DreamWorks Animation to Adapt Oni Press Comic 'Maintenance'« FirstShowing.net

As we said with the news thatDreamWorks Animationis working on aCG/hand-drawn hybrid project, the animation house is looking to step up its game with someveryoriginal upcoming projects.Heat Visionreports they've picked up rights toMaintenance, anOni Press comic bookthat follows the exploits of twojanitorswho work for TerroMax Inc, the world's biggest evil science think tank. When they're not dealing with toxic spill monsters and menial time machine repairs, they have to contend with their boss, a multitude of mad scientists, jetpack cavemen, alien repomen, and the cute girl who works at reception. Sounds crazy!

Maintenance: It's A Dirty Jobwas written by Jim Massey and illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez (visitits Oni Press page). The adaptation was originally in the works at Warner Bros as a live-action project forMcGto direct, but for some odd reason the studio dropped the project (probably based on Oni comicScott Pilgrim'sunfortunate failure at the box office) and now DreamWorks Animation swooped in to pick it up. This sounds like it could be pretty damn fun to see as an animated movie, I just hope DreamWorks gets a great team of developers to work on it and not mush it into the dull and predictable DreamWorks movies we usually see.

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Electronic Arts Developing a Movie Based on the 'Madden Curse'« FirstShowing.net

Video game fans like already know what this headline is all about, but for the rest of you, it's time for a pop culture history lesson. There exists aninfamous jinxknown as theMadden Curse. This has nothing to do with the iconic sports commentator doing black magic from ACE Hardware corporate headquarters but rather an ill fate that seems to manifest itself after a professional football player appears on the cover of Electronic Arts' popular Madden video game series every single year. NowThe Wrapreports the video game company is looking to develop a sports comedy using the supposed curse as a prominent plot device.

The story itself is said to follow a former Madden video game champion who is forced out of retirement just as he finds himself on the corner of the game's cover— and subject to the curse. The phrase"former Madden video game champion"makes me think of someone who is really good at the video game, but I have no idea why someone like that would end up on the cover of the game itself. It also seems kind of weird that a football player coming out of retirement finds himself on the cover of the game, but whatever. We'll just toss this up to some bad communication of poor wording.

As for the curse itself, it's certainly in interesting plot device, especially since its reality seems unavoidable. Every player who has appeared on the cover since the year 2000, has been the victim of sudden injury resulting in poor performance on the field. Before that John Madden himself was on every cover of the game, but he's still alive (forget the fact that he's robot). The only player who has so far remained unscathed by the Madden curse is the recent poster child for the game, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who has not only remained without injury (knock on wood), but has actually had quite a decent season of football. We'll see if this project actually gets off the ground or if the curse will claim another victim in a failed film concept.Anyone interested?

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Stephen Dorff Confirms 'Blade' Prequel But Not Much Progress Yet« FirstShowing.net

Last summer, wereported on a rumorthat actorStephen Dorff, next seen in Sofia Coppola'sSomewhere, would star in a prequel spin-off to Marvel'sBladethat would be about Dorff's vampire villain Deacon Frost. It was set to be a new trilogy created by filmmaker Stephen Norrington, who directed the firstBlademovie but has been struggling to get anything into production recently, includingThe Crowreboot (whichhe's no longer attached to). Anyway, we've posted updateshereandthere, but finally have anewquote from Dorff himself. He does shed some light on the new prequel, but it doesn't sound like it's further along than before.

The new quote comes from a blog actually calledDark Lord Bunnykins(viaCinema Blend) which, believe it or not, supposedly got following quote directly from Dorff (most likely doing interviews forSomewhere). I thought the quote was informative and lengthy enough to include the entire text for your reading pleasure.

"Yeah, well, that was something we were talking about. Me and Steve Norrington had a cool treatment for that, and when vampires got all {trendy} again, we thought we should do the adult version, more of likea Scarface Deacon Frost movie. And it sounded cool, this treatment, but then there was {sic} so many legal things. Like, New Line owned Blade and Marvel's got… all this hype into The Avengers and this group movie which sounds like such amistake. And Blade was such a '90s thing…

"I didn't want to do a Blade movie, I just really wanted to take Deacon and do then do a whole other thing which wasmuch more today. So the idea me and Steve had, we might just end up fictionalizing it and just making anew characterwhich might even be better for us. And he's someone I really like and would love to work with again. So hopefully whenever we get a chance we'll get into that."

Honestly,"whenever we get a chance"doesn't sound very hopeful at all, and considering Norrington hasn't been able to recover his career since dive-bombing it withThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenin 2003, I don't think his involvement is helping it get off the ground any sooner. Dorff's most interesting comments are about their decision to change the title and character, yet keep the same story but without Marvel, which is actuallynota bad idea to get this going, but potentially disastrous too. Additionally, he'sdefinitelynot as excited aboutThe Avengersas I am, but I don't think it's a"mistake"like he said. Is Marvel's focus on bigger characters and connecting their universe together hurting the little characters under the Marvel name which deserve a chance to shine as well? That's the question Droff is asking, but I truthfully don't know the answer.

We'll continue to keep an eye out for any more news on thisBladeprequel with Dorff and Norrington, but it sounds like we still have to wait at least a few more years.Is anyone actually excited for the prequel?

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2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominees Have Been Unveiled« FirstShowing.net

The nominees for the17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awardshave just been announced today. Yet another awards show in the very top tier (which also includes theGolden Globesand Academy Awards) is theScreen Actors Guilds Awards, where the actors themselves choose the best performances from amongst their peers. These nominees are usually very similar to those at the Oscars, so this may be a good indication. The two films with the most nominations areThe King's SpeechandThe Fighter, but their choices this year are damn good, exactly what I expected and wanted to see. Check out a full list of film nominations below.

The SAG Awards will air live from Los Angeles on TNT/TBS on Sunday,January 30th, 2011at 8PM EST.

ACTOR:
Jeff Bridges -True Grit
Robert Duvall -Get Low
Jesse Eisenberg -The Social Network
Colin Firth -The King's Speech
James Franco -127 Hours

ACTRESS:
Annette Bening -The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman -Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence -Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman -Black Swan
Hilary Swank -Conviction

SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Christian Bale -The Fighter
John Hawkes -Winter's Bone
Jeremy Renner -The Town
Mark Ruffalo -The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush -The King's Speech

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Amy Adams -The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter -The King's Speech
Mila Kunis -Black Swan
Melissa Leo -The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld -True Grit

ENSEMBLE CAST:
Black Swan- Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Winona Ryder

The Fighter- Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee, Mark Wahlberg

The Kids Are All Right- Annette Bening, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska

The King's Speech- Anthony Andrews, Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush, Timothy Spall

The Social Network- Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Josh Pence, Justin Timberlake

ENSEMBLE STUNTS:
Green Zone
Inception
Robin Hood

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Ernest Borgnine

I'd really love toThe King's Speechtake just about everything this year, but I'd also prefer Mila Kunis and Christian Bale in the supporting categories. All of the performances nominated above were incredible and they all deserve to be on here. I'll be happy with whoever ends up winning. We'll keep you updated on the latest awards news coming up this season. For now, all we've got are theGolden Globe nominations, too.

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NY Times Critic A.O. Scott Chooses His 10 Best Movies of 2010« FirstShowing.net

Ah yes, time to get into some Top 10 lists. One of the most prominent critics still (successfully) writing for a major newspaper nowadays isA.O. ScottofThe New York Times, who just published his10 Best Moviesof 2010 list. Scott also names his Top 10"trends"as part of aCinematic State of Thingsrecap, with various topics like:"We are all figments ofLeonardo DiCaprio's imagination"and"Only a great director can make a great movie, but a good actor can make a bad or mediocre or not-quite-great moviemuch better."It's a wonderful reflective article overall (read it here), but first let's check out his 10 Best Movies of 2010.

1.Inside Job(Charles Ferguson)"The crisis of finance capitalism as a great crime story."

2.Toy Story 3(Lee Unkrich)"The triumph of consumer capitalism as an epic love story."

3.Carlos(Olivier Assayas)"The failure of global revolution as farce, melodrama, erotic thriller and music video."

4.Somewhere(Sofia Coppola)"An eccentric, perfect poem about fame, loneliness and cross-generational need."

5.The Kids Are All Right(Lisa Cholodenko)"An eccentric, perfect comedy about love, betrayal and cross-generational confusion."

6.Greenberg(Noah Baumbach)"A deliberately imperfect comedy about an eccentric fleeing from love, running from betrayal and wallowing in cross-generational confusion."

7.127 Hours(Danny Boyle)"It's all fun until someone loses an arm. And then, strangely enough, it's even more fun."

8.Last Train Home(Lixin Fan)"The future of global capitalism, in China and elsewhere: a family tragedy in the form of a documentary, as full of anger, dignity and pathos as a play by Arthur Miller."

9.Secret Sunshine(Lee Chang-dong)"A family tragedy from South Korea, in the form of a melodramatic crime story. As dense and gripping as a great novel."

10.Exit Through the Gift Shop(Banksy)"All of the above. None of the above. Everything and nothing. An elaborate art-world stunt in the form of a documentary. Or vice versa."

Some very interesting selections on Scott's list this year, but that's what makes him such a unique critic that still remains incredibly relevant today. I'm surprised to not seeThe Social Network(which has beentopping a lot of lists recently) on here or any other mainsteam hard-hitters likeBlack Swan,The King's Speech,Blue Valentineor evenInception. Hedoesexplain why, by also taking a jab at the film:"It was more fun to read the impassioned, geeky arguments aboutInceptionthan to endure a second viewing of that film."Scott also talks about how all of the discussionThe Social Networkcaused was a lot more riveting than the film itself. I won't agree, but that's just me and I've got my own Top 10 list in the works, too.Thoughts on his picks?

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Mark Wahlberg Producing Feature Adaptation of 'The Raven' Short« FirstShowing.net

Though he'll be in front of the camera angering some video game fans in David O. Russell's adaptation ofUncharted: Drake's Fortune, it looks likeMark Wahlbergwill be busy behind the scenes elsewhere by producing a film inspired by a much buzzed about short film.Heat Visionreports the actor will produce a feature length version of Ricardo De Montreuil's short filmThe Raven(which you can watch in its entiretyright here). The story follows follows Chris Black, a man who possesses a power that could lead to the destruction of a robotic regime of police in an alternate, futuristic Los Angeles, and they will stop at nothing to destroy him.

Latino Reviewfirst called attention to the short and Hollywood's interest in the filmmaker and the story back in April, and it's taken this long for a deal to finally come through. Apparently the project is being developed as a starring vehicle for Wahlberg himself withJustin Marks, the popular screenwriter behind forthcoming adaptations likeShadow of the Colossusand20,000 Leauges Under the Sea, taking control of the script. If the feature length film packs as much of a punch as that short, then this should be quite the film to look forward to in the future.Interested?

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George Clooney Attached to Direct Adaptation of 'Enron' Musical« FirstShowing.net

Though he's in the process of preparing todirect and star in an adaptationof the stage playFarragut North(under the new titleThe Ides of March), it looks like he's lining up another adaptation of a stage production, but this time with some song and dance.The Guardianreports the film rights toEnron, theUK stage musicalwhich tells the story of thecorrupt energy companythrough the majesty of song. However, the creative team behind Britain's famed play, including the director and entire cast, won't be along for the ride asGeorge Clooneyis apparently attached to direct and the production is going for an American telling of the story.

The only remnant of the stage production seems to be playwright Lucy Prebble who will write the screenplay for the adaptation. As for director Rupert Goold, who won Best Director at the 2010Olivier Awardsfor his work onEnron, he's not very pleased but smartly notes,"How do you compete with George Clooney?"It's risky to bring a musical from overseas, especially one that wasn't well received when it was reproduced on Broadway in the United States (it was done with after only 15 performances). One would think that the UK would get a crack at the film adaptation first, but that's Hollywood for ya.

Though Clooney is set to direct, it's unclear if Clooney will have any part onscreen in the production as well. However, even a Dapper Dan like George Clooney doesn't seem to be enough to satisfy some British naysayers. Philip Hedley, former director of the Theatre Royal Stratford East, said,"It's a great shame that the original talent hasn't been able to follow through, to put on to film what they've originally created."Of course, you can't blame producers for not wanting a British cast for a film that takes place in the America, focused on an American energy company, with many of its subjects being American themselves. The producer behind this new venture, Laura Ziskin (of Spider-Man fame) agrees wholeheartedly when she says,"This is an American story."My apologies to the original British cast and crew, but this seems to make sense. Either way, the prospect of an Enron scandal based musical sounds rather intriguing.What do you think?

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Two More Back-to-Back 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Sequels Next!« FirstShowing.net

If you were worried that just one more dive back into the ocean withPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tideswasn't going to be enough to quench your thirst for Captain Jack Sparrow then you are in luck.HitFixreports Disney has been quietly telling cast and crew to save a big chunk of their time in the near future to shoot a thefifth and sixth installmentsof their successful franchise back-to-back. This isn't surprising since the second and third sequels employed the same technique, but honestly, I thought the latter sequels suffered the same plight as theMatrixsequels with more cohesion only within the last two films rather than all three.

However, withJohnny Deppalready scheduled forDark ShadowsandThe Lone Rangerin 2011, it's anybody's guess as to when these sequels will get off the ground. It's also unclear whether or notRob Marshallwill return to directthese two sequels much like Gore Verbinski did for the first trilogy. In addition, sinceOn Stranger Tidesfound its inspiration from a previously publishednovel by Tim Powers, writers Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott will have to work pretty hard to craft two more stories and connect them back to the first film lest they fall into the same hole as the first trilogy. Anyway, it doesn't look like this franchise is dying anytime soon, so I hope these new sequels deliver some decent swashbuckling adventures.What do you think?

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Steve Carell& David Steinberg Team for Documentary on Comedy« FirstShowing.net

Though both started out as student's of Chicago's improvisational comedy scene inSecond City,Steve CarellandDavid Steinberghave taken very different paths. While Carell is well known for his talents onscreen in"The Office"or films likeDate Night, Steinberg's talents have mostly beenbehind the cameradirecting for series like"Curb Your Enthusiasm"and"Mad About You."But nowDeadlinereport the two are teaming up for a currently untitleddocumentary on the evolution of comedywhich will look back at 60 years of laughs. As someone who's always taken notice of the comedic trends fluctuating every ten years or so, this is great news.

So to really get to the core of comedy and how it has changed over the years, Steinberg has been interviewing comedians young and old to really make this documentary shine. Such names includeMel Brooks, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Judd Apatow, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Tina Fey, Jane Lynchand many, many more. Carell said,"We're honored that so many legendary comedic performers have chosen to be part of this."In standard comedic fashion, Steinberg followed,"Short story: Carell's career floundering. I throw him a bone. End of story."Frankly, I'm just glad this bone is getting tossed our way.How about you?

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Robert Downey Jr Sets Up New Musical Comedy at Warner Bros« FirstShowing.net

Looks likeRobert Downey Jr.might start singing for his next project.Deadlinereports that Warner Bros has closed a deal for a currently untitledmusical comedythat is being developed for Downey Jr to star in. The script& lyrics will be written byBrian Yorkeyand the music will be composed byTom Kitt, the duo behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musicalNext to Normal, which was already in the news today whenRob Reiner talked abouthow he really wanted to adapt it into a movie. This new project is being developed with Yorkey, Kitt and Anonymous Content's Joy Gorman as well as with Susan Downey producing.Read on!

Deadline says the story is about two Broadway songwriters, one of whom is played by Downey Jr, who find themselves creatively and financially bankrupt when their big-break musical is a huge flop. While searching for inspiration for a comeback, they take jobs as counselors, teaching singing and dancing at a theater camp they attended as kids. This obviously seems a bitGleeinspired, along with just being a creative concept from the guys behindNext to Normal, but it sounds like it'll be fun. I'm not sure why, but when I think of Downey Jr singing, I think ofGene Wilder, and if that comparison is true at all, we're in for a hell of a good time.

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Sundance Film Festival 2011 Non-Competition Line-Up Unveiled« FirstShowing.net

Every new year brings us yet anotherSundance Film Festivaland with 49 days left until Sundance 2011 kicks off onJanuary 20th, Sundance has officially announced the first half of this year's complete line-up. Yesterday they announced the films playing in theirfour competition categories, today they've announced the remaining 54 films that make up their out-of-competition categories. This is the list we've been waiting to see, as there are some awesome films premiering, like Kevin Smith'sRed State,Troll Hunter,Submarine(one ofour Toronto faves) and much more. Even if you're not attending, be sure to check out the line-up.

Premieres:

To showcase the diversity of contemporary independent cinema, the Premieres section offers the latest work from American and international directors as well as world premieres of highly anticipated films. Presented byEntertainment Weekly.

Cedar Rapids(Director: Miguel Arteta; Screenwriter: Phil Johnston)— A wholesome and naive small-town Wisconsin man travels to big city Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at a regional insurance conference. Cast: Ed Helms, John C Reilly, Anne Heche, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Alia Shawkat, Sigourney Weaver.

The Convincer(Director: Jill Sprecher; Screenwriters: Jill Sprecher& Karen Sprecher)— An insurance salesman, caught in a caper involving a rare musical instrument, sets off a series of dramatic consequences. Cast: Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Billy Crudup, David Harbour.

The Details(Director& Screenwriter: Jacob Aaron Estes)— When hungry raccoons discover worms living under the sod in a young couple's backyard, the pest problem sets off a wild and absurd chain reaction of domestic tension, infidelity, organ donation and murder by way of bow and arrow.Cast: Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert.

The Devil's Double(Director: Lee Tamahori; Screenwriter: Michael Thomas)— An extraordinary chapter in recent history providing a chilling vision of the House of Saddam comes to life through the eyes of the man who knew too much. Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Mimoun Oaissa, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast.

I Melt with You(Director: Mark Pellington; Screenwriter: Glenn Porter, based on the story by Glenn Porter and Mark Pellington)— Four friends gather every year to celebrate their friendship. This year they are unexpectedly forced to confront a forgotten promise they made 25 years earlier. As they examine choices they've made, they realize that what they said they would do with their lives and what they have done are entirely different. Cast: Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, Rob Lowe, Christian McKay, Carla Gugino.

Life in a Day(Director: Kevin Macdonald)— Life in a Day is a historic global experiment to create the world's largest user-generated feature film. On July 24, 2010, professional and amateur filmmakers captured a glimpse of their lives on camera and uploaded the footage to YouTube, serving as a time capsule for future generations.

Margin Call(Director& Screenwriter: JC Chandor)— Over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis, the key people at a investment bank struggle to decide how to handle an emergency business situation while examining the personal and moral implications of every action they take. Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, JeremyIrons, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci.

The Music Never Stopped(Director: Jim Kohlberg; Screenwriters: Gwyn Lurie and Gary Marks, based on the story“The Last Hippie” by Oliver Sacks) — A father struggles to bond with his estranged son who suffers a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories. He learns to embrace his son's choices and to try to connect with him through the power of music. Cast: J.K. Simmons, Julia Ormond, CaraSeymour, Lou Taylor Pucci, Mia Maestro.

My Idiot Brother(Director: Jesse Peretz; Screenwriters: Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall)— After serving time for selling pot, Ned successively moves in with each of his three sisters as he tries to get back on his feet. His best intentions quickly bring the family to the cusp of chaos and ultimately the brink of clarity. Cast: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer.

Perfect Sense(Director: David Mackenzie; Screenwriter: Kim Fupz Aakeson)— A poetic and magnetic love story about two people who start to fall in love just as the world begins to fall apart. Cast: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green, Ewen Bremner, Stephen Dillane, Denis Lawson and Connie Nielsen.

Red State(Director& Screenwriter: Kevin Smith)— A group of misfits encounter extreme fundamentalism in Middle America. Cast: Michael Parks, Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, John Goodman, Melissa Leo.

Salvation Boulevard(Director: George Ratliff; Screenwriters: Doug Max Stone and George Ratliff, based on the novel by Larry Beinhart)— An evangelical preacher who has captivated a city with his charm frames an ex-hippie for a crime he did not commit. Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Greg Kinnear, Marisa Tomei.

The Son of No One(Director& Screenwriter: Dito Montiel)— Two men in post-9/11 New York are forced to relive two murders they committed as young boys. Their lives start to unravel by the threat of the revelation of these shocking and personal secrets. Cast: Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes, Tracy Morgan, Ray Liotta, Juliette Binoche.

Win Win(Director& Screenwriter: Tom McCarthy, based on the story by Tom McCarthy and Joe Tiboni)— When a disheartened attorney moonlighting as a high school wrestling coach stumbles across a star athlete, things seem to be looking up. That is, until the boy's mother shows up fresh from rehab and flat broke, threatening to derail everything. Cast: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor.

Documentary Premieres:

Becoming Chaz(Directors: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato)— Born biologically female, Chastity Bono invites the viewer into a deeply personal journey as he transitions from female to male, embracing his true self, which is Chaz.

Bobby Fischer Against the World(Director: Liz Garbus)— The drama of late chess-master Bobby Fischer's career was undeniable,as he careened from troubled childhood, to World Champion and Cold War icon, to a fugitive on the run.

Granito(Director: Pamela Yates)— A documentary film intertwines with Guatemala's turbulent history and emerges as an active player in a nation's struggle to heal itself and serve up justice.

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold(Director: Morgan Spurlock)— A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement is financed and made possible by branding, advertising and product placement.

The Interrupters(Director: Steve James)— From the Academy Award-winning director of Hoop Dreams comes a story of ex-gang members who are now protecting their communities from the violence they themselves once employed.

Reagan(Director: Eugene Jarecki)— Reagan examines the enigmatic career of one of the revered architects of the modern world – icon, screen star, and two-term president Ronald Reagan.

Rebirth(Director: Jim Whitaker)— Weaving together five stories of individuals whose lives were profoundly altered by the 9/11 attack with unprecedented time-lapse footage of Ground Zero composed over ten years, what emerges is a chronicle of grief's evolution and a nation healing.

These Amazing Shadows(Directors: Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton)— The history and importance of the National Film Registry unfolds in a roll call of American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed the American experience itself.

Next (<=>):

Eight American films selected for their innovative and original work in low- and no-budget filmmaking. Each is a world premiere.

Bellflower(Director& Screenwriter: Evan Glodell)— A ballad for every person who has ever loved and lost – with enough violence, weapons, action and sex to tell a love story with apocalyptic stakes. Cast: Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes.

The Lie(Director: Joshua Leonard; Screenwriters: Jeff Feuerzeig, Joshua Leonard, Mark Webber and Jess Weixler, based on the short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle)— A man overwhelmed and disappointed with life tells a lie to avoid going to work… what could possibly go wrong? Cast: Joshua Leonard, Jess Weixler, Mark Webber, Alia Shawkat, Jane Adams and Kelli Garner.

Lord Byron(Director: Zack Godshall; Screenwriters: Zack Godshall and Ross Brupbacher)— When he's not pursuing women, Byron is smoking weed and loafing around. But he's grown restless in his middle-age and feels the need to escape – he just doesn't know where to go. Cast: Paul Batiste, Gwendolyn Spradling, Kayla Lemaire.

The Off Hours(Director& Screenwriter: Megan Griffiths)— A passing truck driver brings an unfamiliar sense of optimism to a woman working the night shift at a quiet diner, reminding her it's never too late to become the person you always wanted to be. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy, Lynn Shelton, Bret Roberts, Tony Doupe.

Prairie Love(Director& Screenwriter: Dusty Bias)— When a mysterious vagrant living out of his car among the snowy plains discovers a nearly-frozen local with a pen-pal girlfriend, he sees an opportunity to change his lonely existence. Cast: Jeremy Clark, Holly Lynn Ellis, Garth Blomberg.

Restless City(Director: Andrew Dosunmu; Screenwriter: Eugene M. Gussenhoven)— An African immigrant survives on the fringes of New York City. Music is his passion, life is a hustle and falling in love is his greatest risk. Cast: Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Babs Olusanmokun.

sound of my voice(Director: Zal Batmanglij; Screenwriters: Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling)— A young couple infiltrates a cult that meets in a basement in the San Fernando Valley. Cast: Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling.

to.get.her(Director& Screenwriter: Erica Dunton)— Five girls come together for one fateful night where anything goes. They all had secrets, but their friendship was the only thing they knew to be true. Cast: Jazzy De Lisser, Chelsea Logan, Adwoa Aboah, Jami Eaton, Audrey Speicher.

Spotlight:

Attenberg/ Greece (Director& Screenwriter: Athina Rachel Tsangari)— Marina, a young woman living with her father in a decaying, seaside factory town, acquires a new perspective on the mysteries of human nature after she meets a stranger. Cast: Ariane Labed, Yorgos Lanthimos, Vangelis Mourikis, Evangelia Randou.

Elite Squad 2 (Tropa de Elite 2)/ Brazil (Director: José Padilha; Screenwrtiers: Bráulio Mantovani, José Padilha and Rodrigo Pimentel) — Captain Nascimento of Rio de Janeiro's special operations police unit has a new enemy: widespread corruption within the city. Cast: Wagner Moura, Seu Jorge, Tainá Müller, André Ramiro, Milhem Cortaz.

I Saw the Devil/ South Korea (Director and screenwriter: Kim Jee-woon)—A young secret agent tracks a brutal serial killer who murdered his fiancée. Cast: Byung-hun Lee, Min-sik Choi.

In a Better World (Hævnen)/ Denmark(Director: Susanne Bier; Story: Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen, Screenplay: Anders Thomas Jensen)— The lives of two Danish families become intertwined as an extraordinary but risky friendship develops. Cast: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Markus Rygaard and William Jøhnk Nielsen.

Incendies/ Canada, France (Director: Denis Villeneuve, Screenwriters: Denis Villeneuve with the collaboration of Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne, based on a stage play Incendies by: Wajdi Mouawad)— A mother's last wish sends Jeanne and Simon, twins living in Canada, on a journey to the Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Cast: Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Rémy Girard.

Kaboom/ U.S.A. (Director& Screenwriter: Gregg Araki)— A science fiction story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students. Cast: Thomas Dekker, Haley Bennett, Chris Zylka, Roxane Mesquida, Juno Temple.

Letters From the Big Man/ U.S.A. (Director& Screenwriter: Christopher Munch)— An artist and government hydrologist surveying a remote part of southwestern Oregon befriends a sasquatch man and must take bold steps to protect his privacy, as well as her own. Cast: Lily Rabe, Jason Butler Harner, Isaac C. Singleton Jr., Jim Cody Williams, Fiona Dourif.

Meek's Cutoff/ U.S.A. (Director: Kelly Reichardt; Screenwriter: Jon Raymond)— In 1845, three families who have hired mountaineer Stephen Meek to guide their wagons over the Cascade Mountains get lost and face hunger, thirst and a lack of faith in their instincts for survival. Cast: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Zoe Kaza, Bruce Greenwood, Shirley Henderson.

Old Cats (Gatos Viejos)/ Chile (Directors& Screenwriters: Pedro Peirano and Sebastián Silva) — An old woman who realizes that her mind is quickly deteriorating desperately tries to hide this condition from her daughter, who waits keenly for any sign of senility in order to take her apartment. Cast: Bélgica Castro, Claudia Celedón, Catalina Saavedra, Alejandro Sieveking.

Submarine/ United Kingdom, U.S.A. (Director: Richard Ayoade; Screenwriter: Richard Ayoade from the novel by Joe Dunthorne)— Fifteen-year-old Oliver Tate has two big ambitions: to save his parents' marriage and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. Cast: Craig Roberts, Paddy Considine, Sally Hawkins, Yasmin Paige.

Uncle Kent/ U.S.A. (Director: Joe Swanberg; Screenwriters: Joe Swanberg and Kent Osborne)— A pothead cartoonist in Los Angeles spends a weekend trying to sleep with his visiting house guest – a woman from New York he met on Chatroulette. Cast: Kent Osborne.

Park City at Midnight:

Home to horror films and crazy comedies,Black Dynamite,The Blair Witch ProjectandSaware among the films that have screened here.

The Catechism Cataclysm(Director& Screenwriter: Todd Rohal)— After becoming disinterested with the church, a priest tracks down his old classmate, a former metalhead whom he idolized in high school. When the two embark on a canoeing trip together, all hell breaks loose. Cast: Steve Little, Robert Longstreet, Walter Dalton, Miki Ann Maddox, Koko Lanham.

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same(Director& Screenwriter: Madeleine Olnek)— A shy greeting card store employee unknowingly falls for a lesbian space alien while two government agents closely track their romance. Cast: Lisa Haas, Susan Ziegler, Jackie Monahan, Cynthia Kaplan, Dennis Davis, Alex Karpovsky, Rae C Wright.

Hobo with A Shotgun(Director: Jason Eisener; Screenwriter: Johnathan Davies)— A hobo hops from a train with dreams of a fresh life in a new city, but instead finds himself trapped in an urban hell. When he witnesses a brutal robbery, he realizes the only way to deliver justice is with a shotgun in his hands and two shells in the chamber. Cast: Rutger Hauer, Molly Dunsworth, Gregory Smith, Brian Downey.

The Oregonian(Director& Screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder)— After surviving a brutal car accident, a simple farm woman limps down the road into the nightmarish unknown. Cast: Lindsay Pulsipher, Robert Longstreet, Matt Olsen, Lynne Compton, Barlow Jacobs, Chadwick Brown, Jed Maheu, Roger M. Mayer.

Septien(Director: Michael Tully)— A reclusive sports hustler returns home to his family farm after years of absence to reunite with his two eccentric, unhinged and emotionally damaged brothers. Cast: Robert Longstreet, Onur Tukel, Michael Tully, Rachel Korine, Mark Robinson, John Maringouin.

Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren)(Director: Andre Ovredal)— A group of student filmmakers get more than they bargained for when tangling with a man tasked with protecting Norway from giant trolls. Cast: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Hans Morten Hansen, Johanna Mørch, Tomas Alf Larsen.

Corman's World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel(Director: Alex Stapleton)— Tracks the triumphant rise of Hollywood's most prolific writer-director-producer, the true godfather of independent filmmaking. Cast: Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, James Cameron, Roger Corman.

The Woman(Director: Lucky McKee; Screenwriters: Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee)— When a successful country lawyer captures and attempts to “civilize” the last remaining member of a violent clan that has roamed the Northeast coast for decades, he puts the lives of his family in jeopardy. Cast: Pollyanna McIntosh, Sean Bridgers, Angela Bettis, Lauren Ashley Carter, Zach Rand.

New Frontier:

Works that push the limits of traditional cinema aesthetics and the narrative structures of filmmaking.

Jess + Moss/ U.S.A. (Director: Clay Jeter; Screenwriters: Clay Jeter and Debra Jeter)— Without immediate families that they can relate to, and lacking friends their own age, second cousins Jess and Moss only have each other. A series of visceral vignettes conjure memories of companionship and sexual awakening during a summer shared together on their Kentucky farm. Cast: Sarah Hagan, Austin Vickers.

The Mill& the Cross/ Poland, Sweden (Director: Lech Majewski; Screenwriters: Michael Francis Gibson and Lech Majewski)— A visually vibrant and masterful work that seamlessly fortifies rich painterly compositions with digital effects, bringing Peter Brugel's 1564 painting, The Way to Calvary, to real life. Cast: Rutger Hauer, Michael York, Charlotte Rampling, Joanna Litwin.

The Nine Muses/ United Kingdom (Director& Screenwriter: John Akomfrah)— An allegorical fable divided into overlapping musical chapters, this film retells the history of mass migration to post-war Britain through the suggestive lens of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey.

!Women Art Revolution/ U.S.A. (Director: Lynn Hershman Leeson)— One part of a transmedia project that includes the interactive video installation RAW WAR presented at New Frontier, this seminal documentary depicts the history of women artists who have used art as an activist practice to fight oppression and protest gender and racial exclusion – creating what many historians feel is the most significant art movement of the late-20th century.

The Woods/ U.S.A. (Director& Screenwriter: Matthew Lessner)— A satirical nod to ethnographic film fashions a critique on media technology dependence, when eight young Americans move deep into to the woods to start their own utopia. Cast: Justin Phillips, Toby David, Adam Mortemore, Nicola Persky, Chris Edley.

Sundance is one of my favorite fests, so I always get excited to see the line-up every year. I had a feeling this year might be a great year coming up, and from the looks of their great choices, that definitely might be the case. Sundance 2011 runs from January 20th to 30th next month. For more info:sundance.org/festival/.

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Liam Hemsworth Starring in John Singleton's Thriller 'Broken Run'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

With his brother Chris Hemsworth making great strides after a small but pivotal role inStar Trekled him to the title role inThor, actorLiam Hemsworthstill has some work to do in order to catch up. Taking the romantic lead opposite Miley Cyrus inThe Last Songhelped his starpower a bit, but if he's going to be a star, he'll have to do much more than make out with an actress/pop star. He's on the right track by starring in Chuck Russell's remake ofArabian Nights, and now he's got another project lined up asThe Wrapreports Hemsworth is attached to star inBroken Run, a political thriller whichJohn Singleton(Four Brothers,Shaft) is set to direct.

The story, set in Washington D.C., follows a recovering alcoholic who becomes addicted to the thrill of stalking strangers and discovers that her new obsession is perhaps more dangerous than she originally thought. The project is being shopped around to studios with only a pitch currently, butJay LonginoandMichael Browningare supposed to write the screenplay. It's unclear how soon this project might get off the ground, but Singleton is already done shootingAbductionwith Taylor Lautner, so he'll likely figure out his next project soon. Singleton has also been connected to another thriller calledLayoverand possiblyFive Brothers, the sequel to his filmFour Brothers. Stay tuned.

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Casting Tidbits: Ray Wise, Jackie Earle Haley and Paul Giamatti&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

With as much dignity as he could muster, the Old Man gathered up the sad remains of his shattered Casting Tidbits. Later that night, alone in the backyard, he buried it next to the garage. Now I could never be sure, but I thought that I heard the sound of"Taps"being played, gently.First up,IGNheard straight form the horse's mouth thatRay Wise("Reaper.""24") has landed a role in Bryan Singer'sX-Men: First Class. In the silver age, 1960's set comic book adaptation Wise will be playing the Secretary of State of the United States. The actor will be shooting for a couple weeks and mentioned he may be involved with some big special effects sequences.

Second,THRreportsJackie Earle Haley(Watchmen),Kristen Bell(Forgetting Sarah Marshall),Chloe Moretz(Kick-Ass) andBailee Madison(Just Go with It) will star in the indie black comedyDance of the Mirlitons.Evan Greenbergis writing and directing the film which follows an ambitious, slightly overweight ballerina (Madison) with an overbearing mother (Bell) who will stop at nothing to become a star. The girl enters a catty clique-type environment when she has to prove her worth in class and face-off against the star ballerina (Moretz) who becomes her school nemesis. Meanwhile, Haley will likely be bringing laughs as a subtly sadistic Russian ballet teacher of the highest order. Sounds somewhat interesting.

Next,The PlaylistreportsPaul Giamattihas snagged an unknown role in David Cronenberg's adaptation of  Don DeLillo's bookCosmopolis. The actor is only in active discussions at the moment, but it seems likely that he will have a part in the story following 24 hours in the life of a newly married billionaire (Colin Farrell) as he cheats on his wife (Marion Cotillard), is pursued by a stalker, gets attacked by a protester and gradually loses his entire fortune over the course of a single day. With Farrell set to start shooting theTotal Recallremake in March, it doesn't look like Cosmopolis will get started before late 2011.

Also, a press release announcedDougray Scott(Mission Impossible 2) has joinedUnited, the true story of Manchester United’s legendary ‘Busby Babes’, the youngest side ever to win the Football (soccer for us) League, the 1958 Munich Air Crash that claimed eight of the their number and the extraordinary spirit of a city that rebuilt the team in the wake of the disaster. Scott is playing Matt Busby alongside previously cast David Tennant as coach Jimmy Murphy.

Finally,VarietyreportsAngela Bassett(Akeelah and the Bee) has joined McG's action comedyThis Means War. In the story Chris Pine and Tom Hardy play two retired spies who battle with one another after they fall in love with the same woman (Reese Witherspoon). Bassett will play both of the spies' boss who has dedicated her entire life to the spy business and has no life outside the CIA. This is yet another surprising role for Bassett who also landed a small role in the comic book adaptation of Green Lantern.

Well, that's all for this edition ofCasting Tidbits. Be sure to stay tuned for more casting updates on the way.

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Kevin Smith Announces Nicholas Braun to Star in 'Hit Somebody'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

MoreKevin Smithnews tonight! Smith announced in a new episode of his podcastHollywood Babble-On(viaSlashFilm) that the star of his upcoming hockey filmHit Somebody, based on the Warren Zevon song, will be young actorNicholas Braun. Most of you won't recognize him, but Braun is a 22-year-old, 6'6"tall actor mostly known forSky High,dating Selena Gomez, and appearing on ABC Family's"10 Things I Hate About You."He is also inDisney'sPromand Kevin Smith's horror flickRed State, which is where/why/how he cast him in this anyway."I found so much of myHit Somebodycast while makingRed State,"Smith says.

Here's the quote from theHollywood Babble-On podcastwhere Smith reveals Braun and why he chose him.

"The guy who’s going to play my lead, whose name isBuddy McKrakenin the movie, is a fella who's in our flick {Red State} and his name isNicholas Braun. He's this really great actor who I love to death and he is the perfect lead for this hockey movie, for this script, which is based on this Warren Zevon song."

Hit Somebody, which is Kevin Smith's first foray into a sports flick, is based on theWarren Zevon songand tells the story of a hockey kid (Braun) who wants more than anything to be in the NHL, but is only good at one thing: beating people up on the ice. Smith wantedSeann William Scottto star as Buddy, but he ended up inGooninstead. Smith joked saying,"Scott apparently wanted to make a hockey movie real fuckin' bad… So he went to do another one, which meant we were star-less for a while."Now he's found what sounds like will be a good lead and he'll probably be filling up the cast with other great actors before shooting next July.

I'm sure we will hear plenty more about this as Smith continues pre-production work the project, but in the meantime, we've got his horror flickRed State, which will most likely be hitting Sundance early next year. I don't know anything about Nicholas Braun, but I'm looking forward to seeing what Kevin Smith can do with a hockey film, I think we're in for somethingveryfun.Who else is looking forward toHit Somebody?

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Gael Garcia Bernal is Playing Roberto Durán in 'Hands of Stone'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Mexican actorGael Garcia Bernal(Rudo y Cursi, Blindness) has booked a role as five-time world boxing champRoberto Duránin an upcoming biopic calledHands of Stone. Ben Silverman and Jay Weisleder are producing with Paul Webster of Shine Pictures. In addition to Bernal starring,Al Pacinois circling the role of trainer Ray Arcel, and Spanish actorOscar Jaenada(The Losers) is also in a key role. Directing is Venezuelan-born filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz from his own screenplay."The infamous 'no mas' fight is the biggest enigma in the history of boxing. This movie will answer that enigma,"said director Jakubowicz.

Panama-bornRoberto Duránmade his professional boxing debut in1968as a 16-year-old and retired in 2002 at age 50. In 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard to capture the WBC welterweight title, butshockedthe boxing world by returning to his corner in the November rematch, saying"no mas."Interesting to see them use that as the focal point of the film, as quoted above.Hands of Stonehas a budget of $15 million and will shoot mostly in English in Panama, where he was born, and New York next spring."This is adynamicstory thatwillhave animpact,"Silverman said. Gael Garcia Bernal is one of those great actors that always stays under the radar with indies, but he's talented and I'm happy to see him starring in just about anything.

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Mysterious Neill Blomkamp Viral Video Found in Wired for iPad&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

That newApollo 18posterisn't the only mysterious thing out there today. Last night, Peter fromSlashFilmcalled me and told me he found an odd video randomly linked in-between pages of the latest issue ofWiredmagazineon the iPad (the digital app version of it). The page plays a video (embedded below fromYouTube) that has no description or title. Our only hint is a"Video By:Neill Blomkamp"tag in the magazine. So this is some new video by Blomkamp, director ofDistrict 9, involving a creepy mutated creature? Is it a viral for a new movie or some other web project? Watch the video below and read on for hints at what this might be.

The video shows two guys finding some weird, disgusting mutated creature in a puddle. If you look closely, you'll see it has a stamp on it:"18.12 AGM Heartland."Well,SlashFilmdid some research and found out that AGM Heartland was filed as a trademark for an"onlinewebsitewith video, audio and textual content and images featuring characters and storylines about a fictional genetic engineering company that produces genetically engineered and altered organisms."So, as I first thought, it looks like it's just a disgusting start to an online web series that Blomkamp is behind called"AGM Heartland"about weird creatures like this.

We're notreallysure what this weird creature and video mean yet, but it definitely has caught theinterestof the movie community online, mostly because of the name involved. Blomkamp hasn't officially announced a follow-up toDistrict 9, but has been working on another sci-fi project calledElysium, but that seems like it's a long ways out. Based on all the evidence, I have a feeling the video is just a very odd way to start some viral buzz for a new web series that Blomkamp is behind. Either way, bravo, as this definitely has me interested!

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Wishing Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving From FirstShowing.net&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Happy Thanksgiving!What arewethankful for this year? All of you. If you're reading this, then we owe you thanks. Its been an odd year this year, but without every last reader, we wouldn't still be here. Normally we publish our annualThanksgiving Movie Guide, but we decided not to write one for 2010. Why? Mostly because the line-up isn't that impressive, but honestly because we're just tired and need a day off, too. But here's a quick rundown of movies arriving in theaters:The King's Speech(limited),Burlesque,Faster,Love& Other Drugs,The Nutcracker in 3D, and last but certainlynotthe least,Disney'sTangled.

Wethank youfor all of your continued support ofFirstShowing.netas well as your readership, criticism and feedback, and for everyone that keeps us on our toes and constantly evolving in newer and better ways every single day. I really mean it when I say that if it wasn't for our readers, we wouldn't be here and that's why I owe this Thanksgiving thanks toyouand no one else. Enjoy your day off, too. Whether you're feasting on a delicious meal with your family or enjoying any new movies (orboth), have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And yes, that poster seen up at the top comes from thedisgusting horror trailerfor Eli Roth'sThanksgiving.

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Fox Searchlight Adapting 'Wilson' for Alexander Payne to Direct&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

No, no, this isn't the memoirs of a lonely beach volleyball trapped on an island with Chuck Noland, this is a much different story.Deadlinereports that Fox Searchlight has made a deal to adapt agraphic novelcalledWilsonwritten by Dan Clowes, published this year. Interested in directing is none other thanAlexander Payne, the filmmaker behindElection,About Schmidt,Sidewaysand the upcoming filmThe Descendants, though he's not fully signed on yet. I haven't read the graphic novel, but it sounds like an immensely tragic story of an"opinionated middle-aged loner who loves his dog and maybe nobody else."This sounds gloomy.

The story followsWilsonas he begins a quest to find human connection, badgering friends and strangers into a series of one-sided conversations that get derailed by his brutally honest sense of humor. When his father dies, Wilson isreallyalone and tries to find his ex-wife in hopes of rekindling their dead relationship. In the process, he discovers he has a teen daughter, who was born after the marriage ended and given up for adoption. He becomes determined to reconnect all three of them as a family. It was one of nineAmazon Best Books of the Monthearlier this year. One of Clowes' other stories was the basis of the indie flickArt School Confidential. This seems like an interesting adaptation, we'll be sure to keep an eye out for it as it develops.

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'The Dark Knight Rises' Will Be Christian Bale's Last Batman Film&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

ThoughChristopher Nolanhas confirmed that he'sdefinitely directingThe Dark Knight Rises, for awhile now, there have been rumblings that the next sequel will likely be the filmmaker's last in the franchise, and perhaps the conclusion of a supposed trilogy. More support to those rumors comes from a recent interview withChristian BalefromE! Online. The actor said very simply,"The thing is that this will be, I believe, unless Chris says different, this will be the last time I'm playing Batman."And if he's going off what he's heard/talked about from Nolan, I think it's safe to sayThe Dark Knight Riseswill also thehislast Batman film as director.Read on!

Now it sounds like Nolan is going to wrap up his take on The Caped Crusader as neatly as possible, but you can bet Warner Bros. will be keen on continuing the franchise even after Nolan and Bale leave it behind. The studio will also likely try their best to keep them around for another film (if not another trilogy), but I'm willing to bet neither Nolan or Bale want to keep this going for much longer. But before we even start thinking about more Batman films with Nolan and Bale, we're still waiting for details onThe Dark Knight Rises. Unknown factors still include what role Tom Hardywill be takingand exactly whatfemale roleswill be showing up in the sequel. Here's hoping we find out those details very soon.Are you cool withThe Dark Knight Risesbeing the last Batman film for Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan?

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Emily Blunt Might Have 'Five Year Engagement' with Jason Segel&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Before the lovely Rose Byrne took the role of raunchy pop starlet Jackie Q in Nicholas Stoller's comedy spin-offGet Him to the Greek, the role was initially supposed to feature the talents of the radiantEmily Blunt. However, because Fox still had an option to throw her in another film (thanks to her contract fromThe Devil Wears Prada), the studio decided to put her in theshittier-looking comedyGulliver's Travelsand thus cause her terrible embarrassment. But while doing that film, she was able to work withJason Segel(Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and nowVulturereports the two may reunite forFive-Year Engagement, another romantic comedy from Stoller.

Blunt is currently only being offered the role right now, but because of the history between her and Stoller, this sounds like a done deal in the making. In addition, Blunt's work with Segel onGulliver's Travelslikely allowed the two to bond and develop quite an onscreen chemistry that could make a long relationship like a five-year engagement work very well on the big screen. Stoller delivered one of the best romantic comedies of the past decade withForgetting Sarah Marshalland since Judd Apatow is producing the film for Universal, it's probably safe to say we're in for yet another one. Either way, seeing Blunt onscreen is a treat in itself.What do you guys think?

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David O. Russell&amp;amp; Ice Cube Making 'Dirty Harry' Style Franchise&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

They previously collaborated on the war flickThree Kings, and now it looks like directorDavid O. Russelland rapper-turned-actorIce Cubeare re-teaming in a big way.Deadlinereports the duo are working with New Line to create an all-new franchise in the same vein as 70's revenge films like Clint Eastwood'sDirty Harryfilms. Don't worry, they're not looking at remaking any of those classics, but apparently the film will be a raw, R-rated drama which calls back to that certain style of film with a plainclothes detective who's quick on the trigger. However, development is still in the early stages with a story still being figured out by Cube and Russell.

There's a chance that Russell may write the actual script, but it sounds like New Line will get a different screenwriter to come in for the first draft. After working with anotherThree Kingsstar again (Mark Wahlberg onThe Fighter) and now Ice Cube, Russell should probably make a movie with George Clooney and Spike Jonze to make everything nice and neat. I'm not sure if I'm interested in a franchise with Ice Cube (especially afterxXx: State of the Union, and throwbacks to 70's revenge films are already happening with flicks likeDrive Angry 3D.  The project is still probably pretty far down the road since Russell already hasOld St. Louislined up as his next film as well as an adaptation of the Playstation video gameUncharted: Drake's Fortune. We'll keep you posted as this story develops.Anyone interested?

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Stephen Sommers Now Confirmed to Direct 'Odd Thomas' Movie&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Back in September we heard that directorStephen Sommers(G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) might be lining up an adaptation of Dean Koontz'ssupernatural novelOdd Thomas. NowScreenDaily(viaComingSoon) has confirmed that Sommers is indeed attached to an adaptation of the story that follows the titular Odd Thomas (who narrates the books almost like a film noir) who lacks ambition working as a fry cook in California but has the gift of seeing and conversing with ghosts. He's notlooking to change the world, but he does use his talents to help out the local police chief in solving brutal crimes. Read what Sommers has to say about the project below!

Sommers remarked,""As soon as I read the book I felt compelled to turn it into a movie. It's a fantastic love affair between these two wonderful characters. The story combines action with heart, laughs and scares. It felt right to be doing this independently and I'm excited to take this to the market."So apparently no studio is involved with the project as Sommers is producing himself with Howard Kaplan (producer ofThe Good Shepherd) and John Baldecchi (producer ofThe Mexican).

If you want a full rundown of the story in the first book, check out our previous story on the adaptation. If the first film is successful, you can bet a franchise might be in order adapting therest of the book serieswhich includes three more books and two graphic novels.Now that it's official, what do you think of Stephen Sommers directorOdd Thomas?

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Scarlett Johansson Going 'Under the Skin' As Alien Seductress&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Though she's currently on the shortlist of considered actresses for the lead female role in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation ofThe Great Gatsbyand Cameron Crowe's adaptation ofWe Bought a Zoo, the lovelyScarlett Johanssonis apparently already attached to a new sci-fi film.Deadlinehas the news out of the American Film Market (from which plenty more news will come) that the actress is attached inUnder the Skin, a film from directorJonathan Glazer(Sexy Beast) which will see Johansson as a woman who is actually a deadly alien vixen seductress using her voracious sexuality to scour remote highways and desolate scenery to snare human prey.

Certainly the cheesy, Skinemax nature of theSpeciesfranchise comes to mind, but apparently the story is based on Michel Faber'snovel of the same namewhich will be adapted by Glazer and Walter Campbell. FilmNation is behind the project and CEO Glen Basner says,"We're so excited to be working on this arrestingly original movie. How could we pass up the chance to work with a visionary director like Jonathan, especially when combined with the intriguing notion of Scarlett Johansson as a ruthless alien seductress?"Personally, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see Scarlett Johansson seduce anything. Production is slated to begin in the spring, there is a chance Johansson gets caught up in one of the aforementioned high profile projects.Anyone interested?

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Theron&amp;amp; Farmiga Rumored for Roles in 'The Dark Knight Rises'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Since it's a slow news week so far, why not toss around some rumored names for Christopher Nolan'srecently titledsequelThe Dark Knight Rises. It's beenmentioned elsewherepreviously that Nolan has been meeting with actresses to take a lead female role in the anticipated franchise sequel. Obviously since Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) won't return, at least one female lead role needs to show up, but a new rumor has two major female roles looking to be cast.Comic Book MoviereportsCharlize Theronis being considered for one whileVera Farmiga(Up in the Air) andKacie Thomas(The Burning Plain) are up for the second.Read on!

Theron is apparently up for the role ofDetective Sarah Essen, a love interest for Commissioner Jim Gordon. In the comics, Essen is partnered with Gordon and they begin a romantic affair. Theron seems a little young for Gordon, but maybe they'll be changing the way she interacts with Gordon. Of course, there's always the change this is simply a red herring and maybe Theron is up for playing Catwoman. I'm not at all against seeing Theron in some tight leather outfits.

Meanwhile, Farmiga and Thomas are both up for the role ofJulie Madison, a love interest for Bruce Wayne. In the comics, Madison was a socialite once engaged to Bruce Wayne and thought she was unaware of his being Batman, she was used as a pawn by the vampiric villainMonkin his battle against the Caped Crusader. While the roles are certainly possibilities, these are definitely rumors at this point, and likely these characters could end up having a completely different impact on the story in the film than they have previously had on the comic books. We'll likely be hearing some official casting forThe Dark Knight Risessoon enough so stay tuned.

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Official First Look at Spielberg&amp;amp; Jackson's 'Adventures of Tintin'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Just before the weekend we found out Empire wasteasingly counting downan exclusive first look at the motion capture animation adaptation of Hergé's best-selling comicwithThe Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Well, today we finally have the full photo in all its animated glory along with the first two stills from the film itself. Longtime fans of the international sensation will find Empire's magazine cover featuring the young intrepid Belgian reporter and his canine sidekick Snowy strikingly familiar. Below you'll find all three of the new images and can click each individual picture for the larger, higher resolution versions.

Motion capture has never looked better, and the artistic style both ingrains the characters in reality without losing their cartoonish features. Taking its inspiration fromthis classic photoof Tintin (played in the film by Jamie Bell) and his loyal canine Snowy, here'sEmpire's coverfor their story onThe Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn:

First look at Captain Haddock played by motion capture performance master Andy Serkis:

And here Tintin, Haddock and Snowy find themselves stuck on open water:

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicornis directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Peter Jackson, with a script co-written by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish. The cast includes Jamie Bell as Tintin, Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, Simon Pegg& Nick Frost as Thompson& Thompson, Daniel Craig as the villain Red Rackham, and Toby Jones as Silk. The animated movie is currently in post-production at Weta Digital and will hit U.S. theaters onDecember 23rd, 2011.Thoughts?

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Empire Slowly Revealing Our First Look at the New CGI Tintin&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

We're now about 14 months away from the release of Peter Jackson& Steven Spielberg'sThe Adventures of Tintin. Although we're still a long ways away, I've been surprised that we haven't seen a photo from the animated movie, especially becausethey finished shootingback in March oflastyear. That said, Tintin isn't a popular character here in the US, but is throughout the rest of the world, so it only makes sense that Sony and Paramount (co-distributing) choseEmpireto debut theveryfirst lookat the CGI character. However, we're not fully there yet, as they just kicked off a nifty little visual countdown for the reveal on theirwebsite.

Seen above are four small portions of bigger images as revealed on their site:empireonline.com/reveal/. The four little teaser images are just tidbits from what looks like a bigger photo of the CGI Tintin, voiced and modeled byJamie Bell. As far as we can tell, from left to right: Tintin's yellow overcoat, Snowy's hair (his dog), his brown pants, and his blue sweater that he normally wears (usingthis photofor reference). Empire is playing coy and not mentioning anything anywhere, so we don't know how or when the rest of the photos will be revealed, but we're pretty damn certain this iswillbe the first photo fromThe Adventures of Tintin.

As a recap,The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicornis directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Peter Jackson, with a script co-written by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish. The cast includes Jamie Bell as Tintin, Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, Simon Pegg& Nick Frost as Thompson& Thompson, Daniel Craig as the villain Red Rackham, and Toby Jones as Silk. The animated movie, in the works at Weta Digital, will hit US theaters onDecember 23rd, 2011. We'll let you know when the final photo is revealed!

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New Writers for Twisted's Restart of 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

Didn't know there was anotherTexas Chainsaw Massacrein the works? There is! Over a year ago,Sawproduction company Twisted Picturestook over the rightsto the classic horror franchise started in 1974 by director Tobe Hooper, and has a"contemporary"version ofThe Texas Chainsaw Massacrein development. Well,Bloody-DisgustingandShockTillYouDropare both reporting that Twisted has just hired a new set of writers,Adam MarcusandDebra Sullivan(both ofConspiracy), to take a stab at the script. Originally, they hadThe Grudgewriter Stephen Susco on this, but now they've got new blood in to rework the script.

I guess good news, if there is any, is thatAdam Marcuspreviously directedJason Goes to Hellway back in 1993, so he has plenty of experience in the genre. Besides that, these writers' names don't mean much, but there's not too much we know about the project anyway. Apparently they're sticking with the"35 years later"approach toLeatherface 3D."We're told that the plot picks up immediately where Tobe Hooper's original left off before flashing forward 35 years. There's buzz of a 'cult' involved,"they say. So it's a new sequel, in a sense, hopefully distancing itself from Platinum Dunes' two movies a few years ago."Why is he going back? I don't want to set it in a dusty town. How do we make it more urban but keep that feel,"a producer inquires.

Given it's currently Halloween weekend, this is the perfect time to discuss the idea, but I'll leave it up to you guys, as I'm notthatfamiliar with theTexas Chainsaw Massacrefranchise. Is there any hope for this sequel in the hands of anewproduction company or is it doomed to never live up to the original film?Thoughts?

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Fox Sets 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' to Hit June 2012&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

I'm not sure why, but all the news coming from the movie studios today involves announcing major release dates. Universal secured a big batch of2012+ datesfor their projects, includingThe Bourne Legacy,Snow White and the Huntsman,47 Ronin,OuijaandThe Dark Tower, but that's not the only news. 20th Century Fox set aJune 22nd, 2012release for the upcoming Timur Bekmambetov directed adaptationAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Yes this is that awesomerevised classicwritten by Seth Grahame-Smith (also ofPride& Prejudice& Zombies) that the guy ofWantedandNight Watchis directing. Sounds great to me!

TheAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunterstory kicks off with the revelation that Lincoln's mother was killed by a supernatural creature, which fueled his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers. The book depicts the 16th US president as an axe-throwing highly trained vampire killer. Awesome. Casting has only just begun, so all rumors are just that. Thought, itwouldbe perfect it he could get Liam Neeson to play Lincoln, considering he's no longer inSpielberg's biopic. Adding this to the 2012 line-up will only help make that summer look even more enticing. There is still a long way to go, but I'm already looking forward to this!

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Dante, Plaza, Natali, Gens, Kitamura Making 'Paris, I'll Kill You'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

This sounds too good to be true.THRreports that a new anthology horror project is coming together calledParis, I'll Kill You, spoofing the anthology flickParis, Je T'aime. The best part about it is the line-up of filmmakers they've gathered: genre mastersJoe Dante(Germlins),Paco Plaza({REC})Vincenzo Natali(Splice),Xavier Gens(Hitman)&Ryuhei Kitamura(Midnight Meat Train). Additionally, Christopher Smith (Creep), French duo Julien Maury& Alexandre Bustillo (Inside), German music video director Joern Heitmann will direct segments of the film, described as a look at theseedy underbellyof the city of love.

Instinctive Film and Reverence are producingParis, I'll Kill Youwith Darryn Welch and Mathieu Robinet. The film is being produced independently and sold at various upcoming film markets, so we expect to see this hit a festival before it arrives in theaters. The producers are pitchingParis, I'll Kill Youas the first of a possible"horror city"franchise, just like theParis, Je T'aimeproducers, who followed up that withNew York, I Love Youand are working on Shanghai and Jerusalem, too. I'm just excited to see this get made with that incredibly impressive line-up of directors, it could turn out incredible. What a perfect Halloween treat!

From the press release:"Spanning the gamut of the genre including fantasy, suspense and pure, terrifying horror,Paris IKUis a twisted look at theCity of Love. Through its diverse stories, woven together by one connecting story, it will take its audience deep into the seedy underbelly of a Paris a long, long way from the pretty honeymoon cliche."Darryn Welch& Mathieu Robinet add:"The stars of this show are the directors. Since we started with the project we've had tremendous response from directors willing to collaborate, it's something fresh and something they can really sink their teeth into; it's also a truefanboyproject."Good!

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Tom Cruise Offered a Supporting Role in Musical 'Rock of Ages'&amp;laquo; FirstShowing.net

After bringing a lot of laughs toTropic Thunderas fictional super-producer Les Grossman (who might stillget his own filmsometime down the road), it looks likeTom Cruisecould go from yelling at the top of his lungs, to singing his heart out. At least that might happen asDeadlinereports an offer is out to Cruise for a supporting role inAdam Shankman's film adaptationof the Broadway musicalRock of Ages. Apparently his role would be that of a bartender who gets to rock out to a slew of classic 80's songs from all the best hair bands of the time. Though he has to say yes first, there may be even more uncertainty in his casting.Read on!

Does anyone know whether Tom Cruise can really sing well enough to take a role in a musical? Sure hethrew his voice aroundat the bar inTop Gun, and sang a Beach Boys inspired lullaby to Dakota Fanning inWar of the Worldsbut has he ever done anything more than that? Likely the driving force behind the role is his work fromCocktail, and while the prospect of Cruise taking on a role like that for nostalgia's sake is a fun idea, the guy has to be able to sing. For now this is all up in the air since he's only been offered the role, but the prospect sounds like a hell of a lot of fun, especially if he gets to belt out a rendition ofLiving on a Prayerby Bon Jovi.What do you think?

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