SIMPSONS renewed for 2 more years!

By: JaysQ

To the surprise of no one The Simpsons was picked up by fox for another 44 episodes. This will make it the longest running primetime series in history, says Variety! I really do take the show for granted sometimes because it's become such a regular part of my life since I was 6 years old. I will cry like a baby the day it ever goes off the air.

I wonder if I'd be the fan I am today if I'd been watching this for 20 years?

OMG Wolverine looks so hawt!

By: JaysQ

Even though I think the new WOLVERINE flick has looked good so far, I was a little perterbed by these new promo shots I found on XMF. They're so GQ and even though Jackman is looking ripped and trying to be feral, I don't wanna see Wolvie posing for the camera. I would have liked to see some action shots or something along those lines. There better not be any of this pansy business in the movie.

See the other two photos here.

On a side note. What happened to the trademark Wolverine hair? It has become less and less coifed as time goes on. Long ago I had to make my peace with the fact that you can't really dress a guy up to look exactly like the comic book version and despite my ranting otherwise, I do like Jackman in the role. I guess sometimes I still long to see him look like a scrappy little hard-ass instead of a model with claws.

SAM JACKSON signs on as Nick Fury

By: JaysQ

What's better than having SAMUEL L. JACKSON reprise his cameo role as Nick Fury in Iron Man for the sequel? Having him do it eight more times! Variety reports that Jackson has agreed to play the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. in IRON MAN 2 which will again be directed by Favreau and starts shooting this spring.

This lends credence to my theory that MARVEL is headed in the right direction as far as continuity is concerned. The deal would give SLJ the option to play Fury in eight subsequent films, effectively holding down a quality actor to play a very important character in the Marvel universe. I'm just glad to see this finally went through after there was some dissension from Samuel L. and other talent in regards to skimpy paychecks proposed by the film's producers.

ED HELMS slated to go back in time?

By: JaysQ

Ed Helms is working on an interesting project. He and scripting partner, Jake Fleisher, pitched an idea about an obsessive Civil War re-enactor and his buddies getting transported back in time to the actual Civil War. Sounds nutty, but Helms has grown on me alot since he joined the cast of "The Office" so with him playing the lead, I feel fairly confident hilarity will ensue. His castmate Steve Carrell is producing the flick under his Warner Bros based Carousel banner. No details on the story have been released yet. More info at Variety.

MICHAEL CERA makes 'Arrested Development' film happen

By: JaysQ

George Michael Bluth is finally going to see big screen action as Michael Cera joins the rest of the TV show's cast after being the lone holdout. Series creator Mitchell Hurwitz will write/direct and Fox Searchlight is the studio involved. They want to start shooting before the end of the year if possible despite Cera's very busy schedule as of late. Full story here.

FUNNY PEOPLE trailer looks genuinely hilarious

By: JaysQ
Well from the looks of it Judd Apatow has knocked his third film out of the park. All the major players (Sandler, Rogan and Mann) seem to fit well in their roles and I can't help but feel that Sandler and Rogan, in particular, will end up having a nice chemistry together. That hunch is partly due to their oft times jew-centric comedic sensabilities, as well as, a brief cameo appearance by Sandler on one of Seth's old shows, UNDECLARED. They didn't share much screen time, but I saw a glimpse of that spark. Anyways, check out the trailer (from Moviefone) and see for yourself.

Could Futurama return to the small screen???

By: JaysQ

The always hilarious Billy West shows off his voices and talks about upcoming Futurama possibilities. Let us pray to the almighty saviour, Matt Groening, that it be so!

Rodriguez looks ahead to futuristic thriller

By: JaysQ

Not long ago word started to break on the web about a mysterious Robert Rodriguez project called "Nerverackers" set up at Dimension with an announced release date of April 16, 2010. Since then alot of speculation has gone about Rodriguez's actual involvment until recently when Variety confirmed that he will write and direct.

The story centers on "a character named Joe Tezca who is part of an elite unit dispatched to quell a crime wave in a theoretically perfect future society" in the year 2085.

This seems perfect for the filmmaker who is often lauded for his technical training and ability to put together amazing special effects on a shoestring budget. Unfortunately it also probably means that we won't see Sin City 2, the Predator reboot, a Machete spin-off or any of the other things that he's been attached to in recent years anytime soon.

Still it is hard to not get excited about a Rodriguez film of this nature. An effects driven, sci-fi thriller seems right up his alley and it will be interesting to see how it develops.

Official Trailer! Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen!

By: JaysQ

Not even 24 hours since I posted about the Hasbro toy line, I find the official trailer for the new Transformers flick that's been showing with Friday the 13th. The first one wasn't perfect, but it proved to be an enjoyable, summer-popcorn action movie and from the looks of this unbelievable teaser the sequel is gonna up the ante. I couldn't find an embed, but click the link to see the trailer at Yahoo! Movies! Robots go smashey!

NEW Devastator toy assembles and destroys!

By:JaysQ

Transformers holds a place near and dear to my heart. What could be better than giant, transforming robots from another planet warring with each other over Earth's resources? Exactly, nothing. I've loved it since I was a kid and over the years I've collected many of the multitude of toys, comics etc. associated with the characters. My absolute favorite of those has always been the mighty Devastator.

Devastator is the humongous Decepticon that comes to life when the six Constructicons combine together. Once formed he proceeds to rain down destruction upon whatever lies in his path. Standard stuff for the giant evil robot ilk. I think it's rather obvious why this was a great toy to own. The one I had as a boy was pretty damn cool, but the one that Hasbro released in conjunction with the upcoming film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is incredibly cool in it's own right and quite frankly, kinda scary looking. There's plenty more included in the new line so take a peak at the rest here

New mean looking Devastator

Old green and purple Devastator

Jonah Hill sells script to Universal

By: JaysQ

Recently it was reported that Jonah Hill (Superbad, Strange Wilderness) sold a script to Universal Pictures called 'THE ADVENTURER'S HANDBOOK'. The story focuses on four guys who set out on a journey to find a mysterious location, after becoming inspired by a book of the same name. Apparently it was a very hush-hush transaction and up until yesterday Universal still had not confirmed the deal. It's now finalized with Hill and Jason Schwartzman starring alongside each other.

I have to admit I'm a huge fan of Jonah, the Apatow crew, as well as the many hilarious people that have collaborated with them and I doubt 'HANDBOOK' will change that opinion. He sometimes comes under fire when he's in front of the camera, but I particularly enjoy Hill's comedic approach and timing. His co-writers on the film (Max Winkler and Matthew Spicer), though mostly unknown, have contributed to David Wain's humorous internet series 'Wainy Days' which bodes well. Not too mention Schwartzman's attachment. He's almost always gold. All these elements banging together are gonna make for some quality laughs.

The one choice I'm not necessarily convinced on is that of Akiva Schaffer directing. I don't dislike his work entirely. I actually love the digital shorts he directs on SNL (especially 'Lazy Sunday' which is freakin hysterical) but didn't care much for 'Hot Rod'. Regardless, it's far too early to speculate on that anyways.

Check out the full story here

WOLVERINE TV spots clawing their way into your living room

By: JaysQ

Apparently Fox is going to be airing some 60 second TV spots for the upcoming film X-men Origins: Wolverine due for release on May 1st, 2009. In preparation for that, they've also been airing a promo with some new snippets not found in the current trailer ( Is that Cyclops I see in there)? It's only a few seconds long so check it out.



You can check out the TV spots themselves on Sun, Feb 15. (9-9:30 EST), Mon, Feb 16. (8-9 EST) and Tues, Feb 17. (8-10 EST).

Inglorious Basterds NEW trailer is out!!

And quite frankly it looks sweet. I'm a huge Tarantino fan and I've been salivating over the idea of him helming a gritty WW2 picture for a very long time now. The potential for gore and badassery is nearly overwhelming. Not to mention some interesting casting choices that include Brad Pitt, B.J. Novak (The Office) and Samm Levine (That little guy from Freaks and Geeks). Now that I've seen a proper trailer I have to say I'm pleased, but not completely satisfied. Where is the signature Tarantino visual style? It doesn't look bad, it's just your typical bleak grey WW2 backdrop. That petty gripe aside, this looks like a bloody good time. See for yourself.

CORALINE's stunning imagery evokes both beauty and dread...

By: JaysQ

As I was browsing through the resume of the undisputed stop-motion king, Henry Selik, I found a rather interesting credit to his name. Nearly 30 years ago he was an alien designer (sweet job title!) for the 1980’s family/horror WATCHER IN THE WOODS. Rather obscure I know, but it got me thinking in how many ways CORALINE reminds me of that now virtually non-existent genre. Those films were definitely frightening to many kids that watched them. But it was an innocent kind of fear that inspired the imagination rather than torment it. In that vain, Selik’s recent addition to an ever growing list of animated classics, delivers a perfect blend of tugs on the ol’ heartstring and genuinely creepy moments. Add in top notch visuals and a great voice cast and you better believe your in for a treat.

We start the story meeting Coraline Jones (voice of Dakota Fanning) and her parents as they are moving into a new house. As most kids would be, she is a little upset about having to part ways with her friends (or “best trolls” as she hilariously puts it) and is quite frankly, being a bit of a nuisance. Her parents aren’t paying her much mind either as they endlessly labor on a gardening catalog and she inevitably finds herself bored and lonely. Days go on as she tries to fritter away the doldrums spending time with the peculiar tenants of her new building (DawnFrench/Jennifer Saunders/Ian McShane respectively) or the abrasive young neighbor Wybie (Robert Bailey Jr.). All this changes when CORALINE awakens one night and finds a passageway in her new home that was previously sealed off. Through this mysterious opening she stumbles into another world, that looks like her own, but is very different indeed. In this world everything feels perfect and all her troubles disappear. But it doesn’t take long before she figures out that something is not quite right and that there’s a price tag on this happiness.

I really can’t say enough good things about this film. It is downright gorgeous to look at. Often in a dark and deranged fashion. Definite eye candy from start to finish. Selik really showcases the magical qualities of stop-motion and the fact it’s shot in 3D only enhances the visual smorgasbord. I especially enjoyed how he displayed so beautifully the stark contrasts of the real world and the “other world”. Our world looks bleak and gloomy while the other world looks vibrant and full of life, in synch with the emotions CORALINE feels when in both places. One of my favorite scenes of the movie comes in the form a lush living garden that CORALINE’s “other” father creates in her honor, but there is plenty to marvel at throughout.

All of the voice acting is solid, however, Ms. Fanning really nails the spunky attitude of the protagonist and I loved John Hodgman/Teri hatcher as the preoccupied but ultimately loving parents. My favorite character though has to be the mangy enigmatic black cat (voiced by the sultry Keith David) who can also leisurely stroll between the two worlds. The team up between these two in the final act makes for some of the most thrilling moments of the picture.

CORALINE is a gift from the treasure trove of creativity that is Henry Selik’s noggin and is easily a must see in the theater. It truely shows a level of artistry in film the likes of which I am never satiated. Equal parts funny, sincere and disturbing, this is far and away the best feature of 2009 to date and will be tough competition for even the most promising upcoming releases through to december. It is not to be missed!