There's been some buzz lately that Tom Cruise, who has been busy celebrating 25 years in the movie business with Oprah this week, may be returning for another installment in the Mission: Impossible action franchise.
The idea of Cruise reprising his role as Ethan Hunt in the series seems outlandish since the actor-producer parted ways with Paramount Pictures in 2006 -- complete with a very public tongue-lashing from Viacom parent company chief Sumner Redstone. Brad Pitt's name had even been floated around as a replacement.
Now, however, Redstone appears to be attempting to thaw out relations with Cruise. The pair were reportedly seen doing lunch in March, and now Redstone appears to be open to the superstar's return for another Mission.
According to Variety, Redstone made conciliatory remarks to members of the press at a recent industry event. He said, "I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend. And if Paramount decides -- and they will make the decision -- to move ahead with him, I will not object."
Redstone did add, however, that he didn't know if Cruise would be chosen for the film. "That's up to Brad Gray, who runs Paramount," Redstone said. "He will make the decision."
ign.com,6/5/2008,written by Brian Linder
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Cruise on Another Mission?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Will "Boston Legal" Be Renewed by ABC?
Will "Boston Legal" Be Renewed by ABC?Mediapredict.com and Hollywood Reporter give their predictions about the future of BL.
Mediapredict:"THE MARKET: Will “Boston Legal” be renewed by ABC for the fall season? If the show is renewed for the fall, shares are worth $100. If it isn’t, they’re worth $0. Trading will close when a final announcement is made by ABC, or by June 15, whichever comes first.
THE LOWDOWN: There’s no official word from ABC on whether we’ll see another season of the “Practice” spin-off “Boston Legal” (yes, you forgot it was a spin-off). The announcement that rookie show “Women’s Murder Club” will take its normal spot in the ABC rotation for three episodes might make “Boston Legal” fans sweat. But according to the National Ledger, John Larroquette is betting his white tie that “Boston Legal” will be back.
THE PR: Check out Tvbythenumbers.com for a fascinating analysis of the full array of bubble shows at ABC. Apparently chances for “Boston Legal” are good because “anecdotally, [it is] said to have great numbers with high income HH’s” (as in households). Nevertheless the show falls in the precarious position of having “above average viewership for ABC, but well below average 18-49 viewership.” 85.7% probability
Hollywood Reporter (from the article"Networks generous with renewals"(4/5)):
Marvel movies news
Marvel Entertainment is going strong after Iron Man's huge opening weekend, and the company today announced their feature film release slate through 2011. That schedule includes the Iron Man sequel and Thor in 2010, and not one but two Avengers-themed movies in the summer of 2011.
Iron Man 2 will hit theaters on April 30, 2010.Thor, which has Stardust helmer Matthew Vaughn attached, will follow on June 4, 2010. The character, according to Marvel Studios' David Maisel, will first be introduced to moviegoers in Iron Man 2. Then, on May 6, 2011, Marvel will release First Avenger:Captain America (that's the first we've heard of the movie's working title), followed by a full-on Avengers movie, aptly named The Avengers, in July 2011.
The studio also confirmed that the Ant-Man film is still in active development with Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) directing. There's no release date for that one yet.
ign.com,5/5/2008,written by Brian Linder
Monday, May 5, 2008
Tv series 5/5-11/5
Monday May 5:-House M.D season 4 episode 14 "Living the Dream"
-One Tree Hill season 4 episode 16 "Cryin' Won't Help Now"
-Gossip Girl season 1 episode 16 "All About My Brother"
Thursday May 8:-Lost season 4 episode 11 "Cabin Fever"
-Smallville season 7 episode 19 "Quest"
Friday May 9:-Battlestar Galactica season 4 episode 6 "Faith"
Sunday May 11:-The Tudors season 2 episode 7
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Iron Man review
What can i say about Iron Man?It's a movie that i anticipated,and the anticipation was increased by the very good trailers.
Last Friday,i finally saw Iron Man.
To some level,the approach is similar to the approach of Batman Begins,although there are differences.Jon Favreau has cited Batman Begins as an inspiration.
The movie does not focus on action,but on character development.The story unfolds in a way,which engages the audience.As i said,character development is an intergral part of the plot,and in particular the development of Tony Stark.A complex but yet human character.The director wanted to make a story of an adult man literally reinventing himself, and realizing the world is far more complex than he believes and that is evident throughout the movie.
The cast of Iron Man,certainly is one of the main assets of the movie.Rarely,the selection is so successful.From Robert Downey Jr,to Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges,the perfomances are very good.However,the star of the movie is Robert Downey Jr.His portrayal of Tony Stark is exceptional."The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye," the director explained. "He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic-book character who is having trouble in high school, or can't get the girl." Favreau also felt Downey could make Stark a "likable asshole", but also depict an authentic emotional journey once he won over the audience.
The plot gives the opportunity to make commentary on various subjects,in a way that the movie does not become a political one,but in way that the message is delivered.Despite the fact this is a mainly serious movie,there are funny moments,which are successfully integrated.
The music is very good and the special effects are impressive.Although there are some minor flaws,Iron Man is excellent movie,one of the best movies that i've seen in 2008,one of the best comic book adaptations.It's definetely worth watching.
At the time of writing,Iron Man has already grossed $201,000,000 worldwide ($104,250,000 in the United States and Canada and $96,750,000 in other territories).
Some interesting for the sequel (wikipedia),the release of which is certain
"Jon Favreau planned Iron Man as the first in a trilogy, and has signed on all the original actors.Paramount chief executive officer Brad Grey expects a 2010 release date for the second movie of the series.Favreau believes sequels will allow a latitude in tone,and explore darker story elements such as alcoholism, which he intentionally set aside from the first film.Favreau feels depicting Iron Man's nemesis, the Mandarin, who was created as a metaphor for communism, will be challenging, as he finds the character dated.He also wants to streamline the effort it takes for Stark to put on his armor, considering the "assembly line" effort he makes in the first film.
Downey noted "the next one is about what do you do with the rest of your life once you've completely changed.I think the drinking and all that stuff would be a good way to confront his age, to confront his doubts, to confront the fact that maybe Pepper gets a boyfriend." Downey and Favreau met with Shane Black, who suggested they model Stark on Robert Oppenheimer, who became depressed with being "the destroyer of worlds" after working on the Manhattan Project.
As much of his screentime was cut from the film, Terrence Howard is anticipating becoming War Machine in the sequel. Howard said he would like to follow the slow arc of the comics with Rhodes temporarily becoming Iron Man while Stark succumbs to alcohol, joking "I don't want to introduce War Machine too early for my own monetary benefit."
Downey is reprising his role for a cameo appearance in The Incredible Hulk (2008).Favreau has also expressed interest in directing Downey as the character in an Avengers movie.Marvel has plans to make Iron Man into a Trilogy. The second movie may be released on April 30, 2010".
Nick Fury cameo (after the credits)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Smallville - Rosenbaum out, Doomsday in
We knew it was coming. At the end of February 2007,Smallville actor,Michael Rosenbaum,announced his intentions of leaving the show at the end of the 2007-2008 season in order to tackle new projects. For the past year, fans (I include myself here) hoped that the actor would change his mind. How can Smallville be, well, Smallville without Lex Luthor? Things looked grim when the actor reminded us last February that he was done with the show, come the Season 7 finale. And today, fans around the world must come to the realization that Rosenbaum wasn't joking: he really is leaving the show "to start the next chapter of my life and career," he says in a joint statement with The CW.
In his letter to Smallville fans, Rosenbaum thanks them for their support and making the show a success. He hopes that fans will follow his "career through [his] hair growth period and beyond." The actor, who is excited about the future, also takes time to thank the people involved with making the show.
In the joint statement, The CW, along with the executive producers, thanks the actor for his great work in the past season. The network also reveals what's in store villain-wise for next season.
Season 8 will introduce two new villains. One is the famous Doomsday, the only DC Comics character to have killed Superman. The second one is an unnamed female villain who is said, in the statement, to "be familiar to many fans." The statement also says that she "will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could." Could she be the person who'll win Clark's heart since Lana will be gone (Kristin Kreuk is said to appear in very few episodes next season)?
Michael Rosenbaum fans must watch the next two episodes as they will be Lex-heavy. The May 15 finale will be very important in Lex's quest to find The Traveler. Let's just hint that Lex will be traveling to the Arctic.
(Tv Squad,1/5/2008,author:Isabelle Carreau)
Season 7 episode 19 "Quest" trailer
Summer's superheroes have some ... issues
LOS ANGELES, Calilfornia (AP) -- The classic superhero is polished, brave and morally righteous. Strong and unerring, he is perfection personified -- a superhuman ideal.
Robert Downey Jr. plays "Iron Man," whose alter ego, Tony Stark, isn't initially a pleasant guy.
Not this summer.
Everyday human flaws are the Kryptonite of this year's movie good guys, who deign to suffer the same foibles as those who pay to see them. They may be reclusive, egotistical or intellectually challenged. They may have anger issues or alcohol issues. Some are alienated and lonely.
While the archetypal superhero always has a "weakness," this summer's super problems are more fit for the psychologist's couch than the villain's lair. Such shortcomings make heroes more relatable, says Marvel Comics master Stan Lee, creator of Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four, among sundry others.
"If you can have a good guy who's got hang-ups and flaws and failings, he's more interesting because he not only has to defeat the villain, but he has to defeat and conquer his own flaws and inabilities," Lee says. "It rounds him out and makes the character empathetic."
Flawed heroes are also a sign of the times, says "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau.
"Complicated times demand for escapist entertainment," he says. "These characters are facing the same types of problems we are. They're a proxy for us."
"Iron Man," which opens Friday, stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, a pompous, womanizing, hard-drinking genius whose superpowers come solely from a supercharged, weapons-filled suit he created from scratch. Without it, Stark is just another guy with issues -- not much of a stretch for the actor who's a veteran of both big screen and blotter.
After many nods to that effect throughout the film, Downey (as Stark) acknowledges at its conclusion that he's "not the hero type, with these character defects and all."
Indiana Jones is another "real guy," says creator George Lucas. The archaeologist-adventurer played by Harrison Ford returns to theaters May 22 with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
"He makes lots of mistakes. He kind of goofs up. He has the same kind of thinking that we have," Lucas says. "It's like he's not a superhero. He's just an average Joe that's always in over his head that somehow seems to get through it."
June will bring three more unlikely superheroes: Bruce Banner, Maxwell Smart and Zohan.
After a gamma-radiation accident, Banner (Edward Norton) discovers he involuntarily transforms into a monstrous mass in "The Incredible Hulk." Fearful and emotionally withdrawn, Banner is "blind to his heroic potential," says Kevin Feige, president of production for Marvel Studios.
"The creature in him, if used properly, could be a hero," Feige says. "Bruce Banner takes a while to see that. That's a flaw when you undermine your potential."
Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is a top government secret agent, minus the intelligence and James Bond cool. Though Smart is the most bumbling and inept member of his team, he's the hero in "Get Smart," the movie version of the 1960s TV series.
Adam Sandler is a reluctant hero in "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," playing an Israeli counter-terrorist expert who hangs up his heroics to become a high-priced hairdresser in New York City.
"He was a huge hero," says director Dennis Dugan. "And he basically goes on a journey to leave all the past behind and find something beautiful in himself."
Will Smith's "Hancock," due July 2, presents a "very authentic version of an alcoholic superhero," the actor says. The character is disheveled, disenfranchised and confused about life.
"He's feeling very purposeless and looking for answers," says producer Akiva Goldsman.
Also due in July is "The Dark Knight," with Christian Bale reprising his role as rich playboy Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego Batman -- a character who remains traumatized by the murder of his parents and the vigilantism that turned him to crime-fighting.
"He's a messed-up individual, as well. He's got all sorts of issues," Bale says. "He's just as twisted and messed-up as the villains he's fighting, and that's part of the beauty of the whole story."
Often the problem with superheroes isn't that they're too human, but that they're not human enough, says Feige of Marvel Studios.
"The risk is presenting your character as being two-dimensional," he says. "There's a risk in presenting them simply as an action figure. Presenting their flaws, presenting their humanity, that's how audiences identify with them and make their own emotional connection with them."
Goldsman calls the drunken Hancock "an answer to Superman ... an extraordinary person suffering ordinary human emotions."
"Superman is conventionally and traditionally a Boy Scout, and that's often what makes him very difficult to relate with," he says. "We identify more with people who are broken, people who are damaged. Those are the heroes who stick with us, the ones who are imperfect despite all their gifts, because everyone feels imperfect."
And when real life is so chaotic -- with war, a faltering economy, fears of terrorism and a threatened environment -- relatable superheroes are even more valuable, Favreau says.
"It's an abstract version of what our fears are, presented in a safe way, and we can be saved by a superhuman character," he says. "People want to see that type of thing when times are hard."
Echoes Goldsman: "The world is often troubling and we often look for heroes to save the day. If only."CNN.COM,30/4/2008
