THE MUPPETS ARE BACK and Some News!!

I have to mention this first, since this is the CUTEST LITTLE THING I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!

BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T LOVE THE MUPPETS?????????





Pictured are Jim Broadbent and the magnanimous Meryl Streep as the Thatchers in the upcoming The Iron Lady, based on the first female British Prime Minister. Ms. Streep just immerses herself completely and just transforms into her character. That's why she's freaking Meryl Streep and no one will really compare to her star power in my generation.

Sean Hayes in The Three Stooges, which I still think should've included Jim Carrey, because I don't know what it is--he just seems to be back on top with his comedy. It's refreshing to see him be funny again. His SNL comedy sketch was the funniest I've seen come out of SNL since Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon's skits. But Will Sasso from MADTV will be Curly, with Sean as Larry, and Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe. I don't know. Let's go at this with a grain of salt, yes. But with at least an ounce of hesitation. Also the fact that Jane Lynch is in this, gray skies are turning blue.




Now THIS, I'm actually looking forward to. Rock of Ages is this hit on Broadway, and it's coming to the big screen, with Footloose star Julianne Hough as the female lead. I'm kind of excited for this!! It's all about the 80's scene and music and all that, and Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Russell Brand and Mary J. Blige are all in it, with Tobey McGuire and Adam Shankman producing it. So you know it's bound to be good if the Shankman has his fingers in it.





IN SADDER NEWS, according to the website Deadline , we're told that there soon should be good news and bad news on the Star Trek sequel front. The good news: With his film Super 8 set for release June 10, JJ Abrams is expected to announce shortly his return as director of Star Trek 2. The bad news: Even moving at warp speed, Abrams will be hard pressed to make the June 29, 2012 release date that the studio set for the film. I'm told that the move being considered right now is to push Trek back for a Holiday 2012 release. This comes after Paramount pushed back the other franchise film in its arsenal that has Chris Pine as its star. Pine's also playing Jack Ryan in the reboot of the Tom Clancy-created series. Pine was expected to shoot that film first, but the script wasn't ready. Thing is, in order for the film to succeed again, they need exactly all the right pieces to fall together at the same time, and unfortunately, his excellent team of director, exec producers, writers and such are all busy doing other awesome-but-not-as-equally-fantastic projects. The film has three top-flight writers in Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof. Kurtzman directed Welcome to People. Orci has been busy on Cowboys & Aliens, a film I'm STOKED AND EXCITED AND THRILLED AND ANXIOUS to watch, and in prepping the Gavin Hood-directed sci-fi epic Ender's Game. Lindelof has been busy working on Prometheus, the Ridley Scott film (brilliant man, Mr. Scott) for Fox. The result? It doesn't sound like they are close to having a script that will live up to the high quality of the last film that revived a dead franchise.


OOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Jersey boy Zach Braff is in final talks to join Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful for Disney Pictures. Braff will play the role of Frank, the loyal but under-appreciated assistant to Oz (James Franco), a charismatic circus magician who is treated as a powerful wizard after his balloon blows off course into Oz.


Kim Basinger, Heather Graham, Catherine O'Hara and Jason Patric are all in final negotiations to star in the dark indie comedy Fortune for Nasser Group North says Variety. The story revolves around four characters - a petty thief who seeks a way out of his life after a roadside killing, and two broke sisters who team to get the bounty on a female mobster. They all collide in Las Vegas.



Jamie Chung, who recently starred in The Hangover Part II, Julie Bowen, who also recently starred in Jumping the Broom, Connie Britton, and Jennifer Morrison (funny how I just mentioned Star Trek and she had a previous small role in the first film) are all in negotiations to join the cast of the indie political drama "Knife Fight" reports Variety. Bill Guttentag is directing and co-writing the script with Chris Lehane. Rob Lowe (man looks great at any age--bratpacker to West Wing to now....rawr) stars as a political crisis manager who specializes in playing hardball on behalf of scandal-plagued clients. Chung plays his savvy assistant, Bowen an ambitious TV reporter who sleeps with him for scoops, and Britton an earthy liberal looking to run for public office. Mader plays a masseuse/prostitute bent on blackmail, Morrison plays one of her classmates, and Welliver plays a private investigator working for Lowe.

And that's a wrap, folks!!!!

TinTin, And a Bit of News

Um, refresh my memory, someone, but wasn't Rin Tin Tin a German Shepherd? Then why is it in this animated remake (I didn't even know Spielberg did animated films) is he a Scottish Terrier, I wonder? Then I watched the teaser trailer, and it's not about the Dog after all. It's about a boy named TinTin. I just thought they were giving the film a hyped up name or something....something to bring it to the 21st century. Whatevs. Anyway, it looks cute, but if I know Spielberg films, and I like to think I do, it'll be anything but just plain cute. So this is about a boy who's a reporter, and his Scottish Terrier named Snowy from a comic strip that appeared in a French newspaper in the late 20's. He reported on various world occurences like the Bolshevik Revolution, WWII, the Space Race and even traveled as far as Tibet. So what an interesting adventure for boys, and quite a role model. The best role model I've really seen in a long time. Below are the posters released for the film.





So Michelle Williams has accepted the role of Glinda in the new film, Oz, The Great and Powerful. This prequel to The Wizard of Oz tells the story of the origins of The Wizard and Oz's infamous witches like Glinda, the Good Witch of the North; Evanorah, the Wicked Witch of the East; and Theodorah, the Wicked Witch of the West, all came about. James Franco and Mila Kunis are already set to star as the Wizard and Theodorah. Rachel Weisz is in talks to play the power-hungry Evanorah, but her deal is complicated due to overlapping schedules with her commitment to The Bourne Legacy. With Sam Raimi at the helm, I don't know if this will be the Wicked-like musical we've all know and love. But hey, dark and twisty is interesting, too.

In other news, Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell are teaming up again after their successful stint as NYPD partners in the hit comedy The Other Guys, in the upcoming also comedy Turkey Bowl, and the pair will play guys from football-obsessed towns who lead rival teams in an annual tackle football game for bragging and trash-talking rights. Apparently, Alec Baldwin has already been signed on to play Wahlberg's father, so this should be HIGHLY interesting.

And that's all folks! Watch TV this week!!! Season finales all around!!!!

Horrible Bosses

Again....Jason Bateman. And even if you make Colin Farrell with a receding hairline, no matter. The man's still rawr. And Jennifer Aniston, not the girl next door in this film!!! And she's not a blonde!!!!! How excited am I about this??? But people. Let's be real here. This film kind of, sort of, maybe just a little bit, reminds me of the 3 women from 9 to 5. I don't know who's who, but the only thing different is that they each have a boss, instead of 9 to 5, they all want to kill the same boss. Just pointing it out. Well, anyway. Trailer below.

La Piel Que Habito

From the TRULY BRILLIANT Pedro Aldomovar, the genius Spaniard that brought us the oscar winning film Talk To Her (the only real reason I watched this was because singer Caetano Veloso had a brief role, but I'm so glad I did), has a new film out called The Skin I Live In, with fellow Spaniard Antonio Banderas. Based on the novel by Thierry Jonquet, it is about a plastic surgeon (Banderas) who decides to get revenge on the person who raped his daughter. Aldomovar describes this film as a horror story without the screaming. It's just.....ooooh..

The Change-Up

I love Jason Bateman. Let me just put it out there....and I also love Ryan Reynolds. Even in his crappiest film, I'll still love him. So let's just say I will be very excited when this film comes out. VERY excited. Because their personalities are actually a bit similar in where they're both a little cynical. So watching them "switch bodies" in this film will be quite interesting! And Leslie Mann, she's just so damn underrated, it's just so hilarious to watch her. She's a sexy housewife!

News and Pictures!!!

Well, this little tidbit of news comes from the fiery redhead herself: Kate Walsh wrote on her Twitter page that she will participate in the film adaptation of the novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a story about a teenage boy named Charlie (or so we are led to call him)--hopefully expertly portrayed by one Logan Lerman--whose only friend committed suicide prior the novel's beginning, and becomes friends with a pair of step-siblings, Sam (holding my breath for Emma Watson, here. Her first film role post-Harry Potter) and Patrick who teach him to be eclectic, open-minded and a hard-party-er. Experiences that Charlie and his family and friends go through and the topics explored throughout the novel include suicide, difficult/abusive relationships, drug use/smoking, sex, abortion, child abuse/trauma, the struggles of homosexuality, and the awkward times of adolescence, such as first kisses and first girlfriends. Her role is yet undefined, but perhaps it will be the mysterious aunt Helen, Charlie's "favorite person in the whole world" and states frequently that something bad happened to her, but he can never talk about her death as it takes him to his "bad place." Filming is underway, and projected release is sometime in 2012.

Sources say that Sam Worthington's schedule is a little packed after his filming the Clash sequel. He's been lined up to work with The Italian Job & Law Abiding Citizen's director F. Gary Gray in The Last Days of American Crime. In the futuristic tale based on the Radical Publishing comic, America responds to a second major terrorism attack by developing technology that eliminates the impulse to commit crimes of any kind (think Minority Report here, cause that's how I'm seeing it--a way to always be preventing the crime). Worthington plays the leader of a heist team that plans to pull off a final job five days before the signal rubs out the criminal instinct.


Asked about future plans for the X-Men series in light of the upcoming First Class prequel/reboot, Bryan Singer says he's open to the idea of Wolverine popping up should they go ahead with a sequel. “I think there would definitely be room. I think it would be a very exciting thing. This universe has to establish itself first, but that would be a very interesting and fun thing” he says. The comments differ from producer Lauren Shuler Donner's remarks that a fourth X-Men film following the events of X-Men: The Last Stand would likely be the next project. Most likely they and the atudio are waiting to see the returns on First Class. Let's see how this goes, then we'll talk.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering another sequel to another of his works - the 1988 comedy Twins. The original had Ahnold playing Julius Benedict, the product of an experiment to create a perfect human being who lives on a south seas island where he is raised by philosophers. He learns the experiment went awry, creating an accidental twin (DeVito) who didn't inherit his height, physicality or brains and was given up for adoption years before. He sets out in search of both him and their long lost mother. Schwarzenegger has already committed to Cry Macho as his first post-Governor film project with Terminator 5 and several other works like The Tomb as likely follow-ups.


Sir Anthony Hopkins has reportedly been talking to Angelina Jolie about taking on the role of Sir Winston Churchill in Churchill and Roosevelt reports MTV News. All I have to say to that is OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! No story details have been revealed, though with said title, I think it's safe to say it's going to focus on FDR and Churchill, the two Western leaders of the Allied forces during WWII. Jolie is developing the film, though her official role on the project is unclear at the moment. Hopkins has not yet confirmed his involvement and isn't keen on the idea of having to put on weight to play Churchill. Um, Sir Anthony? They call it fat suits for a reason.

Cameron Diaz is in final negotiations to star in What to Expect When You’re Expecting for Lionsgate and Phoenix Pictures. The story follows five couples who suffer the many joys of the childbirth process as they await the birth of the first child. Diaz will play a woman in the mold of Jillian Michaels and hosts a weight-loss fitness show. Kirk Jones directs the Shauna Cross and Heather Hach-scripted adaptation of the non-fiction pregnancy guidebook series. Shooting kicks off in July once Diaz wraps work on the remake of Gambit.

Al Pacino has joined the cast of indie mob drama Gotti: Three Generations opposite John Travolta (awesome), Kelly Preston (awesomer), Joe Pesci (awesomest) and Lindsay Lohan (ew). Pacino will portray Gotti associate Neil Dellacroce. Deal for Pacino was announced Tuesday by Fiore Films at Cannes. Fiore Films acquired life rights last year from John Gotti Jr., the son of the late mob boss John Gotti, to the story of his life with his father. Production is expected to begin in New York in late fall, with a theatrical release in late 2012. Gotti will focus on the relationship of a father who lived and died by the mob code and a son who chose to leave that world behind. Preston will play Victoria DiGiorgio, the wife of John Gotti Sr., who's being played by Preston's real-life husband John Travolta. And the couple's daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta, will play the role of their daughter, Angel Gotti. Joe Pesci is on board as Gotti deputy Angelo Ruggiero and Lindsay Lohan (who better behave around INSANELY incredible talents like Travolta, Pesci and THE GENIUS Pacino) will play Kim Gotti, the wife of John Gotti, Jr.




And last but certainly not least, a few images from the upcoming Footloose, something I'm SUPER excited for:

Marriage, Terminated.

I'm actually really sad to hear that one of the longer-lasting Hollywood-Political couples (let's be honest here, there's not many of them. Ronald and Nancy Reagan would be the last ones, wouldn't they?) have called it quits. It makes me sad--Maria Shriver, a Kennedy, falling in love with Mr. Universe, the Terminator himself, Ahnold. It seemed unseemly, yes. But they made it work, and for 25 years, they were together everywhere, doing everything, seeing everyone. Until I'm guessing, politics kind of ruined their marriage. Sources state that Maria didn't want Schwarzenegger to run for Political office--this coming from a Kennedy???--but he wound up doing it anyway, and she stayed with him through two terms. But as the state went kaput, so did their marriage. I can just feel the rumors being churned by someone's rumor mill that he stayed with her through his Political interests because of her famous family and their insane connections. I mean, his former uncle-in-law was JFK. You cannot get any more politically savvy than that. Nevertheless, it still makes me sad. They were different, but they made it work. I hope they seek counseling. I really do.

Zoe Saldana, Female Assassin

Ok. So we've had a lot of women hit-men in the past, and unfortunately it was unssucessful in box offices, La Femme Nikita with Rebecca Romijn being one of them, though she was......naughty. But to be honest, I'm really looking forward to this butt-kicker film, Colombiana. I never wanted to meet Zoe Saldana in a dark alley anyway, she does look like she can kick some serious butt. However, this film truly promises--and the scenes with Michael Vartan, it's nice to see him back in films that aren't sappy and idiotic, like Monster-in-Law. Let's be real here--the writer, Luc Besson, was the genius that brought us The Professional, The Fifth Element, Taken, and the original french La Femme Nikita. The man's got it going on. I just seriously hope that the director, Olivier Megaton, whom Luc's worked with in the Transporter films seriously gets this right. Because if he ruins this, there's no going back. I really hope to all that is good that he does well with this film, as it promises.

The Beastly Ledge

Ok. The trailer for this new movie with Charlie Hunnam came out, and at first I didn't really care about the actual movie, CHARLIE HUNNAM WAS IN IT!!!!!!!! But after watching the trailer, I realized Patrick Wilson was in it, and it was INCREDIBLE. First off, Wilson's got such range that it scares me a little--he can be the swashbuckling hero in The Phantom of the Opera, be the annoying jerk of a special agent in The A-Team, be a creepy pedophile in Hard Candy. He's just really phenomenal. He blows me away and I really TRULY hope that one day, and one day really soon the academy recognizes his unmatched talent. But back to Charlie Hunnam. I am so excited to see him in anything outside Sons of Anarchy, although I truly do enjoy that show. I really do. It's sexy, smart, well-written and it's got some ridiculous plot twists that just jerk you around in the good way. Charlie plays Jax Teller, the town of Charming's Champion, protector and prince. A tough biker with soft spots around his heart for the people he cares for the most--his son, his old lady Tara (well portrayed by Maggie Siff), his club, and his mother (recent Golden Globe winner Katey Segal, who by the way received a standing O from her former Married co-star Ed O'Neill and I thought that was incredibly sweet). Oh, and Liv Tyler's in this film too, and I don't usually have an opinion about her. I haven't seen her in anything that really wowed me at all. Well, maybe That Thing You Do! and Reign Over Me, and of course The Lord of the Rings trilogies, but Reign was all Adam Sandler, and how he always seems to floor me when he does dramatic roles. But back to this film, I was just overly impressed screenwriter/director Matthew Chapman tackling on such a tricky subject. Hopefully it won't give any of the Christians a bad name, but from what I saw he makes a serious point in how someone who is ridiculously tempted to do something that isn't wholeheartedly a Christian thing to do. Christians try to live the holy life and it sometimes backfires because we are human. We fail. We commit sin. It's inevitable. Chapman explores the inevitability of being human. I am impressed. Very impressed. And very excited for this film to be released.



Now I just watched Beastly and it made me seriously want to go read the dictionary for me to retain the neurons I lost from watching such a load of bunk. It wasn't even sappy, it was just pathetic. The acting was horrible, except for Mary Kate Olsen who truly rocked her role of witchy Kendra and the always effervescent Neil Patrick Harris, who provided light comedy relief to an otherwise bland film. It wasn't anything even remotely close to the book. It was ridiculous and idiotic and I was truly upset with screenwriter/director Daniel Barnz, and am beginning to think he's a one-hit wonder after his surprise mini-hit film Phoebe in Wonderland. I'm going to try to give him the benefit of the doubt, and hope to God he redeems himself. Ech. Seriously. Ech. And if I ever have to watch another film with Vanessa Hudgens, I will seriously commit myself to a mental institution.

Is There Any Prouder Day to Be An American????

I cannot believe this: Osama Bin Laden is dead. It's a bit bittersweet. I wanted the US Justice System to work in our favor, I wanted to make sure he fried on the electric chair, and I know there's some states that actually still do a firing round. But what's done is done, and it's confirmed that his death came at the hand of gunfight by the CIA and Navy SEALS (I knew I always loved that branch of the Special Elite forces). I'm just thunderstruck and awed. I very much enjoyed the fact that people at Ground Zero and all over the US were gathering together, Americans and non-Americans alike, to celebrate this momentous occasion. Though it was a life, this life was riddled with absolute and complete impure evil, corruption, vileness and anything else disgusting and just plain wrong this world can pile on, 1 life isn't worth 3000 lives. I kind of wanted him captured alive so we can see who he was. I wanted him to see the families he destroyed, the lives he took, the people he assumed responsibility ....I wanted him to see it all.

X-Men First Class Second Trailer

Is it just me or is this version of X-Men just a little darker than what I remember the series to be? The characters seem darker, the plotline seems....I don't know. Grimmer, if such a word exists. This is the beginning of one of the most popular series Marvel has ever put out as a graphic novel. It just seems, not more evil, but....well, grimmer is the only word that comes to mind, really. Take a look.