Movie News

Weak-ass weekend for Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass almost got its ass kicked by a four-week-old dragon. The R-rated superhero movie based on the Mark Millar comic failed to reach even the $20 million-mark in its opening weekend, a massive disappointment considering the hype and positive reviews. Still, it managed to eek out How to Train Your Dragon by fewer than $200,000, meaning for the second straight week, the film predicted to win the box office on Sunday ended up not making the most money when the final total came in.

The Avengers recruit Joss Whedon

Just when it seems Marvel rolls out of favor with geekdom and fanboyhood, it swims right back in it. Deadline writes that beloved sci-fi writer, director and producer Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly) is said to be in the final stages of negotiating for creative control over 2012’s highly anticipated Avengers movie, which will bring together Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and in all likelihood many more for superhero epic-ness.

Whedon’s greatest success has been with television. “Buffy” was obviously a phenomenon and it spawned a spin-off, Dark Angel, while Firefly was the most successful sci-fi series that didn’t last very long but led to the enjoyable film version, Serenity. Whedon also piloted Internet sensation Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog which helped make Neil Patrick Harris a household name once again.

DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 4.13.10)

With movies accessible at our fingertips, when is it worth buying a movie? Sure, if you loved it in theaters it’s a no-brainer, but if you didn’t, what even makes it worth renting? What about Blu-ray: should you buy one of those?

Ah, life’s mysteries. That’s why you have us – to tell you what’s worth your cash or your time or whatever it is that you will spend on movies outside of the theater. That’s the goal of what will become our weekly DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion.

Date Night topples “Titans”

Note: This article was based on the weekend estimates, which figured Date Night had finished No. 1. In fact, Clash of the Titans was the actual winner when the Sunday receipts were officially totaled.

Clash of the Titans more or less turned to stone in its second weekend, allowing Steve Carell and Tina Fey comedy Date Night to take the No. 1 spot in America. The top three films were all close, with How to Train Your Dragon having a fantastic third week, declining just 12 percent from last weekend thanks to tremendous positive reviews.

Gears of War film enters game-movie limbo

The LA Times reported recently that the movie version of Gears of War the video game has unfortunately fallen into videogame/movie limbo.

Much like Castlevania, Halo, and a third Tomb Raider movie, the powers to be at New Line have other projects they want to pursue currently. It’s hard to tell what the true cause of the delay is. It might be behind these developments. The movie industry is fickle, and New Line’s priorities may reflect nothing more than a shift in what interets them.

Wanted writer Chris Morgan turned in a script that was apparently good. It just fell to the wayside and might need more power behind it in terms of a major film developer, in order for it to happen. With a reported $100 million budget, the studio wants it scaled down.  Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) was going to direct the film, but has since moved onto other projects.  

Video game movies, like comic book movies, need a big hit like X-Men or Spider-Man in order to become a force to be reckoned with. Maybe this Summer’s Prince of Persia from Jerry Brukheimer will do it so that we might see better films made of good games. 

DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion (New for 4.6.10)

With movies accessible at our fingertips, when is it worth buying a movie? Sure, if you loved it in theaters it’s a no-brainer, but if you didn’t, what even makes it worth renting? What about Blu-ray: should you buy one of those?

Ah, life’s mysteries. That’s why you have us – to tell you what’s worth your cash or your time or whatever it is that you will spend on movies outside of the theater. That’s the goal of what will become our weekly DVD/Blu-ray DISCussion.

Resident Evil: Afterlife

The trailer for the next installment in the “Resident Evil” movie franchise has been released. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson “Resident Evil” Afterlife” will make use of the same 3D technology used in “Avatar.”

The story will involve Alice (Mila Jovovich) once again battling the Umbrella Corporation while also searching for a safe haven said to be located in Los Angeles. Of course the safe haven will, unsurprisingly, be overrun with zombies that Alice must shoot her way through with the help of an old friend.

“Resident Evil: Afterlife” is scheduled to be released September 10, 2010. The trailer may be viewed at http://www.residentevil-movie.com/

Bond 23 placed on hold

There is bad news for Bond fans and the action genre as a whole with the announcement that Bond 23 has been put on hold “indefinitely,” raising some big fears.

Everything seem to be going well with Peter Morgan hired to write the script, Sam Mendes attached to direct and Rachel Weisz rumoured to star as the villain, but all that can be disregarded.

Bill Condon to direct Breaking Dawn?

Whether you love, hate or are neutral towards the Twilight series there is no denying that it is a financially successful film series pleasing the fans of the Stephenie Meyer novels. Summit Entertainment have already attached three established directors to its series, Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz and David Slade, and the studio has been on the hunt for an experienced director for the final two films.

Indie directors such as Gus Van Sant (Milk, Elephant) and Sofia Coppolla (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation) were linked to Breaking Dawn, but Summit Entertainment is now in talks with Bill Condon to sit in the director’s chair.