Latest Movie News From Moviefone |
- The New Godzilla Is Too Fat, Says Japan
- 'Fantastic Four' Reboot Taps Tim Blake Nelson as Villainous Mole Man
- Mark Ruffalo Enlists Andy Serkis for 'Avengers 2' Motion Capture Help
- Hailee Steinfeld Is the Newest 'Pitch Perfect 2' Barden Bella
- Josh Hartnett Recalls the Many Superhero Roles He Turned Down
- 'Sharknado 3' to Take a Bite Out of Summer 2015
- Weekend Movies & TV: 'Amazing Spider-Man 2,' '24: Live Another Day,' & More
- New 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Trailer Offers Fresh Glimpses of Our Heroes (VIDEO)
- 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Review: 10 Things to Know About the Web-Slinging Sequel
- Hot Docs 2014: 'Virunga' Review
- Superhero Movie Mistakes: 13 Mighty Painful Goofs (PHOTOS)
| The New Godzilla Is Too Fat, Says Japan Posted:  The upcoming "Godzilla" reboot seems pretty promising, but according to some Japanese moviegoers, the titular lizard monster could stand to lose a few pounds. Commentators on 2ch, Japan's largest internet forum, have been less than kind with their assessment of the creature as glimpsed in the film's trailers, and the consensus seems to be that the monster that was created in Japan has packed on quite the paunch since being re-imagined by American filmmakers. "Did he get fat?" wondered one commenter, while others wrote, "Out of shape Godzilla" and "He's gone Supersize Me," referring to Morgan Spurlock's documentary about American fast food. "That's what happens when all you do is eat and lay around," another commenter snarked. Not all the comments were critical (one poster noted that the new version "looks better than the previous Hollywood Godzilla" from the 1998 film, which is very true), though many tended to fall on the fat-shaming side. But as one Godzilla comic artist pointed out, Japanese audiences shouldn't get too haughty by picking on the Americanized version of the classic creature. "It's a little ridiculous for anyone in Japan to complain that 'the American Godzilla is fat' - after all, he definitely had a heavy phase in the Heisei Era....," wrote Matt Frank, in reference to the pudgy-looking iteration of the monster that was popularized in the 1980s. That Godzilla definitely had some serious thunder thighs. Whatever your view on the towering creature, "Godzilla" -- and all the junk in his trunk -- hits theaters May 16. [via Kotaku] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'Fantastic Four' Reboot Taps Tim Blake Nelson as Villainous Mole Man Posted:  The "Fantastic Four" reboot may be adding yet another villain: Tim Blake Nelson is set to join the cast as the alter ego of Mole Man.The Hollywood Reporter writes that Nelson -- who played a part in another Marvel film, 2008's "The Incredible Hulk" -- is in final negotiations for the role of Harvey Elder, described by the trade as "an eccentric and socially awkward scientist." Elder eventually becomes the Mole Man, a villain who is "shunned by humanity and leader of a subterranean group of monsters known as the Moloids," per THR. "Sources say the Mole Man will not appear in this movie but Elder's appearance does set up the character to be the villain in future installments of the franchise," THR added. "The Fantastic Four," a reboot of the early 2000s Fox adaptation of the Marvel comic, stars Miles Teller (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Jamie Bell (Ben Grimm/The Thing), Kate Mara (Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman), and Michael B. Jordan (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) as the titular heroes. Toby Kebbell is playing villain Doctor Doom. "The Fantastic Four" is due out on June 19, 2015. [via: The Hollywood Reporter] Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mark Ruffalo Enlists Andy Serkis for 'Avengers 2' Motion Capture Help Posted:  Andy Serkis's performance as Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy broke new ground in motion capture technology, and the actor has been highly sought after for his mo-cap expertise ever since. So it makes sense that the highest-grossing superheroes of all time would call on Serkis for some advice, too. Mark Ruffalo recently revealed on Twitter that Serkis is helping out with Ruffalo's motion capture performance of the Hulk on the set of "Avengers: Age of Ultron." Just what Serkis's role is in Ruffalo's part is unclear, since Ruffalo plays both Hulk and his alter ego, Bruce Banner, though we imagine Serkis is serving as a type of coach/consultant on how to get the best results from the technology. Ruffalo's promise that the Hulk will be more impressive in "Ultron" coincides with his costars' boasts that the sequel will surpass the already-high quality of the 2012 original. And having Serkis on hand -- who's part of the Disney family now, thanks to a just-announced role in "Star Wars: Episode VII" -- should certainly be a boon for filmmakers. We can't wait to see how his influence plays out over the character."Avengers: Age of Ultron" hits theaters May 1, 2015. PS - The above photo is Ruffalo and Serkis at the 2004 premiere of "13 Going on 30." You're welcome. [via: Mark Ruffalo, h/t Slash Film] Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Hailee Steinfeld Is the Newest 'Pitch Perfect 2' Barden Bella Posted:  Another Oscar nominee has been added to "Pitch Perfect 2": Hailee Steinfeld is the newest Barden Bella.Steinfeld, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for 2010's "True Grit," joins fellow Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick, who's reprising her role from the 2012 original. Rebel Wilson and Brittany Snow are also returning. "Pitch Perfect" followed members of a female college a cappella group, and their struggle to be taken seriously after an embarrassing performance at a national a cappella competition. The storyline of the sequel is being kept under wraps for now, though it is expected to focus on Kendrick and Wilson's characters' senior year of college. Steinfeld's role is also unclear at this time. Elizabeth Banks, who had a small role in the original, is making her feature directorial debut on the project. Original screenwriter Kay Cannon is back to pen the follow-up's screenplay. "Pitch Perfect 2" hits theaters May 15, 2015. via: Facebook, h/t Variety This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Josh Hartnett Recalls the Many Superhero Roles He Turned Down Posted:  Josh Hartnett was once red-hot in Hollywood, though his career has cooled considerably over the years. But according to the actor, he could have kept a sky-high profile by playing a number of different superheroes -- but turned down every cape and tights offer. In an interview with Details in promotion of his new Showtime series, "Penny Dreadful," Hartnett confirms that he was offered the lead in Bryan Singer's 2006 Man of Steel flick "Superman Returns," and the super opportunities didn't end there. "Spider-Man was something we talked about," Hartnett told the magazine. "Batman was another one. But I somehow knew those roles had potential to define me, and I didn't want that. I didn't want to be labeled as Superman for the rest of my career. I was maybe 22, but I saw the danger." Shying away from such big roles put a rift between Hartnett and his agents, the actor admitted, and he said that after his star-making turns in films like "Pearl Harbor" and "Black Hawk Down," the immense pressure those roles brought him drove him away from Hollywood for a time. "I was on the cover of every magazine," Hartnett recalled. "I couldn't really go anywhere. I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. I was alone. I didn't trust anyone. So I went back to Minnesota and got back together with my old friends--ended up getting back together with my high-school girlfriend for a while--and I didn't do any filming for 18 months. I'm still finding my way through all that." We can't imagine that Hartnett would have relished the attention that a high-profile superhero flick would have demanded, so it makes sense that he distanced himself from those roles. Still, as Hartnett told Details, these days he's much more open to the possibility of playing a caped crusader -- especially since he no longer commands the same number of offers he did at the height of his fame. "I'd say, 'Let's talk about how it would be done, see if we can get on the same page,'" Hartnett said of hypothetical future superhero offers. "Compromise doesn't scare me anymore." [via: Details, h/t Defamer] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'Sharknado 3' to Take a Bite Out of Summer 2015 Posted:  It seems that the skies will be full of sharks for the foreseeable future: Syfy has greenlit "Sharknado 3."The network, which ended up with an unexpected hit on its hands when the first "Sharknado" flick aired last summer, hasn't even broadcast the second film in the franchise yet ("Sharknado 2: The Second One" is due out in July). But the social media sensation -- and handsome return on a paltry $250,000 investment in the first film -- was too much for Syfy to ignore, and the network is capitalizing on the campy concept's so-bad-it's-good popularity. Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, who starred in "Sharknado," are back for the follow-up, and according to Adweek, they're expected to return for the third installment, too, provided they don't fall victim to any airborne shark attacks. The first film was set in Los Angeles, and the second is set in New York City; the location of the threequel is being kept under wraps for now, though it will be in a different city. We're not sure if either "Sharknado" sequel will feature any scenes half as ridiculous/awesome as Ziering diving into a shark chainsaw-first and hacking his way out, like he did in the original, but we'll certainly be tuning in to find out. "Sharknado 2" premieres on Syfy on July 30. "Sharknado 3" is set for a summer 2015 release. [via Adweek] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Weekend Movies & TV: 'Amazing Spider-Man 2,' '24: Live Another Day,' & More Posted:  This weekend, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone return in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" opposite a villainous Jamie Foxx (check out their hilarious Unscripted below!), the unstoppable Jack Bauer is back and out of hiding this Monday in "24: Live Another Day," Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin come to DVD in the romantic-drama "Labor Day," and TLC premieres its new reality show "OMG EMT!" on Saturday. Also in theaters this weekend:
Also on TV this weekend:
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| New 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Trailer Offers Fresh Glimpses of Our Heroes (VIDEO) Posted:  Those who plop down to see "Amazing Spider-Man 2" this weekend will get a special surprise, courtesy of a brand new trailer for the forthcoming "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot (in 3D, no less). And while this trailer isn't 100% new, the stuff that is new is pretty insanely cool.This new trailer starts off very much like the original teaser, with William Fichtner, playing the man who would be Shredder, bemoaning the fact that the city has fallen victim to crime. We get the same shots of urban chaos, with the same voice over. But then... a new twist: shots of each of the four Turtles, named, of course, after famous Renaissance painters: Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. And their new look is pretty startling. Anybody who knows the Turtles knows who is who, but these Turtles are also very different -- more humanoid, less cartoon-y, and thanks to the wizards at Weta (who are also providing the motion captured marvels of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"), bulkier. We love how many layers of stuff each Turtle seems to be wearing (Donatello has some crazy backpack and hipster nerd glasses, for instance, and Michelangelo has some Tibetan prayer beads). There are also brand-new shots in the trailer of Shredder, looking menacing and huge, and Splinter, their mutant rat teacher and father-figure, who is seen from behind and has maybe the greatest moment of the trailer when he swings a sword around. While we reserve final judgment until a longer trailer drops, since for all of the jaw-dropping visuals in this elongated trailer, the actual storyline still seems a bit unclear. But we're wildly optimistic for the movie, especially with the involvement of Megan Fox, an underrated performer whose capacity for both dramatic and comedic range is sorely in need of exposure. The heroes in a half shell (turtle power!) will get their big screen unveiling on August 8. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Review: 10 Things to Know About the Web-Slinging Sequel Posted:  It seems as though the promotional onslaught for "Amazing Spider-Man 2" started at the tail end of the release of the first "Amazing Spider-Man." After all, that film, which successfully rebooted the Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire series, this time with Andrew Garfield in the title role and "(500) Days of Summer" director Marc Webb behind the camera, came out less than two years ago -- over July 4th weekend, 2012. Considering the elaborate visual effects that go into these kinds of films (and equally elaborate marketing campaigns), work on the sequel probably did start before the first one ended, and the even more insurmountable job of selling the movie began shortly thereafter. Still, it's less than two years later and the movie feels very much like the start of its own franchise, in earnest. Emma Stone returns as Gwen Stacy, as does Sally Field as Aunt May (and, in a ghostly capacity, Denis Leary as Gwen's dead police chief father), but the vibe is different and everyone seems to be having much more fun. This time Spider-Man faces off against sparkly blue villain Electro (Jamie Foxx), as well as the Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan) and Rhino (Paul Giamatti). But does this translate to the rare superior sequel, or does this sequel get caught up in the same sticky webs that the first film did? Read on to find out, true believers. 1. It's Better Than the First Movie The first "Amazing Spider-Man" movie was less than stellar, although, at that point, a reboot of a popular franchise, so soon after the initial series had ended (2007!), felt worse than redundant; it was downright confusing. (It didn't help that a leaden screenplay weighed it down.) This time, things feel looser, with more emphasis on the comic elements of this comic book movie. And even if the movie isn't the most memorable (and, indeed, it isn't), there are at least a handful of sequences that stick with you long after the credits have rolled. 2. There's a Lot of Unnecessary 'Universe Building' One of the things that frees up "Amazing Spider-Man 2" is the fact that everyone, including the producers and the movie-going public, knows that there will be more films in the series. And not only more films, but an entire, spider-centered universe that will encompass sequels and spin-offs. So that means that, during the course of this movie, a lot of groundwork is being laid for these future installments, which unfortunately eats up a lot of screen time. It would be OK if there was a clear way that these elements were going to pay off down the line, but so much of this Spider-franchise is a question mark, so who knows when (and if) this stuff will ever be resolved. 3. A Bunch of Big Stars Have Tiny Roles Expect to say, "Wait... they're in this?" a bunch of times throughout the course of "Amazing Spider-Man 2." Besides Paul Giamatti, who is introduced during the movie's first big action sequence and doesn't return until right before the credits roll, expect to see B.J. Novak (from "The Office" and "Inglourious Basterds"), Felicity Jones, Marton Csokas, Chris Cooper, Campbell Scott and Embeth Davidtz pop up for roles lasting only a few moments. Yes, their characters play important roles, but certainly not in this movie. Maybe the most egregious micro-casting stunt is Sarah Gaddon, who has appeared in David Cronenberg's "Dangerous Method" and "Cosmopolis" and had a great role in this year's psychological thriller "Enemy," appears in "Amazing Spider-Man 2"... as the Oscorp computer. 4. Jamie Foxx Is Basically a Genie There aren't a whole lot of particularly memorable villains in the "Spider-Man" canon (which makes the fact that subsequent spin-off films are based on these villains even more hilarious). But Electro, the villain Jamie Foxx plays in the film, has always been a fan favorite. This is a character who can control electricity and shoot bolts of lighting at our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. But in "Amazing Spider-Man 2," he's refashioned as a kind of incandescent god, a spirited genie that can travel via outlets in the wall and, in one of the more striking images in the movie, overtake an entire building, broadcasting his face in florescent lights. His powers aren't exactly specified and by the time the movie was over, I was more puzzled than anything else. Still, Jamie Foxx as an electric blue genie is definitely not something you're going to see in, say, "Neighbors." 5. You Can Tell Dane DeHaan's Mood by His Hair In "Amazing Spider-Man 2," Dane DeHaan plays Harry Osborn, who becomes the Green Goblin at a young age. (The Osborns are afflicted with some kind of horrible, incurable disease.) Much like Benedict Cumberbatch's Khan from last year's "Star Trek Into Darkness," the general mood of Harry Osborn/Green Goblin can be ascertained by looking at his hair. If he is mellow and feeling good, then his hair is brushed on top of his forehead, completing the "18th century fop" look that Harry is deeply committed to. When he's angry and in full on demonic hobgoblin mode, it's swept back into a furious swirl. So, keep an eye on that 'do, everybody. 6. 'Captain America 2' Is Better When it comes back to what superhero movie to go see on the big screen, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is still tops. That movie is more measured and funnier and has some black characters and some women who get to do more than be the damsel in distress. So, keep that in mind. 7. The Score Is Insane And by that I mean bonkers. The score for "Amazing Spider-Man 2" was composed by Hans Zimmer and, amongst others, Johnny Marr from The Smiths, chart-topping producer Pharrell Williams, and Dutch DJ Junkie XL. A friend called it a "dub step opera" after watching the movie and it's hard to argue with him. In fact, it's a little hard to even explain what this thing sounds like. At one point, a spooky voice takes over and articulates the inner psychological monologue of Jamie Foxx's character. It's hard to follow and insanely bizarre. And the Spider-Man character still doesn't have a decent theme. 8. Seeing It in IMAX 3D Is Probably the Way to Go Not only do you want to see the giant action set pieces on the biggest screen possible, with the sharpest stereoscopic processes around, but don't you want to hear the crazy score in bone-rattling surround sound? I thought so. (And yes, it's worth the extra money.) 9. The Chemistry Between the Leads Is Still the Best Part Just like in the last film, the chemistry between leads Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone is still the very best part of the movie. These two are in love in real life, and they're in love in the movie. And while their relationship goes through some rough patches throughout the course of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," their commitment to each other endures. In a movie where a character is literally comprised of a ball of lightning, it's the chemistry between Garfield and Stone that gives off the most sparks. It's electric. 10. You Don't Need to Stick Around After the Credits Instead of having a teaser for the next installment of the Spider-franchise (which, at this point, could be one of a number of properties), at the conclusion of "Amazing Spider-Man 2," a sequence from next month's "X-Men: Days of Future Past" plays. The reasoning behind this has to do with complicated contractual negotiations related to director Marc Webb, who was slated to make a movie for Fox after completing his obligations on the first "Amazing Spider-Man." When it became necessary for development to begin almost immediately on the sequel, Sony and Fox arranged for the placement of an "X-Men: Days of Future Past" stinger at the end of "Amazing Spider-Man 2." "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" swings into theaters May 2. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Hot Docs 2014: 'Virunga' Review Posted: This range of options is at the heart of a new doc that attempts to give some perspective on the region. "Virunga" is a fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking film that will surely have the world once again wondering what to do about war-torn, biodiverse regions in Africa. Virunga has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 35 years, and for good reason. It's a lush 8,000 sq. kilometre piece of pristine land that features forests bristling with wildlife, active volcanoes and one of the Great African Lakes. Virunga shares borders with Ugandan and Rwandan parks, making it a postcard destination for tourists. But even more lucrative than tourism are the resources Virunga holds in its depths. An ocean of oil lies beneath its jungle floor and species worth their weight in gold are still in numbers large enough to attract poachers from all over Africa. Combine that with a nation infamous for its constant civil and international wars, and you have a world-class problem. "Virunga" divvies up much of its running time to the men and women sworn to protect the park and the beautiful animals that roam its thousands of hectares. Poachers build camps in the park and kill off older gorillas so that they can steal the young ones for sale on the black market. It may seem a deplorable line of work, but many in the region don't look at gorillas with the same wonder that westerners do. For the small band of Congolese rangers who protect the park, the job of saving the young animals can be extremely dangerous, regularly facing armed attacks. Much of their time, and much of this film, is spent with orphaned gorillas being rehabilitated so that they may one day go back into the wild. It's a labour often tested when rangers find their hard work murdered and pillaged on the forest floor. The major subplot in "Virunga" is the interest that oil giant Soco International plays in the film. Big oil means big money, lots of jobs and prosperity for locals, if only temporary. While Director Orland von Einseidel can't help but side with the gorillas, elephants, flora and fauna that grace the park (you try and not side with those faces!), it also doesn't go overboard demonizing the interests of big oil and the greasy buck. To add another layer of complexity, a civil war breaks out during the filming of the tale. The rangers in the film are not surprised -- many of them have a direct relationship with past wars in the region. Frustrating, heart-wrenching, uplifting and beautiful, "Virunga" will leave you feeling both helpless and empowered. It is not the west's job to police the world, but can we idle by as a nation saps itself of Earth's last remaining mountain gorilla population? This straight-ahead presentation of the facts will put you square in the debate. SCREENINGS TIFF Bell Lightbox 2, Thurs., May 1, 8:30 p.m. Isabel Bader Theatre, Sat., May 3, 9:30 p.m. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Superhero Movie Mistakes: 13 Mighty Painful Goofs (PHOTOS) Posted:  Having super powers definitely has its perks, but between knocking down skyscrapers and getting all the girls (or guys), superheroes aren't immune to the occasional mess-up. Like pretty much every movie, superhero flicks are sometimes littered with continuity errors and visible gaffes (e.g. harness wire). So, here are some of the most noticeable superhero movie mistakes, proving that no franchise is invulnerable. Per usual, all photos courtesy of MovieMistakes.com. Article photo courtesy Everett Collection This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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