rockwell Brings Light to the Dark Side of the "Moon"
Eerily haunting and sanity challenging, Moon creeps into the ranks as an immediate cult classic. Directed by newcomer, Duncan Jones, this strikingly original sci-fi independent plays more on its semi-noir atmosphere and themes of self-discovery than most futuristic counterparts.
In the film, "Astronaut Sam Bell is living on the far side of the moon, completing a three-year contract with Lunar Industries to mine Earth's primary source of energy, Helium-3. It is a lonely job, made harder by a broken satellite that allows no live communications home. Taped messages are all Same can send and receive.
Thankfully, his time on the moon is nearly over, and Sam will be reunited with his wife, Tess, and their three-year old daughter, Eve, in only a few short weeks. Finally, he will leave the isolation of "Sarang," the moon base that has been his home for so long, and he will finally have someone to talk to beyond "Gerty," the base's well-intentioned but rather uncomplicated computer.
Suddenly, Sam's health starts to deteriorate. Painful headaches, hallucinations and a lack of focus lead to an almost fatal accident on a routine drive on the moon in a lunar rover. While recuperating back at the base (with no memory of how he got there), Sam meets a younger, angrier version of himself, who claims to be there to fulfill the same 3 year contract Sam started all those years ago."
-Sony Pictures Classic
Its marvelous use of setting creates a immense sense of isolation reinforced by the classical use of still frame backgrounds. And in the middle of this vast arena is a brilliant and gripping performance from Sam Rockwell. While accompanied only by the Kevin Spacey-voiced base computer, Rockwell takes audiences through a spectrum of mental states and emotional feelings reflective of his deteriorating grip on reality. Aided by the proper direction from Jones, Rockwell's performance stays within the necessary constraints to focus the attention inward, something that is rarely done properly in a science fiction flick.
By centering more on the character's weakening state, Jones is able to correctly explore a wide array of themes, ranging from memory and existence, to humanity and genetic manipulation, even corporate ethics.
Now theatrical dissection aside, the film, while somewhat predictable at times, is about so much more than a crazed astronaut alone on a moon base. Similar to Danny Boyle's Sunshine, the film uses a far-fetched setting and plot to address a variety of everyday questions and emotions in an entertaining manner. What makes this film so much more is the fact that it does not let the "entertaining manner" hijack the message of the film with spectacular visuals and a Michael Bay-sized budget for special effects. It in fact, very intelligently, down plays the visuals, creating a drab, ugly place that can only intensify the want to go home and our connection with Rockwell's convincing performance.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Nicolas Cage Teaches Hit-Girl to KICK ASS
Ok, so this is a clip from the new movie Kick-Ass. Not gonna lie....kinda wanna see it now. Which is the first time I have ever said I want to see a movie because of a Nicolas Cage clip.
Lights Out for 'Green Lantern' In OZ
October 16, 2009 The studio said Friday through Aussie agency Screen NSW that "the current global economic situation, including fluctuations in currency valuation and overall costs," forced the decision. Producers have quietly been scouting locations in the U.S. and Canada for the comic book adaptation directed by Martin Campbell and starring Ryan Reynolds, though efforts seem to be zeroing in on Louisiana. Producer Donald De Line and other key creative personnel have made scouting trips to the state during the past two weeks and have put a hold on stages, though in what part of the state remains unclear.
If anyone actually reads this post and just so happens to be curious about trying to get on set, know that Second Line Stages in New Orleans will be heading production.
If anyone actually reads this post and just so happens to be curious about trying to get on set, know that Second Line Stages in New Orleans will be heading production.
The Last Airbender Trailer Delayed
Producer Frank Marshall Tweeted late last week that the anticipated first full trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's Avatar: The Last Airbender has been delayed from debuting this month all the way to February.
The reasoning behind the delay per Marshall's Tweet is that ILM has not finished enough shots despite the effects being on schedule. That makes some sense given it is an effects-heavy film but if so is atrocious planning on Shyamalan's part.
I'm thinking there might be more to the delay than some missing CGI. Pure speculation here, but Fox might be waiting for James Cameron's Avatar to come and go before unspooling the first full look at Night Shyamalan's flick which shares the same name. The last thing Fox needs is their film getting lost in consumer confusion.
So for now, The Last Airbender teaser trailer and fuzzy character images will have to suffice.
The reasoning behind the delay per Marshall's Tweet is that ILM has not finished enough shots despite the effects being on schedule. That makes some sense given it is an effects-heavy film but if so is atrocious planning on Shyamalan's part.
I'm thinking there might be more to the delay than some missing CGI. Pure speculation here, but Fox might be waiting for James Cameron's Avatar to come and go before unspooling the first full look at Night Shyamalan's flick which shares the same name. The last thing Fox needs is their film getting lost in consumer confusion.
So for now, The Last Airbender teaser trailer and fuzzy character images will have to suffice.
Keanu Reeves Says Cowboy Bebop Is Getting a Rewrite | Movieweb
MTV.COM recently sat down with Keanu Reeves
to discuss his newest project The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. It was during this discussion that the subject of Cowboy Bebop came up. Here is what Reeves had to say:
"There's a draft of the script, but the writer did such a great job [that] in order to make the movie, you would need half a billion dollars," Reeves stated.
It seems that as great as this adaptation of the anime series is, there is still the bottom line for the studio, Fox, to think about.
"So the studio went, 'This movie is fantastic and it would cost half a billion dollars so he's doing a rewrite."
He went on to say:
"The only challenge was to make a satisfying western narrative out of the kind of storytelling that happens. There's a great draft, so we're just trying to pull it back a little bit now."
One of the big titles in anime, Cowboy Bebop is set in a time where "astral gates" make interstellar travel possible. Humanity, decimated by a lunar explosion resulting from a gate accident, spread out across the solar system, as did crime, which gave rise to the use of bounty hunters.
Reeves would play Spike Spiegel, a bounty hunter and former member of a crime syndicate. Spiegel, along with Jet Black, a fellow bounty hunter and former cop, are the two pilots of the spaceship Bebop.
The show, which first aired on Tokyo TV and satcaster Wowow during the late 1990s, was strongly influenced by American music, even featuring action sequences -- both space battles and mano a mano -- timed to U.S. melodies.
to discuss his newest project The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. It was during this discussion that the subject of Cowboy Bebop came up. Here is what Reeves had to say:
"There's a draft of the script, but the writer did such a great job [that] in order to make the movie, you would need half a billion dollars," Reeves stated.
It seems that as great as this adaptation of the anime series is, there is still the bottom line for the studio, Fox, to think about.
"So the studio went, 'This movie is fantastic and it would cost half a billion dollars so he's doing a rewrite."
He went on to say:
"The only challenge was to make a satisfying western narrative out of the kind of storytelling that happens. There's a great draft, so we're just trying to pull it back a little bit now."
One of the big titles in anime, Cowboy Bebop is set in a time where "astral gates" make interstellar travel possible. Humanity, decimated by a lunar explosion resulting from a gate accident, spread out across the solar system, as did crime, which gave rise to the use of bounty hunters.
Reeves would play Spike Spiegel, a bounty hunter and former member of a crime syndicate. Spiegel, along with Jet Black, a fellow bounty hunter and former cop, are the two pilots of the spaceship Bebop.
The show, which first aired on Tokyo TV and satcaster Wowow during the late 1990s, was strongly influenced by American music, even featuring action sequences -- both space battles and mano a mano -- timed to U.S. melodies.
News: David Cross. Will Arnett. THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET.
News: David Cross. Will Arnett. THE INCREASINGLY POOR DECISIONS OF TODD MARGARET.
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To hold you over till the "Arrested Development" Movie comes out....Enjoy!
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To hold you over till the "Arrested Development" Movie comes out....Enjoy!
Andrew Belle - The Ladder
With a raspy blues voice surrounded by nuanced melodies and an ocean of deep lyrics, Tennessee/Chicago native Andrew Belle has distinguished himself as a up and coming musician. With a Counting Crows-like introduction, Belle's debut 2008 EP All Those Pretty Lights contained songs featured on 90210 and The Real World helping him to capture MTV's Best Breakout Artist, Chicago Award.
On his homepage, Belle explains one of his major influences and earliest experiences with music:
"The first album that I ever bought for myself was the Counting Crows' August and Everything After when I was a sophomore in high school. It had already been out for several years at that point but I can still remember sneaking it up to my room and listening to it very softly out of the dusty Sony boom box in my bedroom; pouring over every melody and marveling over the lyrical genius in Adam Duritz; thinking, maybe I can do this someday? 'Not that I think of myself now as important to music as Adam Duritz or the Counting Crows have been, nor do I even dare to compare myself to such talent, but thinking back on my earliest experiences with music, there is no doubt that those quiet moments spent alone in my bedroom shaped my desires and passions and gave me the hope to make my small mark on this world, one song at a time."
Humbly written and brilliantly received, I caught Belle's performance at Chelsea's in Baton Rouge, LA with the Ten Out Of Tenn Tour about 3 weeks ago. It only took one song to see the talent this young musician had.
Keep a lookout for his upcoming full-length debut album The Ladder releasing this February 23, 2010, and catch his and other great musicians currently touring with the critically acclaimed Ten Out Of Tenn Tour.
Now the song that caught my immediate attention, The Ladder.
On his homepage, Belle explains one of his major influences and earliest experiences with music:
"The first album that I ever bought for myself was the Counting Crows' August and Everything After when I was a sophomore in high school. It had already been out for several years at that point but I can still remember sneaking it up to my room and listening to it very softly out of the dusty Sony boom box in my bedroom; pouring over every melody and marveling over the lyrical genius in Adam Duritz; thinking, maybe I can do this someday? 'Not that I think of myself now as important to music as Adam Duritz or the Counting Crows have been, nor do I even dare to compare myself to such talent, but thinking back on my earliest experiences with music, there is no doubt that those quiet moments spent alone in my bedroom shaped my desires and passions and gave me the hope to make my small mark on this world, one song at a time."
Humbly written and brilliantly received, I caught Belle's performance at Chelsea's in Baton Rouge, LA with the Ten Out Of Tenn Tour about 3 weeks ago. It only took one song to see the talent this young musician had.
Keep a lookout for his upcoming full-length debut album The Ladder releasing this February 23, 2010, and catch his and other great musicians currently touring with the critically acclaimed Ten Out Of Tenn Tour.
Now the song that caught my immediate attention, The Ladder.
Is Cameron risking it all with Avatar?
Amid 14 years of hype, James Cameron's highly anticipated, action-adventure "Avatar" prepares for the big screen this Friday, December 18th. Fans and critics are anxiously awaiting to be blown away by, industry claimed, revolutionary film-making techniques, developed specifically for this blockbuster. Although, with all the hype that has been pouring forth through advanced 14-minute screenings, to TV promotions and Internet feeds, people are wondering if an advanced CGI epic worth an estimated $230 million and 14 years of development will live up to everyone expectations.
I, for one, have my own curiosities about the upcoming film, especially with the amount of CGI being constantly bombarded on TV and Internet by an intense advertising and marketing plan. Normally, studios build hype by revealing little to no footage of a film and simply rely on the names attached to the production to pull in crowds of moviegoers. And with a cast featuring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi and Michelle Rodriguez being matched with legendary director James Cameron, you'd think this be enough. Not to mention all the work and time Cameron has put into this film, developing new technologies and techniques over the past 14 years to bring his futuristic sci-fi to life. Yet for some reason, the studio and marketing plan has seemed to be on the defense trying to quell skeptics and critics since a release date was issued. On August 21, 2009, Cameron showed a free-of-charge, 16 minute clip to 68,000 fans who managed to grab tickets from 20th Century Fox's online site. Reviews seemed to be slightly more positive than negative, taking into account the limited time frame focused more on visuals with only hints of storyline elements hoping this would draw audience members back to the theater when the full film was released.
Second, when the 3 minute theatrical trailer premiered, most critics were lost due to the scarce dialogue and colorful settings. Immediately, many hopefuls were confused since the claim of advanced CGI looked nothing more impressive than "Transformers 2" which had just been released.
Third, 20th Century Fox released a new trailer, which clocked in at 3:35 seconds and pretty much gave the entire storyline of the film but the result of the final battle. In the preview, we meet Jake Sully (Worthington) a paraplegic war veteran who is brought to the planet Pandora to participate in a program designed to help him walk again. The program introduces him to his avatar, a creature whose genetics are half human and half Na'vi, a sentient humanoid race who inhabit Pandora and reside in a region rich in a new mineral deposit worth billions. As Jake is sent in to gain the Na'vi's trust and help in a peaceful relocation program, he beings to befriend the race and in time finds himself in the middle of an escalating conflict between the two sides. Que epic battle footage.
All of this is well shown in the trailer, so well in fact I don't know if I really need to see if the evil, war-moggering general is ever killed or if Jake's Na'vi love interest makes it through the final battle.
Finally, the latest commercials seem to only ride on the coattails of director James Cameron, as reminders of his past thrill-rides flash amidst scenes of chaos from Avatar. While normally this does work, I feel it tries to say, "hey, were not gonna say if Avatar is good or bad, but bank on the fact his other movies weren't bad." And I can only support this since I haven't seen any critic reactions yet, since there don't seem to be advanced screenings to media outlets even a week before the film's release.
The one thing I can say to squash negative criticisms is that most people said they never see "Titanic" since "they knew how it would end, with the boat sinking." Yet once it premiered, the amazing story drove the film to box office greatness, becoming one of the highest grossing films of all time. I can only hope that after all the visuals, all the distracting CGI and awkward, bi-racial, romantic tension, it is the story which makes people want to see this movie.
I, for one, have my own curiosities about the upcoming film, especially with the amount of CGI being constantly bombarded on TV and Internet by an intense advertising and marketing plan. Normally, studios build hype by revealing little to no footage of a film and simply rely on the names attached to the production to pull in crowds of moviegoers. And with a cast featuring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Giovanni Ribisi and Michelle Rodriguez being matched with legendary director James Cameron, you'd think this be enough. Not to mention all the work and time Cameron has put into this film, developing new technologies and techniques over the past 14 years to bring his futuristic sci-fi to life. Yet for some reason, the studio and marketing plan has seemed to be on the defense trying to quell skeptics and critics since a release date was issued. On August 21, 2009, Cameron showed a free-of-charge, 16 minute clip to 68,000 fans who managed to grab tickets from 20th Century Fox's online site. Reviews seemed to be slightly more positive than negative, taking into account the limited time frame focused more on visuals with only hints of storyline elements hoping this would draw audience members back to the theater when the full film was released.
Second, when the 3 minute theatrical trailer premiered, most critics were lost due to the scarce dialogue and colorful settings. Immediately, many hopefuls were confused since the claim of advanced CGI looked nothing more impressive than "Transformers 2" which had just been released.
Third, 20th Century Fox released a new trailer, which clocked in at 3:35 seconds and pretty much gave the entire storyline of the film but the result of the final battle. In the preview, we meet Jake Sully (Worthington) a paraplegic war veteran who is brought to the planet Pandora to participate in a program designed to help him walk again. The program introduces him to his avatar, a creature whose genetics are half human and half Na'vi, a sentient humanoid race who inhabit Pandora and reside in a region rich in a new mineral deposit worth billions. As Jake is sent in to gain the Na'vi's trust and help in a peaceful relocation program, he beings to befriend the race and in time finds himself in the middle of an escalating conflict between the two sides. Que epic battle footage.
All of this is well shown in the trailer, so well in fact I don't know if I really need to see if the evil, war-moggering general is ever killed or if Jake's Na'vi love interest makes it through the final battle.
Finally, the latest commercials seem to only ride on the coattails of director James Cameron, as reminders of his past thrill-rides flash amidst scenes of chaos from Avatar. While normally this does work, I feel it tries to say, "hey, were not gonna say if Avatar is good or bad, but bank on the fact his other movies weren't bad." And I can only support this since I haven't seen any critic reactions yet, since there don't seem to be advanced screenings to media outlets even a week before the film's release.
The one thing I can say to squash negative criticisms is that most people said they never see "Titanic" since "they knew how it would end, with the boat sinking." Yet once it premiered, the amazing story drove the film to box office greatness, becoming one of the highest grossing films of all time. I can only hope that after all the visuals, all the distracting CGI and awkward, bi-racial, romantic tension, it is the story which makes people want to see this movie.
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