Well remaking TV hasn’t hit the bottom yet, but we can see it from here. From the “Why haven’t they done that yet” fishbowl of ideas we find out that Buck Rogers is getting the silver screen treatment. And just announced, Sin City scribe Frank Miller is on board to direct!

According to IGN Movies, it’s Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films that will resurrect the Buck Rogers character for a whole new generation of sci-fi nerdlings. (I guess Millennium is using their Rambo money on this project.)

But it gets even geekier! Apparently author / artist / filmmaker Frank Miller will be the one in the director’s chair! IGN says that the $40 million Buck Rogers project will be Miller’s next gig once he’s all finished with The Spirit. The screenplay comes from genre veteran Flint Dille, but there’s one thing that gives me a little pause, and it’s this quote specifically: “The cheapness of the low-budget effects will be a running joke in the movie, which will retain the campiness of the 1980s TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century starring Gil Gerard.”

Ouch. The reaction that the fans have had to such tributes has been less than popular. In Thunderbirds, the old 60s camp and marionette styling had been the greatest criticism of the film (which was just the top of the list) and much of the Speed Racer hate has been coming from people who just don’t like the tribute to the original stylings.

I would love to see Buck Rogers get the full movie treatment, but honestly I would rather see an updated sci-fi epic that pays due respects to the franchise than a throwback so we can spend 90 minutes reminding ourselves why we wouldnt watch Buck Rogers reruns.

I do love being a Canadian. Not only do I get to laugh at people who think we talk like Bob and Doug McKenzie but I also get to have a good laugh from stories like this one.

It would appear that our own border cops went above and beyond to stop Porn from being developed in our country.

Cinematical pointed out:

A new Canadian film from John N. Smith (Dangerous Minds) was held at the border because of its name: Love and Savagery. The romantic drama headed to Ireland last month to shoot some scenes, and then the footage was shipped to Montreal for processing, where it was stopped by the border patrol. Smith says: “There was a big kerfuffle and they suspected us of being involved in the pornography trade. They were insisting they were going to send it off to the RCMP lab to develop it to see if we were engaged in pornography.” This created a bit of a panic as they worried about the potential damage RCMP processing would have on the footage.

So a couple of observations I will make here being a proud and true Canadian.

According to Canadians, Love and Savagery is a likely name for a porno. But then Spaceballs might have been too. Just sayin.

Smith uses the term “kerfuffle” like it is slang and you thought so too. Its a real word. Look it up.

And lastly, only in Canada would our Federal agents have their very own film processessing division. Just for just such an occassion! Unfortunately among film producers, it is well known to be inferior to REAL film processing organizations.

The formula for a comedy based on two average joes fighting it out for mediocrity has been done. Employee of the Month made half an effort on it and banked its popularity on Jessica Simpson’s breasts instead of its supporting cast, but it just fell short of being a lasting memory.

Now the guys at Cinematical rave about The Promotion after catching it at the SXSW film festival:

Written and directed by Steve Conrad (writer of The Pursuit of Happyness), The Promotion stars Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly as two guys who REALLY want to land the new managerial job at the supermarket across town. In fact, both will go to great lengths to get that job — and, while the premise sounds sort of played, silly and uninteresting, the execution is wonderful. This is truly one of my favorite films of the year so far, and we hope you like it too.

Check out the trailer:

We are getting a lot of negative buzz about Speed Racer and recently we showed a clip of the movie and people are all coming in with the same complaints.

Too many colours. Gummi Bears puked on the screen then exploded. Twice. The action is campy. The acting looks cheesey.

Unfortunately for those naysayers those are the very qualities that are going to make this movie a hit - for adults and kids. Intentional cheese is often a wonderful choice to go with your fine wine. It might stink on its own, but thats why you like it.

Yahoo found this painted on the walls of their caves and decided to share it with us.

Now this is the same 3 minute clip with a little more of the backstory padded on the outside edges, so its not TOO much more than we have already seen. But it does show off the stylized look they were going for, which gives you a heads up so you don’t get offended by it when your kids make you take you to this movie.

I think this is going to be another Repeat Offender to add to my boys list, and I don’t expect I will mind.

We have pilfered the cover of this weeks Entertainment Weekly to show you dudes. It features Josh Brolin as W and Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush. Thanks to ropeofsilicon for the hookup:

I like the duo. Brolin looks ok as W, but Banks nailed the essence of Laura Bush with that haircut and get up. This is a film I am itching to see, and I am very curious to see which way Stone takes this project.

As all of you know, New Line Cinema is no more. Absorbed and assimilated (resistance is futile) into the collective known as Warner Bros. It is a shame that it’s gone. New Line has brought us some amazing and iconic films over the years, and today Alex Vo over at Rotten Tomatoes put up a list of 25 of the best films offered up by New Line in remembrance of the fallen studio. Read… read my brethren… read and remember:

25. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
24. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
23. Blade (1998)
22. Sid and Nancy (1986)
21. Hairspray (1988)
20. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
19. Gummo (1997)
18. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
17. The New World (2005)
16. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
15. Dark City (1998)
14. The Sea Inside (2004)
13. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
12. A History of Violence (2005)
11. American Splendor (2003)
10. The Evil Dead (1981)
09. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
08. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
07. Seven (1995)
06. The Player (1992)
05. Boogie Nights (1997)
04. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
03. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
02. Magnolia (1999)
01. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

I certainly don’t agree with all the films on the list, nor to I really agree with the order they appear in… but still, it’s a great article. Head on over to Rotten Tomates and read the thoughts behind each film’s selection. It’s a fantastic article.

What is with Matthew Vaughn signing up to direct Marvel movies and then dropping out (or being dropped). As some of you remember, Matthew Vaughn (who did an amazing job directing “Stardust”, probably the single most over looked movie from last year) was originally supposed to direct the last X-Men film but then he backed out at the last minute to then be replaced by Brett Ratner.

It was with great joy that we then heard Vaughn was brought on to direct the new Marvel film “Thor”. This was great news for the god of thunder. However, it appears that yet again, Matthew Vaughn is off a marvel film he was supposed to do. The good folks over at IGN give us this:

“Matthew Vaughn no longer is attached to direct the project because his holding deal expired December.” Marvel Studios is currently waiting for I Am Legend screenwriter Mark Protosevich to turn in a script polish. “It’s very much a Marvel superhero story but against the backdrop of nothing you’ve seen before,” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said of Thor.”

So another possible Vaughn directed superhero movie dream gets shattered yet again. I can’t really tell if this was a matter of Vaughn deciding to drop out, or if the studio decided to go in a different direction. It doesn’t matter… this is BAD news. I love Vaughn’s style and I think he would have done a masterful job with Thor. Having said that, they can still get another great director who could also do a great job… it’s just a shame that it won’t be Vaughn.

What are your thoughts? Who could you see directing Thor now that Vaughn is off?

We have news today that Heather Graham will be taking the lead in a new dark dramatic comedy entitled Ex-terminators. We get the skinny from the professionals at Variety:

Heather Graham, Jennifer Coolidge, Matthew Settle and Amber Heard will topline the indie black dramedy “Ex-terminators.” Film marks the feature directing debut of longtime “Scrubs” helmer and d.p. John Inwood.

Story revolves around three women who meet in an anger-management therapy group and decide to form a traditional business using very untraditional methods. Suzanne Weinert penned the screenplay.

I am not sure if I fully appreciate the premise for this film; but the cast is outstanding. Heather Graham has been in my good books since Boogie Nights, Jennifer Coolidge is an outstanding Improv performer and Amber Heard is an up and coming stunner that’s sharp as a whip (and has my vote for young Hollywood’s most delicious atheist).

Matthew Settle has been all over television, and a host of films. I cannot say much about the man myself, but he is the recipient of the fabled Bronze Wrangler award. If you have one award on your bookshelf - might as well make it a Wrangler!

I am curious to find out more information about this , and will try to get a more descriptive plot synopsis for you as soon as possible. Right now I am guessing these girls will be bug killers, but I daydream about them running a service that kills Ex-Boyfriends. I think the latter would make for a more appropriate dark comedy.

It looks like the Terminator fears not the wrath of unionized labor! The project will start to roll even though the SAG has yet to strike a deal with studios. We get the following news from the Teamster caves of Yahoo:

Cameras began rolling this week on the latest “Terminator” movie — estimated to cost about $150 million — for what many Hollywood watchers say is a late start given concerns that labor tensions could lead to an actors strike by July. “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins,” began shooting on Monday in New Mexico, bucking a trend in which studios have mostly avoided launching new productions they cannot be sure of completing before the Screen Actors Guild contract expires on June 30, a date being treated as a facto strike deadline.

SAG and Hollywood’s major studios hit a stalemate on Tuesday after three weeks of talks, stoking fears of renewed Hollywood labor unrest after a 100-day screenwriters strike that ended in February. Union leaders say they still hope to reach a deal without resorting to a walkout, and SAG has yet to even seek authorization from its 120,000 members to call a strike.

The SAG is stalling to try and milk as much as they can, but I am going to bet that they will not strike. With the bailing of the AMPTP, they are going to be fucked if they don’t chalk a deal, but the AMPTP does. The SAG will be seen as the less reasoned and co-operatine of the two, pushing the power of AMPTP up and of the SAG down. With luck, everything will be shored up soon, and the two unions can work out the problems between them. Having two separate unions weakens their bargaining power considerably.

Terminator 4 has its own deadlines to meet and I think going forward with production is the right thing to do. If a strike happens; they are fucked - but It’s a gamble they have to take, and I think it’s the lesser of two evils in this situation.

The beginning of production will put to rest rumors that the film has been axed, and with luck, this project will do justice to the terminator universe.

IESB has a number of pics from Hancock up on their site today. I have included 3 for you to enjoy the rest are available at the source:

I don’t have a good feeling about this movie. It looks like it’s taking everything I hate about shitty superhero films; too much drama, not enough “super”. This could end up surprising me, we shall see. It will be cool to see Smith and Bateman play off of each other; with luck their interplay will make for a bitchin’ film.

We have obtained a new poster for the upcoming Nick Cage action flick Bangkok Dangerous. Thanks to moviesonline for the hook up:

Nick Cage has a very strange look on this poster. He looks strained and bewildered all at the same time.

Bangkok Dangerous is set for a release date of August 22, 2008.

We heard from a guy, that heard from a guy, that Rambo 5 may shoot in Mexico. We get wind of this rumor thanks to our friends over at moviehole:

The next Rambo movie could see the shaggy haired rebel knocking about in Mexico – Desperado-style.

According to a tipster for StalloneZone.com, Sylvester Stallone mentioned whilst promoting “Rambo” in Japan that “Rambo 5”, set to film sometime next year, could be a modern-day western. In it, Rambo would go after those that are abducting women in Mexico.

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I am not sure if this is true or not, but I will certainly welcome another 8 Rambo films if they keep the violence cranked like the last outing. Mexico is a location that makes sense considering how the last film ended. If there is a problem within driving distance, Rambo will find a way to get there (he may need a missionary in floral dress to motivate him, but eventually he will save the day).

Once again this is not confirmed, Rambo 5 news seems to be going back and forth and I don’t want to bank on it, till an official announcement is made. I am glad the book is closed on Rocky, but Rambo could go for a few more, Stallone willing. This is a character I would like to see die in battle anyway, any other end for this character will be a let down. He is a warrior born; Valhalla hungers for him.

Special thanks to Henrik for the heads up on the trailer for Global Metal! This documentary looks like it’s going to impregnate me with joy.

For a full review of Global Metal. Check out my nihilist friend Henrik’s full review over at Film Junk. The lucky bastard already saw the film at the CHP:DOX film festival.

A short while ago I posted about Jonah Hill in Transformers 2 as Sam’s college roomate. Well it looks like that isn’t happening.

IESB says:

“Transformers 2 negotiations between Jonah Hill and DreamWorks have broken down, and the Superbad star is no longer expected play a sidekick to Shia LaBeouf in the upcoming sequel from director Michael Bay.

I think it is a good thing Hill didn’t get the gig. I wasn’t comfortable with him playing off of Shia LaBeouf for a number of reasons.

But I think it is also important to state again that Michael Bay said he would misinform to throw off the media and people are dwelling on that too much. When I report anything about Transformers 2 there are always a pile of people shouting “BAY IS MISINFORMING”.

I think Bay’s misinformation is that he would waste time inventing misinformation… that is the routine.

Shamhammer always uses a twist, and if he doesn’t, then that IS the twist. Same thing here. Bay says he will lie about Transformers News and then does nothing so everyone thinks everything is a lie.

I think Jonah Hill was being considered but I thank Primus that it didn’t work out!

A little tidbit about X-Men Origins: Wolverine reveals that Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Logan may have crossed paths. This was hinted since the role of Scott Summers has been cast and filled by an unknown Tim Pocock

SuperheroHype has:

Australian actor Tim Pocock listed as playing Scott Summers (Cyclops) in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

‘A1ant’ then followed-up with the agency who confirmed the casting. “Yes, that information is correct. He was cast as the younger Scott Summers,” they said.

Now this could mean that Wolverine tripped over a younger Scott Summers before and didn’t really meet him.

Scott could be leaving a taxi as Wolverine hops in. It’s all vague at this point.

I would wager on the cameo since the actor hired is a complete unknown, and that they would have a hard time explaining why Scott didn’t make reference to it in the subsequent X-Men films.

At very least it shows that the creators are attempting to continue the tradition of name dropping in the XFilms.

Some new images have been released for the big screen version of G.I.Joe and I am of mixed feelings on this.

Cinematical Says:

Paramount has released a crop of new photos from the upcoming live-action G.I. Joe flick; most of which appear to be different from those that leaked online not long ago

First is Sienna Miller’s Baroness. Ok, now THIS is a hot sexy Baroness that I remember. There was a lot of talk about a previous revealed image that showed Sienna in her traditional blonde look in casual dress. No leathers, no indication of curves and no dark hair. As we can see, that is clearly a “before” image as Sienna seems to have added a tiny bit of hip, and gone with the dark locks and glasses. Get me some dark red lipstick and I am SOLD on this girl to play Baroness.

Secondly, lets applaud they for covering up Stormshadows face. Got it? Now keep it there. we should NEVER get to see Stormshadow’s face. Its part of his mystique, and I was happy to see that they are upgrading the white chic ninja outfit to include the hood.

Lastly and speaking of covering up. WHAT THE HELL IS WITH DESTRO????

Seriously. They don’t expect us to buy this Destro without the chrome dome??? As much as we accept that they will be updating the outfits to be less superhero spandex like, I just simply will not accept Destro without the Dome.

And I have to say, I just love Christopher Eccleston but Destro was always the manbeef, and Eccs is just a little too slim to pull of Destro’s imposing physique. I don’t know that I like this casting at all.

Two out of three ain’t bad. But the bad seems to have trumped the positive spin I got from the other two. Despite a lot of our readers saying they were not looking forward to GIJoe, I was pretty much for this, but now I have my doubts.

All because of Destro.

You can see enbiggened versions of those images as well as Heavy Duty and Breaker by clicking Here

The Most Entertaining man in movies is at it again and he isnt even stirring the pot this time!

For those of you under a rock, Uwe Boll faced his anti-fans and challenged saying if people got a million signatures on a petition he would stop making films.

Cinematical says:

Stride Gum is now “supporting the efforts of StopUweBoll.org in their attempt to convince famed film director Uwe Boll to stop making video game-based films.” Oh yes, Stride Gum. Makers of … gum. And if one million people sign this petition by May 23rd (opening day for Postal), then all one million folks will receive a digital coupon for a free pack of gum. Wait, I don’t know if you were paying attention just then — I said a FREE PACK OF GUM!

Stride Gum is pretty eager to hop on internet popularity and attempt to create their own viral experiment. Problem is, that once you attempt to make something viral, its no longer viral. Just the nature of the beast.

Back when some creative guy decided to travel the world and film himself dancing at different locations around the world and compiled it into one video, the website Where the Hell is Matt was an instant hit. Then Stride Gum approached him and said “we will pay you to do that again!” attaching their product to his fame.

Now they are attempting to piggypack the Anti-Boll thing online.

Even if they get a billion signatures I think Boll will not stop making films. And I hope he doesnt. He is too much fun to write about.

That and I hope Postal is a critical success so he can go on Youtube and give us another “I am the only true genius in Movies” rant again.

I have included 3 favorites but please check out all the available photos that have been brought to us via moviesonline:

If you needed a reason to see this film Isabella Leong has just given us one. That picture of her in the fur lined coat is as porno as a picture can get without nudity. The other pictures are certainly less exciting, but good none the less.

I am not a fan of the Mummy franchise, but many enjoy them as “popcorn” flicks and I can appreciate that. Who knows, this one could end up being a surprise and completely upstage the previous incarnations. With plans to draw the franchise out beyond the third; I certainly hope so.

We have a new look at Milk today thanks to the good people over at Entertainment Weekly:

In this exclusive First Look at director Gus Van Sant’s highly anticipated biopic Milk (out Nov. 26), Sean Penn, as community activist Harvey Milk, celebrates his long-fought election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, the first time an openly gay man had won elected office in a major U.S. city.

The story of Milk is one of triumph and tragedy, and it screams out to be told. Sean Penn looks like he is going to give a performance deserving of the tale. I am pumped to see this one; and it is certainly one to watch for. Milk will make the festival rounds in the fall, and with luck, will have a wide release soon thereafter.

Ellen Page has been tapped to take the lead in a film adaptation of Jayne Eyre. We get the scoop from the professionals at Variety:

Ellen Page is set to play one of English literature’s most famous characters, the eponymous heroine of Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.” Alison Owen of Ruby Films, who most recently produced “The Other Boleyn Girl,” is working with BBC Films to develop the new adaptation of Bronte’s classic 19th century romance. It’s the story of a mousy governess who softens the heart of her surly employer Mr. Rochester, only to discover that he’s hiding a terrible secret.

Moira Buffini has written the screenplay. No director is yet attached, but the producers are aiming to set the project up to shoot this fall. “Jane Eyre” is one of the most adapted novels in English literature, with at least 20 previous film or TV versions. Most recently, the BBC made it into a miniseries that won three Emmys last year. The last bigscreen adaptation, in 1996, was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Well Ellen Page certainly seems to be shoring up some sweet gigs post Oscar nod.

Jane Eyre has more adaptations than Wurthering Heights! For some reason, I have missed every incarnation…. maybe it has something to do with the fact that it’s a romantic period piece, and I usually find them to be dreadfully boring.

I was surprised when I didn’t hate The Other Boleyn Girl. If Alison Owen is behind this project as well, I will certainly give her the benefit of the doubt, and give this film a chance.

I once again turn to people that have read more books than I, and beseech the International Friends for their thoughts on this story. Do you think Ellen Page is a good fit for the character, or would you prefer another? Please give suggestions if you have someone in mind.