Few actors get to star in a monster commercial smash that is also a zeitgeist hit, but that was Joshua Leonard’s experience with “The Blair Witch Project,” which turned a meager $60,000 production budget into almost $250 million in worldwide theatrical receipts, and owned the summer of 1999 (and beyond, in the form of countless spoofs, homages and far less inspired rip-offs) like no other indie movie of its time. Leonard continued to act over the years, and achieved a second peak of artistic acclaim two years back in Lynn Shelton’s “Humpday,” in which he and a fellow heterosexual friend (Mark Duplass) find themselves locked in a pact/dare to make  [ Read More ]

Now this is a really big pop-culture Daily Shock: Will Smith, rapper-turned-actor-turned-megastar, is looking to revitalize his music career. Will Smith is currently filming “Men in Black III” by director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty, Men in Black II) and co-starring Alice Eve (Dolly Dimple, Sex and the City 2), Tommy Lee Jones, Emma Thompson, Rip Torn and Josh Brolin. According to The Huffington Post, producer La Mar “Mars” Edwards said that he and Smith are working together on “bringing [Smith] back.” Edwards said to XXL News that Smith is one of the high-profile clients he’s been working with since the release of “The Red Album” by Game. In the past,  [ Read More ]

And we’re back in Ballroom 20, a little late, but with more than enough time to catch some of the goods from the Torchwood: Miracle Day panel. The event is already underway and from where I’m sitting, I can see John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Alexa Havins, Mekhi Phifer, Bill Pullman and producer Jane Trante. Apologies in advance for any poor name-spelling as I’m not particularly familiar with the show. 10:20 – Will we find out where Captain Jack went after Children of Earth? Barrowman says no, but perhaps it could be something to explore in another series. “Make up what you want. I just thought Jack had a great time  [ Read More ]

Everyone have a good weekend? Of course it’s a bummer that it’s back to work or school tomorrow, but at least you’ll have a healthy dose of movie news to take with you to brighten up your day. We’ve got a little of everything from Gotti: Three Generations casting news to a brand new set of posters for The Hangover Part II. And how about a tour of the set of The Hobbit courtesy of director Peter Jackson? And, of course, we’ve got the latest in new trailers and the results of the battle of the box office. Check it all out below in your weekly movie news cheat sheet.  [ Read More ]

This week had its ups and downs and the Movie News Cheat Sheet is back to bring you a sampling of this erratic smorgasbord. On the bright side, we’ve got a slew of new material from Scream 4, hopeful news about another Chronicles of Narnia movie in the works and news of life after The Social Network for Armie Hammer. On the other hand, Sucker Punch stomped into theaters this weekend and insults just about everyone in its path. However the upheaval over Zack Snyder’s CGI and fetish exhibition gone wrong is dwarfed by the passing of someone who’s had an overwhelming impact on this industry, Elizabeth Taylor. Returning to  [ Read More ]

Here’s a compilation of excerpts from the latest movie reviews of “Carnies” by director Brian Corder and starring Doug Jones (Hellboy 2, Pan’s Labyrinth, Frankenstein), Reggie Bannister (Phantasm), Chris Staviski, David Markham (Carnivale) and Lee Perkins. Sideshow World says “With all of today’s special effects and million dollar budgets Carnies takes us back to a simpler time. When B movies were B movies. When you could still go to your corner theater on a Saturday, pay your 25 cents, and be entertained for most of the morning. You’ll still have to pay your 5 bucks for popcorn and a drink! I spent the whole 83 minutes stuck to my seat,  [ Read More ]

Kate and Jon Gosselin’s 6-year-old sextuplets, Aaden, Alexis, Collin, Hannah, Joel and Leah, are legally allowed to continue filming their mother’s new TLC reality show, ‘Kate Plus 8,’ USMagazine.com reported on July 21. Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry is saying the kids’ work permits are legal and valid. The decision comes after Pennsylvania State Rep. Thomas Murt released a statement the day before, saying that the sextuplets are being “unlawfully exploited” as they film the series alongside their nine-year-old twin sisters, Cara and Mady, at their Wernersville home. He also argued that state law only allows children under seven years old to work on movies, not on television. He  [ Read More ]

With the current economic downfall, Americans want to go to the movies to escape their everyday lives and see a fairytale unfold on screen. The new fantasy-drama ‘Ondine,’ starring Colin Farrell and newcomer Alicja Bachleda, will not only provide audiences with a story they can relate to, but also integrates mythical legends onto the script to take them away to a fantasy world. ‘Ondine’ tells the story of Syracuse (played by Farrell), a down-on-his-luck Irish fisherman dealing with being estranged from his ten-year-old daughter Annie (played by Alison Barry) and adjusting to life as a recovering alcoholic. One day while unsuccessfully trying to catch fish on his boat, Syracuse instead  [ Read More ]

Title: Humpday Directed by: Lynn Shelton (My Effortless Brilliance) Actors: Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard and Alycia Delmore. Scores: Technical: 75, Story: 95, Acting: 95, Overall: 88 Forget what you think you know about “bromances” from major studio movies, such as Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Hangover, even though it was number one at the box office for two weeks. Humpday, the new comedy that was written, produced and directed by Lynn Shelton and is part of the independent mumblecore movement (movies that usually focus on personal relationships between twenty-somethings, have improvised scripts and feature mostly non-professional actors), was expertly made to show what old, partying college friends really do when they  [ Read More ]

Title: The Unborn Cast: Odette Yustman (Cloverfield), Meagan Good (Saw V), Cam Gigandet and Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight) as Rabbi Sendak. Directed by: David Goyer (Blade: Trinity, The Invisible, Batman Begins) Scores: Technical: 85, Story: 55, Acting: 60, Overall: 66 Evil will do anything to live: is this just the tagline for the new supernatural thriller The Unborn, or the thought long-time followers of the horror genre will have of its creators after watching this movie? The idea of this film seemed promising at first glance; mixing a seemingly interesting plot-line, somewhat reminiscent of The Exorcist, the scariest movie of all time, with hit-making producer Michael Bay and his  [ Read More ]

Here’s the complete list of the 2008 Grammy Nominations from Grammy.com. Kanye West, Amy Winehouse Lead in Nominations for 50th Annual Grammy Awards. THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS & SCIENCES, INC Final Nominations List for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. For recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 Note: More or less than 5 nominations in a category is the result of ties. General Field Category 1 – Record Of The Year (Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.) • Irreplaceable Beyoncé Beyoncé Knowles, S. Smith & Stargate, producers; Jim Caruana, Jason Goldstein  [ Read More ]

By Karen Benardello Director: Rob Zombie Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Brad Dourif, Tyler Mane, Daeg Faerch, Sheri Moon and Sid Haig. Original Release Date: 2007 Scores: Technical: 80, Story: 95, Acting: 90, Overall Score: 89 Halloween has come early this year for all horror fans. With the help of several veteran horror actors, some who have previously worked together, including Tyler Mane, Sheri Moon Zombie, Sid Haig, and Bill Moseley, adults have gotten a treat for themselves, while once again questioning who the kids next door really are. The prequel/remake of the original Halloween has slashed its way into theaters, beating down all of the competition and box-office records in its  [ Read More ]