Created by Lee Hardcastle, a finalist in the Done in 60 Seconds Jameson Empire Awards 2010.
[Via Likecool]
Category Archives: Movies
Spike Jonze’s new short film is available for an online viewing
Remember when I told you about Spike Jonze’s latest project titled I’m Here, a 30-minute short film about robots in love? After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January, I’m Here is finally available to watch online. Here’s an updated synopsis for you:
I’m Here is a love story about two robots living in contemporary Los Angeles. The sad-eyed robot librarian Sheldon (Andrew Garfield) leads a lonely and methodical life, until he one day meets Francesca, a creative and free-spirited female robot (played by Sienna Guillory). Robot romance develops and the story is just as beautiful as it is unpredictable.
Though it’s sponsored by Absolut Vodka, you won’t find any product placement in the film. When you’re ready to sit back, relax, and pop some popcorn, head over to www.imheremovie.com to watch short film. The site is pretty neat, actually; it all plays out like you’re going to a virtual movie theatre. And get this–the site limits the audience to 5,000 viewers per day. So if the theatre’s all filled up today, better luck tomorrow. Enjoy.
Dakota Fanning is all grown up in ‘The Runaways’
I really don’t know what happened, but actress Dakota Fanning is no longer that little girl from War of the Worlds and Charlotte’s Web. In the biopic The Runaways, Fanning plays rocker Cherie Currie alongside Kristin Stewart’s Joan Jett. Above is the music video for “Cherry Bomb” and it features a scantily clad, microphone wielding Dakota Fanning. Like what you hear? The movie soundtrack is available at iTunes. She’s only 16-years-old, so keep it down a notch, OK?
Disney says no to fake breasts for new ‘Pirates’ movie
Disney’s casting call for the next movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise seeks: “beautiful female fit models. Must be 5ft7in-5ft8in, size 4 or 6, no bigger or smaller. Age 18-25. Must have a lean dancer body. Must have real breasts. Do not submit if you have implants.” They go on to warn that there’ll be a “show and tell” day filled with all kinds of test to make sure candidate’s breats are real all around. How fun!
A former casting agent reminices the days of yesteryear: “In the last movie, there were enhanced breasts to give that 18th-century whorish look, and men were pretty well padded too, and no one worried. But times are changing, and the audience can spot false breasts.” Ha! So true.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will find Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) chest deep in a whole new adventure without his trusty sidekicks Orlando Bloom. Penelope Cruz replaces Keira Knightley as Sparrow’s love interest, Ian McShane is set to play Blackbeard, and it’s rumored that Geoffrey Rush will reprise his role as Barbossa. It’s set to hit theatres May 20, 2011.
Avatar in 3D coming home to a 3DTV near you in 2011 [UPDATED]
I’m going on a hunch here and assuming you’ve seen Avatar in theatres. I mean, $737 million in domestic ticket sales doesn’t just spring out of no where. And I bet you can’t wait to get your mits on your own copy. Avatar is set to release on DVD and Blu-Ray on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day (how cute). The April DVD/Blu-Ray release will not include any bonus features. That means no deleted scenes, no behind-the-scenes featurettes, no nothing. Why, you ask? “Sources at Fox said the April disc will come without extra features so that all available storage space can be used for the best picture and sound possible.” So where’s all the extra features then? Apparently they will be packed into a second release (dubbed “The Ultimate Edition”) of the DVD/Blu-Ray packages in November. And what about the 3D version of the movie; when can we watch it at home the way it’s meant to be seen? That won’t come until sometime in 2011. Consumers likely won’t have 3D TVs to play it on until then anyway. So your safest bet is to wait until November to snag all the extras and play the rest by hear; who knows how fast 3D tech in the home will catch on.
Update: Sorry 3D fans, this update does not push forward the Avatar in 3D release. But it does fix the no bonus features ’til November fiasco. A fresh press release reveals The Avatar Program: “Connecting the two releases in April and November is “The Avatar Program,” an interactive consumer experience that offers an online hub for exclusive content, discounts and more.” The Avatar DVD/Blu-Ray release on April 22 will come with a unique code that can be used to access bonus features online and adopt a “virtual hometree.” Full PR after the break.
[Via Reuters; Gizmodo; BoxOfficeMojo; Engadget] Continue reading Avatar in 3D coming home to a 3DTV near you in 2011 [UPDATED]
Cameron’s Titantic goes 3D for 100th anniversary
Hot off the heels of creating the most financially successful movie of all time, visionary director James Cameron plans to splay his 3D tech on top of the (now) second highest grossing movie, his Titantic. Says Cameron: “We’re targeting spring of 2012 for the release, which is the 100 year anniversary of the sailing of the ship.” Can you imagine re-watching the sinking of the ship and all those dead bodies floating in the bloody sea in 3D? I know I can’t.
[Via BusinessInsider]
Interactive horror movie gives audience control over protagonist’s decisions, final outcome
Last Call is the first interactive horror movie in the world where the audience is able to communicate with the protagonist. A film controlled by a member of the audience, thus blurring the boundaries between game and film. Language recognition software transforms the participant’s answers via mobile phone into specific instructions. A specially developed software then processes these commands and launches an appropriate follow-up scene. The dialogue between the movie’s main actress and an audience member leads to a different film – and outcome – every time: sometimes with a happy end, sometimes with a more gruesome one.
Pretty neat, huh? Here’s how it’s all set up: Beofre the movie starts, audience members submit their cell phone number to a speed dail database. During the movie, the film’s software randomly selects one number from the database and calls it to begin the movie-audience member interaction. It’s up the to audience member how the on-screen actions will play out. Sounds (and looks) creepy, exciting, and fun. Hopefully something like this will hit the States sometime soon. With 3D and IMAX gaining popularity, now is the time Americans are open to new movie-watching experiences.
Hitchcock movie posters re-envisioned
Graphic designer Laz Marquez has recreated the movie posters of four popular Hitchcock movies using his own imagination and input from designers Saul Bass and cinematographer Robert Burks. They really came out great; he managed to capture the original essense of each movie injected with modern aesthetics. Marquez on his Hitchcock poster design series:
“Since I’ve started this project, I’ve had such an amazing time taking each piece of cinematic history and re-imagining it on my own terms. It’s been spontaneous, challenging and overall fulfilling. In addition, it’s been amazing to put some of the process in the hands of my followers and see what they’ve wanted the project to evolve into. Overall, I couldn’t be happier!”
Check out larger images of each poster (The Birds, Vertigo, Rear Window, Psycho) in the gallery below.
[Via Slashfilm; LazMarquez]
Trailer: Kick-Ass
“You don’t need a power to be a superhero.” Opens April 16.
Wall Street 2 gets pushed to September
![[Wall+Street+Money+2+Shia+Labeouf.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2NfP57wLV34/S2ERLDpkddI/AAAAAAAAADc/VZNuw6lIA6g/s1600/Wall%2BStreet%2BMoney%2B2%2BShia%2BLabeouf.jpg)
Just as we were all getting excited to see the return of Gordon Gekko and the introduction to his new friend Shia LaBeouf, distributer FOX has decided to delay the release of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Instead of hitting theatres April 23, WS2 will wait until September 24. Why, you ask? According to the original Variety report, the date was changed so that the film could enter the Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 12-23. Being selected for viewing at Cannes helps promote a film before its worldwide release, helps create more buzz. Oh well.
[Via LATimesBlog]
Trailer #1: Tron: Legacy (NERDGASM!)
I was one of the first to catch a glipse of Tron: Legacy at last year’s Disney panel at Comic Con. Since then we’ve been given the first teaser trailer and poster. And now there’s this: a brand new trailer that leaked out late last night with never-before-seen footage. Want to download it in HD for keeps? Click here. The dialogue, the score (by Daft Punk, FYI), and the amazing visual effects make for a really awesome trailer that people can’t stop talking about, especially in the Twittersphere. To quote a friend of mine, this may prove to be the best Disney film ever made. GAHH! (Did you catch the stunning Olivia Wilde at 1:31? Good.)
[Via Trailer Addict]
Sony brings aboard all major Hollywood studios for HD movies on PSN
The PlayStation Network is about to get pimped with a slew of new movie releases in glorious high definition from all six major Hollywood studios. Sony signed a deal with 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures Entertainment that will bring a wide range of movies available for purchase or rental at the PSN. The initial batch of 19 include flicks Fantastic Mr. Fox, UP, Star Trek, District 9, Inglourious Basterds, and The Hangover. Look after the break for the full listing, and check the PSN video hub on your PS3 to find out if your favorites are making their way to PS3 HD land. Sony is happy to say that the “PlayStation Network is the first and only service to deliver high definition home entertainment from all six major studios, directly to consumers for download”…for now.
[Via PRNewsWire; Engadget]