Moviefone Copyright 2011, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. Moviefone Good old fashioned elbow grease. complete with meta trailers of trailers -- Ridley Scott is now finally ready to talk about his upcoming sci-fi flick, "Prometheus." The lauded director covers the next issue of The Hollywood Reporter, which reveals the details of his return to the world of science fiction. "Prometheus" stars Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace as a group of explorers that stumble onto mankind's greatest and most terrifying secrets. THR writes that the film was in development for four years and acquired a budget upwards of $130 million, spanning three continents. The article leaks out other titillating tidbits: Scott signed on to revisit the "Alien" universe due to a long-standing feud with James Cameron. (Ridley was passed over as the helmer of the sequel "Aliens," which launched Cameron into super stardom, something Scott was "pissed off" about.) Oh, and another bomb: the director is really, really developing a sequel to his famous dystopian film, "Blade Runner." Scott confirmed that the film is in the works with the original co-screenwriter, Hampton Fancher. He is also working on a film about the British author, Gertrude Bell, which could star Angelina Jolie. And he wants to develop a "Prometheus 2." When it rains, it pours. You can read more about "Prometheus," as well as Ridley Scott's upbringing, over on THR. "Prometheus" hits theaters June 8. [via THR]]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 14:01:33 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16/ridley-scott-prometheus-blade-runner-2_n_1521910.html reading poetry to construction workers: He's posing in a fashion (!) magazine. Promoting his upcoming role in Wes Anderson's newest flight of fancy, "Moonrise Kingdom," Murray, alongside his on-screen co-star Kara Hayward, dressed up in a Spacesuit and a too-short tuxedo for Harper's Bazaar. However, the star stays mum throughout the article, which focuses on Anderson and his twee-take over. The director explains that despite his instantly recognizable style, this is not a conscious thing. "I don't make an effort to have any style," he told the magazine. "I make an effort to tell the story, get in as many jokes as we can, make it visually interesting and moving -- or whatever I can do." As for "Moonrise," despite its glossy look, it's a film about young love. "When you're that age," he said of the two star-crossed protagonists, "falling in love takes over your whole life." "Moonrise Kingdom" starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Murray, Hayward, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Jason Schwartzman and Jared Gilman, hits theaters May 25. For more, click over to Harper's Bazaar. [via Harper's Bazaar] PHOTOS: (click to enlarge) ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 12:38:11 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16/moonrise-kingdom-bill-murray-harpers-bazaar_n_1521514.html LAPD spokesman Richard French told the LA Times. The actor, who also starred on the HBO series "Carnivale," had been frequenting LA's Skid Row area recently, according to TMZ. Murphy says that the last time she saw Stahl was May 9. She filed court papers in February that sought to limit his visitations with their daughter Marlo, 2, and asked for proof he hadn't used drugs within 24 hours beforehand. The couple separated in January, the same month Stahl was arrested for refusing to pay an $84 cab fare. Story developing... [via LA Times and TMZ] ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:15 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16/nick-stahl-missing-terminator-3_n_1521503.html "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" finds our protagonists abroad, desperately trying to return to New York. By a stroke of luck, they stumble upon a European circus that's also going back to the Big Apple. Afro-dancing, car chases and general hilarity ensues. Check out the clip above, where our characters try to adjust to circus life. (Spoiler alert: Things don't go according to plan!) Written by indie auteur Noah Baumbach, the third "Madagascar" installment boasts the vocal stylings of Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen and David Schwimmer and hits theaters June 8.]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 11:10:12 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted-clip_n_1521266.html $1 billion box office is really starting to pay of for Robert Downey Jr. According to the Hollywood Reporter, RDJ is set to make around $50 million for his part in "The Avengers." Although the official number may not be known until years down the road, it factors in back-end compensation as well as box-office bonuses. Downey Jr., who reprised the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man in "Avengers," has been the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever since the first "Iron Man" debuted in 2008, so it makes sense that his payday is this high. (After the success of the first film, RDJ's agency renegotiated a deal after that would have the actor netting five to seven percent of Marvel's revenue from the movies he appeared as Stark.) As for Downey's superhero co-stars, they stand to make way less. According to sources, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo all signed paychecks in the $2-3 million range. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson will likely be paid somewhere between $4-$6 million. As for the film itself, "The Avengers" is still bringing in huge box-office numbers, having grossed more than $1 billion in just 19 days. [via THR] ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 07:42:13 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/16/robert-downey-jr-50-million-avengers_n_1520553.html "Battleship" this weekend, there are two things you should know: First, this movie has absolutely nothing to do with the board game of your childhood. (If you've seen the trailer, you've likely already come to that conclusion yourself.) Second, this movie is really really loud. "Battleship" -- starring Taylor Kitsch, "True Blood" hunk Alexander Skarsgard, all-around badass Liam Neeson and pop star Rihanna -- follows a group of Naval officers forced to fight aliens who've landed off the coast of Hawaii. Can "Battleship" live up to its less expensive, family-friendly namesake? Let's find out in this week's Pro-Con. (MILD SPOILERS FOLLOW) PRO: The sound I should note, this is only a Pro if you like being blasted out of your skull by a mix of AC/DC, ships exploding and Taylor Kitsch shouting. PRO: They play Battleship in "Battleship" I won't spoil how they manage to work it into the plot, but, it's there, and it's glorious. CON: Not enough Liam Neeson Sorry, folks, but he's only in the movie for approximately 15 minutes, and even then he doesn't get to fight wolves with his bare hands. (Also, at this point, Neeson's contract should require him to perform his "Taken" monologue every time he's on screen.) PRO: Historical references Any action/sci-fi blockbuster that manages to sneak in not one, but two Christopher Columbus references, has my vote. CON: The aliens Can we please go back to using puppets/animatronics for movie aliens? There is such a thing as too much CGI. PRO: Special effects Aside from the previous Con, the movie is filled with breathtaking views from space, eye-popping explosions and a somewhat terrifying attack on Hong Kong. PRO: The theme to "The Pink Panther" Seriously, that gets played during this film. CON: Accuracy / Realism Example: Taylor Kitsch goes from burglar to Navy officer in a matter of minutes. So, if you're expecting "Battleship" to resemble anything close to what happens in "real-life," please, stay home. CON: Rihanna Loosely tied to my last Con, there was something a bit off about watching Rihanna fire a machine gun that probably weighed as much as she did. PRO: Burrito-related crimes The opening scene features Taylor Kitsch's character breaking into a convenient store to steal a microwaved burrito. It's like an "SNL" skit attached to an action blockbuster! PRO/CON: Really bad dialogue If you love laughing at lines like "You say E.T. wants to phone home?" then congratulations, you're in for a real treat. If not, save your money and watch, I don't know, a Woody Allen movie. PRO: Veterans Director Peter Berg used former U.S. Navy Sailors as extras in the film, and there's nothing more patriotic than that. CON: A lot of derogatory Asian jokes Maybe it was just me, but the second "Art of War" insult in front of a Japanese naval officer was two jokes too many. "Battleship" hits theaters nationwide this Friday. PHOTOS ]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:49:29 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/15/battleship-pros-and-cons-taylor-kitsch_n_1517892.html Moviefone's New Release of the Week "Chronicle" What's It About? Teens gain superpowers and struggle between becoming heroes or villains. See It Because: A "found footage" superhero movie sounds like a gimmick on top of a gimmick, one trying to capitalize on the success of "Paranormal Activity." But the young talent in front of -- and behind -- the camera imbue the format with real, dynamic youthful energy; be warned it's a short movie, clocking in at 84 minutes. (Also Available on Amazon Instant Video) Moviefone's Blu-ray Pick of the Week "Being John Malkovich" (Criterion Collection) What's It About? John Cusack stars as a sad-sack file clerk by day, amateur puppeteer by night, who finds a secret tunnel that places him in the mind of actor John Malkovich. He uses the strange phenomena to change his (and the actor's) life around. See It Because: The film was one of the most creative comedies of the '90s, and this new edition boasts oodles of special features, like a comprehensive booklet, bonus short films and commentaries from the likes of Michel Gondry and John Hodgman. New on DVD & Blu-ray "Albert Nobbs" What's It About? Glenn Close's passion project tells the story of a working-class woman in 19th century Dublin, who must disguise herself as a man in order to achieve any kind of success. Along the way, she gets caught up in a love triangle mired in complicated motivations. See It or Skip It: The concept is interesting and Close and co-star Janet McTeer deserve the critical acclaim they received, but the execution just doesn't work. See it, if you're an Oscar junkie. (Also Available on Redbox | Amazon Instant Video) "The Devil Inside" What's It About? A gimmicky "Exorcist"-style found footage movie that upset audiences with its abrupt gimmick ending that tells you to go to a website. See It or Skip It: Skip it. (Also Available on Redbox DVD & Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video) Watch an Exclusive Clip from "The Devil Inside" - "The Grey" What's It About? Liam Neeson fights wolves. Other stuff happens. See It or Skip It: See it if you like to follow your movie with a big steak dinner. (Also Available on Amazon Instant Video) Watch an Exclusive Clip from "The Grey" - "One for the Money" What's It About? Katherine Heigl stars in another cold, mechanical "opposites attract" romance. See It or Skip It: Skip it. (Also Available on Redbox DVD & Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video ) "Rampart" What's It About? Woody Harrelson made a pretty good drama about a corrupt cop working in '90s L.A., but then he did a bad PR interview and turned the whole thing into a joke. See It or Skip It: See it, if you don't use Reddit. (Also Available on Redbox DVD & Blu-ray | Amazon Instant Video) New to Blu-ray "Before and After" "Born Yesterday" "Bringing Down the House" "D.O.A." "Father of the Bride" / "Father of the Bride II" 20th Anniversary Edition "Gone Fishin'" "Holy Man" "Mr. Wrong" "New York Stories" "Novecento" "The Odessa File" "The Princess Diaries" / "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" 10th Anniversary Edition "Road Trip" "The Walking Tall" Trilogy "White Squall" New on Redbox "Let the Bullets Fly" "Men in Black"]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 16:16:14 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/dvd-blu-ray-chronicle-the-grey_n_1516019.html "Prometheus." In it, Fassbender plays David, an android in a team of explorers who uncover mankind's greatest secrets. As the actor recently told GQ, Scott had Fassbender draw inspiration for his character from three movies: "The Man Who Fell to Earth," "The Servant" and, most importantly, "Lawrence of Arabia." "I had 'Lawrence of Arabia' on a loop in my room throughout filming," he said. "Jesus, I watched it so many times." (Even in the blogger-lauded "Prometheus" trailer, there's an homage to Peter O'Toole's famous flick: "Big things have small beginnings.") The GQ article also gets the first comments from the actor on his Oscar snub. At the time, "Shame" director Steve McQueen was very vocal about his dismay. For Fassbender, it was a bit different. The actor explained that the overwhelming assertions that he would be going to the Oscars affected his own opinons, and when it did not come to fruition, he was not happy. "I was very upset by it," he said. "The first reaction was 'What the f-ck...?' It's a vanity thing. It does become important to you. And it shouldn't." A large portion of the article was also dedicated to, yes, all those "Shame" penis joke, including ones from actor George Clooney ("He could golf with his hands behind his back") and "Prometheus" co-star Charlize Theron ("I was truly impressed that you chose to play it big"). For more "Shame" jokes and information regarding Fassbender's role in "Prometheus" head over to GQ. "Prometheus" hits theaters on June 8. [via GQ]]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 11:24:09 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/15/michael-fassbender-prometheus-oscar-shame_n_1518175.html "SNOW WHITE" PREMIERE PHOTOS ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 23:24:13 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/snow-white-and-the-huntsman-unscripted_n_1516698.html become best friends. This was not the case with Anna Kendrick. Not to say that the star wasn't friendly, we just didn't "get" each other. Nevertheless, that didn't stop us from discussing her role in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the consummate baby guide, "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Here, she plays Rosie, a colloquialism-spewing, food truck proprietor who ends up getting knocked up by her hunky pork-hawking competitor, played by "Gossip Girl's" Chase Crawford. (Swoon!) Moviefone (awkwardly) chatted with Kendrick about phone grettings, baby bumps, and being relieved to no longer be a part of "Twilight." Hi! How are you? [Monotone voice] So good. Good? Sorry? Oh, yeah. So good. “So good”... is that sarcasm? Are you doing tons of interviews? [Laughs] No, I just say that. I guess I realized that's my standard greeting when I actually do junkets and I say it to everyone. I go, ‘Oh, I say that a lot.' Well, let's talk "What to Expect." How was it to shoot? It was really fun, actually. We just got to shoot, mostly nights, in the warm Atlanta weather, on a food truck -- sometimes with a little baby bump, sometimes without. [It was] pretty great. So you actually had a prosthetic baby bump? I did. Because when I flash it and I'm not that far along yet, I kept saying, ‘Can't I just like, have a big lunch?' It'll be great. It'll be easier for everybody. And I want to have a big lunch. So everybody wins. And I assume that didn't happen? Yeah, they still made me get the prosthetic, which took like three hours to put on and was incredibly uncomfortable. You know, it's just like it's hot and sticky and everybody wants to poke you -- all the time. So you had a little taste of pregnancy, then. Do you have any baby aspirations of your own? No, no. And everybody keeps asking me, ‘Oh, did making the movie make you want to have babies?' No, not at all. Like, wearing that prosthetic did not make me want to bring a life into this world. Well, I imagine you read the book... I haven't read the book. That book scares me. It's going to tell me all the crazy things that are going to happen to me when I have a kid and I don't even want to know. I like being able to sleep at night. Is there any book that you'd like to see be made into a movie? Well, when I was a little bit younger, I read this book called “The Rapture of Canaan” and I thought that would make a cool movie, especially because there's a teenage girl lead part...if they made it now Hailee Steinfeld would be a great choice. But now I don't even remember if the book was good. I was just like, ‘Aw, they should make this a movie so I can be in it.” Your particular role was a more serious story than the others. Was that by choice? Well, I was going to play Jennifer [Lopez]'s part but I guess she wanted to do that... No, I was just f-cking with you. Well, in “50/50” you played a serious part, too. The script as a whole is kind of light and funny so I wasn't really thinking about how serious my particular storyline was until we were filming and I was like, ‘Ugh, this is another bummer of a scene.' Yeah. It was super sad. I kept thinking it was like being in a Ben Folds Five video or something. [Laughs] Oh, my god. Yeah! Is it weird for you to field all these pregnancy questions? A little bit, yeah. I kind of knew that it would be coming but I feel like pregnancy and kids, it's one of those things that once you talk about it, people always [recall that], ‘Oh, you said in 2012 that you are open to having kids' and that follows you around or something. And it's one of those weird things where I'm trying to avoid sort of saying anything about it because for me, honestly, I haven't really thought about it that much. So you spent a lot of time on the food truck, were you actually working with food? Yeah, they gave us cooking lessons, I chopped my fingernail off, which was maybe the single most painful experience of my life. So, this isn't sarcasm, then? That was real? No. I chopped my fingernail off, like, half-way up my fingernail. Gone. Like, awful. And you don't even end up seeing my slicing skills in the movie. Oh, so there was a sequence where you were like, julienning something? Yeah. And then they were like, well, actually, if we just shoot it this way, we won't even see your hand... Yeah, lost a fingernail to the cause but, OK. That's awful. Have you ever been hurt on-set before? Not really, no. I mean, I should have sued them or something, right? You and Chace Crawford really seemed to get along. Yeah. Everybody keeps asking us if we knew each other before but, yeah, we just met on set. He's...obviously an incredibly handsome dude and I just kind of had to get past that little speed bump cause it's hard for me to look somebody in the face when they're that attractive. How does it feel not to be involved in the final ‘Twilight' movie? It's a relief, you know? Because it's kind of off my shoulders [in terms of] talking about it. Because talking about it I always feel like I say something that gets misconstrued or I offend someone because people are so deeply passionate about that series. So, I'm actually sort of happy to be not talking about it. "What To Expect When You're Expecting" hits theaters May 18. ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 15:17:26 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/anna-kendrick-what-to-expect-twilight_n_1515851.html have just re-imagined "Battleship"-- a film about an alien invasion -- as a fight against classic board-game characters. (Enter Rich Uncle Pennybags from Monopoly and the King of Candy Land.) The spoof posters even come with catchy tag lines: Monopoly: "The Battle for Earth Begins at Go" and Jenga: "Attack the Block." If the current Rotten Tomatoes score for the movie is any indication, a giant Pennybags or angry Operation patient wreaking havoc in the ocean might be more entertaining than the real movie. Granted, fans shouldn't be laughing too hard: several of these games acutally have movies in the works, including Monopoly from director Ridley Scott and a Candy Land flick starring Adam Sandler. You can check out a few of the posters below. For the entire collection, head to Screen Crush. "Battleship" hits theaters nationwide this Friday. [via Screen Crush] ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 16:39:23 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/battleship-poster-parody-monopoly_n_1516044.html Julianne Moore has signed on to the upcoming horror film. She'll play Carrie's nutso mom, Margaret White. (The role was originally portrayed by actress Piper Laurie, whose performance got her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod.) Joining Moore will be Gabriella Wilde, who'll play popular girl and fellow Carrie classmate Sue Snell. The film follows high-school outcast Carrie (Chloe Grace Moretz, taking over for Sissy Spacek), who's tormented constantly by both her peers and her fundamentalist mother, Margaret. However, Carrie soon discovers that she has telekinetic powers whenever she becomes angry. The "Carrie" remake will be directed by Kimberly Peirce, best known for her work in the 1999 film, "Boys Don't Cry." [via Deadline]]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:07:38 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/carrie-remake-julianne-moore_n_1515099.html With a title like that, I'm sure to get a lot of hate for even suggesting such a notion. But here's the thing: I loved Tim Burton. He was my absolute favorite director until around 2001. The worlds he created held my attention in a deeper way than other filmmaker's. The oddball and macabre design, along with the melancholy atmosphere, were unlike anything I had seen in movies. It was as fantastical in imagination as any blockbuster, and it felt more ethereal and personal than the "Hollywood" spectacle of a Spielberg or Zemeckis film. He introduced me to ideas of retro kitsch, spooky fringe and proudly holding onto timeless obsessions of your youth. Burton is one of those early influences in my life that made me become a passionate movie lover. I can catch "Beetlejuice" or "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" at any moment on TV and immediately get sucked back into them. Batman, Jack Skellington, Martians that explode at the sound of Slim Whitman -- I was (and still am) a head-over-heels fanboy for those cinematic adventures. But now I look at those movies and hold them in high regard in spite of Tim Burton. Tim Burton is not the filmmaker he used to be. The haunting emotional resonance of an early project like "Edward Scissorhands" does not exist in something like 2010's "Alice in Wonderland," or the recently released "Dark Shadows." (And if you think it does, please feel free to explain.) Since 2001, he's been more content playing the Hollywood game: trying to sell the public on pre-packaged, risk-free commercial entertainment that looks pretty, has distinct colors, and usually features Johnny Depp exhibiting some kind of quirk for ninety-minutes. These projects are the cinematic equivalent of cotton candy: They're not meant to be "deep" or "profound," nor are they trying to use the artform of movie-making to uncover any new truths about the human condition. Their sole purpose is to get you to pay twelve dollars to laugh and be distracted from your life. It's as interchangeable and disposable as "Battleship" or those Geico commercials with the excited pig. How did Tim Burton become such a money-chasing hack? How could someone who was so unique become so manufactured? There are only two potential answers. One: he's much more cynical than his public persona lets on. He's a businessman, who is perfectly content selling his brand to the young (and young at heart) outcasts of society with a few token themes of "loneliness," and then wrapping it all in a line of merchandise ready for the new season at Hot Topic. He doesn't care if it's an old drawing, a trading card set, a '70s soap opera or a comic book; if it's "goth," then he wants to sell it to you. If that's the case, then he doesn't deserve the adulation that his fanbase has given him. The only other option is this: he was never that good to begin with. When he was a young and hungry director, Burton wasn't given free rein to do whatever he wanted. He had to compromise with producers, writers, actors and scores of other people involved with a movie. Making a film is a collaborative process; no one person is responsible for a film's perfection, even on the greatest movies of all time. But now that he's "Tim Burton" -- and delivered billions on box-office profits -- he's not going to be reined in. He's surrounded by producers who sign blank checks for him to do his "Tim Burton" thing, then he casts his best friend and his girlfriend in his movie. He's so ensconced in his little bubble that he'll never hear "that's a bad idea" or be pushed to find new ways to entertain. Looking at the last decade of his work, it's clear that if he's this one-note, then all the past glory he's received needs to be given to other people. So let's stop pretending and call it like it is: Tim Burton is a really good art designer. And that's it. He's great at coming up with visual graphics that translate to impressive costumes, makeup, scenery and special effects. That's an impressive skill set, but it doesn't make him a good director. "Directing" a film comes with a lot of storytelling responsibilities that go beyond making everything look cool. Burton's been handed a rare opportunity to tell stories to a global audience, and all he does is make toy commercials. Why do I have to pretend like he's anything better than that? For further proof, let's take a look back at each of Burton's projects "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" This character (and movie) belongs to Paul Reubens (not to mention co-writers Phil Hartman and Michael Varhol). While Burton helped translate the Pee-wee persona to the big screen, this was a passion project for the film's star. "Beetlejuice" Michael McDowell was the one who brought the script to Burton; later Larry Wilson and Warren Skaaren developed the story further. The movie also sports an impressive cast, from Alec Baldwin to Winona Ryder to Jeffrey Jones. And the titular character might be the perfect demonstration of Michael Keaton's manic comedic timing. "Batman" Again, Burton had nothing to do with the story -- the script is again credited to Sam Hamm and Skaaren (plus several uncredited rewrites). And once more Keaton was spotlighted in a leading role, this time a risky departure from his usual character type. Plus, it starred Jack freakin' Nicholson, who had so much presence and control over his character, he could basically dictate the shooting schedule around Lakers games. "Edward Scissorhands" Edward started as a drawing from Burton's teenage years, and the task of creating an actual story was handed off to Caroline Thompson, a novelist who proved to be very adept at translating fairy tales to the big screen (her later credits include "Black Beauty," "The Secret Garden" and a TV version of "Snow White.") A young Johnny Depp signed on to take his first big acting risk, and he was surrounded by Oscar-winning talent like Dianne West and Alan Arkin, plus the legendary Vincent Price. "Batman Returns" Burton was not interested in directing the film, but only signed on to get "Scissorhands" greenlit. Again, he had nothing to do with the script, and the extravagant production was filled with effects by wizards like Stan Winston. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" This is a contentious one in some fan circles because Burton didn't even direct and he regularly receives credit like he does. "Nightmare" started as a three-page poem from the '80s; the movie script was developed by Caroline Thompson again and the musical portions came from long-time creative partner Danny Elfman. The whole affair was directed under the eye of Henry Selick, one of the most successful stop-motion animators in history. "Ed Wood" The genesis of this idea came from screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, who have gone on to pen biopics "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and "Man on the Moon." The project was originally going to be directed by "Heathers" director Michael Lehmann, but he had to drop out at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts. Burton took over and filmed the first draft, as is. The film was buoyed by performances from Depp, Bill Murray and an Oscar-winning turn from Martin Landau. "Mars Attacks!" The goal of this movie was to pay tribute to B-movies from decades past, and it accomplished it: "Mars" was the first commercial and critical disappointment of his career. But if it's not your aim to make a good movie, is it considered a failure? "Sleepy Hollow" The film started as a low-budget slasher from the writer of "Seven" and Kevin Yagher, a special effects artist looking to make his directorial debut. After Yagher lost the job due to creative differences, Burton signed on, having just removed himself from the infamous "Superman" debacle at Warner Bros. "Planet of the Apes" The poorly-reviewed and forgotten remake spent years in development hell before Burton signed on, amid criticism that he was a "hired gun" for 20th Century Fox. "Big Fish" Screenwriter John August adapted the unpublished novel "Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions" and spent years working with Steven Spielberg, who was planning on directing. Burton signed on after Spielberg had to drop out. And don't forget August's words were delivered by critically acclaimed actors like Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor and Jessica Lange. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" This second attempt at adapting Roald Dahl's book came from Dahl himself, who spent years trying to get a film version that was closer to his vision than the 1971 family classic. After many directors toyed with the idea of working on "Wonka," Burton signed on with August and Depp, adding their own new backstory to the candy-maker and receiving criticism for Depp's eccentric Michael Jackson-like performance. "The Corpse Bride" Burton shared co-directing credits with Mike Johnson, a stop-motion animator, and screenwriting credits again went to August and Caroline Thompson. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Burton replaced Sam Mendes, who was working directly with Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim. The film adaptation was scripted by the multi-time Oscar-nominated John Logan, while Sondheim remained as a creative consultant overseeing the production. "Alice in Wonderland" Burton signed a deal with Disney to make two 3D films; with Disney writer Linda Woolverton on board, Burton tackled "Alice" because he never felt an "emotional connection" to Lewis Carroll's story. His re-worked tale, that involved effects-laden battle scenes, received some of the worst reviews of his career. "Dark Shadows" For his latest effort, Burton hired Seth Grahame-Smith to pen the adaptation of a cult 70s soap opera. Prior to his first screenplay work, Grahame-Smith was famous for writing a "Spider-Man" handbook, "The Big Book of Porn" and the literary mash-ups "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," which combine one thing that was already successful with another thing that was already successful. ]]> Sun, 13 May 2012 23:40:37 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/13/tim-burton-good-movies-johnny-depp_n_1513645.html "Snow White and the Huntsman" -- Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth -- hit the red carpet in London earlier this afternoon to celebrate the world premiere of their new movie. You can re-watch the event in the video above. For red-carpet photos of KStew and the gang, check out the gallery below. "Snow White and the Huntsman" hits theaters June 1. (Also, make sure to keep an eye out for Moviefone's "Snow White and the Hunstman" Unscripted, going live tomorrow morning at 9 am ET.) PHOTOS: ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 08:19:38 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/14/snow-white-and-the-huntsman-premiere-red-carpet_n_1514331.html Sun, 13 May 2012 11:50:27 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/13/box-office-avengers-billion_n_1512868.html writing all the answers down on a postcard. Although it's been 22 years since the last film was in theaters, Wilson's still fielding queries about what it was like to work with Michael J. Fox ("Michael J. Fox is nice. I'm not in close contact with him"), hoverboard stories ("The hoverboards didn't really fly, we were hanging by wires from a cane") and what the maure was made of ("The manure was made from peat moss, cork, dirt and a food agent that made it sticky"). Oh, and what about Biff's famous catchphrases? "Among the many improvisations on set, I termed the coin 'butthead,' as well as 'Make like a tree, and get out of here.'" Wilson, whose other credits include "The Informant!" and "Action Jackson," says he created the FAQ because "Nobody had any idea that the movies would become a cultural touchstone, but the themes of friendship and adventure moved the audience so powerfully that I felt the need to create this postcard as a timesaver." You can read the full postcard here. [via Letters of Note b/w THR]]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 16:18:49 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/11/tom-wilson-biff-back-to-the-future_n_1510586.html PHOTOS: ]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 12:45:51 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/11/mothers-day-best-movie-moms_n_1509798.html PRO: The set design and costumes One thing the movie nails: The 1970s aesthetic, with its lava lamps, music, clothes and cars. CON: The script Sure, the movie may be great to look at, but that doesn't matter when the script is in total shambles. "Dark Shadows" is filled with plot holes and unanswered questions. PRO: The soundtrack The film features a terrific selection of classic rock hits, from "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" by T.Rex to the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin" to (appropriately) "Season Of The Witch" by Donovan. CON: The misuse of Danny Elfman The legendary composer has worked on almost every Tim Burton movie. But here, his score is banished to the short intro and end credits. PRO: Eva Green Even with a bland script, the French actress succeeds at playing the menacing evil witch, Angelique Bouchard. CON: Chloe Moretz The 15-year-old actress has been deservedly praised for her roles in "Kick Ass" and "Let Me In." But her portrayal of the despondent (and stoned) Carolyn Stoddard is, for a lack of a better word, terrible. PRO: Collinwood Manor Along the same lines as the first "pro." The house is filled with secret passages, ancient artwork and an unbelievably cool caretaker played by Jackie Earle Haley. CON: Collinwood Manor montage Barnabas' arrival in 1972 was Burton's perfect excuse to film a cheesy montage at Collinwood Manor, filled with bad fish-out-of-water jokes. PRO: Johnny Depp The movie star is his usual reliable self in "Shadows," lurking around Tim Burton's gorgeously gothic sets as only Johnny Depp can do. CON: Johnny Depp Still, we've seen this role from Depp before; he's played the pasty-faced creeper in almost every one of Burton's films. PRO: Jonathan Frid cameo The original Barnabas Collins, who passed away last month at the age of 87, made his final film appearance in "Shadows." As Depp told the LA Times on set, Frid was "as elegant and magical as I had always imagined." CON: Alice Cooper cameo You know what's cool? Seeing Alice Cooper perform in 1972. You know what isn't? Watching a 64-year-old Alice Cooper perform in a film that's set in 1972. PRO: This Mondo poster CON: This photo at the "Dark Shadows" premiere, which would have been great ... in 1972. ]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 08:35:44 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/11/tim-burtons-dark-shadows-review_n_1508909.html "Dark Shadows," and for his updated take on the creepy '70s soap opera, he's cast -- no surprises, here -- Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. This will be the eighth time Burton has worked with Depp ("Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood," Sleepy Hollow," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "The Corpse Bride," "Sweeney Todd," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Shadows"). Carter, meanwhile, has worked with real-life partner Tim a total of seven times, starting with 2000's "Planet of the Apes," moving onto "Big Fish" and then becoming the inseparable third component of all ensuing Depp-Burton collaborations. If you're in the business of making big-budget fantasy blockbusters, then it's natural to keep working with your best friend and the mother to your children (especially if it's creatively fruitful). However, it's time to mix things up. "Dark Shadows" looks cool and Depp and Carter are fine, but the final product is a boring, sluggish mess of a story that doesn't do nearly enough with the premise. Following the slump that came with their all-style, no-substance rendition of "Alice," it's clear the director needs time away from his two favorite actors, to work with fresh blood who will get his creative juices flowing again. What is required to be the star of a Tim Burton movie? You need to be willing to take on bizarre, macabre characters. His casts do not operate in bleach-blond sunny California worlds; they're gray and dreary and require a gothic disposition. Below is a list of 12 actors that could fit right in with Burton's pale-faced world and provide a much-needed jolt of energy. PHOTOS: ]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 13:34:36 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/10/tim-burton-johnny-depp-helena-bonham-carter_n_1506864.html Clifford the Big Red Dog getting the big-screen treatment, across the pond, another beloved children's character is being adapted into a feature film. According to Variety, Studiocanal is partnering with "Harry Potter" bigwig David Heyman to adapt Michael Bond's Paddington Bear. Paul King ("The Mighty Boosh") will direct the movie, which will be half-CGI, half-live-action. Paddington has enjoyed great success in the children's literature world, having sold over 35 million copies worldwide, and being published in 40 different languages. The movie is said to be a "modern take" on the story, which follows a polite, talking bear who was found in Paddington station and adopted by a British family. "Paddington Bear is a universally loved character, treasured for his optimism, his sense of fair play, and his perfect manners -- and of course for his unintentional talent for comic chaos," said Heyman. The film currently has no release date. [via Variety]]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 15:26:45 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/10/paddington-bear-movie-book-to-be-developed-into-a-feature-film_n_1507388.html every other blockbuster ever, audiences will likely continue to assemble. However, if you think there's a little too much life in the Joss Whedon opus, its weekend competitor, "Dark Shadows," might be more to your taste. This weekend, Tim Burton's vampiric comedy is the only new release going head-to-head against the action juggernaut. So! Let's take a look at this David vs. Goliath tale, and the box-office predictions, in Moviefone's Weekend Movie Preview. NATIONWIDE RELEASES "Dark Shadows" What's the story? Based on the 1960s gothic television soap, "Dark Shadows" follows imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), who awakens from a 200-year slumber to settle a score with a jealous witch. Box-office prediction: While "Dark Shadows" may not have enough muscle to take out "The Avengers," it will pull its weight. The Burton-Depp combo is a tried and true match (also, never underestimate a camp classic reboot). Opening in 3,755 theaters including IMAX venues, the film could bring in a respectable $38 million. (To see what the critics are saying about it, check out the review roundup in the gallery below.) [Showtimes & Tickets | Six Second Review] LIMITED RELEASES If comic book heroes and vampires aren't your thing, there are a ton of limited releases arriving this weekend. Chloe Moretz grows up a little too quickly in "Hick"; Eva Mendes learns how to parent in "Girl in Progress"; Jason Ritter and Jake Sandvig right their car-stealing ways in "A Bag of Hammers"; "Under African Skies" narrates the making of Paul Simon's legendary album, "Graceland"; newly unearthed "Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview" offers a private view at the late visionary; a couple buys a house too good to be true until they realize heroine is lined with drugs in "Stash House"; a man seeking a new life in Mexico finds it more difficult than anticipated in "El Gringo"; in "Dragon Eyes," Jean-Claude Van Damme endeavors to free a town from its pervasive gang violence; "Nesting" finds a once-hipster couple longing for their adventurous youth in "Nesting." ]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 11:38:15 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/10/new-releases-movies-dark-shadows_n_1506704.html Wall Street Journal, Experience Hendrix LLC, the family-owned company that manages Hendrix's music and publishing, released a statement saying that it does not support the film. "[The Estate] has made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation.” That said, Experience Hendrix doesn't necessarily oppose all projects, it just won't sanction any films without the group's approval. "CEO Janie Hendrix, sister of Jimi Hendrix, and the EH board, have not ruled out a ‘biopic' in the future, though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions.” Author Charles R. Cross, who wrote the 2005 Hendrix biography, "Room Full of Mirrors," tells Moviefone, "Since the day Jimi died his estate has been complicated, with three or four different owners over the years, multiple lawsuits, and millions spent fighting for his legacy. It is one of the messiest stories in music industry history. But one day there will be a great movie of his life because it truly was legendary and oversized." A Showtime TV movie titled “Hendrix,” was released in 2000 starring "The Wire's" Wood Harris faced the same problem: Their workaround was to use covers of Hendrix's songs instead of the originals. [via WSJ]]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 14:33:11 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/10/andre-3000-jimi-hendrix-biopic_n_1507097.html "The Thomas Crown Affair" was one of the most stylish movies of the 1960s -- stylish for the icy cool of Steve McQueen as the millionaire who robs banks for kicks; for the similarly frosty cool of Faye Dunaway as the investigator who plays an erotic game of cat-and-mouse with him; for the costumes of Theadora Van Runkle, who helped make Dunaway a fashion trendsetter in "Bonnie and Clyde" and did the same for her here with no fewer than 29 haute-couture outfits; for the jazzy score of Michel Legrand, including the Oscar-winning ballad "The Windmills of Your Mind"; and for the camera trickery of director Norman Jewison, the first Hollywood filmmaker to shoot heist scenes and love scenes in split-screen. The 1968 caper flick was a favorite of both McQueen and Dunaway, as well as of moviegoers, many of whom prefer it to the similarly slick 1999 remake that starred Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. You can make the comparison yourself when the McQueen-Dunaway original comes out on Blu-ray this week. In it, you'll see many performers who went on to have celebrated careers in film and TV. Let's take a look back at the entire cast and crew of "The Thomas Crown Affair," below. ]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 17:44:08 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/09/thomas-crown-affair-cast-faye-dunaway_n_1504432.html Emma Stone is back together again with Ryan Gosling. In the first trailer for their shoot-em-up crime drama "Gangster Squad," Stone and Gosling are once again unlikely paramours -- she's arm candy for Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn), the most feared mobster in LA, and he's an LAPD officer. From director Ruben Fleischer ("Zombieland"), "Gangster Squad" follows a group of 1940s rouge cops who will stop at nothing to catch L.A.'s most wanted (Penn). The film is based on Paul Lieberman's Los Angeles Times series "Tales From The Gangster Squad," and boasts quite a bit of star power: In addition to Stone, Penn and Gosling, the rest of cast includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi, Robert Patrick and Nick Nolte. Check out the newly released trailer above. "Gangster Squad" hits theaters later this year. [via Apple] PHOTOS: ]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 08:17:52 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/10/gangster-squad-trailer-ryan-gosling-emma-stone_n_1505818.html "The Avengers" did, it's sometimes tough to give each actor their due. The most-gangbusters superhero film in history seemed to pull it off just fine -- after all, it did rake in a staggering $200.3 million on its opening weekend. But, if you still felt like you got cheated out of some quality time, Tom Hiddleston has got you covered. While on the talk show Hoppus on Music, Hiddleston was asked to perform an impromptu Shakespearean monologue. (If you couldn't tell by his eloquent portrayal of the villan Loki, he is a celebrated thespian.) The star, almost without hesitation (think Ron Burgundy flute playing in "Anchorman"), stood up and performed a Globe Theater-worthy speech from "Henry V." Just another reason Tom Hiddleston is awesome. Take a look at the video above and someone, get a Tumblr going immediately . [via Vulture] ]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 17:14:26 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/09/tom-hiddleston-loki-avengers-shakespeare_n_1504520.html his own exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art). On Friday, the director's creativity is on display once again, this time in "Dark Shadows." Based on the popular 1960s gothic soap, the movie stars Burton's favorite actor Johnny Depp as an imprisoned vampire who awakens to settle a score with a crazed witch (Eva Green). Not surprisingly, "Shadows" features the typical Burton tropes fans have come to know and love: crazy hair, pale anti-heroes, partying with the undead -- all in all, a smorgasbord of gothic kookiness that can really only be described as "Burton-esque." In honor of "Dark Shadows," let's take a look at the style and fashion behind some of Tim Burton's biggest films. PHOTOS: ]]> Tue, 8 May 2012 17:48:12 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/08/tim-burton-movies_n_1501329.html allegedly saved the life of an ailing jogger. The actor even waited until help arrived, thus dispelling -- at least for a few days -- the notion that all celebrities are absolute jerks. (Dustin's heroics may also explain why he was looking so sad at this year's Golden Globes. There was no one around for him to save!) Not to be outdone, Mila Kunis played hero this past weekend, when she came to the aid of a man having a seizure. Hoffman and Kunis aren't the first celebrities to step in and help the regular folks, and they certainly (well, hopefully) won't be the last. In honor of our most recent actors/saviors, let's take a look at nine celebs who've come to the rescue. ]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 11:47:06 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/09/celebrity-heroes-actors-dustin-hoffman_n_1503203.html wrote about a fascinating case involving a man who's been nicknamed the "Real-Life Norman Bates." In a tale of Hitchcockian proportions, 51-year-old Thomas Parkin had beem accused of dressing up like his dead mother in an attempt to secure her $2.2 million brownstone and to cash her Social Security checks. (Fans of "Psycho" will remember that the film's main character had been impersonating his mother long after she had passed away. Of course, in the movie, Bates was also murdering innocent people, something Parkin was not accused of.) The trouble began in 1997, when Irene Prusik supposedly signed over her brownstone deed to her adopted son Thomas Parkin (the house was eventually foreclosed on when he couldn't pay the mortgage). However, things really got weird in September 2003, after Irene passed away. That's when Thomas gave the funeral director an incorrect Social Security number for his mother. As Daly reports, this prevented "[Irene's] death from being logged in the federal database and allegedly [allowed Thomas] to collect her continuing Social Security benefits." Soon after, a pending lawsuit -- one brought forth by Samir Chopra, the man who bought the foreclosed brownstone from the bank -- began to heat up. Chopra wanted Parkin banned from the brownstone. Parkin, however, took his case to the district attorney, painting him and his (now deceased) mother as victims of fraud. But the D.A. was suspicious: He continually asked to meet with Irene Prusik, only to be rebuffed by Thomas, who said she was ill. Eventually, Thomas Parkin relented, and D.A. investigator Vincent Verlezza went to visit Irene...with a hidden camera. The video, which you can watch over on the Daily Beast, shows Parkin dressed as his mother. The tape would later be used as evidence against Thomas. (Thomas Parkin would later admit to detectives that "I held my mother when she was dying and breathed in her last breath, so I am my mother.") Last week, Parkin was convicted on 11 counts, including larceny and falsifying records. He can now be sentenced to up to 83 years in prison. Although the NY Daily News states that Parkin was a fan of Bates, his lawyer maintains his innocence: "That could have been anyone," he said, in reference to the person in the video dressed as "Irene Prusik." For a whole lot more regarding the case and Parkin's background, head over to the Daily Beast. Coincidentally, a movie about the making of "Psycho" -- starring Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchock and James D'Arcy as Anthony Perkins -- is set to hit theaters in 2013. [via The Daily Beast b/w Movies.com] NEW STARS IN OLD ROLES ]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 08:07:31 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/09/thomas-parkin-fraud-norman-bates_n_1502430.html Universal is teaming up with Illumination Entertainment, the company who brought you the recent box-office marvel "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," to develop the project. Matt Lopez ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") is set to pen the script, which follows the 25-foot pup and his companion, a girl named Emily Elizabeth. The film will follow the story of Clifford, as well as Emily's exceptional love that made him grow far beyond the size of a normal dog. (In order to accomodate this, the family had to move out of their city home and into a Clifford-friendly island town.) The film is said to be a live-action/animation hybrid. "Clifford the Big Red Dog" first appeared on bookshelves in 1963, created by author and illustrator Norman Bridwell. (Which means dear old Clifford is turning 50 next year!) The success of the series spawned a popular PBS program in 2000, which was voiced by the late actor John Ritter. [via THR]]]> Wed, 9 May 2012 08:18:45 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/09/clifford-the-big-red-dog-movie_n_1502519.html PHOTOS: ]]> Tue, 8 May 2012 13:22:08 EDT http://news.moviefone.com/2012/05/08/mothers-day-gift-guide-movies_n_1500373.html