Kung Fu Panda

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around...which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart - and his girth - into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

Also Known As:	Master P: Kung Fu Panda
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Logline:	When threatened by a gang of snow leopards, the jungle animals call upon an inept panda to become a kung fu master and save the Valley of Peace.
Genres:	Animation
Running Time:	1 hr. 35 min.
Release Date:	June 6th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	PG for sequences of martial arts action.
Distributors:	Paramount Pictures
Production Co.:	Pacific Data Images
Studios:	DreamWorks Animation
Produced in:	United States

Wanted

25-year-old Wes was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox. After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad's death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors--including the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan--Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.

Also Known As:	Wanted Wanted (Universal Pictures)
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Logline:	The tale of one apathetic nobody’s transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice.
Genres:	Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Crime/Gangster and Adaptation
Running Time:	1 hr. 48 min.
Release Date:	June 27th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality.
Distributors:	Universal Pictures Distribution
Production Co.:	Kickstart Productions, Marc Platt Productions, Top Cow Entertainment
Studios:	Universal Pictures
Filming Locations:	Prague Chicago, USA
Produced in:	United States

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

After an ancient truce existing between humankind and the invisible realm of the fantastic is broken, hell on Earth is ready to erupt. A ruthless leader who treads the world above and the one below defies his bloodline and awakens an unstoppable army of creatures. Now, it's up to the planet's toughest, roughest superhero to battle the merciless dictator and his marauders. He may be red. He may be horned. He may be misunderstood. But when you need the job done right, it's time to call in Hellboy.

Also Known As:	HBII Hellboy 2 Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Hellboy II Hellboy Sequel
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Genres:	Action/Adventure, Suspense/Horror, Thriller, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time:	1 hr. 50 min.
Release Date:	July 11th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and some language.
Distributors:	Universal Pictures Distribution
Production Co.:	Dark Horse Entertainment, Lawrence Gordon Productions
Studios:	Universal Pictures
Filming Locations:	Budapest, Hungary London, England
Produced in:	United States

Review - The Incredible Hulk

Scientist Bruce Banner desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows--cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross--Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross, and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. As all three grapple with the secrets that led to The Hulk's creation, they are confronted with a monstrous new adversary known as The Abomination, whose destructive strength exceeds even The Hulk's own. To stop it, one scientist must make an agonizing final choice: accept a peaceful life as Bruce Banner or find heroism in the creature he holds inside--The Incredible Hulk.

Also Known As:	Hulk The Hulk 2
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Genres:	Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Sequel
Running Time:	1 hr. 54 min.
Release Date:	June 13th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images and brief suggestive content.
Distributors:	Universal Pictures
Production Co.:	Marvel Studios
Studios:	Universal Pictures
Filming Locations:	Toronto, Ontario Canada
Produced in:	United States

Review - Get Smart

Maxwell Smart is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23. Smart is partnered instead with the only other agent whose identity has not been compromised: the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99. As Smart and 99 get closer to unraveling KAOS' master plan--and each other--they discover that key KAOS operative Siegfried and his sidekick Shtarker are scheming to cash in with their network of terror. Given little field experience and even less time, Smart--armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm--must defeat KAOS if he is to save the day.

Also Known As:	Spyville
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Logline:	The adventures of bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart, and his level-headed female partner, Agent 99, as they battle against the evil forces of KAOS.
Genres:	Comedy, Thriller and Adaptation
Running Time:	1 hr. 50 min.
Release Date:	June 20th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for some rude humor, action violence and language.
Distributors:	Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Production Co.:	Mad Chance Productions, Callahan Filmworks, Mosaic Media Group
Studios:	Warner Bros. Pictures
Financiers:	Co-Financier: Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment
Filming Locations:	Los Angeles, California, USA Washington, D.C., USA Moscow, Russia
Produced in:	United States

Review - Hancock

There are heroes... there are superheroes... and then there's Hancock. With great power comes great responsibility -- everyone knows that -- everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock's well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough -- as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn't the kind of man who cares what other people think -- until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey, and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock's greatest challenge yet -- and a task that may prove impossible as Ray's wife, Mary, insists that he's a lost cause.

Also Known As:	John Hancock Tonight He Comes Tonight, He Comes
Production Status:	In Production/Awaiting Release
Genres:	Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama and Romance
Release Date:	July 2nd, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence and language.
Distributors:	Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Co.:	Forward Pass, Inc., Weed Road Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Overbrook Entertainment
Studios:	Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
Filming Locations:	Los Angeles, CA USA
Produced in:	United States

Overview - The Dark Knight

Opens July 18, 2008 | Runtime:2 hr. 32 min.


With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as the Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces the Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.

• Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Genres: Comic-Book Superhero Film, Action, Fantasy

Overview - WALL-E

Opened June 27, 2008 | Runtime:1 hr. 37 min.



After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL-E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

• Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, Macintalk
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• Genres: Adventure Comedy, Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Adventure

Will 'Repo!' Face Off Against James Bond?

Just the other day, I shared the new trailer for the bloody, music extravaganza known as Repo! The Genetic Opera, and I noted that the flick was still without a release date. If Ace Showbiz is to be believed, the opera has found itself a new tentative square on the calendar -- November 7, 2008. That puts it face to face with the next James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.

Spies. Genetic repossessors. Gadgets. Song and dance. Bond girls. Paris Hilton. Okay, going back and forth between the perks of each feature isn't going to win this battle. These are certainly different films, but I wonder if it's wise to put them head to head. But even more to the point -- why the 7th? Heck, seeing that it's only one week after Halloween, it would make more sense to zip it into theaters a week earlier -- it might have to go up against Kevin Smith, but it would have the Halloween creepiness on its side.

Stay tuned to see if this release date sticks.

First Images: Matt Damon's 'The Green Zone'

While the film lover in me might be happy to see Matt Damon branching out with roles that don't trade on his looks, the red-blooded girl in me is happy to see Damon back in fighting form. Empire has the first still from the Iraq drama, The Green Zone, and he's back to the Matt Damon that we all know and love. Zone is based on the 2006 book Imperial Life in the Emerald City, by journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran. Damon stars as Chief Officer Roy Miller, a soldier stationed in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein charged with the task of locating weapons of mass destruction. During the investigation, Miller begins to suspect that the WMDs may not exist, and then things really get dangerous. Amy Ryan also stars as a NYT correspondent, along with Jason Isaacs and Brendan Gleeson as fellow military men. Studios might have a 'complicated relationship' with Iraq war films, but there is no chance that Zone is going to fall into the same trap of preaching to audiences. Damon made it pretty clear to Empire that Zone is strictly a Hollywood affair: "[We're] not trying to make a statement, particularly with a movie that costs $80 or $90 million. Hopefully this will feel like an accurate portrayal of what things were like for these guys. You can't do a polemic - you should be blogging if that's what you want to do." Maybe it's for the best, but I happen to think there is nothing wrong with mixing a little politics into your entertainment -- how about you? Green Zone is expected to arrive in theaters in 2010.

New 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' Photo

Talk about a holiday weekend -- at least for me! The latest issue of Empire is boasting a new photo of Hugh Jackman as the titular Wolverine. It's obviously from the same photo shoot that gave us the very first photo since he's sporting the same white tank top. So, truth be told, it's not that exciting. I want to see an official still of Sabretooth and Wolverine going claw to claw, or one of Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. I'll even settle for Gambit, Beak, or Silver Fox. I like a glimpse of Jackman's biceps and adamantium claws as much as the next girl (or guy) but at this point, I'm hungry to see a little more. X-Men Origins: Wolverine opens May 1st, 2009. [via SuperheroHype.com]

Rupert Grint Plans for the Future, Takes Role in Edgy Indie Drama

Harry Potter has got to end sometime, and by "sometime" I mean in less than three years when the second cinematic half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sees release. And some people would like to still have a career when that happens, thank you very much. To that end, Rupert Grint -- a.k.a. Ron Weasley -- has taken a role in an indie film called Cherry Bomb, which sounds about as far from Harry Potter as you can get without developing an erotic fixation on horses. The film, written by acclaimed playwright Daragh Caville, focuses on three teens who set out for a wild weekend of drugs, sex and crime only to see it escalate into something far more serious than they imagined. It co-stars relative unknowns Robert Sheehan and Kimberley Nixon, and is set for release next year. While Daniel Radcliffe has tried more extreme methods of branching out (mainly by taking that infamous role in Equus, which is coming to Broadway per the above link) and Emma Watson hasn't done very much at all (she voices a character in this year's The Tale of Despereaux, but that seems to be it), Grint has spent what spare time he has toiling away in indieville. Cherry Bomb was preceded by the reasonably well-received and much less racy Driving Lessons, about a troubled boy's friendship with a retired actress.

Continue reading Rupert Grint Plans for the Future, Takes Role in Edgy Indie Drama

New Image: Gerard Butler is Packing Heat in 'Game'

I just love finding Gerard Butler in my inbox! This new photo from Game comes courtesy of GerardButler.net, and it originally appeared in Australia's edition of Empire. You can click on the above for a bigger version, and the article it illustrates also boasts a full-color variation of the photo Jessica posted a few weeks ago. But this one is all new, and it's quite lovely, isn't it? There's nothing I like so much as a man with a big gun. Hey, get your minds out of the gutter -- I just mean that he's well armed!

Game has a release date of November 30th, but those lucky enough to attend ComicCon will be getting a sneak peek. If you remember, Cinematical's Erik Davis is appearing on a Masters of the Web panel, which is being moderated by the directors of Game, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. They'll be bringing some footage of the movie along -- and who knows, if we cheer loud enough, maybe the release date will be moved up.

Thanks again to GerardButler.net for sending the photo. And if anyone else wants to send muscle-bound Butler photos my way, feel free. It makes my life worth living.

Dutch politician to make another anti-Muslim film

Tuesday July 1 3:12 PM ET

Right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders is planning a sequel to his anti-Muslim film "Fitna," the local daily De Telegraaf reported Tuesday. The move comes after the Dutch Ministry of Justice on Monday decided not to prosecute him for inciting hatred of Muslims with his film denouncing the Koran.

About 40 complaints were filed against Wilders by both Muslim and non-Muslim organizations in the Netherlands after "Fitna" was released on the Internet. A number of those groups are thought to be considering appeals against the Dutch Prosecutors decision.

Wilders also was investigated for remarks published in the newspaper De Volkskrant calling the Koran fascist and calling for it to be banned.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

source: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20080701/121495037200.html

Angelina Jolie in hospital to give birth: reports

Tuesday July 1 2:01 PM ET

Angelina Jolie has been admitted to hospital in Nice, southern France, where she expects to give birth to twins, reports said on Tuesday.

They said that the 33-year-old Oscar winner, whose partner is Brad Pitt, was admitted to the Lenval Hospital on Monday.

"Ms. Jolie came to the hospital last night as part of a pre-planned rest period, before she gives birth," Nadine Bauer, spokeswoman for the hospital, told In Touch Weekly.

"The visit has been planned for a long time, there are no complications. She is just resting," Bauer added.

Neither the hospital nor Jolie's U.S. representatives were immediately available for comment.

Jolie and Pitt went public with their relationship after they co-starred in the 2005 film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

They already have one biological daughter together, Shiloh, who was delivered by Caesarean section two years ago in the southern African nation of Namibia.

The Hollywood couple also are the parents of three adopted children -- daughter Zahara from Ethiopia, son Pax from Vietnam and son Maddox from Cambodia.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White)

source: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20080701/121494607700.html