Movie Binge Month and Happy New Year

It’s cold out, so the only thing to do is watch movies all month. Between trying to get off my lazy behind and going to the movies, watching TV and my instant Netflix subscription, I’ve watched a few movies this month.

Some have been great, some just good, and some I’ve seen many times already....In no particular order, I’ve seen:

The Tree of Life
Shattered Glass
Drive
Raging Bull
On the Waterfront
Tiny Furniture
Page One: Inside The New York Times
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Road to Perdition
Young Adult
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Romantics
The Myth of the American Sleepover
Slacker
Waiting for "Superman"

Have a happy and healthy New Year peeps. 2012 is going to be a good one. The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Great Gatsby are just a few reasons.

Happy New Year.

"Dark Knight Rises Trailer": The Comeback Kid

I can't stop watching this trailer...it is amazing. Can't wait for next summer already.

Also a great screen shot by shot look at the trailer from io9.

And yeah, it's hard to hear what Bane says, but it's not thaaaaat hard. They'll fix it before July, and even if they don't, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what he'll be up to.

Watch out for that end zone Hines Ward.

Awards Season: Golden Globe Noms Released

The Golden Globe nominations can be weird sometimes due to the fact that they split up movie awards into comedy/musical and drama and also because of the way they combine supporting awards on TV...and also because they are voted on by the foreign press. Sometimes the nominees can make you go..huh? Like this year with Breaking Bad not getting a nomination for Best TV Drama.

But while they aren't perfect, the Globes are still a good barometer to see what will come with the Academy Award nominations. This years nominees are pretty great, especially in the Best Actor - Drama category for film:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

Georege Clooney, "The Descendants"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"
Michael Fassbender, "Shame"
Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

The rest of the movie nominees:

Best Motion Picture - Drama

"The Descendants"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"The Ides of March"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"

Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

"50/50"
"The Artist"
"Bridesmaids"
"Midnight in Paris"
"My Week with Marilyn"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Tilda Swinton, "We Need To Talk About Kevin"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Jodi Foster, "Carnage"
Charlize Theron, "Young Adult"
Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"
Kate Winslet, "Carnage"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Joseph Gordon Levitt, "50/50"
Ryan Gosling, "Crazy Stupid Love"
Brendan Gleeson, "The Guard"
Owen Wilson, "Midnight in Paris"

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Kenneth Branagh, "My Week with Marilyn"
Albert Brooks, "Drive"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Viggo Mortensen, "A Dangerous Method"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Best Director - Motion Picture

Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
George Clooney, "The Ides of March"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

"Midnight in Paris"
"The Ides of March"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Moneyball"

And the TV nominees:

Best Television Series - Drama

"American Horror Story"
"Boardwalk Empire"
"Boss"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"

Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

"Enlightened"
"Episodes"
"Glee"
"Modern Family"
"New Girl"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Kelsey Grammer, "Boss"
Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias"
Damian Lewis, "Homeland"

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama

Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Mireille Enos, "The Killing"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Madeline Stowe, "Revenge"
Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness"

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Laura Dern, "Enlightened"

Zooey Deschanel, "The New Girl"

Tina Fey, "30 Rock"

Laura Linney, "The Big C"

Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

David Duchovny, "Californication"

Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory"

Thomas Jane, "Hung"

Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television

"Cinema Verite"

"Downton Abbey"

"The Hour"

"Mildred Pierce"

"Too Big to Fail"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Romola Garai, "The Hour"
Diane Lane, "Cinema Verite"
Elizabeth McGovern, "Downton Abbey"
Emily Watson, "Appropriate Adult"
Kate Winslet, "Mildred Pierce"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey"
Idris Elba, "Luther"
William Hurt, "Too Big To Fail"
Bill Nighy, "Page Eight"
Dominic West, "The Hour"

The 69th Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Awards Season: SAG Nominations Released

The SAG awards were released on Wednesday morning and there are some surprises among this years crop.

Best ensemble cast
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
The Help
Midnight in Paris

Interesting fact: "No film has won Best Picture without a SAG nomination in 15 years.." Should make the rest of the awards season very interesting.

Best actor
Demián Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Best actress
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Best supporting actor
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Armie Hammer, J. Edgar
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best supporting actress
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help

TELEVISION

Best ensemble cast in a comedy
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office

Best ensemble cast in a drama
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife

Best actress in a comedy
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Best actor in a comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Steve Carell, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best actress in a drama
Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
Glenn Close, Damages
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Best actor in a drama
Patrick J. Adams, Suits
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall, Dexter

The awards will air on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 on TNT.

AFI Awards: Cold Winter Gives Way to Awards Season Heat

It’s getting to that time of year again when the Top Tens start filtering out and many Academy Awards dreams start to become realized or shattered. Not all lists or awards are equal in weight, but there are many out there that are considered to be a cut above all the rest, and one of those is the AFI Awards.

This year the AFI top ten list for film offers a wide range of genres:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
J. Edgar
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Absent from the list are films like The Artist, Shame and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which don’t qualify for the awards because they are not an American production. Sidenote, both The Artist and the entire Harry Potter series will receive special awards at the ceremony.

The AFI list usually does a decent job at predicting the nominees and winners of Best Picture, but since some films aren’t eligible to be nominated, it changes things a bit. The top tens have been released by the AFI since 2000 and only three times has the Best Picture winner not been among the top ten.

The first one was in 2006 when The Departed won Best Picture and the second time was in 2008 when Slumdog Millionaire won Best Picture. Slumdog, however, was not eligible for the AFI Awards considering it was a British film and the same goes for The King's Speech last year, although it did win a special award.

AFI's Top Ten American TV shows for this year is an extremely stacked list:

Breaking Bad
Boardwalk Empire
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Homeland
Justified
Louie
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation

Hard to have a beef with any one of these choices. While I’ve never seen The Good Wife, I hear enough to know it deserves to be here and as for the rest, I’ve seen every episode of each from this past year and while there are a lot of good choices not on the list, it's hard to have much beef with those nine.

The AFI Awards will be held on January 13, 2012.

Boardwalk Empire Finale: “To The Lost”

Great shows usually make audiences react in the most emotional ways, and this finale of “Boardwalk Empire” was no different. Anytime a show kills of a main character, especially right after making him so damn interesting, it’ll hurt. But take a step back for a minute and you realize, this was the only logical way for things to end.

Time’s critic James Poniewozik, in his wrap up of the finale, puts it best:

“......in terms of sheer character and story, killing Jimmy was the wrong thing to do. From where I sit, collecting my jaw from the floor, it feels right now like the most logical thing for the show to do. Considering what unfolded this season, all the shit that went down between them, for Nucky and Jimmy to partner up again and get back to old times would have felt like a contrivance.”

We all know Jimmy didn’t exactly want Nucky killed when he took a bullet to the hand, but as an audience we KNEW that Terence Winter and crew wouldn’t kill Nucky anyway because he’s real and necessary for the show. But from that point on, it must have been simmering in Nucky to get full on revenge for everything that had happened.

Earlier in the series, in the first episode I believe, Jimmy said to Nuck, “You can’t be half-a gangster.” Well for Nucky, this was his Walter White moment, the point where he went from being a politician and a gangster on the side to just a full on gangster.




I’m upset about it just as many of you are, not only because I felt they were turning Jimmy into such an interesting character, but because of just how excellent Michael Pitt was in the role. The simplicity of Jimmy staring out at the ocean or smoking a cigarette and how powerful those moments were is a testament to Pitt’s skill.

I also thought the wedding sequence mixed in with Neary’s death was awesome and a great hark to “The Godfather.” One of the most interesting scenes of the episode to me was the very last shots of Jimmy in the trench in WWI. It was great writing and a powerful moment when he says: "I died in the trench, years back. I thought you knew that."




The episode leaves many questions, and luckily creator Terance Winter spoke with a few writers about the episode and the show’s future:

From the NY Times Art Blog:

“For most of the episode, I was hoping to [annoy] the audience a little bit in having them think, ‘Oh, great, everything’s going to be forgiven, and now he’s going to take this guy back and everything’s fine.’ And of course it’s not. But that was all by design, so that’s great.”

At HitFlix with awesome critic Alan Sepinwall:

It's clear, as you said, that when Jimmy gets the phone call and doesn't bring his knife, he knows it's coming. Does he know it earlier in the episode? Because it seems like some of his interactions with Tommy, for instance, are that of a father getting ready to say goodbye.

“I think he knew. I don't know that he knew exactly when it was coming, but this finale was Jimmy mopping up all the business he could, preparing knowing that at some point in the future, this was going to happen, whether it's now or next week or next month. He's going to do as much undoing of the damage he's caused as he can, he's going to psychologically say goodbye to his son, say goodbye to Richard, and get his affairs in order, and then he's ready to ship out.”

And on Entertainment Weekly, both Winter and Michael Pitt answered questions:

Said Pitt on Jimmy’s shocking death: “I like it...As much as I will miss working with everyone on this incredible project, I thought that it would be very shocking, and I’m always drawn to that.”

There are also many questions to be answered in season three, like will we ever see Van Alden again? Or what role will Gillian and Richard have now that Jimmy is gone? For all you Harrow fans, don’t be alarmed, Winter has things in store for him and the others.

Some quick hits from various interviews:

Q: What about Michael Shannon’s character, the now-disgraced federal agent Nelson Van Alden?
Winter: People in the audience who are students of Mob history might pick up on the fact that Cicero, Ill., was the place that became Al Capone’s headquarters in 1924. It wasn’t an accident that we chose to put him somewhere in the Midwest that might or might not have ramifications down the line for him.

Q: So can we expect to see Al Capone come into his own as a formidable force next season?
“As time goes on. The plan is now is we would come back in season 3 a little further into the future and start to really track Al Capone’s rise and — God willing — through the course of the series. By 1925, Capone was the guy everybody recognizes — the guy in the white fedora who’s firmly in charge of Chicago. Hopefully we’ll be on the air long enough to see that guy. Certainly in [season 3] we’ll start to see Capone on pretty much equal footing as Johnny Torrio in terms of who’s running the town.”

Q: And I’m assuming Richard Harrow will continue as a key player?
“Yes, Harrow will continue to be part of the show, absolutely.”

Obviously it hurts to lose a character as great as Jimmy and an actor as good as Pitt, but if you are a fan of the show, please don’t let this discourage you. These are many of the same people who did “The Sopranos” and this show is turning into something special.

Don’t let the emotion of it get the best of you. Can’t wait for season three. RIP James Darmody.

NFL Week 14: They Did What?!?!?

An astute analysis of the Week 14 thrillll-fest between the Giants and Cowboys from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL. NEVER GIVE UP. ALWAYS RESILIENT. In a five minute period we go from season being over to being a first place team. Now, I will be the first person to tell you that our defense sucks. Plain and simple play calling is awful and execution is even worse. 10 out of 11 players on the defensive end were playing with their heads up their asses the whole game. That needs to be fixed.

Jason Pierre-Paul is a freak of nature. Blocking that kick was simply unreal. He would be by far our MVP so far this season if it weren't for that one guy. Eli Manning is absolutely, unbelievable, undoubtedly simply amazing. ELI-te for sure. Best fourth quarter QB in the league and it is not even close. He never gives up, never stops fighting ( through dropped passes, constant blitzes, tipped balls) and it paid off today. Look at this offense when it has a run game! Put up 37 and that is with settling for 2 FGs and the unlucky turnover. Brandon Jacobs deserves a huge shout out.

Great game for Nicks too. O-Line was great in the run game not as good as it looked in the pass game, that is again credited to Eli. Blitzes in his face and he makes perfect throws, he is again unreal. Defense has to get its shit together. We control our own destiny. Fuck the Cowgirls. New York Giants Football. First place. Washington next week, Fewell get it together and let's run the table like we are capable of doing with Eli at the helm. GMEN."

Here we go boys. On to the next one.

NFL Week 13: What's A Catch These Days?

An astute analysis of the Week 13 poorly officiated game between the Giants and Packers from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"First off, that was absolutely one of the worst, one sided officiated games I have ever seen in my 19 years. Unfortunately as Dave Tollefson said, there are no moral victories. The Giants did play their hearts out though. Our defense gave up 28 points to the Packers offense which is about standard, yet does not make up for the fact that they did not make plays when they had to. If you give Rodgers all day to throw he'll kill you regardless of how poor coverage is. I still cant get over the officiating. So fucking terrible. Awful pass interference call against Prince, very bad call on the third down sack, JPP and Kiwanuka were being blatantly held all day in ways that vastly effected the game and we still should have won. That being said, it was really nice to see fire with this team again. One of the more exciting games I have gone to in a long time and we did not play like a team that just lost 4 straight. Offense was great. Luckily remain in the same position as last week and all in all if we play like we did tonight we can no doubt take the division. 38-35--same score of the week 17 Patriots game in 2007. Let's hope this game lights the same fire under this teams asses. Heartbreaking loss but looking up right now. Dallas next week baby. Let's get it.

One more thought: The packers are not a that should win the Super Bowl. Not taking away from their greatness but they have a very average to weak defense and no run game. They just need the right test. I'd love to see em again. NYG Football."

Time to win out boys. We still have two games against Dallas, lets do it.

These New "Dark Knight Rises" Photos Are Effing Amazing

Soon enough we will some real footage for The Dark Knight Rises, with a real trailer and the 6-minute-sure-to-be-amazing IMAX prologue to fawn over, but for now all we have are some pics. And they are spectacular.

The new pics show off Batman standing over some rubble looking grizzled and bad-ass, Bane standing on what looks to be his own customized Tumbler in front of a city building (City Hall?). He is holding up a picture of fallen DA Harvey Dent, perhaps in a speech telling Gotham that his hero story was a cover up?

The last picture is the best, as usual. Bane in the foreground, back to the camera, veins and muscles pulsing with rage. Batman is in the background prepared to do some battle, but clearly looking slightly worried.

While there aren't many details on the upcoming film, director Christopher Nolan has let out a few snippets that make the story sound like it will be something truly epic.

Said Nolan to Empire Magazine: "It's really all about finishing Batman and Bruce Wayne's story. We left him in a very precarious place. Perhaps surprisingly for some people, our story picks up quite a bit later, eight years after 'The Dark Knight.' So he's an older Bruce Wayne; he's not in a great state."

Actor Tom Hardy also spoke about his role as the villain Bane: "It's not about fighting. It's about carnage. The style is heavy-handed, heavy-footed, it's nasty. Anything from small-joint manipulation to crushing skulls, crushing rib cages, stamping on shins and knees and necks and collarbones and snapping heads off and tearing his fists through chests, ripping out spinal columns. He is a terrorist in mentality as well as brutal action."

Cannot wait for this one.

Idiots On The Trail

Things on the trail Republican candidates have already proven they don't know:

Bachmann says if she were President she would close down the U.S. Embassy In Iran...Hmm. Ever hear of the Iran hostage crisis? The U.S. hasn't had a functioning embassy in Iran since 1980.

Cain is worried about China "Trying to develop nuclear capability."...Hmm. Just so you know, China's first test on a nuclear device dates back to October of 1964. Better watch out.

Now we could go on all day about the good 'ol Texan Rick Perry. "Uhhhh Ooops." But lets stick with this. Apparently Mr. Perry didn't get the memo that the voting age is 18.

As he said in New Hampshire recently, "Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote." He also couldn't grasp what day the election is, but we'll let that slide. Guess he didn't hear about that little thing called the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which limited the minimum voting age to no more than 18.. By the way, it was adopted on July 1, 1971. Yeah, 1971.

We could go on and on with these idiots, but these are pretty egregious if you ask me.

These aren't gaffes or mental errors, these are pure facts that these idiotic candidates just do not know and should know if they want to become the POTUS.

Read an effing newspaper.

NFL Week 12: Another One Bites the Dust

An astute analysis of the Giants latest from friend of the Breeze and certified G Money All Star, Gary Hartman:

"Everyone not named Eli Manning, coaches included (actually coaches especially) associated with the New York Football Giants should be extremely embarrassed. This has been the most pathetic display of Giants football that I've seen in a real long time. I'm not a big fan of jumping to people losing their jobs but Fewell needs to go right now. I understand that coaches don't play but it is their job to put players in position to be the most successful and the defenisve performance from play calling down has been absolutely pitiful tonight. Just gross. We are pounded with injuries, have no run game, no offensive line, receivers who drop balls, a defense who plays with no heart and seemingly no talent whose captain even gives up on plays. (That was very upsetting to see and tells me all I need to know about this team). This being said, again everyone not named Eli Manning should be ashamed. From Coughlin down, this team needs to get its shit together. I am very upset with this performance. I hope something changes for Green Bay next week, right now I don't even want to go home for the game. Ugh, embarrassed to be 'Giants status guy' right now."

Not another collapse! Come on guys, get it together. See you next week Packers....Shit.

NFL Week 10: An Astute Analysis of the New York Giants

The New York Giants fly out West to play the San Fransisco 49ers.

Almost another fourth quarter comeback by Eli Manning and now the G-Men are 1-1 to start what many are calling the schedule from hell: Week 11 vs. Philly, Week 12 @ New Orleans, Week 13 vs. the Pack, Week 14 @ the Cowboys, Week 15 vs. the Skins, Week 16 "@" the Jets, and finally, week 17, at home, New Years Day, vs. Dallas again.

An astute analysis of week 10 from friend of the Breeze Gary Hartman:

"Fuck. Almost did it again too. Mistakes, stupid mistakes (and soft, bad play calling) cost us that game. Injuries throughout didn't help either but dumb mistakes. We hurt ourselves more than they hurt us which is why this loss sucks. Self-inflicted loss with dumb penalties, play calling and mistakes. Tough game. Get right back up though. I really don't have much to say except that I know we are better than that outcome. The anti-dream team at home next week. Bounce right back up and start putting a 'NY' permanent mark on the division. Hats off to San Fran though that is a good team. I'd love to see them again though because when we are playing mistake-free football like we proven we can this season, no doubt in my mind we can beat them. We'll bounce right back and get em next week. Some improvement needed but this team still has what it takes. Looking forward to finally going to another game next week. NYG Football."

See you next week iggles.

Six Minute Teaser of "The Dark Knight Rises" on the Way

The first real look at The Dark Knight Rises is almost here. Warner Bros. will be premiering six minutes from Chris Nolan's third Batman installment this fall with the release of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in an extended trailer. The new footage will only be screening in 70mm IMAX theaters, so that might limit the exposure to some people, but it's sure to hit the net soon after. Finally some footage to follow up that awesome-yet-utterly-too-short teaser!

Daily Breeze: What's Breezing

The Daily Breeze...

Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO. Damon and Affleck team up and head to Boston like it's the Good Will Hunting days. Coldaply. Justin Timberlake. Captain America. And the return of a Butt Head.



- Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are gonna party like it's 1997. The two friends and Oscar winners will team up in the near future for a movie about the reputed former godfather of the Irish Mob. As Matt Damon said in an interview with GQ: "We're doing a Whitey Bulger movie." Damon will star as the notorious gangster while Affleck will direct. Affleck is currently filming his next picture, the Iran hostage crisis film Argo, and will most likely direct the film after completing that project. Terence Winter, of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, will pen the screenplay.

- Tom Hanks is developing another show at HBO, but this time the project is not a war epic or a series detailing the space race, instead the setting shifts to another American institution: college. The half-hour comedy, titled Players, will follow the lives of college athletes and is in development from Hanks and long-time producing partner and Playtone co-founder Gary Goetzman.

- The quality hit from the summer and arguably marvels best "second" wave production Captain America: The First Avenger gets the Blu-Ray and DVD treatment this week. Extra features include how to get a six pack and the short documentary on Steve Rogers titled: "From Frail to Feared."

- Coldplay drops their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto, this week. Lead singer Chris Martin explains to MTV the details: "It's definitely a schizophrenic album ... it keeps changing sounds. That's why we called it such a strange thing, Mylo Xyloto. Because we felt like so many people have already made up their minds about us, both good and bad, that we can sort of start again from scratch and try and reflect all the music we listen to and we love." Some people will scream.

- Speaking of MTV... Beavis and Butt Head makes a glorious return to television this week on Thursday night. This time around the duo will be riffing on the likes of the Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant. Beavis and Butt-head Do America is classic. Cornholio.

- In Time races into theaters, the latest film from Gattaca director Andrew Niccol. The film stars Justin Timberlake, along with the slick cast of Cillian Murphy, Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki and Matt Bomer, as a man who is accused of murder and has to go on the run. The catch in this one? It's a retro-future when the aging gene has been switched off and people stop aging at 25 years old. Time is money, literally. JT starts running when he inherits a fortune of time from a dead upper-class man over a century old prior to his death. The premise might sound a bit out there, but trust the director on this one. Gattaca is one of the most underrated films of the 90's.

- Some crazy stuff happened on Boardwalk Empire last night.

Weeeee Back!

"Inventory is boring. In the islands, they don't make you do stuff like take inventory. Why do you think so many businesses move to the Caymans?"

After a slight hiatus for some much needed r and r...weeeee back.

Emmy Award Winners - It's a "Mad" and "Modern" TV World

The Emmy's were on Sunday night in case you missed them (I missed some, just couldn't take my eyes off of "Breaking Bad")...Not too many surprises, although if you've never watched "Friday Night Lights" Kyle Chandler winning might be one. "Mad Men" won its fourth "Outstanding Drama Series" award, placing the show in the company of past fourpeaters "Hill Street Blues" and "The West Wing," which both won four in a row, as well as "LA Law," which won four in five years. No show has ever won five in a row, so next year "Mad Men" will make that attempt, but with some (probable) stiff competition from the likes of "Breaking Bad," "Game of Thrones" and "Boardwalk Empire."

There were some glaring snubs though. While I think Jim Parsons and Chandler are great on their respective shows, this was the year for Steve Carell and Jon Hamm to finally win. The whole drama category for male actors was lucky that "Breaking Bad" premiered so late and was ineligible for this years awards, because there's no doubt that Bryan Cranston will pick up his fourth win in fivey ears when the awards roll around next year...But I digress...Also props to Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show".....Here are the winners:

Outstanding comedy series: Modern Family
Outstanding drama series: Mad Men
Outstanding miniseries or movie: Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actress, miniseries or movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding supporting actor in a miniseries or movie: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
Outstanding directing for a miniseries, movie or dramatic special: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor in a miniseries or movie: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys
Outstanding supporting actress, miniseries or movie: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding writing for a miniseries or movie: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey
Outstanding lead actor, drama: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding lead actress, drama: Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Outstanding supporting actor, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Outstanding directing, drama: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding supporting actress, drama: Margo Martindale, Justified
Outstanding writing, drama series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights
Outstanding variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding directing for a variety, music or comedy series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live (host: Justin Timberlake)
Outstanding writing for a variety, music or comedy series: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Outstanding reality competition: The Amazing Race
Outstanding lead actress, comedy: Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly)
Outstanding lead actor, comedy series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding writing for a comedy: Steve Levitan, Jeffrey Richman (“Caught in the Act”), Modern Family
Outstanding director, comedy: Michael Alan Spiller (“Halloween”), Modern Family
Outstanding supporting actor, comedy: Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Outstanding supporting actress, comedy: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)

Football is Back

After a lengthy lockout, finally the NFL on Sunday is back. No matter what team you love weekends are just not the same without some footy ball.

A Subway Playground

Now this is crazy....but maybe not so crazy:

From the Freakonomics Blog and the Pop-Up City blog:

"It’s officially called a ‘transfer accelerator’ by Dutch railway maintenance company ProRail, but everyone else would say it’s a slide. An awesome slide. Installed next to a stairway at the newly renovated railway station Overvecht in the city of Utrecht, the slide offers travelers the opportunity to quickly reach the railway tracks when they’re in a hurry. But above all, the slide is a great instrument to make the city more playful. The ‘transfer accelerator’ was designed by Utrecht-based firm HIK Ontwerpers, and installed as the final piece of the renovation of the Overvecht railway station."

Could it work in New York? Probably not, but quite an interesting development.

TeenNick at Night is "Doug" Funnie

Great having "Doug" on TV again. Especially the episode "Doug's Cool Shoes," in which "Doug feels inferior because he doesn't have awesome new shoes, Sky Davis Inflatable Air Jet, like everyone else. That is, until he meets the real Sky Davis." Which is awesome. As are Skeeter's reversible sneakers.

TeenNick is airing some of the 90's best cartoons once again for all us older kids who relished them back in the day. "Doug," "Clarissa Explains It All," "All That" and "Keenan and Kel" are currently airing from midnight to 2 am. More to come in the future, considering Nick has shows like "Rugrats," "Hey Dude," "Salute Your Shorts," "Alex Mack" and more in their vault.

First Poster Released for "The Dark Knight Rises"

Christopher Nolan is just amazing. The first poster for "The Dark Knight Rises" has just come out, and it's already too much for me. I can't wait for this movie and the depth and symbolism of the poster are just awesome. Batman as a symbol of hope? Gotham City crumbling? A Knight who must rise from the depths? Who knows. Nolan always keeps things close to the chest, and this time should be no different. A teaser will be attached to the new "Harry Potter" but don't expect to see much footage. Ugh, I already can't fucking wait for this movie.

In Defense of “Transformers 3”

Okay before we start I’ll get one thing out of the way and state: I am totally fucking biased in favor of this franchise. How could I not be? I’ve been a fan of Shia LaBeouf since he was on “Even Stevens,” I love action films, I’ve loved the Transformers toys since I was a kid, and Optimus Prime is the most badass non-human movie character ever. So even with all that said, I totally understand the criticism of “Dark of the Moon” --- the bad dialogue, the ridiculous story-lines, the gratuitous shots of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley ----- I get all that.

But you know what, I don’t care about any of that. Look at it this way. Michael Bay has to make a movie that appeals to the masses of people all over the world, many of whom never played with a Transformer toy in their lives and are only going to the movies and because that’s what they do in the summer. He has to blow up a ridiculous amount of shit to please people, and in that respect he succeeds.

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment, who went to see this film looking for an Oscar winning script? Probably no one. What we all wanted to see was Optimus Prime being a badass, Shia being funny and heroic, Chicago getting blasted to smitherines, and of course, to see that beautiful model in action. Check, check, check and check. Also, you’d be hard pressed to find a cooler aspect of any action film this summer than the sky diving scene when the NEST team descends on Chicago from above amidst some exploding shit and a possible crash landing. What makes that scene even more amazing is that Bay strapped a camera to a guys head and ACUALLY HAD GUYS BASE JUMP OFF BUILDINGS IN CHICAGO.

Say what you will people, that was fucking dope. So this probably isn’t the best defense of the film that you can find out there, but my point is that I wanted to see some dope Transformer action, have some laughs with my friends, a hot babe and a conclusion to a trilogy that had me pretty skeptical when it was first announced. In that respect, the man delivered.

Go see the movie, the hour and half long climax battle scene is totally worth the price of admission. And if you don’t like it? Take it up with the Autobots, see what they think about it.

What I'm Listening To Today #1

I have to give ESPN's Scott Van Pelt some credit, on a regular basis him and his boy (aka co-host) Ryen Russilo play some quality music on their radio show and more often than not, it's the sweet electric sounds of Passion Pit. This track from their debut studio album "Manners" has the perfect loud banging intro which is perfect for transitions, but it's lead singer Michael Angelakos' vocals that make this track hard to forget. The catchy chorus of "...Let this be our little secret/no one needs to know were feeling/higher and higher and higher..." can stick with you throughout the day, and on a gloomy one like today was, it can be a small wrinkle of pleasure in an otherwise gray abyss of clouds and possible rain. And we all have our little secrets anyway.

And Just Like That...Summer is Upon Us

Big ups for warm days, long nights, the beach, beers and bbq's.
Definitely go see "Super 8" this summer. Imagine a mix of "The Goonies," "Close Encounters," "E.T." and "Stand By Me," filled with great story, suspense, mystery, wonder and fucking dopeness.
Watch a season of a TV show you missed over the year this summer. I recommend this one. Or this one.
Have fun at the movies this summer. Pick one: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (June 29), Horrible Bosses (July 8), Captain America: the First Avenger (July 22), 30 Minutes or Less (August 12).
Watch some good television this summer. It's called "BREAKING BAD."
Also good on TV this summer: "White Collar" (USA), "Falling Skies" (TNT), "Real Time With Bill Maher" (HBO), "Entourage" (HBO), "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO).
Go to a baseball game this summer. Or two. Or three. Or four. Go to one in a city where you're not from. Like this one.
If you've never watched "The Godfather" before in your life, watch it this summer.
....Or do nothing. Fuck it, it's summer right?

New Death Cab for Cutie Album Streaming in Full at NPR!

Check out a streaming, full copy version of Death Cab for Cutie's new album, Codes and Keys on NPR.com! Click HERE for the stream!

Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises" Starts Production, First Photo of Bane Appears

Anything Batman related always gets the Internet chatter rolling, but today, there aren't many rumors around, just excitement about Christopher Nolan's (most likely) last Batman film starting production.

As the press release reads:

Filming will take place on three continents, with an all-star cast working under the direction of Christopher Nolan.

BURBANK, CA, May 19, 2011 – Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

In helming “The Dark Knight Rises,” Christopher Nolan is utilizing IMAX® cameras even more extensively than he did on “The Dark Knight,” which had marked the first time ever that a major feature film was partially shot with IMAX® cameras. The results were so spectacular that the director wanted to expand the use of the large-format cameras for this film.



The screenplay for “The Dark Knight Rises” is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is being produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster “The Dark Knight.” The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. “The Dark Knight” is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.

Behind the scenes, “The Dark Knight Rises” reunites the director with several of his longtime collaborators, all of whom worked together on the “The Dark Knight.” The creative team includes director of photography Wally Pfister, who recently won an Oscar® for his work on Nolan’s “Inception”; production designer Nathan Crowley; editor Lee Smith; and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”). In addition, Paul Franklin and Chris Corbould, who both won Oscars® for the effects in “Inception,” will supervise the visual and special effects, respectively. The music will be composed by Oscar® winner Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”).

The locations for “The Dark Knight Rises” span three continents and include the American cities of Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles, as well as sites in India, England and Scotland.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is a presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures. Slated for release on July 20, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

On top of that, it seems as if the first "real" photo from the film has been released, showing off Tom Hardy, aka the man, as the villain Bane. Hardy (above) looks even more dark and sinister that I thought he would, and it only makes me more excited for what's ahead.

The cast is utterly brilliant, Nolan is a genius. I cannot wait for this movie. I know you can't either.

Star Wars Prequels...The LEGO Version

As a big "Star Wars" fan, like many other people, I was disappointed with the prequel films, but I never totally dismissed them. The first one was awful, (I partially blame the casting of that kid from "Jingle All the Way", talk about a whiny fucking kid), but the second one was a bit better, and I actually think the third one is a dope ass movie, although still could have been way better. But at the very least, the sequels spawned this super-entertaining two minute video of all three in LEGO form. Can't say I'm not impressed.

Awesome Steve Carell Film Adds Some More

Steve Carell's awesomely titled project "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" has just added a few new cast members. According to Variety the post-apocalyptic romantic comedy, which reportedly stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, has picked up additional members such as Adam Brody, Rob Corddry and William Peterson.

From Variety:

William Petersen, who's been extremely selective in choosing feature roles since leaving "CSI," is in negotiations along with "Scream 4" star Adam Brody and Rob Corddry to join Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in Mandate Pictures' "Seeking a Friend at the End of the World."

In addition to writing the script, Lorene Scafaria is making her directorial debut on the project, which finds an incoming asteroid threatening to end life on Earth.

Carell stars as a man whose wife leaves him amidst the ensuing panic, prompting him to seek out his high school sweetheart, who yearns to be with him when doomsday arrives. Knightley plays the female lead, a neighbor of Carell's character who accompanies him on a romantic road trip to find her.

Brody just signed on to star in the indie "Hemlock Drive" with Susan Sarandon. He next stars opposite Greta Gerwig in Whit Stillman's "Damsels in Distress," and has also wrapped Julian Farino's indie dramedy "The Oranges."

The film is still in the early stages but having Steve Carell, Keira Knightley and Adam Brody in the same film is just dopetacular.

"The Amazing Spider-Man" Will Be Amazing

Look, I love Tobey Maguire. I love Sam Raimi. But lets all be honest for a moment. Those "Spider-Man" films really weren't that great. Too much CGI, too much metallic costumes (Green Goblin anyone?) and I really never could get over how egregious of a change Peter Parker's web shooters were in those films.

But they were still pretty decent, some of the first "big" super-hero movies we see today. But now, now we have a Peter Parker we can really believe in.

Andrew Garfield is far and away one of Hollywood's best young actors. He was robbed of an Oscar nomination for "The Social Network" and his work in "Boy A" as well as Mark Romanek's "Never Let Me Go" was just stunning and amazing. And now, to Peter.

This is the Peter we've always wanted. A teenager, a kid with some angst and inexperience. I look at these pictures and I just feel like this is right. Marc Webb is the man for the job, I mean just look at that name! This film is going to be "Amazing" and apart from "The Dark Knight Rises," this is the film I am dying for.

SWAGGGGGGGGG

walk like a g, you deserve it...thank you. pat tillman, my thoughts are with you. thanks obama. this is what happens when an intelligent man receives some intelligence.

McKenzie, Cranston Voice "Batman: Year One"

In one of the coolest developments in recent memory, Frank Miller's amazing graphic novel "Batman: Year One" is being made into an animated film and the voice cast is shaping up to be absolutely great.

According to Heat Vision Benjamin McKenzie, Bryan Cranston, Eliza Dushku and Katee Sackhoff are all set to lend their voices to Warner Premiere’s upcoming direct-to-disc animated adaptation of Frank Miller's acclaimed graphic novel "Batman: Year One."

McKenzie ("The O.C.") will voice Bruce Wayne and Batman, Cranston ("Breaking Bad") will play a young lieutenant James Gordon, Dushku ("Dollhouse") will star as Catwoman, and Sackhoff ("Battlestar Galactica") will be Gordon’s love interest Detective Sarah Essen.

In the article producer Bruce Timm said the PG-13 rated feature will be a "straight forward literal retelling" of the comic with 80% of the camera setups based on David Mazzucchelli’s artwork.

On top of the fact that the book is easily one of the best ever created for Batman, the voice cast is just stacked from top to bottom. Cranston is fantastic and I'm totally pumped about having McKenzie and Sackhoff involved, considering they were a part of two of my favorite shows in recent memory, "Southland" and "Battlestar Galactica."

The book had some amazing visuals and it's very refreshing to see that the filmmakers want to keep things as accurate and based on the book as possible. Miller's story was one of the best origin stories for Batman and while many wished it turned into a live-action adaptation for many years, that's really not a big deal anymore with Chris Nolan having done a great job with the franchise. In fact this is probably the best way for it to be done especially if fans want the adaptation to stick closely with the actual graphic novel.

The film is set to premiere at Comic Con before hitting stores in the Fall.

Patrick Warburton Joins MacFarlane's "Ted"

Seth MacFarlane has already dominated the animation world with his hit series "Family Guy," and with his new film "Ted," he is looking to make his first foray into live action comedy and its shaping up to be quite the project.

The film has an already stacked cast and has just added another comedic vet to the fold. According to Deadline Patrick Warburton has joined the cast of MacFarlane's "Ted" at Universal Pictures.

The story revolves around a thirty-something Boston man (Mark Wahlberg) whose childhood teddy bear came to life and is now a cursing, smoking, delinquent that prevents the man from maturing. Warburton will play Guy, a sexually confused Enterprise Rent-A-Car co-worker of Wahlberg's character.

The films cast is already deep with Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel McHale also starring, and now having Warburton just adds another layer to the project. The film sounds like it’s a perfect project for MacFarlane, and having Wahlberg in the lead role is just too good to be true. While the actor might be better known for his dramatic or action work, he clearly is comfortable in comedy as seen in "The Other Guys," which was absolutely hilarious.

I'll always love Warburton for his Puddy character on "Seinfeld" and I can see him playing off the other cast members in the movie very well.

The film will start production later this year.

Alec Baldwin Joins Woody Allen's Next

Woody Allen is a director who always can get a fantastic cast together, no matter what type of script or where it shoots, and for his next film the legendary director is at it again.

According to Deadline Alec Baldwin has joined the cast of Woody Allen's upcoming project to be shot in Rome this summer. Jesse Eisenberg is also in talks for a lead role in the film which will hit screens next year.

While no story details have been released, it's expected to make full use of the capital the way Allen's earlier films did with Rome and his more recent ones have done with London and Barcelona.

This would be Baldwin's first time working with Allen since "Alice" way back in the early 90's. Baldwin has been fantastic on "30 Rock" all these years and with rumors of that show coming to an end, Baldwin should have tons more opportunities to star in films. The actor currently is set to star in the new adaptation of "Rock of Ages" as well and should fit perfectly in Allen's new project.

Rome truly is a fantastic city and serves as an excellent location for a Woody Allen picture to be set. It'll also be interesting to see Eisenberg directed by Allen, considering the two have fairly similar mannerisms and way of speaking.

It's always exciting to see Allen get to work with a great cast in a great location and this one is no different. Shooting will begin later this year.

Michael Mann, Paul Haggis Find "Gold"

Although his name may not come to mind as quickly as let's say Scorcese when thinking of the best director's in Hollywood, there's no doubt that Michael Mann is one of the top helmers working.

Through his career he has made some amazing films including "Heat," "The Last of the Mohicans," "Manhunter" and "The Insider" and for one of his next projects the great director is teaming with one of Hollywood's best filmmakers.

According to Heat Vision Mann ("Heat") and Paul Haggis ("Crash") are teaming for the contemporary thriller "Gold."

Described as being in the vein of Bogart classic "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," the story revolves around a ruthless search for the precious metal. Haggis was initially drawn to the script, but other projects took his attention.

TV producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman ("Friday Night Lights") wrote the script and the plan now is to develop and package the project, with Mann directing and Haggis producing.

While no actors are attached at this time this project has a boat load of potential. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of the best films of all time and combining the talents of Mann and Haggis to bring this story to fruition is just a dream come true. Mann has shown through his career that no matter the location, story or subject matter, he can bring out some amazing performances and this film should have no shortage of dramatic moments.

Mann has worked with some big named stars in the past, including Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Cruise and more, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see someone with some start power in the main role.

While the film is still in the early stages more news should come about in the next few months.

Joshua Jackson To "Lay the Favorite"

If you look at Joshua Jackson and still see Pacey Witter from "Dawson's Creek,"you might have a few problems. On top of the fact that you are stuck in the wrong decade, you've totally missed out on some of the most enjoyable TV work in a while. "Fringe" is one of the best shows on TV, and while John Noble and Anna Torv are both great on the show, Jackson is just as good, bringing some emotion and brooding rage to the table.

Jackson has had a very solid career since his "Dawson's Creek" days, but while working on "Fringe" he hasn't been able to do much film work apart from "One Week" and "Shutter," but that’s about to change.

The actor is attached to the adaptation "U.F.O." and according to Variety Jackson is in talks to star in Stephen Frears' "Lay the Favorite" for Pathe and Emmett Furla Films reports Variety.

Based on Beth Raymer’s bestseller "Lay the Favorite: A Memoir of Gambling", the story charts her rise from lowly Vegas cocktail waitress to one of the top sports gambling bookmakers. After falling in love, Raymer soon begins to re-evaluate her life and the profession she has chosen. Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis also star.

Frears is one of Hollywood's most underrated directors, having worked on such great films as "High Fidelity," "The Queen" and "Dirty Pretty Things" and should bring a great eye to this project. He is very versatile and has worked on all types of genres in his career, including comedies, dramas and biopics.

Jackson joins an already strong cast with Willis and Hall, who gave a great performance last year in Ben Affleck's "The Town" and should bring some emotional depth to the project.

D.V. DeVincentis (”High Fidelity,” “Grosse Pointe Blank”) adapted the script and shooting aims to kick off in New Orleans in the coming weeks.

Michael Mann, Paul Haggis Find "Gold"

Although his name may not come to mind as quickly as let's say Scorcese when thinking of the best director's in Hollywood, there's no doubt that Michael Mann is one of the top helmers working. Through his career he has made some amazing films including "Heat," "The Last of the Mohicans," "Manhunter" and "The Insider" and for one of his next projects the great director is teaming with one of Hollywood's best filmmakers.

According to Heat Vision Mann ("Heat") and Paul Haggis ("Crash") are teaming for the contemporary thriller "Gold." Described as being in the vein of Bogart classic "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," the story revolves around a ruthless search for the precious metal. Haggis was initially drawn to the script, but other projects took his attention.

TV producers Patrick Massett and John Zinman ("Friday Night Lights") wrote the script and the plan now is to develop and package the project, with Mann directing and Haggis producing.

While no actors are attached at this time this project has a boat load of potential. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of the best films of all time and combining the talents of Mann and Haggis to bring this story to fruition is just a dream come true. Mann has shown through his career that no matter the location, story or subject matter, he can bring out some amazing performances and this film should have no shortage of dramatic moments.

Mann has worked with some big named stars in the past, including Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day Lewis, Tom Cruise and more, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see someone with some start power in the main role.

While the film is still in the early stages more news should come about in the next few months.

Kevin Durand Visits "Cosmopolis"

Don DeLillo's novel "Cosmopolis" seems almost impossible to adapt for some filmmakers, basically because the book takes place mostly in a limo riding through a city. But if there was one director I would trust to make it, it's David Cronenberg. The project has already put together an excellent cast and it's looking to add another solid actor to the fold.

According to Variety. Kevin Durand ("Robin Hood," "I Am Number Four") is in final negotiations to join the cast of Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis."

An adaptation of Don DeLillo's popular novel, Robert Pattinson plays a financial whiz who risks his immense fortune by betting against the yen on one particularly chaotic day. His decisions eventually make him the target of an assassination. Most of the film is set inside a limousine as Pattinson's character is transported from one location to another. Durand would play his chief security officer.

The cast of the film is truly stacked, with Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Gadon also starring. Cronenberg is making the film a full service project, with him writing, directing and producing.

The book was one of my favorites by DeLillo, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better director to tackle the project. Adding Durand to the cast is a great choice, especially to play a security guard. The actor is super-underrated and has given some great performances in his career, including on "Lost" as well as in "Robin Hood," "Smokin' Aces" and "3:10 to Yuma."

The film is set for a 2010 release.

McBride Penning Hick Heist Tale

In a short time funny man Danny McBride has established himself as a force in the comedy world. From Kenny Powers to "Pineapple Express" to his new film "Your Highness," McBride has shown that he has a keen insight to comedy and has amassed quite the following and he has no plans of slowing down.

His new film came out this past week and according to an interview in GQ McBride says that he already has plans for an upcoming project based on a screenplay he wrote with Jody Hill a few years back.

McBride described the story to the magazine, which is based on a real-life 1997 bank robbery in Charlotte. McBride said: "These rednecks robbed Loomis Fargo for over $17 million. And they would have gotten away with it, except they stayed in the town they were living in. They literally moved from trailers into the richest neighborhoods in town, lived like kings, bought their wives tit jobs. Jody wants to make it like a southern Godfather."

McBride and Hill met in film school and have collaborated ever since, including on their first amazing film "The Foot Fist Way" and the TV show "Eastbound & Down."

At this point in my eyes McBride can do no wrong. While some less informed people find his humor stupid or sophomoric, there's a legion of fans out there that know McBride is truly great at what he does. Sure Kenny Powers is a profanity hurling sex fiend but he also is emotionally deep and culturally significant. The new project actually sounds like it could be something truly amazing, especially if McBride wants to star in it.

The article also describes some other projects McBride is working on, including turning a bare-knuckle boxing doc into a TV series, and helping establish a show about a hitman which several Australian filmmakers are trying to set up at HBO.

Ben Affleck Wanted For "Great Gatsby"

Although I admit I'm slightly afraid of what Baz Luhrmann might do to "The Great Gatsby," so far I can't knock the man for his casting choices. The book is my favorite of all time and he has landed three of my personal favorite actors to play parts in the film and is looking at another one.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Ben Affleck is in talks to join Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic "The Great Gatsby" for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Leonardo DiCaprio is pegged to play the wealthy and mysterious Jay Gatsby who still pines for his former flame Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). Tobey Maguire also stars, while Affleck is said to be interested in playing Daisy's wealthy husband Tom Buchanan.

As of right now there is a slight scheduling conflict with Affleck, his next directorial effort, the political thriller "Argo", is currently aiming to shoot in September while "Gatsby" is looking to start in August, but both sides are trying to figure it out.

Many have knocked Affleck's acting in the past, but his performances recently, including in "The Town," and his directorial work should be enough to say that he is a great choice. Affleck would be the perfect type to play opposite DiCaprio and he has the machismo and look to play the brutish Tom Buchanan.

The film has potential to be something truly amazing, especially since the cast is filled with a slew of former Oscar nominees and talented actors. The 3D project aims to kick off principal photography in August.

Vanderbilt Penning "Amazing Spider-Man 2"

Even though the upcoming reboot "The Amazing Spider-Man" is still filming and hasn't even showed off any official footage yet, production is already beginning on a sequel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter James Vanderbilt, who penned the script for the upcoming "The Amazing Spider-Man" at Sony Pictures, has already begun work on the sequel.

Vanderbilt had a meeting with the filmmakers and studio yesterday to talk about his take. He scored the go-ahead and will now begin writing, even though the first film is still shooting and won't wrap until mid-April.

Vanderbilt has been involved with the franchise for quite a while now, so it's not surprising that the studio would want to keep him involved. Vanderbilt first worked on "Spider-Man 4" for Columbia back when Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire were sill involved in the series. At the time, he was chosen for his character-driven approach to the story rather than a focus on special effects and worked on an outline for a trio of films.

Alvin Sargent did a polish of Vanderbilt's newer script for the first film, but as of yet there's no word if he'll do the same for the second. Before working on "Spider-Man," Vanderbilt wrote "Zodiac," David Fincher’s serial killer tale starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr.

Of all the projects in Hollywood right now, I'm more excited for "The Amazing Spider-Man" than any of them. I think Andrew Garfield is the perfect choice to play Peter Parker, and Vanderbilt's character and emotional-driven script will be something director Marc Webb can handle beautifully.

Avi Arad, Laura Ziskin and Matt Tolmach are producing both "The Amazing Spider-Man" and its potential sequel.

Gladwell To Polish "Hexum" Script

Although best known for his books such as "Blink" and "The Tipping Point," celebrated author Malcolm Gladwell is finally taking a crack at the film industry.

According to Deadline Gladwell has been hired to polish David Arata's drama script "Hexum" for Disney Pictures.

The story follows a CIA threat-assessment analyst, an alternative-thinking brainiac who is relegated to a distant corner of the CIA where he assembles theories nobody pays attention to. By connecting a series of seemingly random occurrences, he uncovers a sinister adversary planning an imminent global threat.

On top of the fact that Gladwell is an amazing writer, this project almost sounds as if it was specifically geared towards him in the first place. His books detail lots of information and analysis on random occurrences, and if there was anyone I think could put an interesting spin on this story, it's him.

Another positive for this project is the fact that Arata wrote the original script. His past work includes two of my favorite films of all time, "Spy Game" and "Children of Men" and this one sounds as if it is right up that same alley. Both those films were compelling, interesting and very well written, and there's no doubt in my mind this project fits that bill.

Gladwell is one of the smartest writers working out there today and I hope he has as much success with his first crack into film as he has had with book publishing.

Geoffrey Rush Joins "Green Lantern"

Much like Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" did a few years ago, DC Comics is hoping to bring one of its most beloved characters to the mainstream with its big-budget feature "Green Lantern." Starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular superhero and directed by Martin Campbell, the film has just added another key member, an Oscar winner who will be heard, but not seen.

According to Heat Vision Geoffrey Rush will voice the role of Tomar-Re, a key member of the Green Lantern Corps. in the upcoming "Green Lantern" movie for Warner Bros. Pictures

In the comics, Tomar-Re was a scientist before joining the intergalactic police corps where he was instrumental in training new members including newly minted Lantern Hal Jordan (Reynolds).

The film is currently working through post-production to complete its extensive visual effects. Michael Clarke Duncan was linked to the role yesterday, but clearly that was just Internet chatter.

Rush is a great choice to voice the character. He can be assertive, emotional, loud and quiet when needed and based on his work in "The King's Speech," he wont be afraid to stand up to someone in power when they need a lesson. Rush will have a busy summer ahead of him, he also is set to appear in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" in May.

"Green Lantern" is set for a June 17th release.

Adam McKay & Russell Crowe Team On "Boys"?

In what could be one of the more interesting director-lead pairings in recent memory, MTV News reports that "Anchorman" helmer Adam McKay has sat down with Russell Crowe about a spot in his upcoming project.

According to the site, McKay has reportedly sat down with Russell Crowe to discuss the Oscar winner's chance of playing the lead role in his upcoming adaptation of the comic "The Boys" at Sony Pictures.

The story follows a group of CIA agents, known informally as "the boys," who are assigned to police the world's super-powered heroes and villains. The team goes to great lengths to keep heroes in their place, including using assault, blackmail, kidnapping, and murder.

Crowe's role would be as the tough-as-nails team leader Billy Butcher, while McKay has already said he'd love Simon Pegg in the role of new recruit Wee Hughie, who greatly resembles the actor.

The comic truly is amazing for anyone who hasn’t checked it out and the passion McKay has shown for the project only gets my hopes higher. While selling and ultra-violent anti-superhero film might be tough when it comes to finances, this is a project tat could turn out to be something spectacular.

McKay is still working on the script, while Neal H. Moritz will produce the project.

Alan Rickman Joins "Gambit"

It's always interesting to see how an Oscar winner follows up their award winning performance. Some actors go on to some stinkers, like Halle Berry with "Catwoman," but most go on to other great projects, like Colin Firth, the recent winner for Best Actor for his work in "The King's Speech."

The actor is set to star as a thief in the Coen Brothers-scripted remake of "Gambit," and it looks like he finally has found his mark. According to The Hollywood Reporter Alan Rickman is in negotiations to join Firth and Cameron Diaz in the remake of the classic 60's caper movie "Gambit."

The story follows a British thief (Firth) who plans to steal an expensive statue from one of the richest men in the world and needs the help of a woman (Diaz) who closely resembles the rich man's late wife. Rickman will play the rich man. English actor Sir Tom Courtenay, who appeared in "Doctor Zhivago," has also been cast in the movie.

The script was written by Joel and Ethan Coen, while Michael Hoffman ("The Last Station") directs the film.

Rickman is one of the more underrated actors in Hollywood and brings great range to the role. Having Firth and Diaz was already an excellent combination, and adding a great actor like Rickman to the mix is never a bad thing. The original film, which starred Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine was great but I cannot wait to see what type of spin the Coen's put on it.

Shooting begins in May in London.