3 Clips from TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub Posted: June 24th, 2011
With director Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon getting released next week, Paramount has sent over three clips from the film. Even thought the clips had previously been released, I figure a few of you haven’t seen them, and I’ve also put them in one video player so they’re easy to watch.
Everything I’ve seen from TF3 tells me this is going to be one hell of a ride. Here’s my reaction to watching 15 minutes of footage. Remember, Bay filmed the third installment in 3D, so it’s definitely worth checking it out in 3D. After watching a number of scenes in 3D a few weeks ago, I think TF3 will raise the bar like Avatar. We’ll find out next week. Hit the jump for the clips. http://collider.com/transformers-3-dark-moon-movie-clips/98550/
John Goodman In Talks To Join Ben Affleck's Argo
published: 2011-06-24 20:35:56 Author: Eric Eisenberg
If there was ever a movie made about you, what actor do you think casting agents would hire if they were going on looks alone? Because 9/10ths of us are superficial assholes, chances are that most people would say George Clooney or Scarlett Johannson instead of Steve Buscemi or Chewbacca. We can't all look like Brad Pitt. Some of us look like John Goodman, and there's nothing wrong with that. Let's hope former make-up artist John Chambers' surviving family doesn't take offense.
Variety reports that Goodman has entered talks to play in Argo, the political thriller being directed by Ben Affleck. Based on true events, the film is about a secret CIA mission during in 1979 to rescue six American hostages being held captive in Iran. The unit was successful in their mission by pretending that they were part of a film crew scouting locations in the area. The title comes from the name of the fake movie, which was originally supposed to be an adaptation of the Roger Zelazny book "Lord of Light" that was never made. Already attached to the project is Alan Arkin, who will be playing Lester Siegel, a Hollywood producer hired to make the "film production" seem more authentic. Chambers, whom Goodman will be playing in the film, is best known for his work on all five of the original Planet of the Apes movies.
There's nothing about this project thus far that suggests it will be anything less than amazing. Affleck has now twice proven that he's a bigger talent behind the camera than in front of it and between Arkin and Goodman he already has the makings of an incredible cast. The only way I would be more excited would be if they were going the Wag The Dog approach and playing up the lighter side of the situation, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/John-Goodman-In-Talks-To-Join-Ben-Affleck-s-Argo-25404.html
Ray Liotta To Play A Corrupt Cop In Derek Cianfrance's A Place Beyond The Pines
published: 2011-06-24 22:26:49 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Ray Liotta is like a scientist who discovered the cure for cancer but forgot to write down the formula, so he spends the rest of his life trying to recreate it. In 1990, the actor starred in what is widely considered to be one of the greatest gangster films of all time, Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, but in the nearly 50 films since hasn't found a project even close to the same level of quality. Perhaps the missing part of that equation is working with another terrific director, and here's hoping he has found that in Derek Cianfrance.
Liotta is set to play a corrupt cop (again) in Cianfrance's A Place Beyond The Pines, according to Variety. The film, which is the director's follow-up to last year's incredible Blue Valentine, is about a motorcycle racer - played by Ryan Gosling - who starts robbing banks and goes head-to-head with a young cop - played by Bradley Cooper - who wants to take him down. When I spoke to Cianfrance last December, he told me that the project has been four years in the making and that the film begins with Gosling finding out that he's a father. Initially describing the movie as involving motorcycles and guns, the filmmaker wants to show violence in an unfiltered way and how horrific it can be. Said Cianfrance,
"Blue Valentine is a very emotionally violent movie and so difficult, so I want to put guns in this one and show just the cowardly nature of guns and how chicken-shit they are, basically, and to show the reverberations of guns. It’s just like the sexuality of Blue Valentine, I wanted to look at it straight, I wanted to look at it without a filter, without a sensationalized filter, without trying to make it erotic or titillating. I just wanted to look at it as part of the character. There’s sexuality in Pines too, and violence. The violence is going to hurt. It’s not easy violence; it’s not violence that’s taken lightly. It’s violence that’s violent."Between the plot lines about a motorist moonlighting as a criminal, Ryan Gosling's involvement, and the promised brutality of the violence, this project is starting to remind me a lot of Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive. While I'd like to say that there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, I truly believe that Cianfrance is a great director and I'd hate to see his next film suffer in the shadows of a different-but-similar project. Given the creative minds at work, there's something in the back of my mind that's telling me I don't need to worry.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Ray-Liotta-To-Play-A-Corrupt-Cop-In-Derek-Cianfrance-s-A-Place-Beyond-The-Pines-25405.html
Emma Stone Won't Be Starring In Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
published: 2011-06-24 16:28:02 Author: Eric Eisenberg
Earlier this week it was reported that Easy A star Emma Stone had been offered the lead in the Craig Gillespie-directed adaptation of Seth Grahame Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's important to note at this juncture that the story didn't say that she was confirmed to star, and it didn't say that she was negotiating a deal. Do you see where this is going yet?
Deadline reports that Stone has decided to pass on the comedy-horror film. While it was never confirmed, it was widely expected that the actress was offered the role of Elizabeth Bennet, who, in the altered story, is turned into a zombie-killing expert. The production has had more than it's fair share of problems since being announced in late 2009. David O. Russell was originally signed on to direct with Natalie Portman starring, but both dropped out, as did Mike White, Russell's replacement, a few months later.
While I'm sure that Stone would look amazing wearing blood-soaked period garments, I think this was a smart move on her part. Stone already has undead experience with a co-starring role in Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland. While it still may be a few years off, a sequel is still planned, and mainstream audiences might not like seeing Stone doing too much of the same thing. Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but it's a good career move.
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Emma-Stone-Won-t-Be-Starring-In-Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-25397.html