’30 Minutes or Less’ director Ruben Fleischer has begun filming his new period crime drama ‘The Gangster Squad’ in Los Angeles, Collider is reporting. The principal photography began on September 6 on the Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures film, which stars Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. ‘The Gangster Squad’ follows real-life mob king Mickey Cohen, played by Penn, who runs the business in 1949 L.A. He has control of the city’s drugs, guns and prostitution profits, and he’s aiming for control of every wire bet placed west of Chicago. Mickey is protected by not only his bodyguards, but also the police and politicians who…

Some people will say 2011 isn’t a great year for movies. I would tend to disagree with that sentiment. It’s true the number of great films (so far) in 2011 are fewer than 2010 but the ones we do have in 2011 are pretty spectacular and worth watching and discussing. There are movies like Gore Verbinski’s “Rango” or Joe Wright’s “Hanna” are among the favorites of general audiences, just looking at the critical response and box office receipts, but there are also smaller movies that seem to have been forgotten like Cary Fukunaga’s adaptation of “Jane Eyre” and Tom McCarthy’s comic gem, “Win Win”. All of these titles are worthy…

Tim Robbins’ searing, Oscar-winning account of crime, compassion, forgiveness and redemption, 1995′s “Dead Man Walking”, arrives on Blu-ray for the first time, reaffirming Susan Sarandon’s brilliance, and again showcasing a moral complexity that few Hollywood studio films these days even attempt, much less get right. Inspired by a true story, the movie centers on a nun, Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon), who gets a letter from a convicted killer on Louisiana death row, Matthew Poncelot (Sean Penn), asking for her assistance on his final appeal before execution. She has no real experience in such matters, but relents, and finds herself sucked into Poncelot’s story, feeling empathy for both the alleged killer…

Title: The Tree of Life Director: Terence Malick Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn Just as religion isn’t for everyone these days, same can be said for ‘The Tree of Life.’ The 138 minute unstructured displays is the calling card of Terrence Malick. For those needing more elaboration on that last statement, this is an art house flick that presents scenarios with images and a narrative dialogue. There is a working script with characters, and if one is patient, they will understand the plot. What they may not comprehend is why this storytelling approach is considered entertaining? Or for that matter, genius? And I’m not saying the…

Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn have allegedly ended their highly-publicized relationship, PEOPLE is reporting. Rumors began spreading when the Tony Award-winning actress failed to appear with the two-time Oscar-winning actor at the Cannes Film Festival premiere for his new film, ‘The Tree of Life,’ which won the prestigious Palme d’Or award. However, the reason for the split has not yet been made public, as their reps have not yet commented. Johansson was reportedly in New Mexico working on the anticipated super-hero movie ‘The Avengers,’ where she will be reprising her ‘Iron Man 2′ character Black Widow, during the ‘Tree of Life’ premiere. The news comes after the 26-year-old actress and…

Title: Fair Game Directed by: Doug Liman (Jumper, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The O.C.) Starring: Naomi Watts (You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Funny Games, The International), Sonya Davison and Sean Penn (All the King’s Men, Milk) When scandals and corruption hit American politicans, the public feels it knows everything just by reading articles and watching news broadcasts. However, people often tend to forget there are numerous sides to every story, which is exactly the case with the new political drama ‘Fair Game,’ starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. The two portray real life couple Valerie Plame, a former CIA Operations Officer whose identity was publicly revealed, and her…

After Haitian native Wyclef Jean announced on CNN on August 5 that he plans on running for the country’s presidency, Sean Penn stated his skepticism over the rapper’s values he would bring as a leader, Popeater.com is reporting.  “…I have to say I’m very suspicious of it, simply because he, as an ambassador at large, has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence,” Penn said. The two-time Academy Award-winning actor has been very active in the relief following the January earthquake in Haiti. He alleged that Jean didn’t properly handle a $400,000 donation for the country through his Yele Haiti foundation, and that…

With his divorce from ex-wife Robin Wright settled, Sean Penn is rumored to be back with his once girlfriend, model Jessica White. The New York Post reported on July 26 that the two-time Academy Award-winning actor and White, whom Tyra Banks called “the model of her generation,” were seen drinking together at Manhattan’s Gramercy Park Hotel’s Rose Bar. The two acted like no one else was there, and didn’t care who saw them together, the newspaper also reported. Penn and White were also spotted eating dinner on the Upper East Side with Spike Lee and his wife. The sightings come after Banks asked White about her rumored boyfriend last fall….

NEW YORK-August 6, 2009-Bill Pohlad and Bob Berney have launched a new motion picture distribution company, Apparition, which will acquire and release films. The new company’s initial slate includes The Tree of Life, written and directed by Terrence Malick, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, and Jane Campion’s critically acclaimed Bright Star. The new banner has also formed an output relationship with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) for all domestic ancillary rights. Pohlad and Berney created the new theatrical releasing company to be a fiercely independent, artist friendly distributor, one that champions the highest quality films and markets them with unmatched passion and commitment. “Bill and I are creating…

Variety.com is reporting that Sean Penn has unexpectedly pulled out from two upcoming projects, citing the need for a sabbatical to spend time with his family. The projects would have been “Cartel”, about a man who goes to Mexico to save his son after crime cartels murder his wife, and “Stooges”, the much-talked about biopic about the legendary comedy team of the Three Stooges. It is unclear who will be replacing him in the productions. Penn was also in negotiations to star in “This Must Be The Place” from director Paolo Sorrentino, according to a report from the Cannes film festival. Despite his break, Penn announced that he still intended…