The Latest in ShowBiz News

12 never before seen images from ‘Watchmen’!

2009/02/17 at 12:00am

12 never before seen images from ‘Watchmen’!

02.17.2009 | By SBC Staff |

We just got our hands on 12 images from the new ‘Watchmen Portrait’ book that was released a week ago. The movie’s official photographer, Clay Enos took these black-and-white portraits of the individuals working on the production. From the lead heroes to supporting characters, extras in the crowd and the crew who put the film together.

We bought the book and it makes for a pretty good collector’s item and film memorabilia. From what we hear, Enos, combined the aesthetic gravitas of Richard Avedon’s In The American West series with the unsung heroics of Michael Disfarmer’s work, to subtly pair the images across double page spreads like Rorschach ink blots and providing a unique look into the world of Watchmen.

The movie ‘Watchmen’ will be in theaters and IMAX 03.06.09, and just in case you want to check out Clay’s website click here: www.clayenos.com.

The pics are below. Enjoy them and check out our Watchmen film page which has SO MUCH MORE images on ‘Watchmen’.

New pictures from ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’!

By Jack Rico

2009/02/17 at 12:00am

Movies

New pictures from ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’!

02.17.2009 | By Jack Rico |

I just got a hold of some new exclusive pics from ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’. These 4 pics reveal Sabretooth fighting one on one with Wolverine, Logan as a child mourning the death of a loved one, a shot of Gambit posing and Sabretooth running away or at something.

The film is being released May 1st and is including a plethora of new and established characters from Marvel’s X-Men comic books.

In case you ‘re not familiar with the film’s story line, Wolverine lives a mutant life, seeks revenge against Victor Creed (who will later become Sabertooth) for the death of his girlfriend, and ultimately ends up going through the mutant Weapon X program.

Below, enjoy the pics!

‘Button,’ ‘Knight’ win at the ADG awards

By Mack Chico

2009/02/16 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Button,’ ‘Knight’ win at the ADG awards

02.16.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Production designers on “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Dark Knight” and “Slumdog Millionaire” drew honors in various feature-film categories of the Art Directors Guild Awards on Saturday.

The ADG held its annual awards gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, presenting awards in film, television and commercial categories.
“Button” was selected for best production design in a period film, “Knight” for a fantasy pic and “Slumdog” for a contemporary movie.

George Lucas received an honorary award for outstanding contributions to cinematic imagery, and Paul Sylbert (“The Prince of Tides”) was honored with lifetime-achievement laurels. Bryan Cranston, star of the AMC television series “Breaking Bad,” hosted the awards.

Feature Film

Period film

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Production designer: Donald Graham Burt

Fantasy film

“The Dark Knight”
Production designer: Nathan Crowley

Contemporary film

“Slumdog Millionaire”
Production designer: Mark Digby

Television

Single-camera TV series

“Mad Men”
Episode 211: “The Jet Set”
Production designer: Dan Bishop

Multicamera TV series

“Little Britain U.S.A.”
Episode 4
Production designers: Greg Grande and Michael Wylie

TV movie or miniseries

“John Adams”
Production designer: Gemma Jackson

Episode of a half-hour single-camera TV series

“Weeds”
Episode 4006: “Excellent Treasures”
Production designer: Joseph P. Lucky

Awards show, variety, music or nonfiction program

80th Annual Academy Awards
Production designer: Roy Christopher

Commercials

Farmers Insurance
“Drowned Circus”
Production designer: Chris Gorak

Victoria’s Secret
“Holiday”
Production designer: Jeffrey Beecroft

Friday the 13th makes a killing at the B.O!

By Mack Chico

2009/02/16 at 12:00am

Movies

Friday the 13th makes a killing at the B.O!

02.16.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Gory “Friday the 13th” carved its way to the top of the holiday box office, earning a record $42 million on its opening weekend.

The remake of the 1980 horror flick set an all-time high for scary movies, edging out 2004’s “The Grudge,” which raked in $39 million during its debut weekend.

The machete-madness movie features hockey-masked zombie Jason, a drowned summer camper who takes revenge on a new generation of frisky teen counselors.

Even with Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday, “Friday” easily routed the chick flick “He’s Just Not That Into You,” which fell to second place with a take of $19.6 million.

The thriller “Taken” fell to third, with $19.3 million in ticket sales.

Among other new movies, the comedy “Confessions of a Shopaholic” landed in fourth place with sales of $15.4 million, while “The International” pulled in $10 million to finish seventh.

Hollywood was cheering what looks like the best Presidents’ Day weekend ever at the box office. The total gross of all movies was about $190 million, which trumps the previous benchmark of $157 million set in 2007.

By Jack Rico

2009/02/13 at 12:00am

Reviews

Confessions of a Shopaholic

02.13.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Rated: PG for some mild language and thematic elements.
Release Date: 2009-02-13
Starring: Tracey Jackson, Tim Firth
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.shopaholicmovie.com/

Go to our film page

‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ has a simple story line with an adorable and charming protagonist and an uplifting and empowering kick to it. It’s a mix between the charm of ‘Legally Blonde’ and the glitz and glam of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.

Based on the novel “Confessions of a Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella, the plot has a college grad (Isla Fisher) landing a job as a financial journalist in New York City to support her shopping addiction. She then later falls for a wealthy entrepreneur (Hugh Dancy), but there are some trip ups along the way.

The film is a romantic comedy that is more comedy than romance. It’s target audience is transparently women who live in cities and have a slight addiction to shopping. The plot has many ridiculous notions in it which is why the overall appeal isn’t engaging, unlike its lead actress who is by far the best the movie has to offer. The rest of the cast which includes the likes of Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow and – are you ready for this? – Kristin Scott Thomas as the french editor of a high power fashion magazine, are too talented for the film. This only reaffirms our suspicions that the economic recession affects ALL of us.

The backdrop of New York City is once again a film co-star and it’s hard to argue why. There is something to be said about a New York romantic comedy, it exudes an energy and allure that is almost impossible to match.

If you want to laugh, giggle and hug your significant other this Valentine’s, this is film will do the trick!

By Jack Rico

2009/02/13 at 12:00am

Reviews

The International

02.13.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Rated: R for some sequences of violence and language.
Release Date: 2009-02-13
Starring: Eric Singer
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA, Germany
Official Website: http://www.everybodypays.com/

Go to our film page

The International is a complicated film with an intricate plot line and lackluster acting. It’s only redeeming qualities are its action sequences and fast paced direction.

The premise is hard to follow: Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war.

Naomi Watts gave the worst performance in her career. It’s as if she has become worse over the years beginning with King Kong. Clive Owen is no Jason Bourne, but is believable enough that the credibility of the film isn’t compromised.

Be ready for what will be the most talked about action sequence of the early new year – the Guggenheim museum shooting frenzy is well worth the watch.

For a production that aspires to be so much more than a typical thriller, The International’s convoluted premise and Naomi’s painful acting achieves only to convey an average movie experience.

By Jack Rico

2009/02/13 at 12:00am

Reviews

Friday the 13th

02.13.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Rated: R for strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content, language and drug material.
Release Date: 2009-02-13
Starring: Damian Shannon, Mark Swift
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: www.fridaythe13thmovie.com

Go to our film page

Cinematically, â€˜Friday the 13thâ€™ is an awful film parceled with some terrible acting, an uninspired script and unimaginative direction…but god damn was it fun! And thatâ€™s what these movies are all about – zoning out, laughing out loud with your buddies and enjoying an innocuous time at the theater.

Relating this premise to you is useless since there really isnâ€™t one to relate. It possesses all the cliches of hundreds of slasher films: bare breasts, gruesome decapitations and laughable dialogues. Not mush else to it. The producers missed a big chance to create something special with Jason and his origins.

The first 15 minutes are perhaps the best the film has to offer since itâ€™s very fast paced, but then it slows down and any tension that was established is doused. Nevertheless, it is fun and thatâ€™s what people who watch these type of films are looking for.

‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ clips to be revealed on network TV!

By Jack Rico

2009/02/13 at 12:00am

Movies

‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ clips to be revealed on network TV!

02.13.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Beginning Sunday, Feb. 15, viewers across the nation can witness the origins of one of the year’s most anticipated movies, when Twentieth Century Fox debuts an exclusive, three-part reveal of X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, the first chapter in the X-Men saga, on FOX.

For this unprecedented promotional event – which is too big for one night – the studio has created three special 60-second spots that will air over the course of three nights on FOX. Together, with one spot leading into the next, the spots will form a narrative revealing the origins of Wolverine, and the epic revolution that pits him and other legends of the X-Men universe against powerful forces determined to eliminate them.

The first spot will air Sunday, Feb. 15 during “Family Guy” (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT); the second on Monday, Feb. 16 during “House” (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and the third will air Tuesday, Feb. 17 during “American Idol” (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Following Tuesday’s broadcast of the final spot, all three reveals will be released on Yahoo!

By Jack Rico

2009/02/11 at 12:00am

Movies

There’s a ‘Chipmunk’ sequel??

02.11.2009 | By Jack Rico |

Alvin, Simon, Theodore and … Chuck?

Zachary Levi, star of the NBC action comedy series “Chuck,” has been cast opposite the computer-generated singing rodents of “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.”

Betty Thomas is directing the follow-up to Fox 2000 and Regency’s 2007 hit “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” which grossed $217 million in North America. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman are producing, Karen Rosenfelt is executive producing, and Erin Siminoff is overseeing for Fox 2000.

Levi will play the cousin of Jason Lee’s character and gets tangled up with the tiny animated threesome. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney again will provide the chipmunks’ voices.

Also new to the franchise will be the Chipmunks’ rivals, the Chipettes — Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor — who were introduced in the 1980s animated TV series.

Levi, repped by Endeavor and Hyler Management, also has appeared in “Big Momma’s House 2” and “Shades of Ray.”

Brolin, Hopkins to join new Woody Allen pic

By Mack Chico

2009/02/11 at 12:00am

Movies

Brolin, Hopkins to join new Woody Allen pic

02.11.2009 | By Mack Chico |

Woody Allen has set Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins to star in the film he wrote and will shoot in London this summer.

Brolin and Hopkins are the first in an ensemble cast. As usual, Allen is keeping title and plot under wraps.

The film will be financed by Spain-based Mediapro, which provided coin for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” Letty Aronson and Steve Tenenbaum are producing.

There is no domestic distributor yet on Allen’s upcoming film. He made a recent deal with Sony Pictures Classics for U.S. distribution on “Whatever Works,” a comedy that will likely be distributed this summer.

Brolin, Oscar-nominated for “Milk,” is next booked to star in the title role in “Jonah Hex,” a live-action adaptation of the DC Comics series for Warner Bros. He previously worked with Allen on 2004’s “Melinda and Melinda.”

Hopkins recently completed “The Wolf Man” for Universal.